I took the shell off of my racing snail, thinking it would make him faster. But if anything, it made him more sluggish.

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I took the shell off of my racing snail, thinking it would make him faster. But if anything, it made him more sluggish.&nbsp;Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 07/19/23

How do you keep a skunk from smelling? Hold its nose.

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How do you keep a skunk from smelling? Hold its nose.Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 07/18/23

What did the duck say when it bought lipstick? Put it on my bill.

What did the duck say when it bought lipstick? Put it on my bill.Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 07/17/23

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Melinda Merrill on&nbsp;Wilson's Czech Festival.

For more information about the 2023 Czech Fest, including a full calendar of events, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://wilsonczechfest.com/">wilsonczechfest.com.</a>

-The original version of this identified Melinda Merrill as Director of the Czech Festival.&nbsp; The festival has wonderful volunteer committee that is co-chaired by Susan Kriley and Kate Schiermeyer. 

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1JfYJm30qLA" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Melinda Merrill on&nbsp;Wilson's Czech Festival.For more information about the 2023 Czech Fest, including a full calendar of events, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://wilsonczechfest.com/">wilsonczechfest.com.</a>-The original version of this identified Melinda Merrill as Director of the Czech Festival.&nbsp; The festival has wonderful volunteer committee that is co-chaired by Susan Kriley and Kate Schiermeyer.

Correction: Forward Ever: Melinda Merrill on Wilson's Czech Fest 

One Sunday morning, a preacher told his congregation, “Everyone who wants to go to heaven, come down to the front!” The whole church came forward except one man. Thinking that maybe the man hadn’t heard him, the preacher repeated the invitation. Again, the man just sat there. “Sir,” said the preacher, “don’t you want to go to heaven when you die?” The man replied, “Oh, when I die! I thought you were getting a group ready to go right now.”

One Sunday morning, a preacher told his congregation, “Everyone who wants to go to heaven, come down to the front!” The whole church came forward except one man. Thinking that maybe the man hadn’t heard him, the preacher repeated the invitation. Again, the man just sat there. “Sir,” said the preacher, “don’t you want to go to heaven when you die?” The man replied, “Oh, when I die! I thought you were getting a group ready to go right now.”Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 07/12/23

A young man was about to play golf when an old gentleman shuffled onto the tee and asked if he could accompany him. Eventually on the 9th fairway the young man found himself with a tough shot. There was a large pine tree directly between his ball and the green. The old man said, “You know, when I was your age I’d hit the ball right over that tree.” With that challenge placed before him, the youngster swung hard and hit the ball, which smacked solidly into the tree and dropped to the ground about one foot from where it had started. The old man remarked, “Of course, when I was your age that tree was only 3 feet tall.”

A young man was about to play golf when an old gentleman shuffled onto the tee and asked if he could accompany him. Eventually on the 9th fairway the young man found himself with a tough shot. There was a large pine tree directly between his ball and the green. The old man said, “You know, when I was your age I’d hit the ball right over that tree.” With that challenge placed before him, the youngster swung hard and hit the ball, which smacked solidly into the tree and dropped to the ground about one foot from where it had started. The old man remarked, “Of course, when I was your age that tree was only 3 feet tall.”Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 07/11/23

Fred calls his plumber. “Can you please come fix my kitchen sink again?” The plumber replied, “You know, Fred, I’m always at your disposal.”

Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook:<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

Fred calls his plumber. “Can you please come fix my kitchen sink again?” The plumber replied, “You know, Fred, I’m always at your disposal.”Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook:<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 07/10/23

On Friday, July 14, the Ad Astra Music Festival kicks off its 10th season with a recital by Elisa Sunshine and Matthew Piatt at St. John Lutheran Church in Russell.

The first weekend is rounded out by two performances of the Pulitzer-Prize-winning musical, "Next to Normal," in concert at the Elks Lodge in Russell on July 15 at 16.

