A husband and wife were browsing in a crafts store when the husband noticed a display of country-style musical instruments. After looking over the flutes, dulcimers and recorders, he picked up a shiny, one-stringed instrument he took to be a mouth harp. He put it to his lips and, much to the amusement of other shoppers, twanged a few notes on it.
After watching from a distance, his wife came up and whispered in his
ear, “I hate to tell you this, honey, but you’re trying to play a cheese
slicer.”
LA CROSSE — The 53rd annual Barbed Wire Festival is set to begin in La Crosse on May 3 to 5 at the La Crosse City Auditorium. The Barbed Wire Festival was originally born out of a small display of barbed wire in the Post Rock Museum. When museum staff observed that a large number of visitors collected the unusual fencing material, they decided to bring those collectors together.
In 1967, La Crosse hosted the first ever convention of barbed wire collectors with 2,000 people in attendance giving La Crosse the distinction of being the “Barbed Wire Capital of the World™”. The Barbed Wire Swap & Sell has evolved into the Barbed Wire Festival, a family-oriented community celebration with events for the entire family. Everyone is welcome to attend.
The festivities begin on Friday, May 3 at 8:00 a.m. when the annual Barbed Wire Swap & Sell opens. Featured will be handmade items, leathercrafts, home décor, jewelry, and of course antiques and barbed wire. The “Tribute to Veterans” exhibit will again be on display with new items featuring military uniforms and collectibles from private collectors including the “Museum for the Common Soldier” also located in La Crosse.
This year, lunch will be available on Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. by Chef Lauren Schilleci’s The Kansas Cook Catering Company featuring homemade bierocks, soups, pies, and desserts and more.
On Friday night at 6:30 p.m., events move to the Barbed Wire Museum at 120 W. 1st Street with a Mexican Buffet dinner to benefit the museum’s educational mission followed by “Casino Night” games. Players receive an amount of “Barbed Bucks” that they can use in a variety of traditional casino games. Then, participants will use their “winnings” to bid on a selection of items in a live auction. Cost of the meal is $10 and there is no fee for playing the games.
Barbed Wire Swap & Sell
On Saturday, the festival begins at 8:00 a.m. with additional vendor booths open for business, city-wide garage sales, and more. The Kansas Post Rock Limestone Coalition will make their debut with information about the 18-county coalition dedicated to preserving the history and promoting tourism in this unique region in central Kansas.
At 10:00 a.m. Saturday, the Fort Hays State University Science & Mathematics Institute “Maker Van” will be onsite for kids to learn about the science and technology of bridge construction by building their own Paper Bridge. There will be no cost for the kids’ event.
The World Champion Barbed Wire Splicing Contest™ begins at noon. Contestants vie to repair a simulated broken barbed wire fence in the shortest amount of time with the tightest splice. The Splicing Contest, developed by Roy Ehly and Kansas State University Extension Service in Manhattan over 50 years ago has been a regular event at the festival. Thanks to generous support by the Bison State Bank, this year’s competition will feature a bigger and better prize selection for winners in the Men’s, Ladies, and Youth Categories.
Events on Saturday will conclude with the Live Auction at 3:00 p.m. in the auditorium followed by the annual Candlelight Banquet at the La Crosse Country Club at 6:30 p.m. There are limited tickets available for the banquet and they are available by calling 785-222-2808 or visiting the registration desk during the festival.
The Barbed Wire Festival is sponsored by the Kansas Barbed Wire Collectors Association. For more information, visit our website at www.rushcounty.org/wireshow or call 785-222-2808.
The Hays Friends of the Library will have a its Spring into Summer Book Sale May 2 through 5 in the Schmidt Gallery of the library.
The sale will be open to members from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 2 and 10 a.m. to noon Friday, May 3,
The sale will be open to the public noon to 4 p.m. Friday, May 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 4, and 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 5.
Books will be $5 per bag. If you are a Friends member and have not picked up your free reusable blue bag, you can do so. Recycled grocery sacks will be provided for non-members.
Friends memberships will be for sale for $5 per year.
Friends members will receive half off of books in the Gallery Book Store during the event.
Steve Gilliland
The hay field was awash in morning dew, making me glad I’d worn my rubber boots. I knew there would be a gobbler roosted somewhere on the far side of the field, but lack of proper scouting left me guessing where. All was unusually quiet and calm for a Kansas morning, allowing me to hear plainly the waking sounds of songbirds punctuated by the occasionally “bob-white” of a quail. When Mr. Gobbler finally made his presence known, I was much too close, a problem I often have when hunting turkeys in the morning. It took me back to a morning turkey hunt years ago.
