BUNKER HILL – The Seele Foundation has awarded Smoky Hills Public Television with a grant for $3,000.
The Seele Foundation’s grant provides continued support for Smoky Hills Public Television’s operations, programming and educational outreach projects.
“With the continued generosity of the Seele Foundation, we are able to again provide quality programming and educational resources to the Colby area,” said Larry Calvery, Smoky Hills Public Television General Manager. “We want to thank the Seele Foundation for their support of Smoky Hills Public Television.”
The Seele Foundation, established in 2007, is based in Colby.
Smoky Hills Public Television serves 71 counties in central and western Kansas and has been named the Kansas Association of Broadcasters Non-Metro Station of the Year.
Cindy Lightle, right, references something in a cookbook as Judy Zerr-Schalberger serves herself a plate during the July meeting of the Hays Public Library Cookbook Club.
By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post
If you happen into the Hays Public Library during a meeting of one of their new clubs, you will not be greeted by the hush that is typical of a library.
Instead you will hear ooh’s and ahh’s, mmm’s and happy munching sounds — and a group of ladies exploring new culinary creations through a Cookbook Club.
The group meets on the third Thursday of the month at 11 a.m. The group is in its first year at HPL.
From far left to right, pull apart buttermilk biscuits, dump and done ramen salad, Thai noodles and scalloped potatoes with ham and bacon made from recipes in “Cravings: Recipes for All the Foods You Want to Eat” by Chrissy Teigen and Adeena Sussman.
There is no cost to attend, but you need to bring a dish made from a recipe from the cookbook selection of the month.
The morning I visited, the group was enjoying dishes from the “Cravings: Recipes for All the Foods You Want to Eat” by Chrissy Teigen and Adeena Sussman.
“I just pick and choose whatever I see coming through the shelves,” said Abby Artz, adult services program coordinator and sponsor for the group.
She said she looked for cookbooks with simple recipes with familiar ingredients.
“Most of the ones I have chosen are not easy to make, they still kind of challenge us a little bit, but it is genuinely something we would enjoy eating, not something outlandish and crazy.”
Cindy Lightle, Cookbook Club member, says she likes to follow the recipes exactly. She says it helps her learn new cooking techniques.
Some of the other cookbooks the group has tried include “Genius Kitchen;” “Heartlandia” by Adam Sappington, Ashley Gartland, and Jackie Sappington; “Sweet and Simple: Desserts for Two” by Christina Lane; “Six Seasons: A New Way with Vegetables” by Joshua McFadden and Martha Holmberg; and “Smitten Kitchen” by Deb Perelman.
Cindy Lightle, club member, said the ways the members choose the recipes differ. Some choose recipes they think will be easy. Others said they looked for recipes with ingredients they thought they could find in Hays.
Lightle started with desserts and now she has moved on to biscuit variations. Yet others have literally opened the cookbooks to a random page, pointed to a recipe and said,”I am going to make that.”
“I like following the recipe,” Lightle said. “We said from the start, ‘Follow the recipe.’ Even though there are a lot of good cooks in this group, even though you know you would make it a different way, follow the recipe and maybe you learn a different way to make it. Then we will talk about why we shouldn’t do it that way again or why we should.”
Judy Zerr-Schalberger, who once worked in a school kitchen, said she is a little more free-wheeling with her recipes. For her Dump and Done Ramen Salad from the latest cookbook selection, she used her entire bag of broccoli slaw.
“What was I going to do with 4 ounces of broccoli slaw?” she said.
Zerr-Schalberger said she has had to adjust to cooking for just herself. She said she has learned to cut down recipes and freeze.
Although the ladies try to make different dishes, Lightle happened to make the same salad, so they compared how the two recipes tasted with the two cook’s slight variations.
The women use the club as an opportunity to share their tips and tricks.
Fellow club member Linda Beech suggested Lightle use a food processor to cut in her butter for her biscuits, and Lightle said it worked.
