Marilea JoAnne (Johnson) Beougher, 84 of Grainfield, KS, passed away on June 23, 2019, at Hays Medical Center, Hays.
Marilea was born to Delbert Axel Sr. and B. Mildred (Marshall) Johnson, in Gove, KS, on November 25, 1934. She graduated from Gove Rural High School in 1952. Marilea attended and graduated from Fort Hays Kansas State College receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Education in 1956. She became a very successful teacher, teaching a total of 33 years in the Quinter, Grainfield, Gove, and Wheatland school districts.
Marilea married Marvin Beougher on February 12, 1956, in Gove at the Gove United Methodist Church, they enjoyed 63 years of marriage. Marvin and Marilea were blessed with two children, son Marlin, and daughter Marvel.
Marilea was very active in her school, community, and church, with memberships in the Tri-S (Sigma Sigma, Sigma Sorority), United Methodist Women, American Legion Auxiliary, Bridge Club and Gove County Medical Center Auxiliary. Marilea enjoyed life, spending time with family and friends, sewing, reading, crafts and holidays but most of all, being a mom, grandma, and wife.
Marilea is survived by husband Marvin; son Marlin Beougher (Janet Bainter), Hoxie, KS, daughter Marvel (Douglas) Blank Valley Center, KS; grandchildren Brandon (Morgan) Beougher, Oakley, KS, Meghann (Michael) Stiglitz, Maize, KS, Tyler (Kelli) Beougher, Jetmore, KS, Chelsie Beougher (Tyler Akers), Dodge City, KS, Dalton Beougher (Jetmore), Dylan Bainter, Hoxie, KS, Brady Bainter and (Ashtynn Pfannenstiel), Grainfield, KS, Tori Bainter, Hoxie, KS; great-grandchildren Savannah, Shannlee, and Adalee Beougher, Oakley, KS, Reed, and Renna Beougher, Jetmore, KS, Joslynn and Jensen Stiglitz, Maize, KS, Carson, Averie and Tylinn Akers, Dodge City, KS, Aveyah Danner, Grainfield, KS, brother Delbert Axel Jr. (Gini) Johnson, Newton, KS.
Marilea was preceded in death by her parents.
The funeral service will be Thursday, June 27, 2019, 10:00 AM at the Grainfield United Methodist Church, Grainfield, KS. Burial will follow at the Gove City Cemetery, Gove, KS. Visitation will be held at Schmitt Funeral Home, Quinter, KS, on June 26, 2019, from 5:00-7:00 PM.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Grainfield United Methodist Church. Donations to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS.
Verna Desbien Arpin, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother embraced her Saviour to a life of eternal salvation on June 24, 2019. She died at the Hays Regional Medical Center in Hays. She was born October 31, 1923, at Damar the daughter of Oliver and Blanche Benoit Simoneau. She was a lifetime resident of Damar. She married Philip Desbien November 27, 1945 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Damar. He died March 15, 1995. She married Alfred Arpin December 26, 2001. He died December 21, 2006. She was a retired beautician and owner of Verna’s Beauty Shop for 60 years.
Verna was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Ann Altar Society, and Lifetime member of the Damar Historical Foundation all in Damar and the Bogue
American Legion Women’s Auxiliary. She also enjoyed her membership in the Swinging Wheel Square Dance Club with her husband Philip. They never traveled without packing their dancing clothes. They danced all over in the US including Alaska.
Survivors include four sons, Ed Desbien (Mary) of Boise City, OK, Jim Desbien (Paula) of Plainville, Rich Desbien (Wanda) of Nampa, ID, and Larry Desbien (Chris) of Damar; three daughters, Gerry Larson (Don) of Hays, Chris Sillin of Hutchinson, and Sheila Surmeier (J.F.) of Saint Joseph, MO; one sister Loretta Kruse (Paul) of Peru, NE; 26 grandchildren; 44 great grandchildren; and 2 great great grandchildren; three step-children, Judy Bieker (Bill) of Hays, Dale Arpin (Candy) of Denver, CO, and Renee Marcotte (Tony) of Damar; Caregiver Mary Alton, Walsh, CO; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one brother, Gerald Simoneau, and a son-in-law Douglas Sillin. She loved unconditionally and was deeply loved by her family and friends.
Mass of Christian burial will be Wednesday at 11:00am at the church in Damar with the Reverend Vincent Thu Hlaing officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery in Damar. Vigil and rosary will be Tuesday at 7pm at the church. Memorials are requested to St. Joseph Catholic Church Memorial Fund or the Damar Community Historical Foundation.
