Habitat for Humanity ReStore now open additional hours

Defining a Difference with Jana's Campaign

K-State industrial hemp conference 

Habitat for Humanity ReStore now open during CAC garage sales

Soup supper to benefit new Ellis swimming pool

Fundraiser for First Call for Help of Ellis County set for Monday

The Ellis County Fair Association invites you to attend our New Year's Bash! 

This is a fundraiser to help repair damage to the fairgrounds from the storm in August. 

The dance will be held December 31 from 8 p.m. -1 a.m. at the Unrein Building on the Ellis County Fairgrounds, featuring live music from DOC. Tickets are $25 for single or $40 per couple. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau or from a fair board member. We will also have tickets at the door. 

There will be snacks throughout the night with pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, and chips served later in the evening. You can bring your own bottle of liquor, but have to purchase setups at the bar along with beer. 

There will be a raffle and auction with gift cards and baskets donated from a number of businesses. Some prizes include a BBQ meal for 20 people and a couple of guns. 

A shuttle bus will be available if someone needs to get a ride home. 

Gather your friends and family and ring in the new year while supporting a great cause!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577472414494.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Ellis County Fair Association invites you to attend our New Year's Bash! This is a fundraiser to help repair damage to the fairgrounds from the storm in August. The dance will be held December 31 from 8 p.m. -1 a.m. at the Unrein Building on the Ellis County Fairgrounds, featuring live music from DOC. Tickets are $25 for single or $40 per couple. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau or from a fair board member. We will also have tickets at the door. There will be snacks throughout the night with pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, and chips served later in the evening. You can bring your own bottle of liquor, but have to purchase setups at the bar along with beer. There will be a raffle and auction with gift cards and baskets donated from a number of businesses. Some prizes include a BBQ meal for 20 people and a couple of guns. A shuttle bus will be available if someone needs to get a ride home. Gather your friends and family and ring in the new year while supporting a great cause!

New Year celebration for Ellis County Fairgrounds storm damage fund

The next Parenting With Conscious Discipline class begins on January 27, 2020. Contact Dana Stanton at 785-623-2430 to reserve your spot.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577445306114.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The next Parenting With Conscious Discipline class begins on January 27, 2020. Contact Dana Stanton at 785-623-2430 to reserve your spot.

Parenting with Conscious Discipline

WAKEENEY -&nbsp; K-State Research and Extension Golden Prairie Extension District is hosting a Calving School in WaKeeney on Thursday, January 16 at 6 p.m.&nbsp; at the Trego County Fairgrounds in the Commercial Building located at 13th and Russell Avenue, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

“Producers have a significant investment to get each cow to a full term pregnancy. Losing calves at or near birth is an economic loss but can be a personal loss too and leave producers asking themselves “what if” questions on how they might have saved a particular calf,” said Sandy Johnson, extension beef specialist based at K-State’s Northwest Research Extension Center in Colby. “Continued sharpening of our skills when it comes to saving calves is time well spent for anyone that calves cows.”

The program will feature Calf Delivery and Problem Solving with veterinarian instructor Dr. AJ Tarpoff where he presents life-like delivery methods and gives tips for when problems arise using a model cow, internal camera, and model calf.

The program also focuses on Pre/Post Weaning Nutrition with Dr. Justin Waggoner where he presents the nuts and bolts of healthy feeding regimes for before, during, and after weaning for both the cow and the calf.

Also included will be a brief presentation on Vaccine Handling where KSRE Agents will present and demonstrate safe and proper vaccine handling protocols for aiming to keep the whole herd healthy.