One recipe for devil eggs suggested boiling the eggs and then letting the egg whites soak in lemon water for two to 24 hours in the refrigerator before preparing. Zerr-Schalberger brings her water to a boil, adds the eggs, shuts off the heat, lets the eggs sit in the hot water for 15 minutes and then takes the eggs off the heat and runs cold water over them until they are cool to the touch. She said said the eggs shells crack cleanly in half almost every time.
Ruth Deines said she joined the group because, “I love to cook, and I like to eat too.”
She said she is picking up on recipes she can’t eat anywhere else in Hays, like the Thai noodle dish that she made for July’s club meeting.
Ruth Deines, Cookbook Club member, said she has discovered recipes through the club that she and her husband are now enjoying regularly.
Deines said she has continued to make the smashed chickpea salad with turkey meatballs she learned from a cookbook the group tried. She said her husband loves it.
Artz said, “It helps you learn what not to make and broadens your range when you are cooking for yourself.”
The group is trying to grow its membership and is open to meeting at a different time, including an evening. If you are interested in the group or would like to see the group meet on an alternative day or time, contact the library’s adult department at 785-625-9014.
The group’s next cookbook will be “Delish, Eat Like Everyday’s the Weekend” by Joanna Saltz and the editors of Delish. You can checkout a copy at HPL. Ask the front desk. The Cookbook Club’s next meeting is 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, in the Schmidt Gallery.
Former Hays Area Chamber of Commerce Director Tammy Wellbrock is striking out on her own after leading that award-winning organization for eight years.
Wellbrock has founded a consulting business, Girl Twin Solutions, that will offer training for chambers of commerce, businesses, nonprofits and government entities as well as coaching for individuals.
“I had experience in doing a lot of this,” Wellbrock said. “I really felt like the chamber industry is something that is very near and dear to my heart, but I am ready for something new. I am ready for my next challenge.”
Under Wellbrock’s direction, the Hays chamber was a 2013 finalist for Chamber of the Year, presented by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. She just returned from the ACCE National Convention where she was a presenter.
Prior to her taking the helm, Wellbrock was heavily involved with the local chamber serving on the board of directors as well as various committees. She also served on the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Kansas board and was president in 2016.
Wellbrock will offer herself as a trainer to chambers as business units and as a presenter hired by chambers to train their members.
She said she plans to focus initially on chambers of commerce, but intends to broaden her scope as she builds her business. She described herself as a generalist.
“I do know eventually I will start narrowing down my focus, figuring out what is really sticking with members or the businesses and what they are wanting, and I will start narrowing down and getting deeper,” she said. “Right now, I am more horizontal in nature, and I am offering a variety of things as well as customizing to what a business may need.”
Some of her initial curriculums will include networking, facilitator training, board strategic planning and women’s leadership.
Wellbrock further explained the need for networking training.
“I am amazed through my professional career as well as through the chamber industry, specifically, how few people feel comfortable networking and being able to do it well,” she said. “Most people are geared toward trying to collect as many business cards as they can, and they don’t know what to do with that or they don’t know how to provide value to the relationships that are being built. Instead, they are just trying to get a transaction.”
She just returned from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives National Convention where she presented on that topic. She will be presenting soon at the Wyoming chamber’s state convention on the same issue. She also has been a trainer for the U.S. Chamber for its Institute of Organization Management.
Wellbrock said she is also passionate about women’s leadership.
“I have been amazed and fascinated on my own personal journey,” she said. “There have been some amazing women that have broken down barriers. There have been barriers that have been built back up. Certainly, though, more often than not, I have observed women not take advantage or see themselves as capable, professional leaders. I would like to help other women to see themselves in that light.”
She said this is not about the #MeToo movement.
Body language, tone of voice and actions can hinder women’s success in striving for leadership positions, Wellbrock said.
“This isn’t about trying to get women in roles of authority,” she said. “It is more so they can possess that personal poise so they can have success in any interaction they wish to achieve.”
