Dr. Candy Kay Charowhas, 47, passed away July 31, 2018 in Ellsworth. She was born February 24, 1971 in Ellsworth to Brent Cunningham and Irene Vodraska. She married Peter Charowhas in Ellsworth on August 5, 1995.
Candy believed in family. Family was number one and important in her life along with God and her Catholic faith. She loved being a mother to Ava & Sailor. She loved her husband Pete and told him every day. She had a multitude of lifelong friends she felt were very important to her.
Candy was a member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church of Ellsworth and the church altar society. She was also a member of the Kansas Optometric Association and involved in many activities with her children including 4-H and youth church activities where she helped teach religious education classes.
Candy is survived by her husband Peter of Ellsworth; children, Sailor and Ava Charowhas; brothers, Jamie Cunningham of Ellsworth and Alex Cunningham (Allison) of Great Bend; sister-in-law, Kim Bergmann (David); brother-in-law, Michael Charowhas (Cassandra); nephews, Cannon Cunningham, Colton Hower, and Blake and Garrett Bergmann; nieces, Chesney Cunningham, Jensen Bergmann, and Jade Charowhas. She was preceded in death by her step-father, Firman Werth.
Visitation: 1-7 p.m., Friday, August 3, 2018 at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth followed by a vigil and rosary service at 7:00 p.m. Family will be present 6-7 p.m.
Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 4, 2018 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Ellsworth with burial following in Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Bernard’s Catholic Church CYO, c/o, Parsons Funeral Home, Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439.
KEARNEY, Mo. (AP) – Authorities are investigating a report that a missing Iowa college student might have been seen in northwest Missouri.
Police in Kearney, Mo., say an employee at a truck stop reported Sunday that she saw a young girl resembling Mollie Tibbetts.
The department said in a statement that it spoke to witnesses and reviewed video footage before forwarding a report to a task force investigating Tibbetts’ disappearance.
KMBC-TV reports Kearney police Sgt. Joe Kantola said only one person reported seeing the woman who resembled Mollie. And he noted he didn’t say in the statement that she had been seen on video from the truck stop.
Tibbetts, a 20-year-old University of Iowa student, hasn’t been seen since July 18.
Kearney is about 25 miles northeast of Kansas City.
If you’re interested in introducing your child to the world of shooting sports, hunting, fishing and other outdoor-related activities, make plans to attend the 21st Annual Youth Outdoor Festival on Aug. 18. The event will provide a day of free target shooting and other outdoor activities for youth 17 and younger at the Hays City Sportsmen’s Club, 1/4 mile north of I-70, Exit 157.
Staff from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, as well as members of Hays area businesses, conservation groups and local shooting sports groups will collaborate to offer instruction on trap and skeet shooting, archery, as well as air rifle, muzzleloader and small-bore rifle marksmanship. There will also be a casting competition, paintball activities and a furharvesting demonstration. Events begin 9 a.m. on Saturday morning and end at 3 p.m.
Youth will be closely supervised at each station by experienced volunteer instructors, and all equipment will be supplied. Hunter Education certification is not required, but youth must be accompanied by an adult. Registration for the event can be completed onsite the day of the event. A free lunch will be provided by Eagle Communications and the Hays Chapter of Pheasants Forever. Youth will also have chances to win prizes, including guns, fishing tackle and other outdoor equipment.
For more information, contact Kent Hensley at (785) 726-3212 or Troy Mattheyer at (785) 726-4212.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Eudora man has been found guilty of fatally shooting a man at a bar.
Bo Hopson-photo Gofundme
A Douglas County jury on Wednesday found 37-year-old Danny Queen guilty of second-degree murder in the June 2017 death of Bo Hopson outside the D-Dubs Bar and Grill in Eudora.
Queen was intoxicated and had been thrown out of the bar that night. Hopson reportedly asked Queen if he needed someone to drive or walk him home but Queen responded by shooting him at close range.
He also tried to shoot two other men but the gun jammed.
Queen said he had been roughed up by other patrons inside the bar and fired the shots because he was afraid he would be attacked again.
The family will have a private service at a later date. There is no visitation. The family suggests memorials to the Dennis Wood Memorial Fund. Memorials may be sent in care of Pauls Funeral Home, 121 N. Penn, Oberlin, KS 67749
SUMNER COUNTY —A second earthquake this week was reported in Kansas. Just after 11:30p.m. Wednesday, a 2.6 magnitude quake was centered approximately 8 miles northwest of Caldwell, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Image courtesy Kansas Geological Survey
At 10:09 p.m. Monday, a 2.4 magnitude quake was reported in Marion County, approximately 3 miles northeast of the unincorporated community Oursler.
