By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Hays city commissioners will vote on a couple of essential and pricey items at their Thursday meeting.

First on the agenda is the recommended renewal of the city's property and liability insurance coverage with Midwest Public Risk for $454,221 for 2024-25. The premium is a 22.6% increase. 

Insurance Planning, Hays, provides oversight for the city as the insurance broker. Taylor Pfannenstiel, commercial lines executive, concluded that&nbsp;Midwest Public Risk offered the lowest cost option.&nbsp;

The commission is also expected to approve a <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e42c46b-b466-4747-8cdc-a0a7f21ba4e3">$4.5 million project to replace the city's 8,500 water meters </a>with radio frequency advanced infrastructure metering.&nbsp;

No rate increase for water customers is expected. 

The city would instead issue a utility bond to pay for the project, taking advantage of an expiring 2009 utility system bond payment this year. A 20-year bond is anticipated.

Grow Hays is requesting the city to formalize an intent to issue industrial revenue bonds for The Grove.

Along with a mixed-housing development north of Hays Medical Center, Grow Hays plans to build a 14,000-square-foot facility to house the Hays Senior Center and a child care center.

The industrial revenue bonds will allow the developer to obtain a sales tax exemption for all purchases related to construction

Commissioners will also hear the May financial report from Kim Rupp, finance director, and consider the mayoral appointment of Brian Garrett to an unexpired term on the Hays Area Planning Commission/Hays Area Board of Zoning Appeals. The term will expire April 30, 2025.

The complete June 27 agenda is available <a href="https://haysusa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06272024-1488">here</a>. The meeting begins at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719411809968.jpeg" alt="Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty with Mayor Shaun Musil, Vice-Mayor Sandy Jacobs, and commissioners Mason Ruder, Alaina Cunningham and Reese Barrick at the June 20 work session. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty with Mayor Shaun Musil, Vice-Mayor Sandy Jacobs, and commissioners Mason Ruder, Alaina Cunningham and Reese Barrick at the June 20 work session. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostHays city commissioners will vote on a couple of essential and pricey items at their Thursday meeting.First on the agenda is the recommended renewal of the city's property and liability insurance coverage with Midwest Public Risk for $454,221 for 2024-25. The premium is a 22.6% increase. Insurance Planning, Hays, provides oversight for the city as the insurance broker. Taylor Pfannenstiel, commercial lines executive, concluded that&nbsp;Midwest Public Risk offered the lowest cost option.&nbsp;<h2>Water meters</h2>The commission is also expected to approve a <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e42c46b-b466-4747-8cdc-a0a7f21ba4e3">$4.5 million project to replace the city's 8,500 water meters </a>with radio frequency advanced infrastructure metering.&nbsp;No rate increase for water customers is expected. The city would instead issue a utility bond to pay for the project, taking advantage of an expiring 2009 utility system bond payment this year. A 20-year bond is anticipated.<h2>The Grove</h2>Grow Hays is requesting the city to formalize an intent to issue industrial revenue bonds for The Grove.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719410122678.png" alt="Planned development of The Grove. Courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Planned development of The Grove. Courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719410238980.png" alt="Artist's rendition of the The Grove Community Center. Courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Artist's rendition of the The Grove Community Center. Courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>Along with a mixed-housing development north of Hays Medical Center, Grow Hays plans to build a 14,000-square-foot facility to house the Hays Senior Center and a child care center.The industrial revenue bonds will allow the developer to obtain a sales tax exemption for all purchases related to constructionNo property tax abatement is requested.Commissioners will also hear the May financial report from Kim Rupp, finance director, and consider the mayoral appointment of Brian Garrett to an unexpired term on the Hays Area Planning Commission/Hays Area Board of Zoning Appeals. The term will expire April 30, 2025.The complete June 27 agenda is available <a href="https://haysusa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06272024-1488">here</a>. The meeting begins at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.&nbsp;

Hays City Commission to meet Thursday for vote on $4.5M water meter system 

By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension District

Extreme heat occurs when temperatures exceed 90 degrees, and in Kansas, humidity adds to the health risks associated with such high temperatures. In fact, extreme heat is the leading cause of death among all weather-related disasters. So, it’s important to understand how high temperatures affect us and how to protect ourselves in extreme heat.

Jeff Goodell, environmental author, describes two types of stress caused by the heat. The first is called classic heat stress, and it’s the typical heat exhaustion most of us are familiar with. High temperatures affect small children, seniors, and those with chronic conditions the most. This type of heat stress can cascade into heat stroke and eventually death if left untreated.

Exertional heat exhaustion is another type of heat stress that can put even the most fit, young, and vibrant people in danger. The body aims to maintain homeostasis including an internal temperature around 98.6 degrees. When physical labor raises the core temperature, the body must compensate by sweating and increasing blood flow to the skin. However, extreme heat can make it even more challenging to cool down. Symptoms of exertional heat exhaustion can include low blood pressure, hyperventilation, altered mental status, vomiting, and seizures. Once again, if symptoms are not addressed, death can result. Those who work outdoors such as construction workers, farmers, and athletes are at a high risk for exertional heat exhaustion.

Now that summer has officially arrived and temperatures are reaching triple digits, here are a few tips from the American Red Cross Association concerning extreme heat:

First, learn how to stay hydrated. An average person should drink about 3/4 of a gallon of water daily, but everyone’s needs vary. Avoid sugary, caffeinated, and alcoholic drinks that dehydrate the body. Also, if you sweat a lot, consider having a snack or a sports drink throughout the day to replenish electrolytes.

Next, make a plan. Brainstorm places you can go to cool down in case of a power outage. If you have air conditioning, replace filters and perform regular maintenance to ensure it’s working properly. Another way to avoid overheating is to wear lightweight, loose clothing. Also, be sure to check in with loved ones who are at high risk for heat exhaustion.

Finally, be prepared for the worst. You may not be able to prevent heat illness in others, so it’s imperative to recognize the signs. These can include excessive sweating, pale skin, altered mental status, and increased respiration. In severe cases, knowing CPR may be necessary. So, brush up on your First Aid skills or get trained.

As temperatures continue to rise, keep these tips in mind. Create a plan to respond to the heat and take care of yourself and your loved ones. Most of all, stay cool!

Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu. K-State Research &amp; Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697546908793.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KARISSA WINKEL Cottonwood Extension DistrictExtreme heat occurs when temperatures exceed 90 degrees, and in Kansas, humidity adds to the health risks associated with such high temperatures. In fact, extreme heat is the leading cause of death among all weather-related disasters. So, it’s important to understand how high temperatures affect us and how to protect ourselves in extreme heat.Jeff Goodell, environmental author, describes two types of stress caused by the heat. The first is called classic heat stress, and it’s the typical heat exhaustion most of us are familiar with. High temperatures affect small children, seniors, and those with chronic conditions the most. This type of heat stress can cascade into heat stroke and eventually death if left untreated.Exertional heat exhaustion is another type of heat stress that can put even the most fit, young, and vibrant people in danger. The body aims to maintain homeostasis including an internal temperature around 98.6 degrees. When physical labor raises the core temperature, the body must compensate by sweating and increasing blood flow to the skin. However, extreme heat can make it even more challenging to cool down. Symptoms of exertional heat exhaustion can include low blood pressure, hyperventilation, altered mental status, vomiting, and seizures. Once again, if symptoms are not addressed, death can result. Those who work outdoors such as construction workers, farmers, and athletes are at a high risk for exertional heat exhaustion.Now that summer has officially arrived and temperatures are reaching triple digits, here are a few tips from the American Red Cross Association concerning extreme heat:First, learn how to stay hydrated. An average person should drink about 3/4 of a gallon of water daily, but everyone’s needs vary. Avoid sugary, caffeinated, and alcoholic drinks that dehydrate the body. Also, if you sweat a lot, consider having a snack or a sports drink throughout the day to replenish electrolytes.Next, make a plan. Brainstorm places you can go to cool down in case of a power outage. If you have air conditioning, replace filters and perform regular maintenance to ensure it’s working properly. Another way to avoid overheating is to wear lightweight, loose clothing. Also, be sure to check in with loved ones who are at high risk for heat exhaustion.Finally, be prepared for the worst. You may not be able to prevent heat illness in others, so it’s imperative to recognize the signs. These can include excessive sweating, pale skin, altered mental status, and increased respiration. In severe cases, knowing CPR may be necessary. So, brush up on your First Aid skills or get trained.As temperatures continue to rise, keep these tips in mind. Create a plan to respond to the heat and take care of yourself and your loved ones. Most of all, stay cool!Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu. K-State Research &amp; Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

WINKEL: Stay safe in extreme heat

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719425276154.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

🎙 Post Podcast: Ellis County Historical Society director shares updates

Editor's note: This is a two-part series on hospice care in northwest Kansas. The first part ran on Saturday, June 1, on the Hays Post. See a link to that story below.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1cae69fa-714f-4067-bea5-52ebbd19ce35">Nwester: HaysMed staff shares value of hospice care, loving the dying home</a>

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Dalene Juenemann and her father, Dean, had to make the difficult decision to enter hospice care after he was diagnosed with bladder cancer.

“He was just such a social guy and someone was in a couple times a week,” she said. “They were checking in on him and it was that security blanket he had.”

“He didn’t want to be in and out of hospital care and not doing his activities, especially because of his age,” she said.

He didn’t want to go through aggressive chemo and he didn’t qualify for a bladder removal because of his age.&nbsp;

“He chose quality of life,” she said.

"It was that final decision that we are done with everyone wanting a piece of me. I'm just going to enjoy life," she said.

Dalene's father, Dean Shearer, was a patient of NWKareS, Hospice of Northwest Kansas, which serves 16 counties from Interstate 70 to the Nebraska border and Trego County to the Colorado border.

Dalene and other family members who have been helped by hospice, as well as hospice volunteers, agreed to tell their stories in hopes of easing fears and urging other families to choose the service.

Dalene is a former resident of Hays. She now lives in Olathe, but her father was living in Norton.

Dalene visited her father every two weeks, but hospice helped fill the gap. Hospice staff contacted her and gave her regular updates on her dad’s condition. He was a hospice patient for about six months before he died.

Dalene said that finding medical supplies could be challenging because her father lived in a rural area. The hospice staff ensured he had all the medical supplies he needed.

“I find when I’m trying to encourage people that I get in contact with, it’s hard to stop putting their loved ones through all that because they’re just not ready to let their loved ones go,” Dalene said.

“I’ve also talked to someone that went ahead and did it all and said I wish we had never put him through it,” she said. “He would have had much more quality of life.”

Dalene said the social worker talked to her about her feelings and helped her prepare for her dad's death. She and her dad were very close.

"It’s a process. It’s more of an acceptance then," she said. "You’re never ready to say goodbye, but there’s very much an acceptance of what you’ve got going on in your life.

"You don't feel like you are going it alone," she said. "Because there are so many people there who you can lean on, and they are so knowledgeable of everything."

She said the extra care hospice offered allowed her to just be a daughter to her father as he was dying.

"My dad was so active. To be able to die like this with so much dignity and at home the way he wanted to, it was beautiful," she said. "I think as much as being with someone when a new life comes into the world, what an honor and blessing my brother and I felt it was to be there with our mom and our dad."

"I felt all of [the hospice workers] have supported and helped us immensely," she said. "Don’t cheat yourself of having such a great experience."

On the day her father died, the hospice nurse, Norma, who had been working with Dean, volunteered to come to his bedside on her day off.

"Once she got there, he just let go and let everything take its course," Dalene said.&nbsp;

"I was telling Dad to let go and goodbye and I said, 'Just go toward the light, Dad.' Norma was standing at the door, and she said she just saw this tear come down the side of my dad's face, and that was it.

“That is the kind of peace you want for your family members who pass,” Dalene said.

Cathy Harrison's husband, Don, was a hospice patient. Her family had a unique perspective. She and Don had been funeral directors in Colby for more than 40 years, and Don had been a long-time hospice board member.

“In the families who we served, we could see how hospice services coming in during those last months and during those last weeks and even last hours helped the family be healthy in their grief," Cathy said.

She said hospice helps guide people through what to expect in the dying process.

“If you have decided to make that decision to take care of a loved one at home, there is always that question of ‘What’s going to happen?’ How am I going to know?” she said.&nbsp;

"They really come alongside you in that journey," she said, "and help you begin that grieving process. When you know that person is terminal, you begin that grieving process before they are even gone."

“If that starts out in a healthy way,” she said. “Then it helps with healthy grieving after they’re gone.”