The opening recital, Sunshine + Piatt features Victoria-native and Ad Astra regular, Matthew Piatt at the piano.&nbsp;Piatt is an assistant conductor and coach primarily at San Francisco Opera, and has assisted at The Metropolitan Opera for the last two years and at Chicago Lyric Opera for many years before that. To open the season, Matthew invited his friend, Elisa Sunshine, a New York-based soprano and former Adler Fellow at San Francisco Opera to join him for a fantastic evening of art songs and arias from the past and present. It is part of the festival’s chamber music series, where tickets are $10.

To finish out the weekend, the festival is producing two performances of "Next to Normal," in concert. The show opened on Broadway in 2009 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama the year prior. The deeply moving story focuses on a family processing grief and mental illness. It’s rated PG-13 for language and drug use, and might be heavy for those who struggle with mental health.

The festival has assembled a cast that includes knock-out Broadway veterans Julie Foldesi and Trey Ellett, two Kansas college students Noah Svaty and Mary Little, 2023 Hays High School graduate and Chicago-bound Seth Tripp, and Russell-native and NYC-based actor, Nathan Hilger. The show is directed by Hays-based playwright Catherine Trieschmann with technical direction by Terrance Volden, costumes by Dalee Werth, and music direction by New York pianist, Connor Doran. "Next to Normal," in concert, is part of the festival’s mainstage series and tickets are $20.

Season tickets and individual tickets, performance information, performer bios, and ways to get involved are all on the festival’s website: www.adastramusicfestival.org.

SubmittedOn Friday, July 14, the Ad Astra Music Festival kicks off its 10th season with a recital by Elisa Sunshine and Matthew Piatt at St. John Lutheran Church in Russell.The first weekend is rounded out by two performances of the Pulitzer-Prize-winning musical, "Next to Normal," in concert at the Elks Lodge in Russell on July 15 at 16.The opening recital, Sunshine + Piatt features Victoria-native and Ad Astra regular, Matthew Piatt at the piano.&nbsp;Piatt is an assistant conductor and coach primarily at San Francisco Opera, and has assisted at The Metropolitan Opera for the last two years and at Chicago Lyric Opera for many years before that. To open the season, Matthew invited his friend, Elisa Sunshine, a New York-based soprano and former Adler Fellow at San Francisco Opera to join him for a fantastic evening of art songs and arias from the past and present. It is part of the festival’s chamber music series, where tickets are $10.To finish out the weekend, the festival is producing two performances of "Next to Normal," in concert. The show opened on Broadway in 2009 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama the year prior. The deeply moving story focuses on a family processing grief and mental illness. It’s rated PG-13 for language and drug use, and might be heavy for those who struggle with mental health.The festival has assembled a cast that includes knock-out Broadway veterans Julie Foldesi and Trey Ellett, two Kansas college students Noah Svaty and Mary Little, 2023 Hays High School graduate and Chicago-bound Seth Tripp, and Russell-native and NYC-based actor, Nathan Hilger. The show is directed by Hays-based playwright Catherine Trieschmann with technical direction by Terrance Volden, costumes by Dalee Werth, and music direction by New York pianist, Connor Doran. "Next to Normal," in concert, is part of the festival’s mainstage series and tickets are $20.Season tickets and individual tickets, performance information, performer bios, and ways to get involved are all on the festival’s website: www.adastramusicfestival.org.

Ad Astra Music Festival announces week 1 performances

Community fair 8 a.m. to  3 p.m. July&nbsp;22 at Big Creek Crossing

Hosted by the Ellis County Health Department. There will be drawings for prizes, food trucks, NW KS Area Agency on Aging Options Dept. for Families and Children, Ellis County Clerk- to answer all of your voting questions, High Plains Mental Health, Ellis County Health Dept.-check your blood pressure, Hays Public Library and St. Francis Community Services Hays Senior Center Brookdale Hays.

Summer Healing Kids' Hearts 4 to 7:30 p.m. July&nbsp;22 at theHays Aquatic Park

Registration DEADLINE is JULY 14. Now accepting applications for participating children (ages 6-11) and adult volunteers.

