Editor’s Choice/Opinion – Page 314

Joan Jerkovich “Your” Life Coach~Friend’s Husband Cheating

Posted on May 1, 2013May 1, 2013

My best friend’s husband is cheating on her. I’ve never liked the guy and suspected he could do something like this, but now I have proof. He’s such scum, I’m so disgusted with him. I know she’ll be crushed when she finds out, but should I tell her? I know she doesn’t know.

This is a challenging question and I’m going to invite commenters to jump in with their opinions…here goes my best attempt…

Short and sweet, the answer to should you tell her is “No”. Believe it or not, some women don’t want to know that their husbands are cheating. Maybe they sense that something is wrong, but aren’t ready to hear the truth. Maybe they don’t like sex and have an understanding that their husband will have his dalliances and she will look the other way. Across the ages, married women have “allowed” their husbands to have mistresses, so long as he continues to support her and the children financially. Personally, I say kick him to the curb, but to each his own…

My opinion to not tell may be skewed, because I had this very situation years ago with one of my best friends. I’d been hearing from her about her husband and his girl-friend. My red-flag intuition went up, but she seemed to have no concerns over their “friendship” and seemed to almost be encouraging this relationship (my friend didn’t like to have sex with her husband). Then, I had the occasion to see her husband and his girl-friend at a party. My friend wasn’t there with her husband and I witnessed this woman flirting all over him and sitting on his lap! I promptly told my friend what I saw and to this day I don’t think she wanted to hear it. I felt she was more concerned over the public display and how it would look to others in the community, than his involvement with the other woman.

Embrace your Personal Power with Life Coaching~

You know your friend, without giving it too much thought; do you think she’d want you to tell her?
Do you feel the personal need to tell her, as in, if you don’t you will feel that you are not being true to yourself?
What might the consequences to your friendship be to either telling her, or not telling her?
How can you be there for her during this difficult time and those to come?

Please SHARE this on Facebook and lend your COMMENTS ~ we learn from each other!

Follow Joan’s Life Coaching questions Daily and share your COMMENTS at www.joanjerkovich.com

Last week’s questions for you to read and comment on:

Overslept, Lost Job
Work with Ex
Friend Stealing
Finish Writing Book
Losing Weight

Joan Jerkovich, BCC

Joan Jerkovich is a Board Certified Life Coach who takes your questions on Relationships, Health, Careers, Sexuality and Self Care. No question is off limits! She gives her opinion, then partners with you by submitting Life Coaching questions that will help you move toward health and happiness in your life. Email your questions to [email protected] or arrange a time to talk with Joan in person on her radio talk show at www.joanjerkovich.com

Listen to “The Joan Jerkovich Show” weekends @9am on 910 KINA

HPL Book Review: Still Point of the Turning World by Marleah Augustine

Posted on April 30, 2013April 30, 2013

Like all mothers, Emily Rapp had ambitious plans for her first and only child, Ronan. He would be smart, loyal, physically fearless, and level-headed, but fun. He would be good at crossword puzzles like his father. He would be an avid skier like his mother. Rapp would speak to him in foreign languages and give him the best education.

But all of these plans changed when Ronan was diagnosed at nine months old with Tay-Sachs disease, a rare and always-fatal degenerative disorder. Ronan was not expected to live beyond the age of three; he would be permanently stalled at a developmental level of six months. Rapp and her husband were forced to re-evaluate everything they thought they knew about parenting. They would have to learn to live with their child in the moment; to find happiness in the midst of sorrow; to parent without a future.

I have an eight-month-old daughter and was afraid that, while reading this book, I would be in tears the entire time. Not so (and this is neither positive or negative, just a fact). Rapp writes about her son Ronan with love and truthfulness, with interludes into literature and references to poetry, as well as her own personal history.

While reading the first half of the book, I was irritated by the literary and poetic interludes, because just as I started to be drawn into Ronan’s story and started to feel that crushing emotion, I was drawn back out with a reference to Mary Shelley or Pablo Neruda. As I continued reading, however, I realized that this book would be nearly impossible to read — or to write — without those interludes. The reality is simply too overwhelming and terrible to confront all at once. The interludes act as a coping mechanism, enabling one to recover before experiencing the next wave of despondency and helplessness

3 out of 5 stars.

– Marleah Augustine is the Adult Department Librarian at the Hays Public Library

Read more of her blog here https://hayspubliclibrary.wordpress.com

Letter to the Post: EMS, Rural Fire Need Your Sales Tax Vote

Posted on April 30, 2013

The current facilities occupied by Ellis County Rural Fire Department and the Ellis County Emergency Medical Services have reached beyond the intended capacity of their respective buildings. For the efficient operations of our agencies and the safety of the personnel that serve our citizens, we need the new proposed EMS/Rural Fire building to be built at 22nd Street and General Hays Road in Hays.

The question the voters need to answer is this: Does Ellis County pay for these projects with a sales tax or an increase in property taxes?

Five fire vehicles are in a small 3,040-square-foot building. We maneuver these trucks in and out with each fire call, depending on the size and scale of the fire call. One vehicle is parked outside at all times. Because of the confines of the building, there is very little room for the 16 firefighters to either get into gear or train. When one of our citizens experiences a fire, time is of the essence, and with the new facility we will be able to maximize our efficiency, which equals safety for you.

The current EMS building was fine with only 11 employees and four vehicles; however, with the current demands of providing pre-hospital care to the citizens of Ellis County, the building is unable accommodate the needs of 41 employees and nine vehicles. Currently, there is not adequate in-house space for our medical records and medical supplies. Medical supplies are stored in the bay area with the vehicles, which exposes them to diesel fumes and soot.