Cathy said it was important for her family to have her husband at home during the last seven months of his life.

Hospice staff members made regular visits to help assess Don's health.

"It was an easy decision to know it was time to have some help with being here at home," she said, "and our familiarity made it an easier decision."

Cathy said the hospice staff was with them through their journey with Don, even after his death.

"We were walking the journey and we were doing it with a lot of faith. I had a real determination that our home would be filled with peace and joy as Don made his final journey home," she said.

"I would tell them it is one of the final gifts that they can give to their family," Harrison said of other families considering hospice care, "not only to their loved one … but it's a gift that you give to your family that brings you together that allows you to open up conversations."

“It’s nice to have someone in a very loving and comfortable way guide you in some of those difficult conversations,” she said.

In other people she has dealt with as a funeral director, she has encountered families who don’t want to talk about the fact that someone is dying or the person who is dying doesn’t want to talk about it.

“It’s such a healthy process when you can open up about it and talk about it, and you give that loved one permission to visit with you about any concerns they may have and fears they may have, and the opportunity to say goodbye,” Cathy said.&nbsp;

“I think hospice gives you that opportunity to say goodbye to your loved one in such a warm and compassionate environment,” she said.

Volunteers can be an integral part of hospice services. Medical training is not required.

Volunteers serve as companions to patients and provide respite care and support for families.

Sherry Woodside has been a hospice volunteer for nine years. She encountered many hospice staff working in a pharmacy in Phillipsburg and admired their work.&nbsp;

When time became available, she decided to become a volunteer.

Sherry primarily visits patients in nursing homes. She talks with the patients, although some have memory issues and might not remember her name.

“I had one lady who liked to color in adult coloring books, and we colored,” she said. “Everyone is a little different in what they are able to do.”

“I had one lady who really liked to go to the church service they had Sundays at the nursing home in Philipsburg, so I tried to make it a point to try to always be there that week to go with her,” she said.

One patient with ALS couldn’t speak anymore, but she loved looking through cookbooks and pointing to her favorite recipes.

“It’s just having someone else to talk to, to have an outside voice that’s not a family member,” she said.

Sherry said she has found her time as a volunteer rewarding. Families are very appreciative.

“The family sends thank you notes, or they say, ‘My mom talked about you a lot,’” she said, her voice beginning to crack. “I counted up the other day, and I think I have had 30 already.”

Phyllis Tucker, who is from rural Smith County, said she became a volunteer to pay it forward. Her dad died suddenly, and she wasn't able to be with him. She had seen the positives of hospice when her aunt used the services.

She was her aunt's caregiver, but she Phyllis lived three hours away.

Hospice staff and volunteers kept Phyllis updated on her aunt's condition when she couldn't be with her.

As a volunteer, Phyllis does the same thing for the families she serves.&nbsp;

Most of the patients with whom Phyllis works are in nursing homes.&nbsp;

“So many folks don’t have local family,” she said.

“I go in and visit the patients, and then I text their daughter who lives in Wichita,” she said. “I can be that eyes on.”

Often, Phyllis just chats with her patients during visits. She said the patients appreciate seeing someone who chooses to come for visits.

“It’s an honor to be with people in those last days of their lives,” she said, “to hear their stories and to get to know them in a different way.”

“One patient said, ‘You’re not here because it’s your job. The volunteers come because they want to,'” she said.

She said hospice volunteers and staff gave her peace of mind in the last few days of her aunt's life.

“Most of us don’t have any experience or training and all of the sudden we are taking care of a person in this stage of life that we’re not familiar with,” Phyllis said.

“I was there for her last few days and to have some there who told me I was doing a good job,” she said. “That we were doing it right, the pain medication right, if she didn’t want to eat, we weren’t feeding her, and that was OK,” she said. “The thing that you don’t necessarily have the good instincts for.”

She said being a hospice volunteer has been very rewarding, especially in a patient's final moments of life.

She called being with someone when they die a mystical moment.&nbsp;

Phyllis urged others to volunteer with hospice. The number of volunteers with NWKareS has dwindled since the pandemic. 

There are many ways to volunteer. Some volunteers help with paperwork. Some volunteers at HaysMed Hospice Care don't see patients. They bake cookies and help with memorial or bereavement services.

The HaysMed Hospice Memorial Service is offered twice yearly, with the upcoming fall memorial service on Oct. 20. This service is specific to hospice patients who have been cared for and is not open to the community or public.

For more information on volunteering for HaysMed Hospice Care, call 785-623-6200.

You can also assist hospice by donating monetarily.

To donate to or volunteer with NWKareS call&nbsp;800-315-5122 or go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hospicenwks.net/donate">www.hospicenwks.net/donate</a>.

You can donate to HaysMed Hospice through the HaysMed Foundation, either online or by mail. The foundation accepts credit cards, Venmo, or PayPal. The website is&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://haysmedfoundation.org/" target="_blank">https://haysmedfoundation.org/</a>.