This is an area Wellbrock said she would be willing to offer one-on-one coaching.
Wellbrock said she also hopes to offer a “newbie” course for chamber executives.
“I want to help others in the chamber industry not have to go through some of the pitfalls that I did — learn through my own journey and help them,” she said.
She said if she had one piece of advice she could given herself as a new chamber director, it would have been to work at being a marathoner instead of working in sprint mode. Burnout is a real issue in the chamber industry, as it is in many industries. Although she sees herself as a chamber director who worked in sprint mode, she acknowledged that it is a pace that is hard to maintain.
Wellbrock is also developing curriculum on customer service and facilitation.
Wellbrock’s last day at the Hays chamber was Friday. She said she has committed her full attention to her job at the Hays chamber, which has left her little free time to work on developing programs for Girl Twin Solutions. Now she will be able to devote her full effort to her new business.
She said she was ready to be her own boss and she wanted to have more flexibility to spend time with her son, who will be a sophomore at Hays High School in the fall.
“Above all, I think for the first time in my professional career, I am actually making a decision I think will help me be a better mom, a better wife, a better person. I want to put forward that effort, and that is why I created this business,” she said. “So being at home and being able to be flexible with my schedule is a huge part of the motivation of why I am doing what I am doing.”
Wellbrock will continue to facilitate Leadership Hays, a community leadership program affiliated with the Kansas Leadership Center. She received her bachelor’s degree in communication in 1994, followed with a master’s degree in communication in 2002, both from Fort Hays State University.
In 2014, she completed her Institute of Organization Management designation, and earned her Certified Association Executive in 2016. She has also taught at the West (2017) and Midwest (2018) IOM.
She will not have a brick-and-mortar location initially. She will be working out of her home and anticipates she will be traveling quite a bit. You can read Wellbrock’s blog on her website at tammywellbrock.com, email her at [email protected] or call her at 785-639-2743.
“[I find it hard] to leave a place I enjoyed, and I believe that I found my true calling here in the chamber industry. This has been such a blessing to me to be able to be here,” she said. “I am one of those weird people who likes change and likes new experiences, and so after eight and a half years, this feels right.”
Disclosure: Tammy Wellbrock is the wife of Gerard Wellbrock, who works for Eagle Communications, the parent company of Hays Post.
SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have made an arrest.
Zachary Jacob McFall photo Topeka Police
On Friday, police issued an attempt to locate 16-year-old Zachary Jacob McFall in reference to Thursday’s fatal shooting in the in the 400 block of SE 37th Street in Topeka, according to Lt. Andrew Beightel.
Late Saturday, McFall turned himself in at the Shawnee County Law enforcement center, according to Lt. Steve Roth. He is being held in juvenile detention on requested charges of first-degree murder for the shooting death of 16-year-old Joaquin Aj McKinney. The teen’s was found with gunshot wounds in a vehicle at SE 37th and SE Pennsylvania on Thursday. He was transported to a hospital where he died.
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SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and continue to search for suspects.
Just after 3:30 pm, Thursday, police were dispatched to the report of gunshots in the area of SE Fremont and SE Irvingham in Topeka, according to Lt. Andrew Beightel. While officers were in route to the gunshots call other citizens reported a possible shooting near SE 37th & SE Adams.
Officers then responded to that area, where at SE 37th and SE Pennsylvania they found a white passenger car with a 16-year-old identified as Joaquin Aj McKinney of Topeka.suffering from life threatening injuries. EMS transported the boy to an area hospital where he died, according to Beightel.
Initial reports from witness state the suspect(s) from the shooting were in a blue 4-door passenger car and they fled the area in an unknown direction of travel.
The Kansas State Department of Education announces the participation of all Kansas school districts and many private schools in the National School Lunch and/or School Breakfast Program. Local school officials have adopted the following household income guidelines for determining eligibility for Child Nutrition Program benefits:
Application forms and an informational letter to households are available from the school district or private school. Additional copies are available at the principal’s business office in each school. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year. An application for reduced-price meals or free Child Nutrition Program benefits can’t be approved unless it contains complete eligibility information as indicated on the application and instructions.