Training space is very limited, and training equipment is also stored off-site. Additionally, the current facility provides very little space for the personal privacy of those men and women working 24- hour shifts together.

This project is essential to the health and safety of Ellis County citizens. Together with the court- house and jail renovations, the total cost with interest is around $14.32 million. This sales tax, if passed, will sunset in five years or when the bonds are paid off, whichever comes first. If the tax sunsets before the bonds are fully paid off, the balance will be taken care of within the county budget.

The vote on May 14 lets the voters decide. Do you want to pay for these projects with a sales tax or an increase in property taxes?
If you would like to see either of these facilities, please contact either one of us and we will be happy to show them to you. We are certain if you do this, you will see how essential this new building is.

Dick Klaus, Ellis County Rural Fire director Kerry McCue, Ellis County EMS director

Schlageck: Freeze Worsens Wheat Woes

Posted on April 29, 2013

Freeze worsens wheat woes

By John Schlageck, Kansas Farm Bureau

Just when Kansas wheat growers thought this year couldn’t get any worse, Mother Nature dealt them a cruel blow with a record freeze. April 23 may have driven the final nail in the coffin for some wheat fields in southwestern Kansas.

Temperatures were plenty cold in Ford County where Rick Konecny recorded 18 degrees for an overnight low. East of his farm Dodge City reported a 23 degree night and north in Garden City the mercury dipped to 19 degrees.

“I’m not sure if our wheat crop can survive this freeze,” Konecny says. “This is a pretty severe freeze for this time of the year.”

But while he’s worried about the wheat crop, the veteran Ford County farmer hasn’t given up hope.

“Who knows what may happen,” he says. “We’ll have to wait until it warms up. You can never count a wheat crop out. When you do, it’ll prove you wrong.”

Compounding the late April freeze was an earlier freeze when temperatures dropped as low as 13 degrees on April 10. After this killer freeze, Finney County farmer Gary Millershaski said his wheat looked like someone sprayed a defoliant on it.

When you couple these two hard freezes in April with the continuation of a three year drought – some label as the worst since the 1930s, you have a recipe for disaster.

That’s been the case on Konecny’s three farms within a 22 mile radius west of Dodge City. During a two and one-half year period, his land has fallen behind by 34 inches in moisture. That’s in a region of Kansas where the annual rainfall is 16-17 inches per year.

With no subsoil moisture and no rainfall, the winter wheat crop on Konecny’s farms looks bleak.

“We see some clouds once in a while,” the dry-land wheat farmer says. “A front occasionally moves through and the forecast is for moisture but all we receive is a couple points of precipitation.”

Konecny’s wheat crop 22 miles southwest of Dodge City is “virtually gone.”

Brown spots started to show up in early April.

“This wheat crumples in your fingers,” he says. “This year’s crop never got going.”

Freezes are a funny thing, Konecny says. When a freeze hits a dry plant that is already stressed for moisture it disrupts the cellular structure and even though the plant may still look green, it kills it, he says.

“It’s kind of like when you take a flower or leaf and press it in a book,” the Ford County farmer says. “It may maintain the same color but there’s nothing there. It’s not a live plant anymore.”

While many believe a wheat crop has nine lives, Konecny doesn’t believe this adage holds true this year. Couple that with his last
three wheat crops that averaged 25, 5 and 3 bushels-per-acre, the prospect of another wheat failure would hit him square in the heart and deep in the pocket.

“It’s very hard right now,” he says. “As a farmer I’m used to producing, you want to produce a wheat crop. It’s your livelihood. It’s how I grew up. Harvesting a good wheat crop helps define me and my self-worth. There’s a real weight that comes on you when you deal with three years of drought and raising very little grain.”

Continuing to farm represents a legacy of several generations, Konecny explains. He feels not only responsible for his immediate family but the future of his children and the rich tradition of family farmers that were his parents and grandparents.

“Late at night, you sometimes wonder, ‘Am I done? Can I continue to farm? How long do I go on with 50 years and the better part of my life devoted to farming?’”

In spite of the dire circumstances and the prospect for another drought and crop failure, Konecny says he’ll keep the faith and pray to his God to help him weather this drought.

“We simply go through the effort as farmers,” he says. “I just always try to uphold my end of the bargain and pray. He’s always seen us through.”

John Schlageck is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas. Born and raised on a diversified farm in northwestern Kansas, his writing reflects a lifetime of experience, knowledge and passion.

Kansas Profile: Now That’s Rural

Posted on April 27, 2013April 24, 2013

Kansas Profile – Now That’s Rural
Phyllis Hager – Stafford Mercantile

By Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University.

January 30, 2013. Washington, D.C. In the United States Senate chamber, one senator is describing the challenges facing a rural community and the way the citizens of that community rose to the challenge. This senator is talking about Stafford, Kansas, where citizens came together to create a home-owned department store of their own and also save the local hospital through a grass-roots initiative.

Phyllis Hager is one of the local citizens who led the effort to create this new store, called Stafford Mercantile. She explained that the Duckwalls store in Stafford closed in 2011, meaning that local residents had to shop elsewhere.

So, local business leaders got together to see what could be done. The Stafford Development Group now owns the old store building. Phyllis Hager and others went together to organize the new store which operates there. The store is known as the Stafford Mercantile. It is a community-owned store supported by local investors. On Nov. 2, 2012, the Stafford Mercantile had its grand opening.

“We have excellent investors,” Phyllis said. The initiative utilizes a tool called Investment Kansas Exemption or IKE – which has a Kansas ring to it. IKE is offered through the Kansas Securities Commission.