You may designate your donation to HaysMed Hospice or direct it to the individual’s memorial, and the HaysMed Foundation will transfer the funds to the memorial.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717167614433.jpeg" alt="Dean Shearer, a hospice patient, dances with a hospice staff member several days before he died. His daughter, Dalene&nbsp;Juenemann, said hospice care was a great gift to her father and her family. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Dean Shearer, a hospice patient, dances with a hospice staff member several days before he died. His daughter, Dalene&nbsp;Juenemann, said hospice care was a great gift to her father and her family. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717019561798.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Editor's note: This is a two-part series on hospice care in northwest Kansas. The first part ran on Saturday, June 1, on the Hays Post. See a link to that story below.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/1cae69fa-714f-4067-bea5-52ebbd19ce35">Nwester: HaysMed staff shares value of hospice care, loving the dying home</a>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostDalene Juenemann and her father, Dean, had to make the difficult decision to enter hospice care after he was diagnosed with bladder cancer.“He was just such a social guy and someone was in a couple times a week,” she said. “They were checking in on him and it was that security blanket he had.”“He didn’t want to be in and out of hospital care and not doing his activities, especially because of his age,” she said.He didn’t want to go through aggressive chemo and he didn’t qualify for a bladder removal because of his age.&nbsp;“He chose quality of life,” she said."It was that final decision that we are done with everyone wanting a piece of me. I'm just going to enjoy life," she said.Dalene's father, Dean Shearer, was a patient of NWKareS, Hospice of Northwest Kansas, which serves 16 counties from Interstate 70 to the Nebraska border and Trego County to the Colorado border.Dalene and other family members who have been helped by hospice, as well as hospice volunteers, agreed to tell their stories in hopes of easing fears and urging other families to choose the service.Dalene is a former resident of Hays. She now lives in Olathe, but her father was living in Norton.Dalene visited her father every two weeks, but hospice helped fill the gap. Hospice staff contacted her and gave her regular updates on her dad’s condition. He was a hospice patient for about six months before he died.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717167818422.jpeg" alt="Dean Shearer and his daughter,&nbsp;Dalene Juenemann. Dalene said hospice allowed her father to stay at home and remain active after his cancer diagnosis. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Dean Shearer and his daughter,&nbsp;Dalene Juenemann. Dalene said hospice allowed her father to stay at home and remain active after his cancer diagnosis. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Dalene said that finding medical supplies could be challenging because her father lived in a rural area. The hospice staff ensured he had all the medical supplies he needed.“I find when I’m trying to encourage people that I get in contact with, it’s hard to stop putting their loved ones through all that because they’re just not ready to let their loved ones go,” Dalene said.“I’ve also talked to someone that went ahead and did it all and said I wish we had never put him through it,” she said. “He would have had much more quality of life.”Dalene said the social worker talked to her about her feelings and helped her prepare for her dad's death. She and her dad were very close."It’s a process. It’s more of an acceptance then," she said. "You’re never ready to say goodbye, but there’s very much an acceptance of what you’ve got going on in your life."You don't feel like you are going it alone," she said. "Because there are so many people there who you can lean on, and they are so knowledgeable of everything."She said the extra care hospice offered allowed her to just be a daughter to her father as he was dying.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717167975250.jpeg" alt="Dean Shearer, a hospice patient.&nbsp;Dalene Juenemann, his daughter, said hospice helped her feel as if she wasn't alone as she dealt with her father's death. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Dean Shearer, a hospice patient.&nbsp;Dalene Juenemann, his daughter, said hospice helped her feel as if she wasn't alone as she dealt with her father's death. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>"My dad was so active. To be able to die like this with so much dignity and at home the way he wanted to, it was beautiful," she said. "I think as much as being with someone when a new life comes into the world, what an honor and blessing my brother and I felt it was to be there with our mom and our dad.""I felt all of [the hospice workers] have supported and helped us immensely," she said. "Don’t cheat yourself of having such a great experience."On the day her father died, the hospice nurse, Norma, who had been working with Dean, volunteered to come to his bedside on her day off."Once she got there, he just let go and let everything take its course," Dalene said.&nbsp;"I was telling Dad to let go and goodbye and I said, 'Just go toward the light, Dad.' Norma was standing at the door, and she said she just saw this tear come down the side of my dad's face, and that was it.“That is the kind of peace you want for your family members who pass,” Dalene said.Cathy Harrison's husband, Don, was a hospice patient. Her family had a unique perspective. She and Don had been funeral directors in Colby for more than 40 years, and Don had been a long-time hospice board member.“In the families who we served, we could see how hospice services coming in during those last months and during those last weeks and even last hours helped the family be healthy in their grief," Cathy said.She said hospice helps guide people through what to expect in the dying process.“If you have decided to make that decision to take care of a loved one at home, there is always that question of ‘What’s going to happen?’ How am I going to know?” she said.&nbsp;"They really come alongside you in that journey," she said, "and help you begin that grieving process. When you know that person is terminal, you begin that grieving process before they are even gone."“If that starts out in a healthy way,” she said. “Then it helps with healthy grieving after they’re gone.”Cathy said it was important for her family to have her husband at home during the last seven months of his life.Hospice staff members made regular visits to help assess Don's health."It was an easy decision to know it was time to have some help with being here at home," she said, "and our familiarity made it an easier decision."Cathy said the hospice staff was with them through their journey with Don, even after his death."We were walking the journey and we were doing it with a lot of faith. I had a real determination that our home would be filled with peace and joy as Don made his final journey home," she said."I would tell them it is one of the final gifts that they can give to their family," Harrison said of other families considering hospice care, "not only to their loved one … but it's a gift that you give to your family that brings you together that allows you to open up conversations."“It’s nice to have someone in a very loving and comfortable way guide you in some of those difficult conversations,” she said.In other people she has dealt with as a funeral director, she has encountered families who don’t want to talk about the fact that someone is dying or the person who is dying doesn’t want to talk about it.“It’s such a healthy process when you can open up about it and talk about it, and you give that loved one permission to visit with you about any concerns they may have and fears they may have, and the opportunity to say goodbye,” Cathy said.&nbsp;“I think hospice gives you that opportunity to say goodbye to your loved one in such a warm and compassionate environment,” she said.<h2>Volunteers</h2>Volunteers can be an integral part of hospice services. Medical training is not required.Volunteers serve as companions to patients and provide respite care and support for families.Sherry Woodside has been a hospice volunteer for nine years. She encountered many hospice staff working in a pharmacy in Phillipsburg and admired their work.&nbsp;When time became available, she decided to become a volunteer.Sherry primarily visits patients in nursing homes. She talks with the patients, although some have memory issues and might not remember her name.“I had one lady who liked to color in adult coloring books, and we colored,” she said. “Everyone is a little different in what they are able to do.”She watches TV with some patients.&nbsp;“I had one lady who really liked to go to the church service they had Sundays at the nursing home in Philipsburg, so I tried to make it a point to try to always be there that week to go with her,” she said.One patient with ALS couldn’t speak anymore, but she loved looking through cookbooks and pointing to her favorite recipes.“It’s just having someone else to talk to, to have an outside voice that’s not a family member,” she said.Sherry said she has found her time as a volunteer rewarding. Families are very appreciative.“The family sends thank you notes, or they say, ‘My mom talked about you a lot,’” she said, her voice beginning to crack. “I counted up the other day, and I think I have had 30 already.”Phyllis Tucker, who is from rural Smith County, said she became a volunteer to pay it forward. Her dad died suddenly, and she wasn't able to be with him. She had seen the positives of hospice when her aunt used the services.She was her aunt's caregiver, but she Phyllis lived three hours away.Hospice staff and volunteers kept Phyllis updated on her aunt's condition when she couldn't be with her.As a volunteer, Phyllis does the same thing for the families she serves.&nbsp;Most of the patients with whom Phyllis works are in nursing homes.&nbsp;“So many folks don’t have local family,” she said.“I go in and visit the patients, and then I text their daughter who lives in Wichita,” she said. “I can be that eyes on.”Often, Phyllis just chats with her patients during visits. She said the patients appreciate seeing someone who chooses to come for visits.“It’s an honor to be with people in those last days of their lives,” she said, “to hear their stories and to get to know them in a different way.”“One patient said, ‘You’re not here because it’s your job. The volunteers come because they want to,'” she said.She said hospice volunteers and staff gave her peace of mind in the last few days of her aunt's life.“Most of us don’t have any experience or training and all of the sudden we are taking care of a person in this stage of life that we’re not familiar with,” Phyllis said.“I was there for her last few days and to have some there who told me I was doing a good job,” she said. “That we were doing it right, the pain medication right, if she didn’t want to eat, we weren’t feeding her, and that was OK,” she said. “The thing that you don’t necessarily have the good instincts for.”She said being a hospice volunteer has been very rewarding, especially in a patient's final moments of life.She called being with someone when they die a mystical moment.&nbsp;“That holiness,” she said.Phyllis urged others to volunteer with hospice. The number of volunteers with NWKareS has dwindled since the pandemic. There are many ways to volunteer. Some volunteers help with paperwork. Some volunteers at HaysMed Hospice Care don't see patients. They bake cookies and help with memorial or bereavement services.The HaysMed Hospice Memorial Service is offered twice yearly, with the upcoming fall memorial service on Oct. 20. This service is specific to hospice patients who have been cared for and is not open to the community or public.For more information on volunteering for HaysMed Hospice Care, call 785-623-6200.You can also assist hospice by donating monetarily.To donate to or volunteer with NWKareS call&nbsp;800-315-5122 or go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hospicenwks.net/donate">www.hospicenwks.net/donate</a>.You can donate to HaysMed Hospice through the HaysMed Foundation, either online or by mail. The foundation accepts credit cards, Venmo, or PayPal. The website is&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://haysmedfoundation.org/" target="_blank">https://haysmedfoundation.org/</a>.You may designate your donation to HaysMed Hospice or direct it to the individual’s memorial, and the HaysMed Foundation will transfer the funds to the memorial.