There’s a place where the constitutional protection of free speech bumps up against polite or at least orderly conduct that is now in the process of being sorted out in a federal court in Topeka.
The issue is that American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit against the folks who manage the Statehouse and just what is permitted and not permitted inside its halls where lawmakers consider issues ranging from expanding Medicaid to Kansans and, well, to whether you can ride your all-terrain vehicle across a federal highway.
That’s a broad range of topics, and there are different levels of emotion by supporters on the issues. But the federal district court case appears to be more narrowly focused on signs in the Statehouse and whether the four 10-foot by 24-foot banners urging expansion of Medicaid in Kansas are a little too big, and whether just an 8-1/2-inch by 11-inch piece of paper with a message on it is too small.
The First Amendment doesn’t talk about sizes. It talks about freedom to express one’s opinions. Haven’t found the American yet who opposes freedom of speech; just how that speech is delivered.
The issue gets complicated in the Statehouse, a grand and well-preserved historic governmental headquarters for Kansans that deserves protection. Can’t think of anyone except maybe maintenance contractors who want people to express their opinions by nailing signs on the walls of the Statehouse. Carrying signs? That’s a pretty good way to express one’s opinions, especially in the building where state law is created.
The banners incident which fostered the lawsuit? Three Kansas State University students unfurled banners in the Statehouse rotunda blasting legislative leaders (Senate President Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, House Speaker Ron Ryckman, R-Olathe, Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning, R-Overland Park, and House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita) for stymieing passage of a bill law that would expand KanCare for poor Kansans. “Blood on their hands” was the key phrase on the banners. That’s a politically ingenious way to draw the issue, with a catchy phrase that got the protesters and their opinions on television, in the newspapers and probably all over the Internet.
But the banners were removed from the Statehouse rotunda by state workers because they didn’t meet Statehouse rules for such signage. Too big. No official approval for the size or placement of the banners, and, well, they were disruptive.
It fell a dab short of the shouting “fire” in a theater, but it was disruptive.
And while there’s a 1st Amendment and the need for an orderly and safe operation of the Statehouse, there’s something in the middle. Conservative legislative leaders would rather not see signs, and certainly not banners, in the Statehouse. The ACLU? It’s apparently willing to settle for something considerably smaller than the banners, but large enough that they can, if phrased catchily, still express a clear statement of opinion that lawmakers can read from a few feet away, or maybe even across the rotunda.
The other recent free-speech issues? Singing from the Senate balcony? Ordering reporters off the Senate floor (and threatening to revoke their Senate press credentials) after they’ve gotten their photos and quotes from protesters? A little more difficult, and probably something that will be settled not in court, but by legislative leadership which dreams up the rules for conduct in its chambers.
What’s next? We’re thinking back to those airport frames, the ones that determine whether you can carry on a bag or have to have it checked into the baggage cart. Something like “if your sign fits through this frame (unfolded), you can carry it into the Statehouse.”
Free speech? Yes, just a dab smaller…
Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at www.hawvernews.com
TMP-Marian is pleased to announce several new hires on campus. Matthew Spurlock will teach JH Math, Emma Stroyan will teach Biology, James Johnston will teach Social Sciences and Titus Falcon and Steve Werth will be joining our maintenance department. All new hires will begin their roles in preparation of the 2019-2020 academic year.
Matthew Spurlock comes to us from Temple Academy in Waterville, Maine. He is a Kansas Native that graduated from Chapman High School in Chapman, KS and college from Fort Hays State University in 2017, with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and a Bachelor of Arts in English. “I believe that building strong relationships with the students is important. By doing so, the students feel that they have a part and say in what happens in the classroom,” said Spurlock when asked about his teaching philosophy. Spurlock writes and reads poetry in his spare time and feels that he was called to teach after tutoring a fellow student in high school. In addition, Spurlock stated, “My high school Math and Physics Teacher, Mrs. Gruen was wonderful at breaking down difficult processes to make them manageable.”