<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1558479871&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/melissa-dixon-july-hays-events" title="Melissa Dixon July Hays Events" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Melissa Dixon July Hays Events</a></div></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688751342721.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Community fair 8 a.m. to  3 p.m. July&nbsp;22 at Big Creek CrossingHosted by the Ellis County Health Department. There will be drawings for prizes, food trucks, NW KS Area Agency on Aging Options Dept. for Families and Children, Ellis County Clerk- to answer all of your voting questions, High Plains Mental Health, Ellis County Health Dept.-check your blood pressure, Hays Public Library and St. Francis Community Services Hays Senior Center Brookdale Hays.Summer Healing Kids' Hearts 4 to 7:30 p.m. July&nbsp;22 at theHays Aquatic ParkRegistration DEADLINE is JULY 14. Now accepting applications for participating children (ages 6-11) and adult volunteers.

Hays July community events

What do dentists call their x-rays? Tooth pics!

What do dentists call their x-rays? Tooth pics!&nbsp;Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 07/07/23

What’s the best side of the house to put the porch on? The outside.

What’s the best side of the house to put the porch on? The outside.Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook:<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 07/06/23

Why do watermelons have fancy weddings? Because they cantaloupe.

Why do watermelons have fancy weddings? Because they cantaloupe.Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 07/05/23

We are giving away the Chicken Soup for the Soul book, "Well THAT Was Funny."

Listen to 99.5 FM, KHAZ, during A KZ Country Morning with Theresa Trapp Monday, June 26- Friday, June 30, 2023 for chances to win a copy. No age restrictions.

Laugh your way through these stories that are sure to bring some sunshine into your days! If laughter is the best medicine, this book is your prescription. We’ve gathered some great storytellers to document the mishaps and misadventures of everyday life and celebrate humanity’s ability to laugh at itself. There’s no holding back in these pages, so prepare for lots of good clean (and not so clean) fun. No one is safe in these true stories—from spouses to parents to children to colleagues to friends. And the funniest stories are the ones about the writers’ own mishaps and most embarrassing moments. So, turn off the news and turn on the smiles with these fun-filled chapters: • That Was Embarrassing • I Can’t Believe I Did That! • Mistaken Identity • Domestic Disasters • Marital Mishaps • Wild Kingdom • I Kid You Not • Family Fun? • Adventures in Living • Pawsitive Thinking

Congrats Sherrie, Barb, Marcia, Don &amp; Joe!

Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

We are giving away the Chicken Soup for the Soul book, "Well THAT Was Funny." Listen to 99.5 FM, KHAZ, during A KZ Country Morning with Theresa Trapp Monday, June 26- Friday, June 30, 2023 for chances to win a copy. No age restrictions.

Laugh your way through these stories that are sure to bring some sunshine into your days! If laughter is the best medicine, this book is your prescription. We’ve gathered some great storytellers to document the mishaps and misadventures of everyday life and celebrate humanity’s ability to laugh at itself. There’s no holding back in these pages, so prepare for lots of good clean (and not so clean) fun. No one is safe in these true stories—from spouses to parents to children to colleagues to friends. And the funniest stories are the ones about the writers’ own mishaps and most embarrassing moments. So, turn off the news and turn on the smiles with these fun-filled chapters: • That Was Embarrassing • I Can’t Believe I Did That! • Mistaken Identity • Domestic Disasters • Marital Mishaps • Wild Kingdom • I Kid You Not • Family Fun? • Adventures in Living • Pawsitive ThinkingCongrats Sherrie, Barb, Marcia, Don &amp; Joe! Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

Winners: Chicken Soup for the Soul book "Well THAT Was Funny" with 99.5 KZ Country

A weather intern walks into a bar and asks for a Cold Draft. Suddenly the bar door swings open and gusty cool air fills up the bar. After drinking his Draft things seem to get back to normal. The guy then orders a Thunderclap on ice. Suddenly the roof gets pelted with hail stones and an intense lightning flash and thunderous explosion rock the bar. After drinking his Thunderclap things seem to once again get back to normal. Feeling rather good at this point he asks for a third drink- ordering a Tornado on the rocks. This time the bar is not only pelted with even larger hail stones but ferocious winds rip the door off its hinges, shake the bar violently and break every window. Feeling extra good and cocky at this point he then orders an extra large and extra strong Hurricane. The bartender after this request looks up at the guy perplexed and says, “Sorry fella, we have no Hurricanes in Kansas.”