Households receiving food assistance or Temporary Assistance to Families (TAF) will be notified that their children will be provided free benefits unless the household notifies the school that it chooses to decline benefits. Households receiving assistance under these programs should submit an application only if they aren’t notified of their eligibility by a specified date determined by the schools. If a household receiving food assistance, TAF or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) completes an application, the children’s names, the food assistance, TAF or FDPIR case number, as well as the signature of an adult household member, must be provided.
Participants in the special supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) may be eligible for reduced-price meals or free benefits. Households with WIC participants should complete an application as described above.
Households with children who are enrolled in the Head Start Program or the Migrant Education Program or who are considered homeless or runaway by the school district’s homeless liaison should contact the school for assistance in receiving benefits.
Foster children who are under the legal responsibility of a state child welfare agency or court are eligible for free meals regardless of income. The state must retain legal custody of a child. Households will be notified that the foster child(ren) will be provided free benefits unless the household notifies the school that it chooses to decline benefits. Free eligibility is NOT extended to other students in households with foster children, but households with a foster child(ren) can submit an application and list all household members including the foster child(ren). A foster family application could result in different eligibility for family members, such as the foster child(ren) free and the other students could be reduced, free or not eligible for benefits.
Households not receiving Food Assistance, TAF or FDPIR apply for benefits by completing one application for all children in the household. The application must list names of everyone in the household; the amount of income each household member now receives; source of income; the last four digits of the Social Security number of the household member who signs the application or a statement that the household member doesn’t possess one; and the signature of an adult household member certifying that the information provided is correct. The information is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility. The eligibility status may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials.
Under provisions of the reduced price and free benefit policy, the determining official will review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians who are dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents wishing to make a formal appeal may make a request either orally or in writing for a hearing on the decision. Contact the school district or private school for the name, address and phone number of the hearing official and information about the hearing procedures.
If a household member becomes unemployed or if household size changes, the household should contact the school. Such changes may make the child(ren) in the household eligible for reduced-price or free benefits if the household income falls at or below the levels shown above.
The Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin a mill and overlay project along portions of Kansas 18 in Graham and Rooks counties starting Aug. 1.
The project will cover a 27-mile stretch starting at the U.S. 24 junction in Graham County and extending east to the U.S. 183 junction in Plainville. Traffic will be reduced to one lane through the construction zone and directed by flaggers and a pilot car during daylight hours. Minor delays not exceeding 15 minutes should be anticipated. Work is expected to be complete by the beginning of October, weather permitting.
Venture Corporation is the primary contractor for the project with a combined contract cost of approximately $2.6 million.
Steve GillilandA new critter is fast becoming a common sight in central Kansas. It has a tiny head with a long pointy little snout and perky little ears, much like an anteater. It’s armor-plated from head to toe, sort of like a mini rhinoceros. It has claws so long they seem out of proportion to the rest of its body. Its tail is as long as its body, and is jointed and armor plated clear to the tip.
Yup, you guessed it, it’s an armadillo.
Although very common throughout Texas and much of Oklahoma, it was once thought they could never survive our central and northern Kansas winters due to their intolerance to cold. Biologists are now rethinking that since they are obviously surviving well here in central Kansas and are not uncommon even into parts of Nebraska. A few years ago I spent a day with a trapper west of here in Stafford Co. checking bobcat traps in the middle of January.
At one stop, we walked up an old farm lane lined with big cedar trees and he showed me where armadillos had been scratching and foraging in the thick mat of needles and cedar debris under the trees; their distinctive three-toed scratch marks gave them away. It is now believed that soft and sandy soil allowing them to easily forage for grubs and worms and to dig burrows is more important to their survival than temperature.