Emma Stroyan is originally from Bloomington, IL, where she graduated from University High School. Stroyan graduated from Fort Hays State University in 2018, with a degree in Biology-Natural Resources. She worked as an intern at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, FL, during the summer after graduation from FHSU. Stroyan monitored sea turtle populations along the Gulf Coast by marking nests, releasing hatchlings and tagging nesting females. Stroyan did not have to look far for inspiration to teach. In fact, she stated, “My Mom was a teacher, so I have been around kids my whole life and she encouraged me to pursue teaching.” Stroyan feels the field of biology is so broad and dynamic someone can take a number of diverse paths with an interest in biology. “The world is a big place. I want to be able to share knowledge and my experiences with the students at TMP-Marian and provide them with a wholesome view of the world through science,” Stroyan stated. In addition, she played four years of college basketball. The first two years at Division I, Central Connecticut State University and the last two years at Division II Fort Hays State University. Stroyan was an assistant Ladies Basketball Coach last year under Rose McFarland and looks forward to continuing that role.
James Johnston recently retired from teaching Government, Sociology, Psychology and World History in the Kansas Public Schools System. He spent 7 years at Lyons High School, 24 years at South Barber High School, 2 years at Morland Jr./Sr. High School and in the beginning, a semester subbing in Wichita West High School. Johnston implements his teaching philosophy by, “Doing more than just transmitting a body of facts to the students. I want to promote analytical thinking. In an information and democratic society like ours, I feel it is vital for the citizens of tomorrow to be able to analyze the vast amount of information and different opinions in which they will be faced with.”
Steve Werth was born in San Bernardino, California, but moved to Schoenchen at the age of 5. He has been a Hays Native ever since. Although he has worked at TMP-Marian in a part-time capacity for several years, we are excited to welcome him full-time. Werth is best known for free-hand painting logos on the grounds. Most recently, he completed the TMP-M Cross Logo and “Class of 2019” for graduation.
In addition to Werth, Titus “Pete” Falcon, comes to us with a wealth of knowledge from Russell High School and Sylvan Grove before that.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — A clerk at a suburban Kansas City phone store will not be charged in the fatal shooting of a man identified as Deshawn Brim who police say was trying to rob the store.
The Johnson County District Attorney’s office announced Monday that the June 10 shooting at a Boost Mobile store in Overland Park was self-defense.
Police say Brim, of Raytown, Missouri, was armed with a handgun when he tried to rob the store.
The store clerk pulled out a handgun and shot Brim as he jumped over the counter toward the employee.
Prosecutors say the employee feared for his life and the life of a co-worker when he shot Brim.
Police on the scene of the fatal shooting photo courtesy KCTV
A poor actor was having trouble paying his rent. One morning his
landlady caught him in front of the building and demanded her money.
“Couldn’t you please give me a break?” begged the actor. “You know, one
day people will pass by this building, point up, and say ‘One of the
greatest actors of our generation used to live here’.”
“If you don’t pay up,” said the landlady, “they could be saying that
tomorrow.”
SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating an attack by a dog on two children.
Google image
Just before 3:30p.m. Monday, Animal Control and officers and police were dispatched to Chesney Park in 1800 block of SW Buchanan in Topeka on reports of a dog bite, according to Lt. Jennifer Cross.
Witnesses called reporting that a tan colored dog bit a juvenile boy before being removed from the area by the owner.
While Animal Control was investigating, authorities learned that the same dog had bitten a second child. The two boys were treated at a local hospital, according to Cross. Attempts to locate the dog and owner have been unsuccessful at this time.
Topeka Police Detectives are currently seeking any information regarding the whereabouts of the dog or the owner.
Anyone with information regarding this crime is encouraged to contact the Topeka Police Criminal Investigation Bureau at (785) 368-9400 or Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at (785) 234-0007. You can also make anonymous tips online at www.p3tips.com/128. All persons charged with a criminal offense are presumed innocent until proven
HAYS – Jimmy DeLeon’s two-out, two-run single capped a three-run second inning which gave the Hays Larks the lead for good as they defeat the Valley Center Mud Daubers 5-1 Monday night at Larks Park.
Jerrod Belbin tied the game with a single in the second which scored Alex Strachen. DeLeon followed shortly after with the first of his three hits in the game. He also scored a run in the seventh on a Drake Angeron sacrifice fly.
George Southerland homered to lead off the third.
Wyatt Divis (4-0) pitched five solid innings for the win. The senior to-be at UT-Arlington allowed two hits while striking out seven and walking only one.
Rustin Hays, Nash Neff and Mason Myhre closed out the final four innings as the Larks win their third straight and improve to 10-1 at home.
The Larks are unbeaten in 11 tries against the KCLB South Central Division and improve to 17-4 on the year. They go for the four-game sweep of the Mud Daubers Tuesday night. Admission is free courtesy of Commerce Bank and the Taco Shop.
