​Recently, two&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;school boards split votes to close rural schools in Wilson and Walton. In both cases, parents and students presented strong arguments to maintain their schools, but those points&nbsp;didn’t&nbsp;keep doors open.&nbsp;

​If you drive around western Kansas, you’ll see one fine&nbsp;school&nbsp;after another built in the early 1900s now falling&nbsp;to ruin. Broken windows and crumbling foundations tell&nbsp;an&nbsp;oft-told tale of&nbsp;buildings that outlived their use. After reading what Logan, a&nbsp;village&nbsp;along Hwy 9,&nbsp;is doing&nbsp;to&nbsp;serve&nbsp;day care, public education, and senior citizens’&nbsp;needs,&nbsp;town&nbsp;leaders, administrators, and school boards&nbsp;might want to study their&nbsp;model to&nbsp;keep schools open&nbsp;while meeting multiple community needs.&nbsp;

​I&nbsp;graduated&nbsp;from a class, not school,&nbsp;of 1050+&nbsp;students,&nbsp;so&nbsp;consider&nbsp;my surprise to find&nbsp;my first job involved&nbsp;teaching&nbsp;54&nbsp;total&nbsp;high school students.&nbsp;To&nbsp;introduce me&nbsp;that&nbsp;first day, cheerleaders&nbsp;hid the new teacher in&nbsp;a&nbsp;cardboard box&nbsp;on the gym floor&nbsp;where she&nbsp;imagined&nbsp;herself&nbsp;leaping&nbsp;out&nbsp;to&nbsp;a&nbsp;packed&nbsp;gymnasium.&nbsp;Instead, my jaw dropped&nbsp;to see&nbsp;only&nbsp;two rows of staff and&nbsp;teens sitting&nbsp;in the first section of one side of the gym. Used to crowds that rocked rafters, I wondered where everyone was&nbsp;until reality set&nbsp;in.&nbsp;This was everyone. That&nbsp;lesson continued for the next two years as I learned&nbsp;how&nbsp;tiny schools&nbsp;build strong character and well-rounded&nbsp;citizens.&nbsp;

​Big schools limit participation.&nbsp;Everyone attends&nbsp;class but that doesn’t guarantee&nbsp;they’ll make teams, choir, play&nbsp;casts,&nbsp;or&nbsp;student government&nbsp;office. In tiny McCracken, every student&nbsp;counted. We needed every body in sports, forensics, music, school plays, student leadership, and daily existence. Kids who weren’t&nbsp;natural athletes became skilled, aggressive teammates&nbsp;or encouraging cheerleaders. Folks who couldn’t carry a tune&nbsp;in a bucket with a lid on it&nbsp;learned to play instruments well enough to win awards. If we wanted a pretty prom, everyone—juniors, parents, teachers,&nbsp;administrator,&nbsp;and curious&nbsp;townspeople&nbsp;showed up after&nbsp;a school day followed by&nbsp;a windblown&nbsp;track practice to turn&nbsp;the old grade school gym into a&nbsp;tented&nbsp;dining area that&nbsp;transformed&nbsp;to a dance floor after handsomely suited&nbsp;junior and senior men moved&nbsp;decorated&nbsp;tables and chairs to the edges of the room.

​That first year taught me it’s not the variety of coursework offered that makes good citizens. It’s folks who&nbsp;regularly&nbsp;overcome challenges under extreme duress that&nbsp;rebuild lives after crises or&nbsp;guide businesses&nbsp;to&nbsp;survive downturns.&nbsp;Students in small&nbsp;schools&nbsp;problem-solve hourly to manage&nbsp;their world’s&nbsp;demands.&nbsp;After 30+&nbsp;years teaching in&nbsp;1 A and 2 A&nbsp;districts&nbsp;and watching&nbsp;those&nbsp;youngsters become parents and&nbsp;grandparents, I’ve seen&nbsp;the citizens&nbsp;rural&nbsp;schools&nbsp;build.&nbsp;

​These&nbsp;individuals&nbsp;support their communities with&nbsp;time, money, and labor.&nbsp;They may&nbsp;differ in beliefs, but they learned to work together to achieve goals starting in kindergarten.&nbsp;Pundits may discount these salt of the earth&nbsp;human beings, but their&nbsp;communities enabled them to dream and live big. Among them number soldiers, medical personnel, mechanics,&nbsp;inventors,&nbsp;agriculturalists, educators, law enforcement officers,&nbsp;entrepreneurs,&nbsp;politicians, artists, musicians, librarians, dozens of other professions, reliable employees, and most of all Americans who care about one another. &nbsp;One graduation after another introduces&nbsp;our&nbsp;world to another round of problem-solvers who get jobs done.&nbsp;