The Stafford Mercantile is described as a plentiful variety store, including an old-fashioned 1928 soda fountain. The soda fountain itself is a remarkable story.

“There are maybe 30 soda fountains remaining in Kansas,” Phyllis said. “This soda fountain used to be in the drugstore across the street from my office.”

Like a number of rural Kansas residents these days, this soda fountain made a long journey and eventually returned home. When the drugstore closed, the soda fountain was sold and shipped to Sterling. For 15 years, it sat in storage.

“We were able to purchase that soda fountain and bring it back,” Phyllis said. It now sits prominently in the Stafford Mercantile, where many citizens have come in and reminisced about good times around the old soda fountain. One local resident brought her mother to that store for ice cream from the same fountain used for her mother’s wedding reception in 1934.

Meanwhile, another community institution was struggling as well. After more than 50 years of service, the Stafford County Hospital was wrestling with the many issues facing the rural health care system today. In fact, the hospital was more than a half-million dollars in debt. It appeared the only option was to close its doors.

But rather than throwing in the towel and giving up, the hospital got new leadership, sought help from the folks in the county, and worked hard to make ends meet. These efforts enabled the hospital doors to remain open and continue to provide vital health care for the residents of Stafford County.

These remarkable grass-roots self-help efforts did not go unnoticed. Sen. Jerry Moran learned of the initiatives in Stafford and recognized the community with a “Building a Better Community Award.” In January he spoke on the Senate floor about the accomplishments in Stafford, and on Feb. 9, 2013 he was in the Stafford Mercantile to present the award in person.

“We were very honored to have Sen. Moran here,” Phyllis said. “It is unbelievable that a small community could do this, but we did.” After all, Stafford is a rural community of 1,145 people. Now, that’s rural.

For more information, go to www.staffordmercantileks.com.

It’s time to leave Washington, D.C., where Sen. Jerry Moran has been speaking about the community of Stafford. We too, salute Phyllis Hager and all the citizens of Stafford for their grassroots community initiative. As Sen. Moran said: “The community of Stafford is a success story. It is a role model. It demonstrates how teamwork and creative thinking – how caring about the future of your community – can make a positive difference for that community and for all of rural America.”

And there’s more. The Senator also commended a local entrepreneurship program in Stafford – but these entrepreneurs are not only operating businesses, they might also be getting ready for their senior prom. We’ll learn about that in next week’s Kansas Profile.

Audio and text files of Kansas Profiles are available at https://www.kansasprofile.com. For more information about the Huck Boyd Institute, interested persons can visit https://www.huckboydinstitute.org.

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Evaluating the Pieces

Posted on April 26, 2013

The KanCare Puzzle: Evaluating the Pieces – One clearly does not fit:

By: Jerry Michaud
President/CEO – Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK

On April 11, the Hays Daily printed an editorial on KanCare (the overhaul of Kansas’ Medicaid system affecting 380,000 people). The author understood the gravity and complexity and gave insight about the stories of those who have rubbed shoulders directly with KanCare, providing a common sense call to action for Community Services for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and their Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS). I’ll use the acronym (I/DD–LTSS) for easier reference to these services. As a general reference, these are the residential, day and other services provided by Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, Inc. (DSNWK) each and every day of the year.

With gratitude to the Governor’s Administration for delaying inclusion of these services in to KanCare, the delay expires December 31, 2013. The plea for permanent ‘Carve Out’ of I/DD–LTSS from KanCare has not lessened. Most people may not realize that DSNWK’s Intermediate Care Facilities/Mentally Retarded (ICF/MRs) and our WORK/Working Healthy programs were NOT delayed and DSNWK was among the I/DD—LTSS providers expected to ‘report for duty’ under KanCare in January, 2013.

Since the late 80’s, partnering with the State in the closure of Norton State Hospital, DSNWK has been providing and billing for ICF/MR services ever since. In anticipation of the shift to KanCare, ICF/MR providers met in December to talk about the details. During the meeting, our jaws dropped at the question from a representative within the new KanCare model. The question, ‘What does the acronym ICF/MR stand for?’, was a deep and concerning early indication of the unfamiliarity of the KanCare model and the I/DD–LTSS system slated to begin in a few weeks.

As an experienced provider, we went from ‘straight-forward’ to ‘complex and confusing’ and from a billing process taking mere minutes a week to complete, to a continuous process requiring perseverance and hours each day under KanCare. Delayed payments from MCOs surpassed $130,000 for us in early March. I/DD—LTSS providers in the state have had to borrow money to cover payroll. Seeking remedy, we contacted legislators and the administration. Although we are appreciative of their support, getting paid should not require such ‘acts of congress’. As for the contracting process with the three MCOs, this has been a frustrating and costly process and we remain without contracts. Below are additional pieces of the KanCare puzzle:

o A perplexing price tag or “Fiscal Note” of nearly $100 million to “Carve Out” I/DD–LTSS from KanCare. Carving out – providers like DSNWK would continue doing what they have been doing. With no rate adjustments since 2008 and a flat funded Governor’s budget for FY 2014 and FY 2015, this is a puzzling equation to understand. ($100 Million represents the Administration’s budgeted savings, or anticipated cost cutting, within the I/DD-LTSS Carved In).

o Savings are touted to be the result of ‘better care and outcomes’. This is difficult to understand when the cost of providing community services has been held nearly flat for almost two decades, is underfunded by the State’s own rate studies. The I/DD State Institutions are ICF/MR services and have been permanently carved out of KanCare by the Administration from the very beginning.

o A consultant with NewPoint, a pro-managed care healthcare advisor, revealed troubling insights regarding inclusion of I/DD–LTSS into KanCare on 3/20/13. The consultant report identified that savings for I/DD services under managed care (in Kansas that is “KanCare”) come by way of de-institutionalization. Kansas’ has by and large already ‘been there and done that’ with its community partner organizations, like DSNWK, all across Kansas.

o Finally, if you were not aware, there has been an effort from within the legislature this session to make radical changes to the Developmental Disability Reform Act, landmark law established to manage this community I/DD—LTSS system in Kansas.