Space in the First Call For Help building will be renovated for use by a transitional housing program.By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post
First Call for Help kicked off a fundraising drive Friday to raise $250,000 to remodel a portion of its building into a transitional housing unit.
First Call is calling the project First Step. It will include creation of a four-bedroom housing unit with a small kitchen/common area, as well as a laundry area. Each room will be able to house up to three people. One of the rooms will be handicap accessible.
The program is designed for women, families and couples living in Hays who are temporarily without permanent housing for a variety of reasons.
First Call hopes to begin construction in August with completion in early 2020. The goal is to raise an initial $250,000 by the end of the year.
“First Step Housing is about providing people a place to live temporarily while they try to get back on their feet, and we want to offer them all the support that we can,” said Linda Mills, First Call for Help executive director.
“If they are having trouble finding a job … if they have trouble budgeting their money, whatever the obstacles have been for them, we want to try to help them work through those. So once they have been there for six months, or earlier if that happens, they will be able to transition into their own place. They would be able to stand on their own two feet by then.”
First Call for Help is trying to raise $250,000 to create a transitional housing unit in its 13th Street building.
Although First Call for Help will continue to aid the transient population that comes through Hays, those individuals will not be eligible for the First Step program, Mills said.
Laura Allen, client service specialist, said she talks to several families a week who are from Hays who don’t have a place to stay.
“There just isn’t anything. If they don’t have a friend to stay with, then they look for a shelter in a different city,” she said. “Some of them don’t want to do that because they have kids here or they have family here or they may have a job here.
“When a lot of people live paycheck to paycheck, they don’t have the money to come up with first month’s rent plus a deposit. Giving them the opportunity to have a place to stay while they work on that really gets them to the longer-term goal of not being homeless again.”
Mills said much of the homelessness in Hays is “found in the seemingly ordinary.”
“You may think they are in their car because they are waiting for someone to come out, but they may be living there,” she said.
Plans for the First Step transitional housing unit calls for four bedrooms that could house up to 12 people. It will also include a kitchen and laundry area.
People who spend time at the library or who sit at a convenience store, may also be homeless, Allen said. Mills added families might also be staying on people’s couches or doubling up with another family.
“I have talked to four people in the last two weeks,” Allen said, “one who needed to get out of his home situation because there was drug use and some physical violence there. He had nowhere to go, and I believe he is still there.
“One who is working on some mental health issues and lost her home, so now she is trying to figure out what she is going to do tomorrow as she goes through that process. Both of them had nowhere else to stay because they were at the mercy of somebody else where they were living.”
The First Step transitional housing program will be located in the First Call for Help building at 607 E. 13th St.
In advance of the capital campaign, First Call for Help has developed an application process as well as policies and procedures for First Step, Mills said.
First Call for Help already works closely with the Job Service Center and will continue to do that with this program. Program officials hope to work with extension to offer participants instruction on grocery shopping and meal planning on a budget, as well. First Step will also help participants apply for assistance programs, such as food stamps and Medicaid if they qualify.
Once the First Step program is established, First Call would like to offer some of these skill-building services to the First Call for Help’s other daily clients.
First Step has been in the works since 2015 and was the result of a strategic planning process, Mills said. Although the community has transitional housing for domestic violence survivors and Oxford House for those experiencing addiction, it does not have transitional housing for those who do not fall into either of those categories.
Mills told the story of a young mom who was temporarily without a permanent home. The family was living in a hotel, and the husband was watching the children while she worked. Her husband left the family. She was in the office talking to Mills about her situation, when school counselor called and said her daughter had been in the counselor’s office very upset and crying because she didn’t know where they were going to spend the night.
“That was kind of hard to hear, because there was not a lot we could do for her,” Mills said.
Mills said First Call can refer families to the Housing Authority, but that agency has a waiting list of up to two years.
The nearest traditional homeless shelter is in Salina. Allen noted members of the transient population will still likely be referred to Salina.
“I think one of the difficulties in rural areas is helping communities to recognize there is an issue with homeless or at high risk of homelessness,” Mills said. “I think that is true not just of Hays, but other rural communities as well. We can see it in the big cities pretty easily. We can drive downtown and you see it, but here not so much.”
Mills said this project will benefit the community as a whole.
“Those people who we are being helped through the short-term housing will be able to contribute to the community,” she said. “They will have a place to live. Their children will have some more stability in their lives. Living with housing instability — kids worry about where they are going to spend the night.”