There is no cost to participate; but, so we can plan for adequate meals and materials, those wishing to attend are asked to register by January 9 by calling 785-743-6361 or online by visiting: https://forms.gle/7W1ECaoqyuC8DGAG9

KSREWAKEENEY -&nbsp; K-State Research and Extension Golden Prairie Extension District is hosting a Calving School in WaKeeney on Thursday, January 16 at 6 p.m.&nbsp; at the Trego County Fairgrounds in the Commercial Building located at 13th and Russell Avenue, WaKeeney, KS 67672.“Producers have a significant investment to get each cow to a full term pregnancy. Losing calves at or near birth is an economic loss but can be a personal loss too and leave producers asking themselves “what if” questions on how they might have saved a particular calf,” said Sandy Johnson, extension beef specialist based at K-State’s Northwest Research Extension Center in Colby. “Continued sharpening of our skills when it comes to saving calves is time well spent for anyone that calves cows.”The program will feature Calf Delivery and Problem Solving with veterinarian instructor Dr. AJ Tarpoff where he presents life-like delivery methods and gives tips for when problems arise using a model cow, internal camera, and model calf.The program also focuses on Pre/Post Weaning Nutrition with Dr. Justin Waggoner where he presents the nuts and bolts of healthy feeding regimes for before, during, and after weaning for both the cow and the calf.Also included will be a brief presentation on Vaccine Handling where KSRE Agents will present and demonstrate safe and proper vaccine handling protocols for aiming to keep the whole herd healthy.There is no cost to participate; but, so we can plan for adequate meals and materials, those wishing to attend are asked to register by January 9 by calling 785-743-6361 or online by visiting: https://forms.gle/7W1ECaoqyuC8DGAG9

Calving school upcoming in WaKeeney

Ellis St. Mary&nbsp; CYO will be having its monthly pan-fried chicken dinner&nbsp; Sunday.

Pan-fried chicken dinner includes mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, coleslaw, dinner roll and dessert

10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. or&nbsp;until sold out.

Ellis Knights of Columbus Hall,&nbsp;1013 Washington Street, Ellis.

All proceeds will go the Knights of Columbus.

Ellis St. Mary&nbsp; CYO will be having its monthly pan-fried chicken dinner&nbsp; Sunday.Pan-fried chicken dinner includes mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, coleslaw, dinner roll and dessert10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. or&nbsp;until sold out.Ellis Knights of Columbus Hall,&nbsp;1013 Washington Street, Ellis.Tickets:&nbsp;Ages 5 through 9--$5.00Ages 10 and over--$10.00All proceeds will go the Knights of Columbus.

Ellis St. Mary CYO fried chicken dinner Dec. 22

Citizens are encouraged to bring real Christmas trees to the free disposal site located north of the Public Works building at 1002 Vine Street. This area is right next to the bathrooms at Speier ball fields. Place the trees inside the orange snow fence area.

Signs will be posted to direct citizens. Please remove all plastic, ornaments and lights before leaving the tree. The disposal site is open through Monday, January 13, 2020.

Midwest Energy will provide personnel and a wood chipper to chip the trees to make mulch. The mulch will be placed at the Parks Department on the Highway 183 Bypass and is available for pickup free of charge.

If there are questions, please call the Solid Waste Division at 628-7350.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576865570721.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CITY OF HAYSCitizens are encouraged to bring real Christmas trees to the free disposal site located north of the Public Works building at 1002 Vine Street. This area is right next to the bathrooms at Speier ball fields. Place the trees inside the orange snow fence area.Signs will be posted to direct citizens. Please remove all plastic, ornaments and lights before leaving the tree. The disposal site is open through Monday, January 13, 2020.Midwest Energy will provide personnel and a wood chipper to chip the trees to make mulch. The mulch will be placed at the Parks Department on the Highway 183 Bypass and is available for pickup free of charge.If there are questions, please call the Solid Waste Division at 628-7350.

Free Christmas tree disposal in Hays

LA CROSSE — There will be an American Red Cross blood drive from noon to 6 p.m. Friday at the La Crosse City Auditorium.

LA CROSSE — There will be an American Red Cross blood drive from noon to 6 p.m. Friday at the La Crosse City Auditorium.

La Crosse blood drive is Friday

The 11th annual Community Christmas Dinner will be held on Christmas Day, December 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the VFW in Hays, located at 22nd and Vine.&nbsp; 

The Christmas meal is donated and prepared by the men of the VFW, who give their time Christmas Day, and prior, to prepare the meal. 