These are the first quakes reported in Kansas since a 2.5 quake in Harper County on July 2.
There are no reports of damage or injury from Wednesday’s quake.
Hays Public Library will host “The Kansas City Monarchs in Your Hometown,” a presentation and discussion by Phil S. Dixon on Aug. 5 at 1:30pm in the Schmidt Gallery of the Hays Public Library. Members of the community are invited to attend the free program.
Contact Marissa Lamer, Kansas Room Librarian, at 785-625-9014 for more information. The program is made possible by Humanities Kansas.
Formed in 1920, the Kansas City Monarchs revolutionized baseball; not only were they charter members of the Negro National League and the first professional team to use outdoor lighting, the Monarchs also sent more players to the major leagues than any other Negro League franchise. This presentation will explore the early barnstorming days of the Monarchs and highlight great players such as Wilbur “Bullet” Rogan, Satchel Paige, and Jackie Robinson.
Phil S. Dixon, co-founder of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, is the author of nine books about baseball, including biographies about Wilber “Bullet” Rogan and John “Buck” O’Neil. In the course of his research, he has interviewed over 500 former Negro League players and family members. Dixon will share stories of particular interest to Hays and surrounding areas. The Kansas City Monarchs made many trips to the area.
“The Kansas City Monarchs in Your Hometown” is part of Humanities Kansas’s Movement of Ideas Speakers Bureau, featuring presentations and workshops designed to share stories that inspire, spark conversations that inform, and generate insights that strengthen civic engagement.
Page 2 – Presentation Explores Legacy of African American Baseball Team
For more information about “The Kansas City Monarchs in Your Hometown,” contact the the Hays Public Library at 785-625-9014 or visit www.hayslibrary.org.
Phil Dixon is co-founder of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Mo.
About Humanities Kansas
Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit spearheading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.
ELLIS — The annual “Just Breathe” disc golf tournament in memory of Ellis resident Bryce Stropes will be held Sunday, Aug. 5, Sky Vu Disc Golf Course in Ellis.
Registration begins at 9 a.m., with play beginning at 10 a.m.
Cost is $20 per team of two, and there will be a cash payout for first through third finishes.
A 14-year-old Ellis resident, Bryce Stropes drowned while playing in the city swimming pool July 22, 2010, despite the efforts of lifeguards, a volunteer firefighter who was also at the pool and EMS personnel. His death was determined to be from shallow water blackout drowning.
Brooke Leiker, Munjor, teaches the polka at Kindertag, part of the AHSGR International Convention in Hays.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
It was perfect polka weather Wednesday morning for Kindertag, a youth heritage outdoor day presented in connection with the 49th annual international convention of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia underway in Hays.
More than 350 people from across the United States as well as Canada, Germany and Russia are attending the four-day convention headquartered in the Fort Hays State University Memorial Union.
Themed “The Storm,” participants are learning about life in the Germanic colonies of the Russia Empire as the 1917 Russian Revolution began. They’re also looking for and sharing information about their German-Russian ancestors and heritage.
The international society is headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, where the 50th anniversary will be celebrated in 2019. Executive Director Sherry Pawelko describes herself as “100 percent Volga-German, from both sides of the river.”
“We represent all different regions of settlements where German people were in Russia, including the Volga (river) area and of course, there are a lot of Volga-Germans in the Hays area,” she said.
“We have a rich heritage and we don’t want to forget it.”
According to the society’s website, the Germans from Russia story begins in 1762 with the Manifesto issued by Catherine the Great. By the end of the 19th century, there were about 1.8 million Germans in Russia. In 1872, the Germans in Russia began to emigrate to the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina.
Research Room
The society focuses on research. “We want to be here for future generations to do research, to find out about their families and their heritage,” Pawelko stressed.
One of the rooms in the Memorial Union is entirely lined with reference materials, computers and internet connections to aid in that research.
The future generations were also doing some research of their own at the Ellis County Historical Society Museum in downtown Hays.
Mary Kay Schippers demonstrates how water was brought into a farm home.
Educational activities showed how Germans from Russia lived, many of them on farms or in rural villages. The nearly 60 children learned from local volunteer Mary Kay Schippers how sauerkraut and butter were made, how clothes were cleaned before the advent of electricity and where eggs actually come from.