First Call hopes to raise an additional $250,000 for future expansion.
“We don’t see this necessarily as the end nor the only thing we are going to do,” Mills said, “because we know there is still going to be more need out there. We are only going to be able to serve a small part of the population who needs (help).”
Listeners will be hearing regular messages about First Step Campaign on Eagle Radio of Hays stations through at least Thursday.
You can donate by calling First Call for Help at 785-623-2800, online on First Call for Help’s website or in person at the First Call for Help office, 607 E. 13th. The office is open from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. This week, First Call for Help will also have people available to take donations via phone during the evening.
You can learn more about First Step or First Call for Help by attending informal discussions called Mugs in the Morning form 9 to 11 a.m. Thursdays at the First Call for Help office.
Grow Hays, in association with the Network Kansas E-Community Partnership, announces the Think Like an Entrepreneur – Ice House Entrepreneurship Program offered in Ellis County starting July 10, 2019. Sessions will be held over eight-weeks, Wednesdays July 10, through Aug. 28. The program fee of $150 for adults and $75 for students. The fee covers catered meals. The goal of the course is to teach participants to develop an entrepreneurial mindset.
Taught by James Foster, a certified Ice House facilitator, this interactive 8-week program provides practical entrepreneurial lessons through first-hand experiences of successful, real-life entrepreneurs. Based on the book, Who Owns the Ice House, this curriculum consists of video interviews and case studies along with individual assignments, assessments, and discussion topics. This popular course is offered only a handful of times per year across the state and Grow Hays is bringing this course to the community for the first time.
“I want them to have skills, I want them to have a mindset, I want them to have the abilities to know that no matter their circumstance making themselves successful in business can be a reality! That’s what I see this course providing for people” – James Foster, Ice House facilitator.
Registration is limited, and in-county attendees will have priority to fill the course. Out of county attendees are welcome to register but may be put on a waiting list. Participants will receive $50 if they attend all eight sessions. Deadline to register is Friday, June 26.
For more information. contact Doug Williams at 785.623.1100 or email [email protected].
CLEVELAND (AP) – Jason Kipnis homered leading off the 10th inning as the Cleveland Indians continued their impressive June with a 3-2 win over the Kansas City Royals on Monday night in a game delayed 2 hours, 23 minutes by rain.
Kipnis connected on a 1-0 pitch from Wily Peralta (2-4), driving it into the right-field seats for his sixth homer. As the ball sailed into the stands, Kipnis dropped his bat, circled the bases and made a nifty spin move as neared the plate to avoid being splashed by teammate Francisco Lindor, who tried to soak him with a Gatorade cooler.
The Indians have won 14 of 19 and improved to an AL-best 15-6 this month.
Kipnis has been a big part of Cleveland’s early-summer surge. He’s batting .471 with four homers and 14 RBIs in his past nine games.
Brad Hand (4-2) worked a perfect 10th as Indians manager Terry Francona was forced to use six pitchers because of the weather.
Indians rookie slugger Bobby Bradley, who delivered an RBI double in his first major league at-bat after being recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, put the Indians up in the sixth with a run-scoring double.
Whit Merrifield homered for the Royals, who sit at the bottom of the AL Central.
With the score tied 1-1 in sixth, Jose Ramirez walked with two outs before Bradley hit a liner that split center fielder Billy Hamilton and right fielder Merrifield, who cut the ball off with a soggy, sliding stop near the warning track.
But Kansas City’s relay was not in time to get Ramirez, and Bradley, who was leading the International League in homers, celebrated at second by raising his arms and motioning toward his teammates in the dugout.
Blanked for three innings before the rain stoppage by Royals starter Brad Keller, the Indians tied it 1-all shortly after play resumed on back-to-back doubles by Santana and Ramirez, who is again showing signs of emerging from a baffling batting slump.
Ramirez has hiked his average up to .217, a season-high but 100 points before his .317 clip in 2017.
Indians starter Adam Plutko didn’t give up a hit until the fourth, when Whit Merrifield led off with his 11th homer, a shot to left that barely crept over the 19-foot-high wall. Plutko got through the rest of the inning unscathed before the rain intensified and caused the lengthy delay.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Royals: 2B Adalberto Mondesi (right groin strain) is expected to come off the 10-day injured list when eligible on June 29. He was put on the shelf following Kansas City’s June 18 game in Seattle.