A weather intern walks into a bar and asks for a Cold Draft. Suddenly the bar door swings open and gusty cool air fills up the bar. After drinking his Draft things seem to get back to normal. The guy then orders a Thunderclap on ice. Suddenly the roof gets pelted with hail stones and an intense lightning flash and thunderous explosion rock the bar. After drinking his Thunderclap things seem to once again get back to normal. Feeling rather good at this point he asks for a third drink- ordering a Tornado on the rocks. This time the bar is not only pelted with even larger hail stones but ferocious winds rip the door off its hinges, shake the bar violently and break every window. Feeling extra good and cocky at this point he then orders an extra large and extra strong Hurricane. The bartender after this request looks up at the guy perplexed and says, “Sorry fella, we have no Hurricanes in Kansas.”Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 06/30/23

Freddy came thundering down the stairs, much to his father’s annoyance. “Freddy,” he called, “how many more times do I have I to tell you to come downstairs quietly? Now, go back upstairs and come down like a civilized human being.” There was a silence, and Freddy reappeared in the front room. “That’s better,” said his father, “now in future will you always come down stairs like that.” “Suits me,” said Freddy. “I slid down the railing.”

Freddy came thundering down the stairs, much to his father’s annoyance. “Freddy,” he called, “how many more times do I have I to tell you to come downstairs quietly? Now, go back upstairs and come down like a civilized human being.” There was a silence, and Freddy reappeared in the front room. “That’s better,” said his father, “now in future will you always come down stairs like that.” “Suits me,” said Freddy. “I slid down the railing.”Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 06/29/23

One morning a soldier was in line for breakfast and noticed that the cook behind the counter looked like he was having a bad day. After the solder gave his order, the cook asked how the soldier wanted his eggs. Not wanting to burden him further, the soldier said cheerfully, “Oh, whatever is easiest for you.” The cook took two eggs, cracked them open onto the soldier’s plate and then handed it back to him.

One morning a soldier was in line for breakfast and noticed that the cook behind the counter looked like he was having a bad day. After the solder gave his order, the cook asked how the soldier wanted his eggs. Not wanting to burden him further, the soldier said cheerfully, “Oh, whatever is easiest for you.” The cook took two eggs, cracked them open onto the soldier’s plate and then handed it back to him.Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook:<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 06/28/23

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The category? “Proper Name.” The answer? Ryan Seacrest, who will become the new “Wheel of Fortune” host after Pat Sajak's retirement next year.

Seacrest and Sony Pictures Television announced Tuesday that Seacrest has signed a multiyear deal to host the long-running game show starting with Season 42. Sajak&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pat-sajak-retirement-wheel-of-fortune-d64841758855e579b3d6254b5314fc17">recently announced</a>&nbsp;the upcoming 41st season would be his last on the show.

It's the latest hosting gig for Seacrest, the popular “American Idol” host who also now rings in the new year for many on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.”

“I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak," Seacrest said in a statement. “I can say, along with the rest of America, that it’s been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them.”

Seacrest in his statement also praised Vanna White, another mainstay of “Wheel of Fortune,” and signaled she would remain on the show after Sajak's retirement. Both White and Sajak have been on the show since the early 1980s.

"I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White,” Seacrest's statement said. He also said he was looking to learn as much as possible from Sajak during the transition period.

The show tapes in Southern California, where Seacrest also hosts a popular nationally syndicated morning drivetime radio show. In February, Seacrest announced he would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/television-tv-kelly-ripa-ryan-seacrest-dick-clark-fe381d4752a8ad18272a4707151deef0">leave the New York-based televised morning show</a>&nbsp;“Live with Kelly and Ryan” after six years. Kelly Ripa now hosts that show with her husband Mark Consuelos.

