By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Several older areas in Hays have sanitary sewer lines in need of repair because of pipe collapses, holes, or off-set joints, according to Jeff Crispin, director of water resources.

The annual sewer cleaning and inspection program has identified 26 locations where the lines are impassible and can’t be cleaned or examined by a video camera, Crispin wrote in a memo to Hays city commissioners.

Some of the abandonments, due to protruding taps and large vegetation root balls, are an easy fix and can be cut out internally without having to dig up the sewer. The abandonments caused by pipe collapses, holes or joint offsets can only be fixed by digging down to the failure spot and replacing a section of line.

Bids to replace sections of sanitary sewer line in 26 locations were received Oct. 23 from four bidders. The low bid was made by M&D Excavating of Hays for $198,380, which would be funded out of Water Reclamation Capital.

Crispin will present the bids during Thursday’s work session.

The only other item on the agenda is review of the Nov. 1 work session minutes.

The complete Nov. 15 agenda is available here.

The work session starts at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

NCKTECH

For the second consecutive year, Thomas More Prep-Marian school Spanish teacher Melissa Pinkney has brought a group of her students to the NCK Tech Culinary program to participate in a hands-on Latino cultural experience.

With the assistance of Chef Philip Kuhn and the culinary class, TMP students were able to help prepare a spicy feast. Tamales, guacamole, salsa verde and pico de gallo were on the menu for this year.

One of the culinary students is actually a current TMP senior. Jillian Lowe is taking the program at NCK TECH during the afternoon.

She takes her TMP classes in the morning and then heads to the culinary program every day from 12:30-3:30 p.m. In order to participate, Lowe was required to meet her high school credits. “I have always had an interest in cooking and this is a great opportunity even while I am still in high school,” stated Lowe. “I am taking two online (general education courses) college credit courses now and hope to finish my last general education course in the spring.”

With the completion of these courses and the culinary program, Lowe will graduate in May from NCK Tech with a certificate.

“It’s always enjoyable to see students come into our kitchen and not really know how food is prepared and experience it first hand,” commented Chef Kuhn. “Bringing her (Melissa Pinkney) students in for a few hours to experience a different culture’s food is a great way to add to their learning environment.”

Pinkney, who this year brought students from the Spanish Level I and II classes, hopes to continue to make this field trip a yearly event.

For more information on the Culinary program and NCK Tech, contact our web site at www.ncktc.edu. Applications are now being accepted for 2019-2020 school year.

Submitted

Gordmans is joining forces with the Marine Corps to share the magic of the holidays with children through Gordmans’ Toys for Tots Toy Drive, Nov. 20 through Dec. 4 at Gordmans stores across the country.

Stage Stores, parent company of Gordmans, also has contributed $100,000 to Toys for Tots. Gordmans is inviting its guests to participate in making a difference by purchasing and donating a new toy to Gordmans’ Toys for Tots in-store toy boxes.

In addition, Gordmans’ guests also have the option of purchasing a plush bear named Gordy Hugglesworth, which they can donate or take home to enjoy. For every Gordy plush bear purchased, Gordmans will donate $1 to the Toys for Tots Foundation.

In addition, shoppers who take a Gordy bear home can document his journey with photos on social media using the hashtag #GoGordyGo. For every photo and #GoGordyGo hashtag on social media, Gordmans will make an additional donation to Toys for Tots.

The Marine Toys for Tots program has been delivering hope to less fortunate children since 1947 and has distributed 548 million toys to date.

Submitted

The Kansas Western Horseman’s Association recently honored a local young rider as the High-Point Champion in her age group for the third year in a row. 

This year Cameryn Kinderknecht, 18, of Ellis and a KWHA member for six years, won the High-Point Champion Belt Buckle for the 14-17 age group. Not only did she win this year, but she has won the High-Point Champion for the past three years, a clean sweep of the 14-17 age group.

An advocate for KWHA, Kinderknecht has been on the Board of Directors as a junior representative since 2015 and has won the KWHA Scholarship for the past two years.

Kinderknecht has ridden horses since she was 4 and participated in KWHA horse shows since she was 12.

These accomplishments have helped Kinderknecht achieve her goals and chase her dreams as a horse rider and trainer. She has met amazing people and horse riders along the way in KWHA and encourages people to join the family-friendly organization as it presents opportunities and friendships like no other.

KWHA is a family-oriented organization that brings horse owners together to compete in various events.

The organization was started in 1948 and consists of numerous saddle clubs from all over the state of Kansas.

Horse shows are conducted every year, starting in March and ending Labor Day weekend with the annual state show.

To compete at the state show, you as a competitor must qualify with a total of four points in each event. Points are earned by winning first (four points), second (three points), third (two points), or fourth place (one point).

At a typical horse show, there are 10 to 15 different events, and there can be up to 100 riders at each show.

There are seven age groups: 1-9, 10-13, 14-17, women (18-50), senior women (50 and older), men (18-50), and senior men (50 and older).

The events range from slower judged events to speed events.

The KWHA Year-End Banquet is in November. This event recognizes those who have accumulated the most points throughout the show season and presents awards to the high-point earners.

KWHA prides itself in being a family-oriented organization where any rider of any age or skill level can ride, enjoy themselves and participate in activities with their beloved horses. To find more information on KWHA, you can visit the KWHA website www.kwhaonline.com.