Nwester: Families, volunteers share stories of finding peace through hospice

Editor's note: This is a two-part series on hospice care in northwest Kansas. The second part will run on Sunday, June 2, on the Hays Post.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/fdce795c-d35d-421b-81cc-7910672077eb">Nwester: Families, volunteers share stories of finding peace through hospice</a>

Perhaps the hardest thing we have to do as families is to figure out how to say goodbye as someone nears the end of their life.

“Trying to figure out how do I say goodbye. How do I tie things up — all those loose ends and asking for forgiveness or apologizing or even giving permission to let that person go when they’re ready,” Myrna Jordan,&nbsp;Hospice Social Worker, said.

Hospice tries to help families through that process.&nbsp;

Despite being part of modern medicine since the late 1960s, many families and patients still have misconceptions about hospice services. The Hays Post sat down with representatives of HaysMed Hospice, who explained hospice services and dispelled some of those myths.

Patients can enter hospice when two physicians have certified a patient has six months or less to live if their illness continues to take its course, and the patient is no longer seeking any curative or aggressive treatment to prolong their life, Jordan said.

If patients are able, they are included in the decision to enter hospice and the conditions of their care.

“They seek just being comfortable,” Jordan, who has worked in hospice care for 31 years, said. “They don’t worry about what’s causing everything. We treat the symptoms rather than worrying about what’s causing them.”

Medicaid, Medicare and some private insurance can cover hospice. HaysMed never denies Hospice services based on inability to pay.

<a href="https://www.haysmed.com/services/hospice-palliative-care">HaysMed Hospice</a> serves four counties: Ellis, Rooks, Russell and Rush. In 2023, they served 158 patients.

Jordan said she has been literally asked, "Are you going to kill me?"

Some patients believe hospice workers will take all of their medication away or they will be given enough morphine to cause death, which Jordan said are misconception.

Morphine and opioids are given to relieve pain and assist in breathing as needed.

The hospice team manages the patients' medications and helps them decide which medications will be valuable. They also take vital signs and provide baths or showers if necessary

&nbsp;Hospice patients don't pursue aggressive treatments such as chemotherapy or have to endure labs, x-rays or tests.

“We say we stop doing things to you and start doing things for you,” Jordan said. “We are not focusing on curing anymore. We are focusing on caring.

"The hope changes. We're not going to hope this illness is going to go away because we know it's not, but I can hope that I get to see that grandbaby or get to go to the wedding or I don't have any pain or that I can stop throwing up or I can get out of this hospital and go home and sit in the sun and go fishing."

Hospice also provides equipment, including a hospital bed, oxygen or wheelchair if needed.&nbsp;

“The stress is really taken off these patients because they’re not worried about going back to the hospital. Their whole life doesn’t center around what are these test results going to show. We don’t worry about numbers anymore. We don’t worry about if something has increased or decreased," Jordan said.

Hospice is different than home health. You don't have to stay at home if you are in hospice.

"Where are you? What do you want to do, and how can we help you live until you die, whatever that looks like to you? "Jordan said.

“If you want to go fishing or go to the store, if you want to sit in your pajamas all day or go on a walk with your dogs, whatever is important to that person,” Jordan said, “that is what we focus on. 

"Suddenly, there's some relaxation. 'I don't have to go to the doctor all of the time because they're coming to me. They're going to report it to my physician. I don't have to get out of my house to do that.'"&nbsp;

Helen Windholz, hospice registered nurse, said going into hospice care can be freeing. She said she especially sees this in cancer patients who have had to go through chemo and constant lab testing.

“I think sometimes the patient is ready for that before the family is,” she said.

“These family members are so tied up in the business of the medical world, and all they hear about is a diagnosis and a prognosis and the medications and when did I have a bowel movement and did the temperature go up or go down. 

"That's all we focus on, and then they get to be a person again. We get to talk about our relationship. We got to talk about how we met and what got us to this point. Look at the family we've created and the friends we've made along the way. It's not so much about the labels and the medical part. This is about who they were as a person and still are."