Sajak, 76, has presided over the game show, in which contestants guess letters to try to fill out words and phrases in pursuit of money and prizes, since 1981. He took over duties from Chuck Woolery, who was the show’s host when it debuted in 1975. The show started out as a daytime game show but became a syndicated nightly telecast in 1983, making Sajak and White the main faces of “Wheel of Fortune” for viewers for four decades.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The category? “Proper Name.” The answer? Ryan Seacrest, who will become the new “Wheel of Fortune” host after Pat Sajak's retirement next year.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fwheeloffortune%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02AqUDV3TiwrBr8YgUCT26tWhipAi1KPjQKu9cDQ7iFjDvtVkPxSRpqcHS1pWPteT1l&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="609" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>Seacrest and Sony Pictures Television announced Tuesday that Seacrest has signed a multiyear deal to host the long-running game show starting with Season 42. Sajak&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pat-sajak-retirement-wheel-of-fortune-d64841758855e579b3d6254b5314fc17">recently announced</a>&nbsp;the upcoming 41st season would be his last on the show.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Wheel of Fortune <a href="https://t.co/pQeTpWsPx7">pic.twitter.com/pQeTpWsPx7</a>&mdash; Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanSeacrest/status/1673734940465283077?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>It's the latest hosting gig for Seacrest, the popular “American Idol” host who also now rings in the new year for many on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.”“I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak," Seacrest said in a statement. “I can say, along with the rest of America, that it’s been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them.”Seacrest in his statement also praised Vanna White, another mainstay of “Wheel of Fortune,” and signaled she would remain on the show after Sajak's retirement. Both White and Sajak have been on the show since the early 1980s."I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White,” Seacrest's statement said. He also said he was looking to learn as much as possible from Sajak during the transition period.The show tapes in Southern California, where Seacrest also hosts a popular nationally syndicated morning drivetime radio show. In February, Seacrest announced he would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/television-tv-kelly-ripa-ryan-seacrest-dick-clark-fe381d4752a8ad18272a4707151deef0">leave the New York-based televised morning show</a>&nbsp;“Live with Kelly and Ryan” after six years. Kelly Ripa now hosts that show with her husband Mark Consuelos.Sajak, 76, has presided over the game show, in which contestants guess letters to try to fill out words and phrases in pursuit of money and prizes, since 1981. He took over duties from Chuck Woolery, who was the show’s host when it debuted in 1975. The show started out as a daytime game show but became a syndicated nightly telecast in 1983, making Sajak and White the main faces of “Wheel of Fortune” for viewers for four decades.

Wheel of Fortune: Ryan Seacrest will host after Pat Sajak retires

Why is 6 afraid of 7? Because 7, 8, 9.

Why is 6 afraid of 7? Because 7, 8, 9.Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook:<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 06/27/23

Where do sheep go to get haircuts? To the Baa Baa shop!

Where do sheep go to get haircuts? To the Baa Baa shop!Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook:<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 06/26/23

Visitors to Sternberg Museum in Hays may have noticed several large, bright yellow structures at the entrance of the nature trail located just west of the main facility, 3000 Sternberg Drive.

“The Bee Project” is currently on exhibit and it features bees made from found and recycled objects. Presented by artist Elena Smyrniotis, “The Bee Project” focuses on the importance of pollinators and challenges visitors to participate in the exhibit by making their own bees from found and recycled objects.

The number of bees on the structures will soon multiply as the museum plans a July 1 workshop at which participants will create their own bee sculptures from recycled and found materials, mostly plastic and metals. The structures will remain in place until August.

The free workshop, which is designed to be a family activity for both parents and kids, is scheduled from 10 a.m.-noon. The program will be led by Sternberg education and outreach director Ian Trevethan.

Visitors are encouraged to bring their own recycled and found materials, and the museum will have some materials on hand as well. Materials can include aluminum cans, plastic containers, discarded toys, flyswatters, etc.

“Basically anything that can be used for a bee’s body and wings,” Trevethan said.

At the conclusion of the activity, participants will write their names on their bees and return to the exhibit to attach them to the structures.