After the chores were done, children and adults enjoyed leisure activities including dances and games.
Munjor residents Sarah Leiker and her daughter Brooke, who was wore traditional German garments, taught the young participants how to polka.
“They were really good,” Brooke said.
Jerry Braun pitches Bunnock
Hays resident Jerry Braun organized a rousing game of Bunnock, “The Game of Bones,” which originally used horse knuckles tossed between two teams trying to knock down all their opponent’s “bones” with the fewest number of throws.
“Bunnock began as a pastime by those in Russian military service and the soldiers brought it back to their families,” Braun explained. Today, Bunnock tournaments thrive in Canada, he added. It’s one of four countries where the Germans in Russia began to emigrate in 1872, along with the United States, Brazil, and Argentina.
Another popular game was Durak, the card game of “The Fool.” “You must lose your cards to win,” grinned Braun, “and the last player with cards is the Durak or Fool.”
Sylvan Grove resident Jana Wehrman brought her daughters Emma, 10, and Eastin, 8, to learn more about their dad’s side of the family.
“We homeschool our two girls and this is a good way to start our school year,” Wehrman said as she watched Schippers demonstrate life on the farm in the old days.
“We live on a farm but they’re learning what it used to be like for their grandmas and grandpas. They weren’t sure about the sauerkraut,” she laughed, “but they were excited to learn about some of those traditions.”
Wehrman is a former science teacher at Sylvan Grove High School and uses those skills in homeschooling her young daughters.
“Last week we looked up where Germany is. We talked about their great-grandparents and how they got to the United States. Eventually in this school year, we’ll probably do a unit on Europe.”
Concurrent sessions at the convention include DNA analysis, ethnic clothing, religious persecution, folklore, religious architecture, music, and authors discussing their books related to German-Russian stories and history.
Tom Haas, Leo Dorzweiler, and Ray Breit explain different German dialects.
Area residents Tom Haas, Leo Dorzweiler and Ray Breit translated a German conversation into the local dialects spoken in Munjor, Catherine and Pfeifer.
Tours of historical and cultural sites were offered to the Volga-German “villages” in Ellis County and their famous limestone churches built by immigrants.
Pete Felten’s limestone sculpture in Victoria of a Volga-German family. A replica sits at the AHSGR headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Pawelko was especially excited to tour the studio of Hays limestone artisan Pete Felten.
“We have a copy of Felten’s statue that’s in Victoria in Lincoln, and so that was pretty thrilling to see the original.”
They also have toured the Bukovina Society Museum in Ellis and the Ellis County Historical Society Museum.
Sam Brungardt along with Charlie Dorzweiler, who recently opened Das Essen House restaurant in downtown Hays, held cooking demonstrations of traditional German dishes including potato and dumplings and Christmas cookies.
“It’s just been a little something for everyone,” Pawelko said with a smile. “Kevin Rupp (Hays) and Leonard Schoenberger (Ellis) of the AHSGR Sunflower Chapter have just been incredible in organizing this.”
Also assisting with the convention are the Kansas Northeast Chapter and the Golden Wheat Chapter, along with the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau. It continues through Thursday.
The international convention was last held in Hays in 2007.
Heritage Hall
Tom Haas, Leo Dorzweiler, Ray Breit
The Germans from Russia story begins in 1762 with the Manifesto issued by Catherine the Great.
Jerry Braun pitches Bunnock
Research Room
Mary Kay Schippers demonstrates how water was brought into a farm home.
Fort Hays State University is currently accepting applications for the position of University Police Officer. For a full description and a list of requirements go to https://fhsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CAREERS.
Applicant must be at least 21 years of age, no felony convictions, no convictions for domestic violence, and must maintain a valid Kansas driver’s license.
Technology keeps evolving to help crop producers make every drop of water count on the fields. To demonstrate the latest in crop irrigation technology, farmers in numerous counties are teaming with the Kansas Water Office and Kansas State University to present Water Technology Field Days in several locations in August.
“I’m pleased to see the growing interest in Water Technology Farms across the state,” said Kansas Water Office Director Tracy Streeter. “We continue to see outcomes from these farms suggesting that water use reductions, coupled with irrigation technology adoption and water management improvements are leading to positive effects on the aquifer as well as the producer’s bottom line.”
The field days are designed for producers to see how the newest research and technology is being applied in real-life settings in different areas of the state. Three more Water Technology Farm projects were implemented in 2018 with a total of 10 Water Technology Farm projects, on more than 35 fields overlying the High Plains Aquifer.