Hospice care is administered at home. This can be in a residence, assisted living or nursing home. However, it's not 24-hour in-home care. The staff members and volunteers make visits. However, they are available to answer questions 24/7.

&nbsp;“We are a guest in their home no matter where it is. They are treated with dignity, courtesy and respect. They know when we are coming to make visits,” Jordan said.

She said many patients appreciate the choice to be in their home instead of the hospital.

“You get to be in charge and be with your family and who you want,” Jordan said, “or your dog, your cat, your donkey, whatever. You get to be home. … No machines, no lights and sirens. It’s your bed and the things that are important to you on the walls. Your family can come and go as they want.”

She said some people think hospice is just for cancer patients, but it is for anyone who is nearing the end of life.

“We take care of infants. We take care of people who are still in school, in college, still working on up to over 100,” Jordan said.&nbsp;

Sometimes patients are afraid of being a burden on their family, Jordan said. 

"They’re afraid of being alone when they die. They don’t want to have pain," she said.

She said hospice care helps answer patient and family questions and navigate a journey many have never dealt with before.

"Caregivers have never taken on some of the roles that the patient used to take care of," Jordan said. "Helping them figure out what they're going to do after this. How am I going to pay for this funeral? Where am I going to go for a funeral? Helping them find community resources."

"Sometimes it's helping with the children and explaining to them what's happening and encouraging parents of young kids to contact teachers and counselors to let them know that someone in this house is sick and those kids are not going to be able to concentrate on algebra and science today because when they left, mom was crying because her mom is dying," Jordan said.

Hospice care is holistic, Jordan said. It looks at the whole person, not just their physical care.

“We address the physical, spiritual and psychosocial needs of those patients," Jordan said. "We work with their clergy, if there is one. If they don’t have a clergyperson, we have a hospital chaplain. We have help from our hospice volunteers."

Spiritual care does not necessarily mean religious. Patients have the choice of how that explore that aspect of their journey, Jordan said.

“Some people have a lot of angst about what’s going to happen after this. Is there going to be something after this? We haven’t died so we don’t know, but we try to help them,” Jordan said.

Hospice staff is not just there to address the pain of the patient.

"The patient is the reason we're there, but we're also there for the family," Jordan said. "It's not just blood family. It's whoever matters. That could be a coworker. It could be their next-door neighbor. It could be the person they sit next to at bingo—anybody who is connected to them and has a concern about that patient."

The duration a person remains in hospice averages about 18 days for HaysMed.&nbsp;

"Some people think if a person goes on hospice, they are going to die the next day," Windholz said.

She said, it’s more beneficial for patients and families if patients can enter hospice sooner. Because of misconceptions, people wait too long to reach out to hospice, and the patient, family, and friends aren't able to take full advantage of the services.

She said families sometimes feel entering hospice is giving up. There is no time limit on hospice services. If a patient stabilizes and improves, they can go off of hospice care.

At a later date, if things start to decline again, a patient can be readmitted to hospice care.

“No one ever said we were involved too soon," Jordan said.

Medical staff can't predict death, but they can point to signs the patient is nearing death, Windholz said.

When a person dies, an ambulance does not have to be called.

When someone dies, the patients are almost always do not resuscitate,&nbsp;Windholz said. The family calls the nurse, and that person comes to the home. The nurse calls the mortician, and the staff member stays with the family as long as is needed.

"It's a little more peaceful and quiet in a home setting. It's not a medical emergency. This is an expected event. It's just quiet," she said.

Hospice continues to offer bereavement services to family and friends for up to 12 months. It has specially trained volunteers who help make follow-up phone calls.

“Some people don’t require our assistance after the death. Some people require intense attention,” Jordan said.&nbsp;

HaysMed Hospice Care&nbsp;mails literature on grief and has a candlelight remembrance service at local churches twice a year.

Jordan said hospice care is the best care nobody wants to have.

“We get one chance to do this, and we have to get it right,” she said. “We have to bring our A game and make sure we address absolutely everything for those people.”

Jordan said despite the challenges of working with the dying and grieving, she feels as if she's never worked a day in her life.

“We just get to love them home, and there’s nothing like this,” Jordan said.