“It’s a very thoughtful exhibit in which people take discarded and found objects and create something from those objects,” Trevethan said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687447895051.jpeg" alt="'The Bee Project' at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History's nature trail. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>'The Bee Project' at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History's nature trail. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedVisitors to Sternberg Museum in Hays may have noticed several large, bright yellow structures at the entrance of the nature trail located just west of the main facility, 3000 Sternberg Drive.“The Bee Project” is currently on exhibit and it features bees made from found and recycled objects. Presented by artist Elena Smyrniotis, “The Bee Project” focuses on the importance of pollinators and challenges visitors to participate in the exhibit by making their own bees from found and recycled objects.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687447872461.jpeg" alt="Artist Elena Smyrniotis installs more bees for her project. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Artist Elena Smyrniotis installs more bees for her project. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The number of bees on the structures will soon multiply as the museum plans a July 1 workshop at which participants will create their own bee sculptures from recycled and found materials, mostly plastic and metals. The structures will remain in place until August.The free workshop, which is designed to be a family activity for both parents and kids, is scheduled from 10 a.m.-noon. The program will be led by Sternberg education and outreach director Ian Trevethan.Visitors are encouraged to bring their own recycled and found materials, and the museum will have some materials on hand as well. Materials can include aluminum cans, plastic containers, discarded toys, flyswatters, etc.“Basically anything that can be used for a bee’s body and wings,” Trevethan said.At the conclusion of the activity, participants will write their names on their bees and return to the exhibit to attach them to the structures.“It’s a very thoughtful exhibit in which people take discarded and found objects and create something from those objects,” Trevethan said.

Sternberg Museum plans bee-making workshop for July 1

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

A Fort Hays State University master's of art student has an exhibition showing now at the Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art that explores death and resurrection.

The title of Bethany Panhorst's MFA exhibit is "Of Dust" and is on display at the gallery through July 7.

"Death periodically intrigues us," Panhorst said in her artist statement, "but more so when we feel that we are standing at a safe distance. I grapple with the ugliness and mystery of death but also hope for an end of loss and sorrow. From a position of belief in death's passing, I create ceramic sculptures of the human body."

Panhorst said she drew deeply from her Christain faith in creating the works for this show.

"I wanted to seek something that would connect my art with my Christain faith," she said at the exhibit's opening. "I have always liked the human figure. Using clay fell into place and fit.

"In the Bible in Genesis, it talks about man being formed from the dust and clay. I was also thinking about the body returning to dust and dirt."

She said in the Bible, there are many passages that talk about the body being raised to resurrection or sent to hell.&nbsp;

Her art includes ceramic sculpture with some mixed media elements in addition to photography and a video.

Her images were produced through darkroom work with some manipulation and printed on aluminum.

"It's a very hands-on process and you have a lot of control," she said of the darkroom-processed photography. "There's also something about the quality of the film and the printing in the darkroom that you just don't get anywhere else. Black and white is so beautiful."

The colors in her ceramic work also are muted in whites, blacks and grays. She said she thought the color palette met the serious tone of the exhibit.&nbsp;

Panhorst tried new techniques for several pieces in the exhibit. This included the use of lithopane for pieces, including "Shining Eyes." A very thin layer of porcelain is poured using slip casting, which makes the piece translucent.&nbsp;

Panhorst mounted these pieces in wood in front of light plates. In the areas where there is more porcelain, there are shadows and depth, which results in a piece of artwork that looks more like a print or a drawing, she said.

The ghostly appearance of the sculptures fit her theme.

"It's really like magic," she said. "I wasn't sure it was going to work out. It took a couple of years to really learn the process."

She also used a slip-dip process. She took organic material, in the case of "Breath" she used baby's breath flowers and cotton balls, dipped them in clay and fired them.&nbsp;

The organic material burns away leaving the fired clay.

"It leaves this really beautiful shell of the texture and captures a lot of the impression of what was there," she said.

Panhorst was from a military family and moved often growing up. She spent most of her youth in Savannah, Ga., and moved to Hays for graduate school in 2019.