Many community advocates have expressed the desire to work with the Administration on the implementation of KanCare for the medical and behavioral health side of the lives of the people we support. We have repeatedly expressed deep concerns with I/DD–LTSS being included into KanCare, overseen by for-profit insurance companies, an idea with a mismatch of expectations, experience and philosophy.

I believe there are sensible thinkers in Topeka who see the clear warning signs. The majority view of the community service system has untiringly advocated and educated the Administration not to gamble by force-fitting I/DD–LTSS into KanCare.

Decades ago, parents of individuals with I/DD, families and community leaders and advocates wanted better results and outcomes for their children and friends with I/DD. From this, the community service system was born. These desires and dreams evolved into the strong mission-focused organizations in Kansas today. I am proud to say, DSNWK is one of them. Now the next generation of parents, families and advocates are joining these pioneers in crying out again to our Legislators and the Administration, to protect the community service system. The I/DD–LTSS is a piece that does not belong in the KanCare puzzle. The actual test drive of KanCare for I/DD—LTSS, along with peripheral points noted here, is enough to convince sensible minded people everywhere to politely hand the keys back to the sales person with a clear, ‘No thank you – this is not the right vehicle for our most vulnerable Kansans’.

The Community service system urges you to do the right thing and protect the I/DD-LTSS system by Carving It permanently out of KanCare.

Respectfully,

Jerry Michaud
President/CEO – Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK)

HRC- Deadline Wednesday Update

Posted on April 25, 2013April 25, 2013

Deadline Wednesday Gazette
Welcome to this week’s edition of Deadline Wednesday Gazette.
Here you will find information about deadlines and other exciting things going on at the Hays Recreation Commission!
Please feel free to e-mail us with comments, questions or concerns.
We love to hear from you!

SEASON POOL PASS EARLY BIRD SALE
Next week April 29 – May 3 will be our Early Bird Season Pool Pass sale!! Get your pool passes for only $35.00! After May 3rd passes will be $40.00.
Remember to bring your cards in from last year if you have them.

DEADLINES FOR MAY 1st
If a class is full PLEASE put your name on the waiting list. We always do our best to accommodate everyone so if you are not on the waiting list and we add an additional class you will miss out!

TINY TAS (2-5 YEAR OLDS)
CINCO DE MAYO – NEW
Es tiempo de fiesta! It’s time for a party! Your child will be introduce to a festive Mexican holiday, Cinco de Mayo! The tasty snack, lively activities, and Spanish words will have your child saying, Muy bien!
Entry Deadline: May 1
Entry Fee: $5.00
Held on: Friday, May 3
Times: 9:00 – 11:30am
Ages: 3 – 5
Location: Recreation Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 12

MINIATURE HORSE TOUR
Join us for a trip to Blue Sky Farm (located 6 miles north of Hays) to see the registered miniature show horses. See the neat “little farm” designed just for the “littlest horses in Kansas.” Learn how and why they are groomed and see how they are trained in the lounging (round) pen, the obstacle course and how they are taught to pull a cart and give cart rides.
Entry Deadline: Session 1: May 1
Session 2: May 29
Entry Fee: $7.00 per person
Held on: Session 1: Monday, May 6
Session 2: Monday, June 3
Times: Session 1: 9:30 – 11:30am
Session 2: 6:30 – 8:30pm
Ages: 2 & older with an adult
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 15
Location: Will meet at the Northeast corner of the Wal-Mart Parking lot and then follow each other to the farm

MOM & SON PUTT-PUTT NIGHT
Boys grab that special mom, aunt, grandmother or anyone over 18 for this event. We will play a great game of putt-putt golf. Each participant will play 18 holes of golf. What a great way to spend some time with that special person.
Entry Deadline: May 1
Entry Fee: $5.00 per person
Held on: Friday, May 3
Times: 6:30pm
Ages: 3 & older w/ an adult
Location: Precision Valley Golf Center – 1500 W 27th

TWEEN TAS (5 & OLDER)
MINIATURE HORSE TOUR
Join us for a trip to Blue Sky Farm (located 6 miles north of Hays) to see the registered miniature show horses. See the neat “little farm” designed just for the “littlest horses in Kansas.” Learn how and why they are groomed and see how they are trained in the lounging (round) pen, the obstacle course and how they are taught to pull a cart and give cart rides.
Entry Deadline: Session 1: May 1
Session 2: May 29
Entry Fee: $7.00 per person
Held on: Session 1: Monday, May 6
Session 2: Monday, June 3
Times: Session 1: 9:30 – 11:30am
Session 2: 6:30 – 8:30pm
Ages: 2 & older with an adult
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 15
Location: Will meet at the Northeast corner of the Wal-Mart Parking lot and then follow each other to the farm

HERSHEYS NATIONAL TRACK AND FIELD PROGRAM
The Hays Recreation Commission will be offering a unique program called the Hershey’s National Track and Field Meet. For this meet, no shoes designated for spikes will be allowed. The meet is designed to allow both the beginner and the advanced to participate on the local level with opportunities to advance to the State meet. T-Shirt will be given out at the end of the event for ever person.
Entry Deadline: May 1
Entry Fee: $5.00
Held on: Saturday, May 4
Times: First event starts at 9:00am
Ages: 9 & 10, 11 & 12, 13 & 14 boys & girls as of December 31, 2013
Location: Hays High Track – 2300 East 13th
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 50