For more information about HaysMed Hospice Care, call 785-623-6200 or 1-800-248-0073 or see the HaysMed <a href="https://www.haysmed.com/services/hospice-palliative-care">website</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716999329133.jpg" alt="Photo courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717019561798.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Editor's note: This is a two-part series on hospice care in northwest Kansas. The second part will run on Sunday, June 2, on the Hays Post.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/fdce795c-d35d-421b-81cc-7910672077eb">Nwester: Families, volunteers share stories of finding peace through hospice</a>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostPerhaps the hardest thing we have to do as families is to figure out how to say goodbye as someone nears the end of their life.“Trying to figure out how do I say goodbye. How do I tie things up — all those loose ends and asking for forgiveness or apologizing or even giving permission to let that person go when they’re ready,” Myrna Jordan,&nbsp;Hospice Social Worker, said.Hospice tries to help families through that process.&nbsp;Despite being part of modern medicine since the late 1960s, many families and patients still have misconceptions about hospice services. The Hays Post sat down with representatives of HaysMed Hospice, who explained hospice services and dispelled some of those myths.Patients can enter hospice when two physicians have certified a patient has six months or less to live if their illness continues to take its course, and the patient is no longer seeking any curative or aggressive treatment to prolong their life, Jordan said.If patients are able, they are included in the decision to enter hospice and the conditions of their care.“They seek just being comfortable,” Jordan, who has worked in hospice care for 31 years, said. “They don’t worry about what’s causing everything. We treat the symptoms rather than worrying about what’s causing them.”Medicaid, Medicare and some private insurance can cover hospice. HaysMed never denies Hospice services based on inability to pay.<a href="https://www.haysmed.com/services/hospice-palliative-care">HaysMed Hospice</a> serves four counties: Ellis, Rooks, Russell and Rush. In 2023, they served 158 patients.<h2>What is hospice?</h2>Jordan said she has been literally asked, "Are you going to kill me?"Some patients believe hospice workers will take all of their medication away or they will be given enough morphine to cause death, which Jordan said are misconception.Morphine and opioids are given to relieve pain and assist in breathing as needed.The hospice team manages the patients' medications and helps them decide which medications will be valuable. They also take vital signs and provide baths or showers if necessary&nbsp;Hospice patients don't pursue aggressive treatments such as chemotherapy or have to endure labs, x-rays or tests.“We say we stop doing things to you and start doing things for you,” Jordan said. “We are not focusing on curing anymore. We are focusing on caring."The hope changes. We're not going to hope this illness is going to go away because we know it's not, but I can hope that I get to see that grandbaby or get to go to the wedding or I don't have any pain or that I can stop throwing up or I can get out of this hospital and go home and sit in the sun and go fishing."Hospice also provides equipment, including a hospital bed, oxygen or wheelchair if needed.&nbsp;“The stress is really taken off these patients because they’re not worried about going back to the hospital. Their whole life doesn’t center around what are these test results going to show. We don’t worry about numbers anymore. We don’t worry about if something has increased or decreased," Jordan said.Hospice is different than home health. You don't have to stay at home if you are in hospice."Where are you? What do you want to do, and how can we help you live until you die, whatever that looks like to you? "Jordan said.“If you want to go fishing or go to the store, if you want to sit in your pajamas all day or go on a walk with your dogs, whatever is important to that person,” Jordan said, “that is what we focus on. "Suddenly, there's some relaxation. 'I don't have to go to the doctor all of the time because they're coming to me. They're going to report it to my physician. I don't have to get out of my house to do that.'"&nbsp;Helen Windholz, hospice registered nurse, said going into hospice care can be freeing. She said she especially sees this in cancer patients who have had to go through chemo and constant lab testing.“I think sometimes the patient is ready for that before the family is,” she said.“These family members are so tied up in the business of the medical world, and all they hear about is a diagnosis and a prognosis and the medications and when did I have a bowel movement and did the temperature go up or go down. "That's all we focus on, and then they get to be a person again. We get to talk about our relationship. We got to talk about how we met and what got us to this point. Look at the family we've created and the friends we've made along the way. It's not so much about the labels and the medical part. This is about who they were as a person and still are."<h2>Staying at home</h2>Hospice care is administered at home. This can be in a residence, assisted living or nursing home. However, it's not 24-hour in-home care. The staff members and volunteers make visits. However, they are available to answer questions 24/7.&nbsp;“We are a guest in their home no matter where it is. They are treated with dignity, courtesy and respect. They know when we are coming to make visits,” Jordan said.She said many patients appreciate the choice to be in their home instead of the hospital.“You get to be in charge and be with your family and who you want,” Jordan said, “or your dog, your cat, your donkey, whatever. You get to be home. … No machines, no lights and sirens. It’s your bed and the things that are important to you on the walls. Your family can come and go as they want.”She said some people think hospice is just for cancer patients, but it is for anyone who is nearing the end of life.Age does not matter.&nbsp;“We take care of infants. We take care of people who are still in school, in college, still working on up to over 100,” Jordan said.&nbsp;<h2>Caring for family</h2>Sometimes patients are afraid of being a burden on their family, Jordan said. "They’re afraid of being alone when they die. They don’t want to have pain," she said.She said hospice care helps answer patient and family questions and navigate a journey many have never dealt with before."Caregivers have never taken on some of the roles that the patient used to take care of," Jordan said. "Helping them figure out what they're going to do after this. How am I going to pay for this funeral? Where am I going to go for a funeral? Helping them find community resources.""Sometimes it's helping with the children and explaining to them what's happening and encouraging parents of young kids to contact teachers and counselors to let them know that someone in this house is sick and those kids are not going to be able to concentrate on algebra and science today because when they left, mom was crying because her mom is dying," Jordan said.Hospice care is holistic, Jordan said. It looks at the whole person, not just their physical care.“We address the physical, spiritual and psychosocial needs of those patients," Jordan said. "We work with their clergy, if there is one. If they don’t have a clergyperson, we have a hospital chaplain. We have help from our hospice volunteers."Spiritual care does not necessarily mean religious. Patients have the choice of how that explore that aspect of their journey, Jordan said.“Some people have a lot of angst about what’s going to happen after this. Is there going to be something after this? We haven’t died so we don’t know, but we try to help them,” Jordan said.Hospice staff is not just there to address the pain of the patient."The patient is the reason we're there, but we're also there for the family," Jordan said. "It's not just blood family. It's whoever matters. That could be a coworker. It could be their next-door neighbor. It could be the person they sit next to at bingo—anybody who is connected to them and has a concern about that patient."<h2>Waiting too long</h2>The duration a person remains in hospice averages about 18 days for HaysMed.&nbsp;"Some people think if a person goes on hospice, they are going to die the next day," Windholz said.She said, it’s more beneficial for patients and families if patients can enter hospice sooner. Because of misconceptions, people wait too long to reach out to hospice, and the patient, family, and friends aren't able to take full advantage of the services.She said families sometimes feel entering hospice is giving up. There is no time limit on hospice services. If a patient stabilizes and improves, they can go off of hospice care.At a later date, if things start to decline again, a patient can be readmitted to hospice care.“No one ever said we were involved too soon," Jordan said.<h2>After death, grieving</h2>Medical staff can't predict death, but they can point to signs the patient is nearing death, Windholz said.When a person dies, an ambulance does not have to be called.When someone dies, the patients are almost always do not resuscitate,&nbsp;Windholz said. The family calls the nurse, and that person comes to the home. The nurse calls the mortician, and the staff member stays with the family as long as is needed."It's a little more peaceful and quiet in a home setting. It's not a medical emergency. This is an expected event. It's just quiet," she said.Hospice continues to offer bereavement services to family and friends for up to 12 months. It has specially trained volunteers who help make follow-up phone calls.“Some people don’t require our assistance after the death. Some people require intense attention,” Jordan said.&nbsp;HaysMed Hospice Care&nbsp;mails literature on grief and has a candlelight remembrance service at local churches twice a year.<h2>Best care nobody wants</h2>Jordan said hospice care is the best care nobody wants to have.“We get one chance to do this, and we have to get it right,” she said. “We have to bring our A game and make sure we address absolutely everything for those people.”Jordan said despite the challenges of working with the dying and grieving, she feels as if she's never worked a day in her life.“We just get to love them home, and there’s nothing like this,” Jordan said.For more information about HaysMed Hospice Care, call 785-623-6200 or 1-800-248-0073 or see the HaysMed <a href="https://www.haysmed.com/services/hospice-palliative-care">website</a>.

