MCCRACKEN – The McCracken Public Library in McCracken will host “The Harvey Girls,” a presentation and discussion by Michaeline Chance-Reay on Sunday, September 29 at 3 p.m. at McCracken City Building, 402 1st Street.

Everyone is invited to attend the free program. The program is made possible by Humanities Kansas.

A delicious soup supper will follow the program with a free will donation.

The Harvey House chain of restaurants got its start in Topeka when Fred Harvey opened a café for people traveling the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway. Preferring the term “Harvey Girl” to waitress, he recruited single women to work at his restaurants that gradually sprang up all the way to California and Texas. This presentation explores the job duties and working conditions of Harvey Girls from 1876 to the early 1950s.

Michaeline Chance-Reay teaches women’s studies and education at Kansas State University. Her current research focuses on the Harvey Girls and historic sites on the K-State campus, especially those related to women.

“Women in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries who wanted jobs or careers outside of the home had few choices,” said Chance-Reay. “But the Harvey Company offered unique opportunities. It was demanding work but it provided a decent salary in a protected environment, in addition to travel and adventure.”

“The Harvey Girls” is part of Humanities Kansas’s Movement of Ideas Speakers Bureau, featuring presentations and workshops designed to share stories that inspire, spark conversations that inform, and generate insights that strengthen civic engagement.

For more information about “The Harvey Girls” in McCracken contact the McCracken Public Library at 785-394-2444.

About Humanities Kansas

Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit spearheading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.

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Ellis County Joint Planning Commission

The Ellis County Joint Planning Commission will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday.

The meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. at 718 Main Street in the Commission Chambers in Hays.

Please contact the Ellis County Zoning Office at 785-628-9449 for more information.

Union Pacific

Union Pacific will share life-saving messages reminding drivers and pedestrians to use caution every time they cross the tracks during national Rail Safety Week events scheduled across Union Pacific’s 23-state system, Sept. 22-28.

“Railroad crossing incidents involving drivers and pedestrians are preventable if people remain vigilant near the tracks and avoid risky behavior,” said Erin Batt, Union Pacific’s chief safety officer. “Rail Safety Week is a great opportunity for communities to raise awareness about how people can keep themselves and their families safe near rail lines.”

Trains hit a person or vehicle at railroad crossings every four hours in America, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration. Union Pacific hopes to reverse the trend by discouraging unsafe behavior such as ignoring railroad warnings and walking on tracks in areas that are not designated crossings. Designated crossings can be marked with x-shaped railroad signage or equipped with red flashing lights, bells and gates.

Union Pacific will share rail safety tips on social media during Rail Safety Week and collaborate with other organizations participating in the nationwide education effort. Events include supporting law enforcement observing motorist behavior in Superior, Wisconsin, Sept. 24. On Sept. 27, Union Pacific and Metra, Chicago’s commuter railroad, will host a rail safety education outreach effort with National Transportation Safety Board Member Jennifer Homendy, Safe Kids Worldwide, Clifford the Big Red Dog and the Village of Elmhurst.

It’s important to remember trains do not operate on set schedules and to expect a train at all times. Practicing the following rail safety tips throughout the year will help drivers and pedestrians stay safe near railroad tracks:

• Only cross the tracks at designated railroad crossings, located where the street intersects with the tracks.
  Never walk between the rails or in areas that are not designated crossings.
  Avoid distractions including loud music, texting or talking on cell phones when crossing the railroad tracks.
  Stay away from trains and other railroad property including bridges, yards and other equipment.
  Call the phone number posted at the crossing or 911 to report unsafe behavior on or around the tracks.
  More information is available at up.com/safety.

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About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America’s most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. The railroad’s diversified business mix is classified into its Agricultural Products, Energy, Industrial and Premium business groups. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada’s rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.

 

Last week’s inspection results from the Kansas Department of Agriculture:

Hays Middle School 29th and Fort, Hays – Sept. 20

A routine inspection found four violations.

• In the dry-goods storage area, there were six food-grade plastic containers that had imperfections and deep cracks along the corners and sides of the containers.
• Hot water is not available at any location in the establishment. Hot water heater/boiler is not working appropriately.
• Hot water from the handwashing station tested at 74 F. Hot water heater is not working at this time and a temporary handwashing station has been set up.
• The licensee did not cease operations and notify KDA of the imminent health hazard of water service with no hot water.

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Housman Distributing 2005 General Custer Rd., Unit 46, Hays – Sept. 17

A routine inspection found no violations.

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Wheatland Foods 2270 East Eighth, Hays – Sept. 17

An FDA contract inspection found no violations.

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Whiskey Creek 3203 Vine, Hays – Sept. 17

A routine inspection found seven violations.

• On the kitchen line, there is a Turbo Air single refrigerator that had three reduced oxygen packaged salmon filets without a cut in the plastic.
• In the walk-in cooler, there was a container with the lid of a 3/4 log of prime rib.
• In the walk-in cooler, there were two pans of fully cooked potatoes with no date of when they were cooked.  In the walk-in cooler, there was a container of cooked prime rib that had no date of when it was cooked. In the walk-in cooler, there was a pan of fully cooked chicken with no date of when they were cooked.
• In the walk-in refrigerator, there was an opened container of lettuce that had no label of when it was opened. In the walk-in cooler, there was an opened container of hard-boiled eggs with no dates of when it was opened.
• In the ware washing storage area there were four of 10 food-grade plastic containers that had deep cracks along the corners and sides of the containers.
• In the chemical storage area, there were two spray bottles of a clear liquid present. Liquid had suds when the bottle was shook. The person in charge did not know what the chemical was.
• In the bar area, there was a spray bottle of stainless steel polish that was being stored directly next to and pointing towards eight clean empty food storage containers. No evidence of leaking was observed.