She has finished her degree and will be teaching high school art in the fall in Colorado Springs, Colo.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687452847984.jpeg" alt="Bethany Panhorst standing next to "Glimpses of Glory" at her master's of fine arts exhibit "Of Dust." Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Bethany Panhorst standing next to "Glimpses of Glory" at her master's of fine arts exhibit "Of Dust." Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostA Fort Hays State University master's of art student has an exhibition showing now at the Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art that explores death and resurrection.The title of Bethany Panhorst's MFA exhibit is "Of Dust" and is on display at the gallery through July 7."Death periodically intrigues us," Panhorst said in her artist statement, "but more so when we feel that we are standing at a safe distance. I grapple with the ugliness and mystery of death but also hope for an end of loss and sorrow. From a position of belief in death's passing, I create ceramic sculptures of the human body."Panhorst said she drew deeply from her Christain faith in creating the works for this show."I wanted to seek something that would connect my art with my Christain faith," she said at the exhibit's opening. "I have always liked the human figure. Using clay fell into place and fit."In the Bible in Genesis, it talks about man being formed from the dust and clay. I was also thinking about the body returning to dust and dirt."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687536928710.jpeg" alt="Bethany Panhorst's "Can These Live?"&nbsp; in her MFA exhibit "Of Dust"" />
 <figcaption>Bethany Panhorst's "Can These Live?"&nbsp; in her MFA exhibit "Of Dust"</figcaption>
 </figure>She said in the Bible, there are many passages that talk about the body being raised to resurrection or sent to hell.&nbsp;Her art includes ceramic sculpture with some mixed media elements in addition to photography and a video.Her images were produced through darkroom work with some manipulation and printed on aluminum."It's a very hands-on process and you have a lot of control," she said of the darkroom-processed photography. "There's also something about the quality of the film and the printing in the darkroom that you just don't get anywhere else. Black and white is so beautiful."The colors in her ceramic work also are muted in whites, blacks and grays. She said she thought the color palette met the serious tone of the exhibit.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687537234390.jpeg" alt="Bethany Panhorst's&nbsp;"Shining Eyes"" />
 <figcaption>Bethany Panhorst's&nbsp;"Shining Eyes"</figcaption>
 </figure>Panhorst tried new techniques for several pieces in the exhibit. This included the use of lithopane for pieces, including "Shining Eyes." A very thin layer of porcelain is poured using slip casting, which makes the piece translucent.&nbsp;Panhorst mounted these pieces in wood in front of light plates. In the areas where there is more porcelain, there are shadows and depth, which results in a piece of artwork that looks more like a print or a drawing, she said.The ghostly appearance of the sculptures fit her theme."It's really like magic," she said. "I wasn't sure it was going to work out. It took a couple of years to really learn the process."She also used a slip-dip process. She took organic material, in the case of "Breath" she used baby's breath flowers and cotton balls, dipped them in clay and fired them.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687537614517.jpeg" alt="Bethany Panhorst's "Breath"" />
 <figcaption>Bethany Panhorst's "Breath"</figcaption>
 </figure>The organic material burns away leaving the fired clay."It leaves this really beautiful shell of the texture and captures a lot of the impression of what was there," she said.Panhorst was from a military family and moved often growing up. She spent most of her youth in Savannah, Ga., and moved to Hays for graduate school in 2019.She has finished her degree and will be teaching high school art in the fall in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Moss-Thorns art exhibit inspired by Christian themes of death, resurrection

A piece of string walks into a bar. The bartender says “Hey, we don’t serve your kind here! Get out!” So the string goes outside, gets itself really tangled up and partially unraveled, then goes back inside. The bartender says “Aren’t you that piece of string I just threw out of here?” To which the string replies “Nope. I’m a frayed knot.”

A piece of string walks into a bar. The bartender says “Hey, we don’t serve your kind here! Get out!” So the string goes outside, gets itself really tangled up and partially unraveled, then goes back inside. The bartender says “Aren’t you that piece of string I just threw out of here?” To which the string replies “Nope. I’m a frayed knot.”Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 06/23/23

A Sunday school teacher said to the children, “We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Bible times, but there is a Higher Power.  Can anybody tell me what it is?” One child blurted out, “The Ace!”

