Elementary school students from Russell, Wilson and Natoma are celebrating Kansas Day at the Deines Cultural Center in Russell today and Wednesday.

“Home on the Range” is sponsored by the Beta Delta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma with grants from the Russell County Area Community Foundation and Russell Drug Fund.

Retired teachers and organizers Susan Krug and Anne Coady say the 40 or so volunteers are having just as much fun as the children.

“Most of our demonstrations are hands-on, ” says Krug.  ” The children get to grind wheat and sift the flour, find out how bread is made, and even get to make the butter for it.”

And then, there’s a stop at the sampling table, filled with homemade wheat and white breads, homemade butter, and grape jelly.

“We really hope to instill a love and understanding of our Kansas heritage in our youth, ” says Coady.

Other event stations include “Wash Day,” where participants labor by hand to clean the laundry, and fish ecology and identification.

“Skins and Skulls,” is a hands-on display of native Kansas mammal pelts and skulls provided by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.