Everyone knows wild turkeys MUST be hunted from the ground. Sitting on the ground or on a five gallon bucket until your butt and both legs are numb is just part of the turkey hunting experience, and NOT to do so would certainly be as un-American as eating pizza without potato chips, or owning a corvette with an automatic transmission. Yet here I stood, gazing longingly up the ladder of the landowners tree stand thinking what a perfect spot it would be to call-in the gobbler that roamed this wood lot. But I must persevere and not break turkey hunting protocol!
In the blackness of the morning I scaled the ladder up and into the stand, all the while remembering the gobbler and his tiny harem that had shunned me here the night before. This tree stood barely three feet into the woodlot from the edge of the crop field; if I fell out, I’d land in the bean stubble. I figured the gobbler to be roosted at the end of the crop field and along the river, some distance away. Usually you can hear a gobbler even in the dark, as he’ll often gobble at every barking dog or hooting owl, but this morning the woods was unusually quiet. Perhaps that wasn’t good; perhaps I had misdiagnosed where he roosted and would be left high and dry.
Trying not to shatter yet another turkey hunting rule of “calling very sparingly while the turkeys are still roosted,” I watched and waited as daylight slowly poured itself across the landscape around me. I yelped softly with the box call and a gobble erupted beside me along the river probably seventy yards away; the rascal was roosting where I had not even considered. For thirty minutes he gobbled away, and I tried to find a good balance between calling back to let him know I was still interested and playing hard to get to make him come find me. For those thirty minutes he seemed not to move, and suddenly he was silent. I called softly a couple times but heard nothing in return. My heart dropped to my toes; what had I done wrong or not done right?
As I tossed the situation around in my mind, a gobble broke the stillness again, this time directly in front of me not far away; he had snuck quietly through the trees and was in the bean stubble where I knew he would see my plastic decoy “jezebels.” Soon I saw him strutting his way toward me in the open field. I put the call aside and brought the shotgun around into position. He got so close I heard him spit each time he fanned out, and could hear the scratching noise as each wingtip drug across the ground. I could see him well, but too many tree limbs were in the way for a sure shot. Like a target in an arcade he marched back and forth but would not come any closer.
I had just read an article where the author warned about placing decoys too close and creating just such a situation. It became another standoff as he remained behind too many limbs for a safe killing shot. I decided it was time for a plan “B”; if he would just step a little closer to the edge of the trees during his little show, he would momentarily be in a small clear spot for a shot. Finally he appeared to stray a little closer to the trees, so as his back was toward me as he turned, I swung the shotgun around and leaned out around the tree trunk in front of me. He saw or heard me move and immediately dropped his tail feathers to run, but the twelve gauge nailed him to the ground before he could take more than a couple steps.
If I’ve left some of you turkey hunting purists shaking your heads, I apologize. I’ve never been one to worry much about protocol. Maybe more of you have shot turkeys from tree stands than I know, but if not and the situation presents itself, give it a try. If you try it, access your shooting lanes and place your decoys appropriately to draw the gobbler past you and to put him in a position for a clear shot if he hangs up a ways out. Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!
Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at [email protected].
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Two Washburn University football players who were shot outside of an off-campus house party hours after one of them was drafted by the New York Giants were “in the wrong place at the wrong time,” authorities said Monday.The shooting early Sunday killed defensive back Dwane Simmons and injured cornerback Corey Ballentine, whom the Giants drafted in the sixth round on Saturday.Authorities haven’t disclosed the exact nature of Balletine’s injuries, but they weren’t considered life-threatening and the school said he’s expected to make a full recovery. It wasn’t clear if he was still hospitalized Monday.Topeka Police Chief Bill Cochran said a preliminary investigation showed that Simmons and Ballentine were among roughly 50 people at the party, which was not specifically to celebrate Ballentine being drafted, The Topeka Capital-Journal reported.After a disturbance inside the home, the two 23-year-old players and some other partygoers went outside, he said. A car containing two to four people — who were strangers to the men — pulled up and exchanged words with people in the street.”We have no indication that any of the conversation was confrontational,” Cochran said.Someone from the car apparently shot Simmons and Ballentine, but it was unclear Monday if the shots came from inside or outside the car, Cochran said.
The altercation inside the home and the shooting don’t appear to be linked, he said, and the people inside the car apparently didn’t attend the party.
Police were questioning more than 20 potential witnesses Monday. They also questioned Ballentine but hoped to do a longer interview later, Cochran said.
Police haven’t said how many times Simmons and Ballentine were shot. And no information on possible suspects or the vehicle has been released.
A candlelight vigil for Simmons will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday on the Washburn campus.
On Sunday, Simmons’ father said his son’s death had “shattered a lot of people.”
“This was a senseless murder,” Navarro Simmons said at a gathering of family and friends in Kansas City.
Craig Schurig, the Division II program’s head coach, said Simmons’ death is heartbreaking. He said Simmons, a junior from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, maintained a great attitude, even while battling through two knee injuries. The team gathered Sunday to mourn his death.