​Sometimes, keeping a school open involves more than budgetary concerns. It means rethinking how community functions. Maybe it means new ways&nbsp;of seeing and&nbsp;reinventing&nbsp;accordingly.&nbsp;Folks ought&nbsp;to keep an eye on&nbsp;how&nbsp;tiny Logan&nbsp;maintains&nbsp;their&nbsp;viability despite their challenges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680800613949.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORIN​Recently, two&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;school boards split votes to close rural schools in Wilson and Walton. In both cases, parents and students presented strong arguments to maintain their schools, but those points&nbsp;didn’t&nbsp;keep doors open.&nbsp;​If you drive around western Kansas, you’ll see one fine&nbsp;school&nbsp;after another built in the early 1900s now falling&nbsp;to ruin. Broken windows and crumbling foundations tell&nbsp;an&nbsp;oft-told tale of&nbsp;buildings that outlived their use. After reading what Logan, a&nbsp;village&nbsp;along Hwy 9,&nbsp;is doing&nbsp;to&nbsp;serve&nbsp;day care, public education, and senior citizens’&nbsp;needs,&nbsp;town&nbsp;leaders, administrators, and school boards&nbsp;might want to study their&nbsp;model to&nbsp;keep schools open&nbsp;while meeting multiple community needs.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680800698654.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>​I&nbsp;graduated&nbsp;from a class, not school,&nbsp;of 1050+&nbsp;students,&nbsp;so&nbsp;consider&nbsp;my surprise to find&nbsp;my first job involved&nbsp;teaching&nbsp;54&nbsp;total&nbsp;high school students.&nbsp;To&nbsp;introduce me&nbsp;that&nbsp;first day, cheerleaders&nbsp;hid the new teacher in&nbsp;a&nbsp;cardboard box&nbsp;on the gym floor&nbsp;where she&nbsp;imagined&nbsp;herself&nbsp;leaping&nbsp;out&nbsp;to&nbsp;a&nbsp;packed&nbsp;gymnasium.&nbsp;Instead, my jaw dropped&nbsp;to see&nbsp;only&nbsp;two rows of staff and&nbsp;teens sitting&nbsp;in the first section of one side of the gym. Used to crowds that rocked rafters, I wondered where everyone was&nbsp;until reality set&nbsp;in.&nbsp;This was everyone. That&nbsp;lesson continued for the next two years as I learned&nbsp;how&nbsp;tiny schools&nbsp;build strong character and well-rounded&nbsp;citizens.&nbsp;​Big schools limit participation.&nbsp;Everyone attends&nbsp;class but that doesn’t guarantee&nbsp;they’ll make teams, choir, play&nbsp;casts,&nbsp;or&nbsp;student government&nbsp;office. In tiny McCracken, every student&nbsp;counted. We needed every body in sports, forensics, music, school plays, student leadership, and daily existence. Kids who weren’t&nbsp;natural athletes became skilled, aggressive teammates&nbsp;or encouraging cheerleaders. Folks who couldn’t carry a tune&nbsp;in a bucket with a lid on it&nbsp;learned to play instruments well enough to win awards. If we wanted a pretty prom, everyone—juniors, parents, teachers,&nbsp;administrator,&nbsp;and curious&nbsp;townspeople&nbsp;showed up after&nbsp;a school day followed by&nbsp;a windblown&nbsp;track practice to turn&nbsp;the old grade school gym into a&nbsp;tented&nbsp;dining area that&nbsp;transformed&nbsp;to a dance floor after handsomely suited&nbsp;junior and senior men moved&nbsp;decorated&nbsp;tables and chairs to the edges of the room.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680800728091.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>​That first year taught me it’s not the variety of coursework offered that makes good citizens. It’s folks who&nbsp;regularly&nbsp;overcome challenges under extreme duress that&nbsp;rebuild lives after crises or&nbsp;guide businesses&nbsp;to&nbsp;survive downturns.&nbsp;Students in small&nbsp;schools&nbsp;problem-solve hourly to manage&nbsp;their world’s&nbsp;demands.&nbsp;After 30+&nbsp;years teaching in&nbsp;1 A and 2 A&nbsp;districts&nbsp;and watching&nbsp;those&nbsp;youngsters become parents and&nbsp;grandparents, I’ve seen&nbsp;the citizens&nbsp;rural&nbsp;schools&nbsp;build.&nbsp;​These&nbsp;individuals&nbsp;support their communities with&nbsp;time, money, and labor.&nbsp;They may&nbsp;differ in beliefs, but they learned to work together to achieve goals starting in kindergarten.&nbsp;Pundits may discount these salt of the earth&nbsp;human beings, but their&nbsp;communities enabled them to dream and live big. Among them number soldiers, medical personnel, mechanics,&nbsp;inventors,&nbsp;agriculturalists, educators, law enforcement officers,&nbsp;entrepreneurs,&nbsp;politicians, artists, musicians, librarians, dozens of other professions, reliable employees, and most of all Americans who care about one another. &nbsp;One graduation after another introduces&nbsp;our&nbsp;world to another round of problem-solvers who get jobs done.&nbsp;​Sometimes, keeping a school open involves more than budgetary concerns. It means rethinking how community functions. Maybe it means new ways&nbsp;of seeing and&nbsp;reinventing&nbsp;accordingly.&nbsp;Folks ought&nbsp;to keep an eye on&nbsp;how&nbsp;tiny Logan&nbsp;maintains&nbsp;their&nbsp;viability despite their challenges.