MOTHER’S DAY CINNAMON ROLLS A PARENT/CHILD COOKING VENTURE – NEW
Tomorrow is Mother’s Day, so wake up her (or Dad) with the warm, buttery and cinnamon-y smell of fresh baked cinnamon rolls. Using a simple two stage dough, you and a parent will whip up a pan of rolls ready to bake and glaze the next morning. In addition to traditional rolls, we’ll explore variations on the fillings and glazes that make for outstanding combinations. Class includes tasting several types of rolls and taking home a pan of your own. Bring a large mixing bowl, an 8- or 9 inch round or square metal pan, and 1-2 cup container with lid.
Entry Deadline: May 1
Entry Fee: $20.00
Held on: Saturday, May 11
Times: 1:00 – 3:00pm
Ages: 5 + (parent participation required)
Location: Recreation Center
Limitations: Min. 3 Max. 6 child/parent
Instructor: Cathy Drabkin

ADULT LEISURE
ADULT GOLF LESSONS
Are you looking for a great activity to do during the summer? If you are a beginner or just needing to clean up on your skills, why not learn how to play the great game of golf?
Entry Deadline: May 1
Entry Fee: $60.00
Held on: Tuesday’s & Thursday’s – May 7 – 16
Times: 6:30 – 8:00pm
Ages: 18 & older
Location: Ft. Hays Municipal Golf Course – 1450 Golf Course Road
Limitations: Min. 7 Max. 14

CINNAMON ROLLS – NEW
There’s nothing quite like the smell and taste of fresh baked cinnamon rolls…warm, buttery, soft, and cinnamon-y! Using two-stage dough, we’ll whip up a pan of rolls ready to bake and glaze the next morning. In addition to traditional rolls, we’ll explore variations on the dough, fillings and glazes that make for outstanding combinations. In this hands-on class you’ll sample several types of rolls and take home a pan of oven-ready rolls. Bring a large mixing bowl, an 8- or 9- inch round or square metal pan, and 1-2 cup container with lid.
Entry Deadline: May 1
Entry Fee: $20.00
Held on: Saturday, May 11
Times: 10:00 – 12:00pm
Ages: 18 & older
Location: Recreation Center
Limitations: Min. 3 Max. 8
Instructor: Cathy Drabkin

ACTIVELY 55 CLUB
ROCK OUT WELLNESS – NEW
Explore and learn ways music can add to your health routine. Both informational and experiential opportunities will be included each week. Interests of the participants will guide the areas explored and the music used.
Entry Deadline: Session 2: May 1
Session 3: June 26
Entry Fee: $7.50 per session
Held on: Session 2: May 6, 20, June 3
Session 3: July 1,8,15
Ages: 55 & older
Location: Recreation Center
Limitations: Min. 8 Max. 20

UNDERGROUND SALT MUSEUM
The Underground Salt Museum is the only museum of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. The salt story it tells serves as the gateway for exploring such topics as geology, history, health, science, politics and film preservation. Ticket price includes admission, dark ride, and the train ride. After our tour we will head over to Yoder to enjoy lunch at the Carriage Crossing Restaurant. And we will make a stop at the local meat market. Your meal is not included in your fee.
Entry Deadline: May 1
Entry Fee: $25.00
Held on: Saturday, May 4
Time: 7:30am – 6:00pm
Age: 55 & older
Location: Recreation Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max 15

YOUTH SPORTS
HERSHEYS NATIONAL TRACK AND FIELD PROGRAM
The Hays Recreation Commission will be offering a unique program called the Hershey’s National Track and Field Meet. For this meet, no shoes designated for spikes will be allowed. The meet is designed to allow both the beginner and the advanced to participate on the local level with opportunities to advance to the State meet. T-Shirt will be given out at the end of the event for ever person.
Entry Deadline: May 1
Entry Fee: $5.00
Held on: Saturday, May 4
Times: First event starts at 9:00am
Ages: 9 & 10, 11 & 12, 13 & 14 boys & girls as of December 31, 2013
Location: Hays High Track – 2300 East 13th
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 50

SPECIAL POPS
To participate in these activities, a person must:
-be diagnosed with intellectual disabilities
-have a significant learning or vocational problem

To sign up for these activities by the deadline you can contact:
-Haley Nixon at HRC @ [email protected] or (785)623-2650
-DSNWK Members – Scott Stults @ [email protected] or (785)625-5678
-ARC Members – Gloria VonFeldt @ [email protected] or (785)628-6512
-Visit haysrec.org and sign up online!

Special Pops – LET’S GET MESSY
You will get to experience the fun of squeezing, molding, and playing with different textures! Some activities may include finger painting, sand, noodles, rice, and other fun products! Be dressed to get messy and be ready to have some FUN!
Entry Deadline: May 1
Entry Fee: $2.00
Held on: Thursday, May 2
Times: 6:30pm
Ages: All Ages
Location: Recreation Center

Special Pops – JAM(JUST ADD MUSIC) NEW
Music can make a lot of things better. Come JAM with friends at one or more sessions of fun music filled activities.
Entry Deadline: Session 1: May 1
Session 2: May 29
Session 3: July 3
Session 4: July 31
Entry Fee: $5.00 per session
Held on: Session 1: May 9
Session 2: June 6
Session 3: July 11
Session 4: August 8
Times: 4:30 – 5:30pm
Ages: All ages
Location: Recreation Center
Limitation: Min. 5 Max. 12