The dinner is free to the community, with donations accepted. Donations are in turn given to organizations in Hays that serve the community of Hays.&nbsp;

Eleven years ago, the Community Christmas Dinner began with the vision to bring the community of Hays together to eat a Christmas meal, and to return to the true reason for the season - celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. 

The season of Christmas can quickly become a time of losing focus of why it is truly celebrated, overshadowed by the busyness that can arise with the holiday season.

 The Community Christmas Dinner offers a time to refocus on the birth of Christ, and it is a means to walk out the love of Christ. The Community Christmas Dinner provides the opportunity for community members to serve and be served by the provision of a Christmas meal in a loving and peaceful environment.&nbsp;

Service also extends&nbsp;beyond the walls of the VFW through the delivery of meals to those who are unable to make it to the dinner. The Community Christmas Dinner stands upon the scripture that “Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8, and the dinner has continued to be an example of this love, thanks to Christ’s leading and the community members volunteering their time each year.

For those wishing to&nbsp;volunteer, volunteer opportunities will be available on Christmas Day prior to the meal, during the meal, and after in decorating and cleaning the VFW Hall. 

Volunteer opportunities can&nbsp;include directing traffic, filling to-go boxes for delivery, greeting community members, filling and providing drinks, assisting with carrying plates, clearing tables, delivering meals, washing dishes, cleaning after the event, and other miscellaneous tasks that arise.&nbsp;

Desserts&nbsp;for the meal are also provided by community members, and these remain needed at this time. 

For community members who cannot make it to the dinner and would like meal&nbsp;delivery, please contact using the information below. 

If wishing to volunteer, provide desserts, or make a&nbsp;donation,&nbsp;please use the following contact information: 785-259-9735 or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:communitychristmasdinner@gmail.com" target="_blank">communitychristmasdinner@gmail.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576789932193.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The 11th annual Community Christmas Dinner will be held on Christmas Day, December 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the VFW in Hays, located at 22nd and Vine.&nbsp; The Christmas meal is donated and prepared by the men of the VFW, who give their time Christmas Day, and prior, to prepare the meal. The dinner is free to the community, with donations accepted. Donations are in turn given to organizations in Hays that serve the community of Hays.&nbsp;Eleven years ago, the Community Christmas Dinner began with the vision to bring the community of Hays together to eat a Christmas meal, and to return to the true reason for the season - celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. The season of Christmas can quickly become a time of losing focus of why it is truly celebrated, overshadowed by the busyness that can arise with the holiday season. The Community Christmas Dinner offers a time to refocus on the birth of Christ, and it is a means to walk out the love of Christ. The Community Christmas Dinner provides the opportunity for community members to serve and be served by the provision of a Christmas meal in a loving and peaceful environment.&nbsp;Service also extends&nbsp;beyond the walls of the VFW through the delivery of meals to those who are unable to make it to the dinner. The Community Christmas Dinner stands upon the scripture that “Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8, and the dinner has continued to be an example of this love, thanks to Christ’s leading and the community members volunteering their time each year.For those wishing to&nbsp;volunteer, volunteer opportunities will be available on Christmas Day prior to the meal, during the meal, and after in decorating and cleaning the VFW Hall. Volunteer opportunities can&nbsp;include directing traffic, filling to-go boxes for delivery, greeting community members, filling and providing drinks, assisting with carrying plates, clearing tables, delivering meals, washing dishes, cleaning after the event, and other miscellaneous tasks that arise.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576790039879.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Desserts&nbsp;for the meal are also provided by community members, and these remain needed at this time. For community members who cannot make it to the dinner and would like meal&nbsp;delivery, please contact using the information below. If wishing to volunteer, provide desserts, or make a&nbsp;donation,&nbsp;please use the following contact information: 785-259-9735 or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:communitychristmasdinner@gmail.com" target="_blank">communitychristmasdinner@gmail.com</a>.