A Sunday school teacher said to the children, “We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Bible times, but there is a Higher Power. Can anybody tell me what it is?” One child blurted out, “The Ace!”Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 06/22/23

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Fifty days into a strike with no end in sight, about 1,000&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hollywood-writers-strike-contract-expired-9a6882128a38e75041974f00f9344f53">Hollywood writers and their supporters</a>&nbsp;marched and rallied in Los Angeles for a new contract with studios that includes payment guarantees and job security.

Speakers at the Writers Guild of America's WGA Strong March and Rally for a Fair Contract on Wednesday emphasized the broad support for their cause shown by other Hollywood unions — including actors in their own contract negotiations — and labor at large.

“We’re all in it together, we’re all fighting the same fight, for a sustainable job in the face of corporate greed,” Adam Conover, a writer and a member of the guild’s board and its negotiating committee, told a crowd at the end of the march at the La Brea Tar Pits. “We are going to win because they need us. Writers are the ones who stare at a blank page. We are the ones who invent the characters, tell the stories and write the jokes that their audiences love. They’d have nothing without us.”

Talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the group representing studios in negotiations, have not resumed since breaking off hours before the writers' contract expired on May 1.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/writers-strike-film-tv-streaming-29940516d1a0650cd87021d104ddb8a1">The strike began</a>&nbsp;a day later, with more and more productions shutting down as it has gone on.

A similar deadline now looms for actors, whose union, SAG-AFTRA, is negotiating with the AMPTP on a contract that expires June 30. Members voted overwhelmingly to authorize guild leaders to call a strike if no deal is reached.

Streaming and its ripple effects are at the center of the dispute. The guild says that even as series budgets have increased, writers’ share of that money has consistently shrunk.

The AMPTP says writers' demands would require they be kept on staff and paid when there is no work for them, and that its contract proposals have been generous.

“We are here for the sake of the profession we love," writer Liz Alper said at Wednesday’s rally. "The industry we work in, our audiences, our fellow sister unions in Hollywood, and all the workers across America who have been hurt and disenfranchised by Wall Street and big tech."

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Fifty days into a strike with no end in sight, about 1,000&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hollywood-writers-strike-contract-expired-9a6882128a38e75041974f00f9344f53">Hollywood writers and their supporters</a>&nbsp;marched and rallied in Los Angeles for a new contract with studios that includes payment guarantees and job security.Speakers at the Writers Guild of America's WGA Strong March and Rally for a Fair Contract on Wednesday emphasized the broad support for their cause shown by other Hollywood unions — including actors in their own contract negotiations — and labor at large.“We’re all in it together, we’re all fighting the same fight, for a sustainable job in the face of corporate greed,” Adam Conover, a writer and a member of the guild’s board and its negotiating committee, told a crowd at the end of the march at the La Brea Tar Pits. “We are going to win because they need us. Writers are the ones who stare at a blank page. We are the ones who invent the characters, tell the stories and write the jokes that their audiences love. They’d have nothing without us.”Talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the group representing studios in negotiations, have not resumed since breaking off hours before the writers' contract expired on May 1.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/writers-strike-film-tv-streaming-29940516d1a0650cd87021d104ddb8a1">The strike began</a>&nbsp;a day later, with more and more productions shutting down as it has gone on.A similar deadline now looms for actors, whose union, SAG-AFTRA, is negotiating with the AMPTP on a contract that expires June 30. Members voted overwhelmingly to authorize guild leaders to call a strike if no deal is reached.Streaming and its ripple effects are at the center of the dispute. The guild says that even as series budgets have increased, writers’ share of that money has consistently shrunk.The AMPTP says writers' demands would require they be kept on staff and paid when there is no work for them, and that its contract proposals have been generous.“We are here for the sake of the profession we love," writer Liz Alper said at Wednesday’s rally. "The industry we work in, our audiences, our fellow sister unions in Hollywood, and all the workers across America who have been hurt and disenfranchised by Wall Street and big tech."

Hollywood writers at rally say they'll win as strike reaches 50 days

Why did the banana go to the doctor? Because it was not peeling well.

Why did the banana go to the doctor? Because it was not peeling well.&nbsp;Join fans of KZ Country on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry</a>

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