Nwester: HaysMed staff shares value of hospice care, loving the dying home

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Robert Rebein's summer tour stops in Hays for a discussion about his new Kansas-set story, "The Last Rancher."

Robert Rebein will give a reading at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Hays Public Library, 1202 Main St., to promote his recently published novel.

Having grown up on a Kansas ranch, Rebein has authored two other books, with his latest story being a long-awaited release.

"I always wanted to write fiction," Rebein said. "I first came up with the idea for the novel more than 20 years ago."

Published on June 7, the book tells the story of Leroy Wagner, who dedicates his life to a ranch while his city-born wife struggles with isolation.

"The story is about a family of ranchers outside of Dodge City who are touched by tragedy in the past, present and have to respond to the crisis," he said.

After losing his eldest son, Leroy suffers a near-fatal accident, bringing further difficulties for the family as they uncover secrets and navigate challenges.

Born and raised in Dodge City as one of seven boys, Rebein says his childhood influenced his fictional novel, drawing on life experiences for his writing.

Rebein's family has been farming in Dodge City since the 1920s. His father, a farmer, married his mother, a former nursing student who moved from Wichita to Dodge City.

Hays is also featured in the book, specifically the Catholic junior and senior high school, where many of Rebein's friends and family have attended.

"It doesn't amount to a lot of pages in the novel, but several important scenes take place at Thomas More-Prep Marian in Hays," he said.

The novel is set in summer 2014, with references as far back as the 1930s, leaving the possibility for a sequel, Rebein said.

Rebein said the book is for those who grew up in rural areas and anyone who understands family dynamics. It explores themes of finding purpose in life and responding to tragedies.

"Anybody who has grown up in a family and enjoys stories that are not about one character but about all members of a family will really enjoy this novel," he said.

Hosted by Hays Public Library Director Brandon Hines, Rebein will be open to questions, discuss Kansas history and offer signed copies of his book during his visit.

You can also purchase "The Last Rancher" online through its <a href="https://www.meadowlarkbookstore.com/s/stories/the-last-rancher">publisher</a> or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Last-Rancher-Robert-Rebein/dp/1956578595">Amazon</a>.

His other two books are "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dragging-Wyatt-Earp-Personal-History/dp/0804011427">Dragging Wyatt Earp: A Personal History of Dodge City</a>" (2013) and "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Headlights-Prairie-Essays-Robert-Rebein/dp/0700624716?_encoding=UTF8&amp;psc=1">Headlights on the Prairie</a>" (2017).

Rebein has attended Dodge City Community College, The University of Kansas and England's University of Essex Colchester Campus and Exeter University. He is an associate professor of English at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis.

"You start as an insider but when you experience the outside of Kansas, that's when you discover what's truly unique about it. That's when I started writing about Kansas was after I left," Rebein said.

Rebein is scheduled to be at the following Kansas locations:

You can find more information about Rebein, his summer tour and other books on his <a href="https://www.robertrebein.com/">website</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719350280583.jpeg" alt="The front cover of The Last Rancher novel by Robert Rebein" />
 <figcaption>The front cover of The Last Rancher novel by Robert Rebein</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostRobert Rebein's summer tour stops in Hays for a discussion about his new Kansas-set story, "The Last Rancher."Robert Rebein will give a reading at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Hays Public Library, 1202 Main St., to promote his recently published novel.Having grown up on a Kansas ranch, Rebein has authored two other books, with his latest story being a long-awaited release."I always wanted to write fiction," Rebein said. "I first came up with the idea for the novel more than 20 years ago."Published on June 7, the book tells the story of Leroy Wagner, who dedicates his life to a ranch while his city-born wife struggles with isolation."The story is about a family of ranchers outside of Dodge City who are touched by tragedy in the past, present and have to respond to the crisis," he said.After losing his eldest son, Leroy suffers a near-fatal accident, bringing further difficulties for the family as they uncover secrets and navigate challenges.Born and raised in Dodge City as one of seven boys, Rebein says his childhood influenced his fictional novel, drawing on life experiences for his writing.Rebein's family has been farming in Dodge City since the 1920s. His father, a farmer, married his mother, a former nursing student who moved from Wichita to Dodge City.Hays is also featured in the book, specifically the Catholic junior and senior high school, where many of Rebein's friends and family have attended."It doesn't amount to a lot of pages in the novel, but several important scenes take place at Thomas More-Prep Marian in Hays," he said.The novel is set in summer 2014, with references as far back as the 1930s, leaving the possibility for a sequel, Rebein said.Rebein said the book is for those who grew up in rural areas and anyone who understands family dynamics. It explores themes of finding purpose in life and responding to tragedies."Anybody who has grown up in a family and enjoys stories that are not about one character but about all members of a family will really enjoy this novel," he said.Hosted by Hays Public Library Director Brandon Hines, Rebein will be open to questions, discuss Kansas history and offer signed copies of his book during his visit.You can also purchase "The Last Rancher" online through its <a href="https://www.meadowlarkbookstore.com/s/stories/the-last-rancher">publisher</a> or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Last-Rancher-Robert-Rebein/dp/1956578595">Amazon</a>.His other two books are "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dragging-Wyatt-Earp-Personal-History/dp/0804011427">Dragging Wyatt Earp: A Personal History of Dodge City</a>" (2013) and "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Headlights-Prairie-Essays-Robert-Rebein/dp/0700624716?_encoding=UTF8&amp;psc=1">Headlights on the Prairie</a>" (2017).Rebein has attended Dodge City Community College, The University of Kansas and England's University of Essex Colchester Campus and Exeter University. He is an associate professor of English at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis."You start as an insider but when you experience the outside of Kansas, that's when you discover what's truly unique about it. That's when I started writing about Kansas was after I left," Rebein said.Rebein is scheduled to be at the following Kansas locations:<ul>
 <li>1 to 3 p.m. Friday at Russell Specialty Books and Gifts, 626 N. Main St. in Russell</li><li>1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Red Fern Booksellers, 106 South Santa Fe Ave. in Salina</li><li>5:30 p.m. on July 31 at Boot Hill Distillery, 501 W. Spruce St. in Dodge City</li>
 </ul>You can find more information about Rebein, his summer tour and other books on his <a href="https://www.robertrebein.com/">website</a>.

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