Special Pops – CONCERT
Bring your chairs or blankets, drinks and enjoy a night of great music, energetic musicians, and fellowship. Celebration Church presents a Christian concert for Special Pops participants and staff featuring the Ignite Band! For more information contact Connie Holloway at 785-639-1152.
Entry Deadline: NONE
Entry Fee: FREE
Held on: Saturday, May 11
Times: 6:30pm
Ages: All Ages
Location: North Frontier Park

BICKLE-SCHMIDT SPORTS COMPLEX
COORS LIGHT MENS E&D NIT
You Must register at www.usssa.com for this event. Double Elimination.
Entry Deadline: May 3
Entry Fee: $300.00
Held on: May 11
Limitations: Min. 4 teams
Location: Bickle/Schmidt Sports Complex

UPCOMING DEADLINES
May 8
Celebrate Mom’s
Dad & Daughter Putt-Putt Night
Don Kracht’s Castle Island Trip
Let’s Do Lunch
Messy Monsters
Pottery & Books
Tennis Lessons
NBC Baseball Points Tournament

GROUP FITNESS/WELLNESS!!
TIME
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
5:30AM
TNT
HRC HIIT
TNT
HRC HIIT
HRC HIIT/
DOUBLE TROUBLE (EVERY 3RD FRIDAY OF THE MONTH)
8:15AM
LOW IMPACT
LOW IMPACT
12:15PM
POWER YOGA
LIGHT LUNCH
POWER YOGA
LIGHT LUNCH

1:00PM
SIT N’ BE FIT
SIT N’ BE FIT
4:30PM
VOLTAGE
VOLTAGE
5:30PM
CARDIO MIX
YOGA
CARDIO MIX
YOGA

6:30PM
CORE EXPRESS
CORE EXPRESS

6:45PM
ZUMBA
ZUMBA

All classes are $2.00 to Drop In or save with a punch card! 12 punches for $20.00. Senior Classes are $1.00 each and punch cards are available for 10 punches for $10.00. If you are a member of the Fitness Center you will get half price punch cards!!

Descriptions of each class can be found on our web page!!

We’re Still Havin’ Fun at the HRC!

Missy Droegemeier
Office Manager
Hays Recreation Commission
1105 Canterbury Drive
Hays, KS 67601
785-623-2650
Fax: 785-623-2657
[email protected]
www.haysrec.org

Tragedies, technology reshaping free press, speech

Posted on April 25, 2013

Tragedies, technology reshaping free press, speech

By Gene Policinski

Inside the First Amendment

Two national tragedies separated by six years and a day – the April 15 bombing at the Boston Marathon and the April 16, 2007, mass shooting at Virginia Tech University – also are notable in marking how technology is reshaping some uses of our freedoms of press and speech.

Six years ago, 32 people were killed in the Virginia Tech rampage by a lone gunman. The incident was marked by an unprecedented call by news organizations for cell phone images and video from the public. Some major newsrooms created special “desks” to receive e-mails and images from students and others on the scene, even as regular staff scrambled to reach the campus in Blacksburg, Va.

As a result, we received in near-real time, and for the first time in such magnitude, photos and video of armed police running through the campus, of students huddled in locked rooms for safety, and echoes of the last gunshots fired.

Seven years later, citizen camera-phones again came into play along with official video surveillance and news photos and video of the Boston bombing. Joining in the news reporting process was a newer tool – tweeting. As a manhunt for the second bomber went into day two, the combination of networks, online news sites and social-networking offered continuous bursts of text updates, photos and live streams on police activity from hundreds if not thousands of sources.

Even as broadcast pundits provided perspective, tweets gave us street-by-street updates on the search and images from rooftops and backyards of black-clad SWAT teams stalking the remaining suspect.

Still, it was Virginia Tech-plus: More information, more images, in more ways. What is noteworthy from the Boston bombing is how some of that information was used.

Local police eventually sought help from the online community – effectively, from the world – in identifying two suspects, later identified as the bombers: Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, age 19, and his older brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev, age 26. Some credit that tactic with igniting the search effort that led police to the two men.

But even as police were in the early stages of scanning video and still photos for clues to what occurred, what now seems more like on-line and in-print vigilantism than anything else was gearing up.

The New York Post’s front page of April 17 showed a photo of two men watching the race – a pair ultimately never connected to the investigation. The image was published under the screaming headline: “BAG MEN: Feds seek these two pictured at Boston Marathon.” The Post later noted that it received the photo and others from the FBI, and pulled it off-line immediately when authorities began to point to others.

On some social-networking sites there was an interactive version of the same unwarranted “blame game:” On Reddit, users were shown faces in marathon crowd photos, with added markings that created at least the suspicion of being suspects, sometimes just because those pictured were wearing backpacks. The site focused attention on a missing student from Rhode Island as possibly being connected to the explosions, an erroneous “report” later carried internationally and promulgated on other networking sites like Buzzfeed.

By Friday, Reddit’s general manager Erik Martin said he had apologized to the student’s family, noting that “crowd-sourced investigation is something that’s really new and extreme in this case,” he said – and also promised an internal review aimed at preventing such mistakes.

Thankfully, there’s been no call for government-imposed regulations or even the oft-used Congressional hearing to spank the offending news and social network outlets.

Thus far, criticism of the Post and online abuses has been from journalistic peers. For example, USA TODAY media columnist Rem Rieder slammed Reddit for its “shameful witch hunt that mindlessly smeared the reputations of people guilty of nothing more than attending the Boston Marathon.” He also noted Reddit’s apology.