Free Community Christmas Dinner in Hays

Cub Scouts annual bake sale Dec. 14

Waddell & Reed Christmas Open House

Please help Ellis County EMS with our first (and hopefully, annual) Fill-The-Ambulance campaign to benefit the Community Assistance Center&nbsp; in Hays.

We will be at both of the Hays Dillons food stores on Vine and Hall Streets December 16 from 3 to 7 p.m. collecting canned foods and monetary donations.

Donations will be used to help fill Christmas baskets for families in need. 

Please help us make this a successful endeavor for our first year.

Please help Ellis County EMS with our first (and hopefully, annual) Fill-The-Ambulance campaign to benefit the Community Assistance Center&nbsp; in Hays.We will be at both of the Hays Dillons food stores on Vine and Hall Streets December 16 from 3 to 7 p.m. collecting canned foods and monetary donations.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576098521434.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Donations will be used to help fill Christmas baskets for families in need. Please help us make this a successful endeavor for our first year.

Fill-The-Ambulance campaign to benefit CAC

Ellis Co. Battle of the Badges Blood Drive

Phillips Co. Community Cantata 

GREAT BEND - The Kansas Wetlands Education Center will host our December WILD activity Sunday, December 15 at 2 p.m. WILD is for school-age kids excited about nature.

We will be participating in a Christmas Bird Count. We'll start by walking the trails and playing bird bingo, so dress warmly. We'll then drive around Cheyenne Bottoms locating other feathered friends.

For those interested in our official Christmas Bird Count, that will take place Monday, December 16 starting at 8 a.m. Participation for at least half the day is recommended and a lunch courtesy of KWEC and the Nature Conservancy will be provided.

Please call 1-877-243-9268 to register for the 16th or for more information on either date.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575931286333.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>GREAT BEND - The Kansas Wetlands Education Center will host our December WILD activity Sunday, December 15 at 2 p.m. WILD is for school-age kids excited about nature.We will be participating in a Christmas Bird Count. We'll start by walking the trails and playing bird bingo, so dress warmly. We'll then drive around Cheyenne Bottoms locating other feathered friends.For those interested in our official Christmas Bird Count, that will take place Monday, December 16 starting at 8 a.m. Participation for at least half the day is recommended and a lunch courtesy of KWEC and the Nature Conservancy will be provided.Please call 1-877-243-9268 to register for the 16th or for more information on either date.

Christmas Bird Counts to be held at KWEC

OPTIONS Kickoff to Christmas at Russell Public Library 

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575910677432.jpeg">VINCENT - The Little Town of Bethlehem nativity at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Vincent will be open for visitors on Sundays Dec. 15 and 22, as well as Christmas Day. All times are 1-5 pm. The nativity can also be viewed Sundays after the 8:45 a.m. Mass.&nbsp; Vincent is located 5.5 miles south of Victoria and 2 miles east.&nbsp;

Little Town of Bethlehem nativity at St. Boniface in Vincent 

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1575045055907.png"> Hays International Travel Club is hosting a Christmas Drop and Shop on Saturday, December 14 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at Big Creek Crossing (inside the old Hallmark store). Children ages 2-10 are welcome at attend for fun, crafts, games, pizza (at noon and 5 p.m.) and more! Cost is $20/child for as long as you need to shop! Proceeds go to fund students upcoming trip to Germany, France, and Spain in 2020. Email Lhaynes@usd489.com or jpfannenstiel@usd489.com to reserve your child’s spot. Please inform us of any food allergies. Reservation preferred, drop-ins welcome.

Childcare while you shop offered by Hays International Travel Club

Retirement reception for Ellis Co. Health Services Administrator McCue

HPL Frost Fest activities

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575498483618.jpeg">Join us for dinner at the Horseshoe Bar and Grill, 1002 E. 8th St., Hays, on Tuesday, December 10, 3-11:30 p.m. The Horseshoe will donate 10% of the evenings proceeds to the United Way of Ellis County!

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