The Nine Banded Armadillo is the state mammal of TX, and originally came from South America. They are covered, front and rear, with hard, immoveable shell-like material. This armor is connected around the middle of their body with nine bands of moveable boney plate, much like an accordion, which allows them to move around and to roll into a ball when threatened. They have very poor eyesight but extremely sensitive hearing. It’s believed they can hear grubs several inches under the ground. An instinctive reaction to jump straight into the air when startled is probably why they seem to be frequent road kill victims.
Because their metabolism requires a constant intake of food, they cannot tolerate long periods of severe weather, and are extremely sensitive to cold. They are classified as omnivorous, meaning they will eat practically anything; however, earthworms, grubs, insects and insect larvae make up the vast majority of their diet. The long claws and narrow pointed snout equip them perfectly for digging out this food. These dining habits are both a blessing and a curse. Armadillos rid lawns of destructive grubs, but they also relish beneficial earthworms, and the whole process wreaks havoc with the yards and gets them into hot water with landowners and golf course superintendents.
As if the outward appearance of Nine Banded Armadillos does not make them unique enough, their reproductive process makes them even more amazing. They typically breed in July, but the fertilized embryo lies in a sort of dormant state in the female until November, when it begins to grow. She gives birth to four young in March. These four young are always the same sex, and are identical quadruplets, because they form from the same egg! Armadillos are the only known mammals that give birth to multiple young from the same egg with any regularity.
I believe Nine Banded Armadillos continue moving northward into Kansas for a couple reasons. While we have cold snaps every winter, as a whole our winters are not that bad anymore and obviously the armadillo has found a way to adapt to them. Now visualize the “zillions” of acres of sand hills and otherwise sandy soil in central KS, all of which make for easy digging and burrowing. Add to that all the golf courses with their lovely greens and fairways and the innumerable acres of lawns into which we Kansans pour millions of dollars and hours each year to keep pristine. Viola! Armadillo Heaven!
I predict we should “bone up” on our Armadillo removal techniques, as I don’t foresee them leaving this “armadillo heaven” anytime soon. In fact, since we see so many dead along the road, Joyce suggests we name the armadillo as our “Kansas state road kill.”
Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.
Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at [email protected].
Frances E. Wasson, 89, died July 26, 2019, at the University of Kansas Medical Center – Great Bend Campus. She was born September 20, 1929, to Henry and Leah Edith (Goodall) Rogers. Frances married Warren Wasson Oct. 1953, at Las Vegas, Nev. He died Aug. 1979.
Survivors include five sons, John Hanne of Las Vegas, Frank Wasson and wife Wendy of Mesa, Ariz., David Wasson of Portage, Ind., Roger Wasson of Texarkana, Texas and Wayne Wasson of Great Bend; one daughter, Leah Davis of Lebanon, Mo; eighteen grandchildren, many great grandchildren and one great great grandchild She was preceded in death by one son, Wesley Wasson; and one sister, Alma Crooks.
Graveside inurnment service will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, 2019, at Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend, with The Reverend J.P. McCamey presiding. There will be no visitation, as cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Frances Wasson Funeral Expense Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.
Compared to recent years, Kansas’ weather has been mostly nice to the state’s cattle producers this summer. As temperatures rise, it is a good idea for livestock producers to keep in mind how their livestock react to the summer heat.
Kansas State University beef veterinarian A.J. Tarpoff is sounding the bells for livestock producers to take some extra measures to protect their herds during days in when temperatures are forecast to top 100 degrees.
“Water, water and lots of water,” said Tarpoff, who noted that the beef industry loses an estimated $369 million each year due to the effects of heat stress. “Whenever we have a heat stress event, that is the most essential nutrient for animals, times five.
“I say, ‘times five’ because the question always comes up about how much water do cattle need, and the answer is that they need five times the amount of water that they are taking up in dry matter.”
For a cow that is consuming 30 pounds of dry matter, that comes out to about 20 gallons per day. Multiply that by the number of cattle in an operation, and the need for water grows exponentially.