A free press must be free to gather and report the news without official restraints, if only to give the public an independent account of how well the authorities respond to such incidents. Such freedom occasionally will invite excess, error, and experimentation that go wrong.

What’s important in the aftermath is examining what worked and what did not, and remembering those lessons for what – sadly but inevitably – will be the next round of newsgathering, reporting and the online national conversation about a tragic event that seizes the nation’s attention.

Gene Policinski is senior vice president and executive director of the First Amendment Center. Email him at[email protected]

Liquid or Dry Fertilizer?

Posted on April 24, 2013

Stacy Campbell
K-State Research and Extension

Are Liquid Fertilizers Better Than Dry Fertilizers?

Questions about the agronomic differences among the various fertilizer products found in the agriculture marketplace are sometimes raised. One of the more common questions is: “Are liquid fertilizers better than dry fertilizers?”
Liquid UAN solution (28 or 32 percent N) is simply a mixture of urea, ammonium nitrate, and a little water – and not really much water. Each gallon of 32 percent UAN solution is only 20 percent water by weight. Or, viewed another way, each gallon of 32 percent UAN solution contains roughly one quart of water by volume. The remaining weight/volume consists of dissolved urea and ammonium nitrate. Since UAN solution is mainly urea and ammonium nitrate, it is agronomically equal to dry urea and ammonium nitrate, and has the characteristics of both.
Liquid 10-34-0 is composed of a mixture of ammonium polyphosphates and ammonium orthophosphates dissolved in water. The dissolved ammonium orthophosphates are identical to dry fertilizers MAP (e.g. 11-52-0) and/or DAP (e.g. 18-46-0). The dissolved ammonium polyphosphates are quickly converted by soil enzymes to orthophosphates identical to those provided by MAP and/or DAP.
Polyphosphates were not developed by the fluid fertilizer industry because of agronomic performance issues. Instead, polyphosphates were developed to improve the storage characteristics of fluid phosphate products (and other fertilizers made from them) and to increase the analysis of liquid phosphate fertilizers. Ammonium polyphosphate (10-34-0) is equal in agronomic performance to ammonium orthophosphates MAP or DAP when applied at the same P2O5 rates in a similar manner. And liquid phosphate products are equal in agronomic performance to dry phosphate products if applied at equal P2O5 rates in a similar manner.
There is really no agronomic difference between dry and liquid fertilizers (N, P and other nutrients) – other than their physical form, how they are handled or applied, and their adaptability to the overall crop production operation. The choice of which specific fertilizer product to use should be based on:
• Equipment needed to handle and apply the product
• Logistics of hauling/nursing/applying the needed crop nutrients
• Adaptability to the overall farm operation and other cultural practices
• Personal preference
• Product availability

• Cost

With corn planting in the area underway and grain sorghum soon to follow there are always questions about placing fertilizer with seed. Some agricultural producers may consider placing fertilizer with the seed during planting. That can be a good practice, but only if done with great care.

All fertilizers are salts which can cause germination problems if too much is placed with the seed. Too much fertilizer may inhibit germination completely, which results in a stand loss.
In other instances, too much fertilizer placed with the seed may simply delay germination, or it may result in weak seedlings with poorly developed root systems. Either way, the affected seedlings will be at a competitive disadvantage, and a loss of yield potential could result.
Keep several points in mind when evaluating seed-placed fertilizer:

* The potential for injury is greater in sandy and/or dry soils.

* Nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) are the fertilizer components
responsible for seedling injury. For corn, the maximum rate to place
with seed is 6 to 8 pounds of N + K per acre.

* For grain sorghum, reduce that rate 25 to 30 percent.

* Place no fertilizer with soybean or sunflower seeds.

* Some fertilizers should never be applied with seed. Do not apply
ammonium thiosulfate by itself in direct contact with the seed. Don´t
place urea-containing fertilizers with seed.

Further details are available on Ellis County Extension web site at www.ellis.ksu.edu click onto the Crops and Livestock tab and under Hot Topics click onto K-State Agronomy e-updates; e-Update 4/17/08).

Information provided by Dave Mengel, K-State Nutrient Management Specialist.

Letter to the Post- Sales Tax or Property Tax?

Posted on April 24, 2013April 24, 2013

Dear Editor:

It is important to clear up misconceptions regarding the Ellis County safety and security .5% sales tax so that voters know exactly what is going on. The question the commission needs to have the voters answer is this: does Ellis County pay for these projects with a sales tax or an increase in property taxes?

The projects involved are renovation of the jail,renovations of the courthouse to secure it and separate prisoners from the public and the building of a new combined EMS and rural fire facility tot be located on the property located at 22nd Street and General Hays Road. The estimates and top amount agreed to by the commission is $12.5 million, to an approximate total of $14.32 million with interest.

This sales tax, if passed, WILL sunset in 5 years or when the bonds are paid off, whichever comes first. If the tax sunsets before the bonds are fully paid off the balance will taken care of within the County budget.

These projects are essential and have to be done. EMS is in a small building that worked when only 11 people worked there – now they have 41. Rural fire packs 5 vehicles into a 3040 square foot building – in a fire situation time is of the essence, yet they have to maneuver the trucks around to get the right one out.

Over ten years ago the need for these projects was determined. In the last three years there has been another space needs committee that have determined we are at critical mass and must get these projects completed. Now the question is, how do you want to pay for them? Do you want a sales tax or do you want to pay for it with an increase of your property taxes? It is up to you.

If you would like to tour any of the buildings or have any questions please feel free to call any of us and we can answer your questions and help you see them.