Indians: OF Jake Bauers rolled his left ankle shagging flies during pregame batting practice and was scratched 90 minutes before the first pitch. Bauers took pregame swings in the cage, but the Indians decided to rest him. … RHP Mike Clevinger will throw a “full-fledged bullpen” Tuesday, a final hurdle before he’s activated from the injured list with a sprained ankle. Clevinger is scheduled to start Friday at Baltimore.
UP NEXT
Royals: RHP Glenn Sparkman (2-3, 3.62 ERA) allowed one run – a homer – and tossed a career-high seven innings in his previous start against Minnesota.
Indians: RHP Shane Bieber (6-3, 3.86 ERA) has won both career starts against Kansas City despite a 6.35 ERA. He’s 8-2 in 14 starts against AL Central opponents.
Thirsty’s Brew Pub & Grill is now accepting applications for Server/Waitstaff positions. Thirsty’s team constantly works towards creating space for customers to relax, dine, drink and socialize in a warm, comfortable setting with multiple sports viewing options. WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR TEAM MEMBERS THAT CAN HELP US ACCOMPLISH THAT!
Thirsty’s is looking for energetic, fun, positive, organized people that have a drive for providing a great customer experience, each and every time!
We offer competitive wages, food discounts, flexible schedules, and a great group of people to work with that proudly represent our brand. No experience necessary, we train extensively. Applications are taken online by clicking HERE or by going to www.thirstysgrillandpub.com and clicking on the employment tab.
The Broken Spoke Clydesdales will entertain during each night of the Phillipsburg rodeo August 1-3. The six-horse hitch will pull a freight wagon as it makes its way through the arena.
PHILLIPSBURG – Six beautiful equines will be part of the show at the 90th annual Kansas Biggest Rodeo in Phillipsburg.
Broken Spoke Clydesdales, Winfield, Kansas, will bring their six-horse Clydesdale hitch pulling a freight wagon to the rodeo Aug. 1 to 3.
Mark DeCoudres, owner of the horses and the hitch, got involved with Clydesdales eight years ago. It had always been a dream of his to drive a team. He had grown up around horses but didn’t know how to drive or harness them. He bought a team of two and left them at the seller’s house, returning each weekend to get lessons on how to harness and drive them.
It wasn’t easy to learn to drive a hitch, DeCoudres said. “I remember one time,” he recalled, “I was driving four. I didn’t have my lines (how the horses are controlled) just right, and the next thing I knew, the lead horse was turned completely around, looking at me.”
Each pair of horses has its own job when pulling a load. Jackson and Brock, the team closest to the wagon, are the wheel team. Brody and Bridget, the team in the middle, are the swing team. Divinity and Diesel are the lead team. Usually the wheel horses weigh more than the lead horses, and the lead horses are more athletic and have to travel farther than the wheel team when making turns.
The horses eat about forty pounds of hay and fifteen pounds of grain or pelleted feed a day. DeCoudres will bring them to Phillipsburg in a semi, and they will be kept in temporary pens at the rodeo grounds. The public is invited to see them during the days of the rodeo. That is DeCoudres’ favorite part. “I like interacting with the people. There are children who would never be able to be up and close to a horse like that, if we weren’t there. Even for the older people, it brings back memories of their childhood, when their granddad or parents used draft horses on the farm.”
One of DeCoudres’ Clydesdales loves to be “loved on.” Jackson is special, DeCoudres said. “I lead him out (with the public) and throw a lead rope over his neck. Hundreds of people come to pet him and he’s just a gentle giant. I sit there and watch.”
The horses are huge, but they are gentle. DeCoudres’ grandson helps with them. “It’s hard to believe you can have an eight-year-old grandson lead a horse across the yard and yet you can hitch them up to the wagon and they have so much power to pull.” Clydesdales can pull three times their weight, which works out to 6,000 lbs. each.
The Broken Spoke Clydesdales have entertained at rodeos and events across the nation. They will entertain each night of the Phillipsburg, Kansas rodeo, August 1-3. The rodeo starts at 8 pm each night. Tickets go on sale July 1 at Heritage Insurance in Phillipsburg during office hours (8-5 pm; closed from noon to 1 pm). They can be purchased over the phone by calling 785.543.2448. They range in price from $15 to $18 for adults and $11-14 for children ages 3-12.
For more information, visit the website at www.KansasBiggestRodeo.com.
Marilea JoAnne (Johnson) Beougher, 84 of Grainfield, KS, passed away on June 23, 2019, at Hays Medical Center, Hays.