Tarpoff said cows try to cool themselves by panting heavily (evaporative cooling), and somewhat by sweating – though they are inefficient sweaters compared to humans. Cows accumulate a heat load during the day and rely on cooler, nighttime temperatures for relief.
Producers can aid in cooling not only by providing more water, but also by changing some of their management strategies during the hottest days.
For example, Tarpoff notes, producers should consider providing most of the cattle’s feed later in the day, as much as 70 percent. Doing so will help to reduce digestive heat, or the heat that accumulates when cattle eat.
“This time of year, we may be providing that ration at 6 or 6:30 in the evening so we can push back that digestive heat load into the cooler hours of the night,” Tarpoff said. “That can make a big impact on how much these animals deal with during the heat of the day.”
Producers should also try to avoid lower quality straw hay or other foods that are fibrous, which create more heat in the animal’s rumen. Feedlot rations and lush green grass are better options for helping animals control digestive heat, Tarpoff said.
In feedlots or other confined settings, producers should provide plenty of water and shade (if available), and use sprinklers to cool pen floors. Tarpoff said they also should minimize handling of animals because the more they have to move, the more heat they produce.
The Kansas Mesonet Network at Kansas State University maintains a Cattle Comfort Index that combines the effect of temperature, humidity, wind and solar radiation. Tarpoff said it’s an excellent online source for producers to monitor when making plans for heat and potential nighttime cooling.
Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at [email protected] or calling 620-793-1910
Nancy Gean McAllister, 62, passed away July 27, 2019, at Diversicare of Larned, Larned, Kan. She was born February 27, 1957, in Natick, Mass., to Robert F. and Patricia Ann (Gean) Fairbanks. Nancy married Clayton McAllister July 7, 1979, in Great Bend. He survives.
Nancy, a resident of Great Bend since 1963 coming Hoisington, was a special education instructor for U.S.D. 428 for 17 years. She was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ, where she sang in the choir, served as treasurer for 20 years and was the Christian Education Director for 10 years. Nancy was also a member of the Xi Delta Upsilon chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority since 1986, earning her master’s degree and order of the rose. She enjoyed walking, reading and cherished her time with her family.
Nancy is survived by her husband, Clayton McAllister, of the home; two sons, Josh McAllister of Great Bend and Evan McAllister and wife Kristin of Salina; one grandson, Cameron McAllister; mother, Patty Ann Fairbanks of Great Bend; two brothers, Bob Fairbanks of Great Bend and Bill Fairbanks of Lee’s Summit, Mo. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert F. Fairbanks.
Funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 31, 2019, at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Great Bend, with Pastor Michael Munz presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery North, Great Bend. Visitation will be Noon to 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 30, 2019, with the family receiving friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to First Congregational United Church of Christ, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.
DOUGLAS COUNTY —A Kansas man suffered fatal injuries after a single motorcycle vehicle accident in the 5700 block of Bob Billings Parkway early Sunday morning.
Just after 1 a.m., a Lawrence Police officer initiated a traffic stop on a motorcycle for a traffic violation near Monterey Way and Bob Billings Parkway. The motorcycle failed to stop and fled the area at a high rate of speed. After a brief pursuit, the officer terminated the pursuit and left the area after losing sight of the motorcycle.
At 5:33 a.m., a motorist called Dispatch regarding a check welfare on what they believed to be a jogger in distress in the 5700 block of Bob Billings Parkway. Officers arrived in the area and observed a motorcycle had crashed and the driver later identified as a 25-year-old Lawrence man was deceased.
Following these events, the Lawrence Police Department contacted the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and requested they conduct an independent investigation of this incident. That investigation is ongoing at this time.
The Lawrence Police Department’s Office of Professional Accountability was notified and the officer involved in the incident was placed on Administrative Leave, per Department Policy. Following the completion of the investigation conducted by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, a separate internal review will be conducted by the Lawrence Police Department to determine whether or not policies and procedures were followed.
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