Dean Haselhorst
Swede Holmgren
Barbara Wasinger

Congressman Huelskamp Today

Posted on April 23, 2013April 24, 2013

Kansas First District Congressman Tim Huelskamp announced he will host four town hall meetings on Monday, April 29th. These four meetings – in Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, and Russell Counties – are in addition to the three previously announced for Wednesday, May 1st. Thus far, Rep. Huelskamp has held 26 town hall meetings across the state this year. He will host a town hall in every one of the sixty-three counties he represents.

Rep. Huelskamp released the following statement:

“I am excited to continue the tradition of hosting a town hall in each of the counties that comprise the Big First district. We are well on the way to our goal and the turnout at this year’s town halls meetings has been phenomenal. These town hall meetings give me invaluable information that I take back to Washington to better serve the Big First.”

Constituents with questions should contact Rep. Huelskamp’s Dodge City office at 620-225-0172 or his Salina office at 785-309-0572.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Lincoln County Town Hall
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Lincoln Senior Center
116 W Lincoln Ave, Lincoln

Mitchell County Town Hall
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Beloit Municipal Building – Basement
119 N Hersey, Beloit

Osborne County Town Hall
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Harvey’s Coffee Shop
130 W Main St, Osborne

Russell County Town Hall
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Meridy’s Restaurant and Lounge
1220 S Fossil St, Russell

Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Rush County Town Hall
10:00am – 11:00am
Walnut Creek Extension Office
702 Main Street, La Crosse

Ness County Town Hall
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Ness County Old Bank Building
102 West Main Street, Ness City

Trego County Town Hall
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Western Coop Electric Community Room
635 S 13th, WaKeeney

Joan Jerkovich, BCC ~ “Your” Life Coach!

Posted on April 22, 2013April 22, 2013

Joan Jerkovich, BCC

Losing weight has always been a challenge for me. I lose then gain it back in short order and sometimes gain even more back than I lost when I started. Two years ago I worked a plan and got down to my goal weight and kept it off, but the past 4 months I started gaining back what I lost. I know what I need to do to get back on track, go back to doing what worked for me before, but I really can’t get started and stick with it. I don’t have that same motivation.

Geesh, I wish I could find this elusive thing called motivation and bottle it! I’d be a gazillionaire! Finding motivation, especially where weight loss is concerned, is tough. We love to eat; eating tastes good; it feels good. Often, it soothes over that rough day. Damn, why can’t they make zero calorie cookies! I think there is something genetically mutated in those people who don’t like to eat and are content to crunch on raw vegetables all day. Don’t you? If they had lived in prehistoric times, they’d have all died out. Why then, do we have to put up with their skinny bodies as that unattainable target we’re all supposed to strive for?…oh, how I digress…

Take an honest look at your eating habits to determine what small changes you can make to control your eating. Also, take an honest look at your daily activity and map out a plan for adding more movement in to your day. Decreasing calories and increasing activity is, and always will be, the gold standard for weight loss. Start with small steps, and watch them grow to bigger steps and bigger success! Make your plan for weight loss as unique as you are. Here’s to your all-powerful, all-wonderful, uniqueness!

Embrace your Personal Power with Life Coaching~

What helped you motivate the last time you successfully lost weight?
What lifestyle changes to decrease calories did you make that helped you lose weight?
What lifestyle changes to increase activity did you make that helped you lose weight?
How was your thinking about your weight different when you were staying on track to now when you’re lacking motivation?

Link to Joan’s Life Coaching questions Daily at www.joanjerkovich.com and share your COMMENTS!

Aurora Shooting Witness trauma with Boston
Like to quit 14 year job
Can’t trust after Foster Care
Socially awkward as homeschooled
Take parents in home vs. Assisted Living
Upset team lost Final Four
80-year-old seeks daughters respect

Listen to “The Joan Jerkovich Show” weekends @9am on 910 KINA

Letters to the Post/Music Ed Funding

Posted on April 17, 2013

Dear Governor Brownback,

This afternoon I saw a link on the Hays Post Facebook page featuring a picture of Craig Manteuffel, the Hays High School Band director. In the caption of the picture was an alarming statistic: “A study of budget cuts for the arts in Kansas finds more than 600 music positions in grades K-12 have been eliminated in Kansas the past five years.” Mr. Manteuffel called this statistic a “travesty.” I agree but find that to be a polite understatement. As a native Kansan, my life has been shaped by many outstanding, wonderful, and extremely dedicated music teachers – from Coronado Elementary (Ms. Anderson and Mrs. Westerman) to Salina South Middle School (Mr. Roegge) to Salina South High School (Mr. Fillmore) and Fort Hays State University (Dr. Jordan and Mr. Dawson).

I am currently working towards my doctorate in trumpet performance at the University of North Texas. My music education in Kansas thoroughly prepared me for doctoral studies at the nation’s largest music program. Not only am I a member of the top auditioned orchestra, the UNT Symphony Orchestra, I am also in the top auditioned wind ensemble, the UNT Wind Symphony. This is no small feat considering there are over 100 trumpeters on campus. After my degree is completed, I would love to return to Kansas with my wife to raise a family and establish my. If this trend continues there will be no reason for us to do so.

Without these Kansas music educators, my passion for making and (more importantly) sharing music would still be unrealized. It sickens and outrages me that young Kansans are being deprived of the opportunity to make, share, and experience music. Playing my trumpet has given me a voice, a medium of expression, and a sense of value that is simply unparalleled. How can we deny this to our youngest citizens who are yearning to express themselves? I understand there are many many factors at work here and I do not want to point fingers, lay blame or call names. As a future music teacher, I simply want to ask: What can I do to help?

Sincerely,
Trevor Duell

Hays Post Archive

Category: Editor’s Choice/Opinion