Simmons told The Topeka Capital-Journal last fall how his injuries had affected his outlook.
“It’s more than a game to me now,” Simmons said. “I came in as a walk-on and had to earn a scholarship, then tore an ACL, redshirted and tore another one. It really puts everything in perspective that this game can be taken away from you in a blink of an eye. So I take this game to heart. I get emotional about this stuff and I take this game very, very seriously, and I’m having a great time.”
The Giants issued a statement saying the team was aware of the shooting and was gathering information about it.
“We have spoken to Corey, and he is recovering in the hospital. Our thoughts are with Dwane Simmons’ family, friends and teammates and the rest of the Washburn community,” the team said.
Ballentine played in 46 games for the Ichabods, finishing with 186 tackles, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and five interceptions. He blocked four kicks and averaged 24.81 yards on kickoff returns.
Tuesday Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 56. Northeast wind 8 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday NightA slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. North northeast wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
WednesdayA 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. North northeast wind 6 to 8 mph.
Wednesday NightA chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. North wind 10 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
ThursdayMostly sunny, with a high near 65.
Thursday NightA 20 percent chance of showers after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.
FridayA 30 percent chance of showers before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 71.
RENO COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 1p.m. Monday in Reno County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1996 Saturn S driven by Marilyn C. Brooks, 61, Sylvia, was northbound on Thompson at U.S. 50. The driver failed to yield the right of way.
The Saturn struck the right front of an eastbound 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 driven by Brian Nisly, 49, Partridge, as it crossed US 50.
Brooks was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to the Sedgwick County Forensics Center. Nisly and a passenger in the Dodge were not injured.
Books and Nisly were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.
The Hays Fire Department will be inspecting and flow testing fire hydrants on Tue., April 30, 2019 in the area of Vine St. to Ash St. between 27th St. and 19th St. This is part of a coordinated effort by the city of Hays to inspect all fire hydrants in the city and flush all water mains annually.
Inspecting fire hydrants ensures that the valves operate properly and that there is no damage or obstructions that will prevent or interfere with the prompt use of fire hydrants in an emergency. Firefighters are also checking the pressure and volume of water mains in each neighborhood for firefighting purposes.
HAYS, Kan.-When two quality soccer teams face off against each other the tiniest mistake can make a difference in the final outcome. For the second time this season there were very few mistakes made by the Hays High Lady Indians and the visitors from Garden City as the two teams played to a 0-0, double overtime draw on Monday afternoon at the Hays High Field. This draw came on the heals of a 1-1 draw back on April 15th in Garden City.
Both teams had shots on goal throughout the game but could not capitalize. Two shots from the Lady Indians hit the frame of the goal, one in the first half and one in the second half. Hays was playing short handed with three starters out of the match-up for the top of the Western Athletic Conference. Savannah Schneider and Kamree Leiker saw limited action due to injury and Kallie Leiker missed due to the National DECA Conference in Orlando.
With the tie Garden City moves to 8-1-3 overall and 5-0-2 in the WAC. They will host TMP on Thursday and will travel to Liberal next Tuesday where they can clinch a league championship with a win in that matchup. Hays moves to 9-1-3 and 4-0-3 in the WAC. The Lady Indians host Dodge City on Thursday where they will need a win to keep their league championship hopes alive.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — At least 22 emergency 911 calls were made about what was happening in a Wichita home before a 2-year-old was found dead there and the toddler’s 4-month-old brother severely injured.
Wichita police found Zaiden Javonovich dead on April 11. Police say his body was facedown and bound in his crib.
The affidavit unsealed Thursday said Zaiden weighed just under 15 pounds and had cuts on his face consistent with someone pushing his head down into something. His baby brother had broken ribs and a bruised head.
Most of the calls came from Zaiden’s mother, 22-year-old Brandi Marchant, and his father, 28-year-old Patrick Javonovich. They are charged with felony murder and child abuse. But Zaiden’s grandmother also called seeking help for the children.
HAYS, Kan. – The TMP-Marian baseball team used some solid pitching to pick up a sweep of Sacred Heart yesterday at the TMP Field. The Monarchs allowed only one hit on the day as they won 11-2 and 5-0.
Brady Kreutzer, Carson Jacobs and Mark Rack combine on a one-hitter in game one. Colby Dreiling and Mason Robbins combine to throw a no-hitter in the second game. Jacobs went the first three innings and gets the win in game one while Dreiling went five innings for the game two victory.
Kreutzer and Jacobs combined for five hits and seven runs drivin in in the first contest. Kreutzer’s two-run single keyed a four-run fourth inning which broke a scoreless tie in the second game.
The Monarchs have now won three straight and 11 of their last 12 and improve to 11-3 on the season.
Cheesy Instrument