The upcoming field day dates and locations include:
* Aug. 7 – Pawnee County – WaterPACK & ILS Farm – 2 p.m.
* Aug. 15 – Finney County – Garden City Co. & Roth Farm – 10 a.m.
* Aug. 16 – Harvey County – Weber Farm – TBD
* Aug. 16 – Sedgwick County – Jacob Farm – TBD
* Aug. 28 – Finney County – T&O Farms – 10 a.m.
* Aug. 28 – Seward County – Hatcher Land & Cattle – 2 pm.
* Aug. 29 – Sherman County – NW KS Tech College Farms – 9 am. (multiple events)
* Aug. 30 – Scott County – Circle C Farms – 10 a.m.
* Aug. 30 – Wichita County – Long Water Tech Farm – 5 p.m.
* Aug. 31 – Ford County – Harshberger Farm – 10 a.m.
For the second year Northwest Kansas Technical College is also participating by providing learning and workforce development training for its students. Northwest Kansas Technical College’s Precision Agriculture department and landowners in the surrounding counties have partnered to develop 10 Water Technology Farm projects. In these projects, the students and landowners receive in-field training and hands on experience implementing water efficiency technologies. With supplier partnerships, students will be exposed to multiple types of soil moisture probes, pivot controls, irrigation scheduling systems and other water management tools.
KWO provides financial assistance to Kansas State University’s efforts to give technical support to each technology farm. K-State is deeply involved in establishing and monitoring the farms to help answer the producers’ specific questions and concerns about the new technology.
“K-State is working with partners to help address questions and concerns about the new irrigation technologies so in the future, farmers will fully embrace the technology appropriate for their operation and situation,” said Jonathan Aguilar, water resource engineer with K-State Research and Extension, based in Garden City, Kansas. “Each farm is set up slightly different, depending on the primary concern the producer has. For example, one farm has three adjacent spans with different modes of application for comparison purposes. In most fields, soil moisture sensors are installed and tested for accuracy as feedback or for its performance in the different soil types.”
The Water Technology Farms wouldn’t be possible without key public-private partnerships and support from the following:
Kansas Water Office; K-State Research and Extension; Kansas Corn Commission; Northwest Groundwater Management District No. 4; Groundwater Management District No. 1; Seaman Crop Consulting; Servi-Tech Expanded Premium Services, LLC; United Sorghum Check-Off Program; Garden City Coop; SW KS Groundwater Management District No. 3; Kansas Department of Agriculture; Conestoga Energy Partners; Teeter Irrigation; Dragon-Line; Helena; Kansas Geological Survey; Ogallala Aquifer Program; Syngenta; Hortau; Kansas Farm Bureau; KSU Mesonet; AquaSpy; Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission; Crop Metrics; Netafim; Valley Irrigation; Presley Solutions, American Irrigation; WaterPACK; Pioneer Hi-Bred International; Western Irrigation Supply House and Ag Systems, Inc.; Tri-State Irrigation; John Payne; TerrAvion; Phytech; Great Plains Precision Ag; Western Sprinkler; Finney County Conservation District; On Target Solutions;Lindsay Corporation; Woofter Irrigation; Agrela Ecosystems; BASF Corp; AgSense; Golden Harvset; Red Barn Enterprises, Inc.; Todd and Diana Long; Groundwater Management District No. 2; Heartland Soil Services; Ag Systems, Inc.; T&O Farms; Valmont Industries; 21st Century Equipment; AgVenture; AMVAC; Dane G. Hansen Foundation; DEKALB; DigiFarm; DJI; Kansas Corn Growers Association; Kansas Department of Commerce; ModernAG; Nash Water Well Service; Nex-Tech; NW Kansas Technical College; Precision Planting; SatShot; The Climate Corporation; Trimble; Northwest Kansas Groundwater Conservation Foundation; 96 Ag & KITS; DataFarm; Sand-D-Akr Farms; Senniger; Davis; Fontanelle; Golden Plains; Outback; Simplot; SST-Proagrica; Komet; Veris
For more information visit: www.kwo.ks.gov or contact Armando Zarco, Water Resource Planner at (620) 276-2901.
Dr. Candy Kay Charowhas, 47, passed away July 31, 2018 in Ellsworth. She was born February 24, 1971 in Ellsworth to Brent Cunningham and Irene Vodraska. She married Peter Charowhas in Ellsworth on August 5, 1995.