MADORIN: Rural schools — value-added

K-State unveils expanded Kansas Garden Guide 

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

LARNED — A $2.1 million athletic facility upgrade at Larned High School will
start at the end of May that will install artificial turf for the football
field and construct a new track. USD 495 Board of Education member Buddy Tabler
said the improvements have been under consideration for more than a year when a
committee was formed in the fall of 2021. Tabler said anytime you have a nice
facility, people tend to use it. "I remember speaking with the 
athletic director at Lakin," said Tabler. "They just recently finished a
 project like this. He said there isn't a day that goes by that they 
don't have kids out there on the field. They never had that before. They
 also noticed a significant increase in the number of kids that went out
 for those sports, just to participate on something nice."

The Larned school district’s contract with Mammoth Sports Construction will
install the turf, resurface the track, rebuild the pole vault, long jump and high
jump approach areas and construct new shot put and discus rings with netting.
The track will get resurfaced but remain a six-lane track. "There
 was a discussion about going to an eight-lane track, which you have to 
have to host regional meets," said Tabler. "The cost was prohibitive. We
 would have had to move the home grandstands and visitor's grandstands 
to make enough space to do that." 
Tabler said a new scoreboard and LED lighting will be included with the
project. Mammoth expects to have the project complete by Aug. 15,
in time for the 2023-2024 school year. 
USD 495 will use capital outlay funds for the athletic improvements and negotiated
a lease agreement with Farmers Bank in Larned for the 10-year payment plan.
Tabler added an ongoing fundraiser has been able to collect approximately
$250,000 in private donations.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Listen below to the entire interview with Tabler that aired on Sports Day on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM on April 4, 2023.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680881178620.jpeg" alt="A rendering of the new artificial turf football field and track to be installed this summer at Larned High School." />
 <figcaption>A rendering of the new artificial turf football field and track to be installed this summer at Larned High School.</figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostLARNED — A $2.1 million athletic facility upgrade at Larned High School will
start at the end of May that will install artificial turf for the football
field and construct a new track. USD 495 Board of Education member Buddy Tabler
said the improvements have been under consideration for more than a year when a
committee was formed in the fall of 2021. Tabler said anytime you have a nice
facility, people tend to use it. "I remember speaking with the 
athletic director at Lakin," said Tabler. "They just recently finished a
 project like this. He said there isn't a day that goes by that they 
don't have kids out there on the field. They never had that before. They
 also noticed a significant increase in the number of kids that went out
 for those sports, just to participate on something nice."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680881241320.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Larned school district’s contract with Mammoth Sports Construction will
install the turf, resurface the track, rebuild the pole vault, long jump and high
jump approach areas and construct new shot put and discus rings with netting.
The track will get resurfaced but remain a six-lane track. "There
 was a discussion about going to an eight-lane track, which you have to 
have to host regional meets," said Tabler. "The cost was prohibitive. We
 would have had to move the home grandstands and visitor's grandstands 
to make enough space to do that." 
Tabler said a new scoreboard and LED lighting will be included with the
project. Mammoth expects to have the project complete by Aug. 15,
in time for the 2023-2024 school year. 
USD 495 will use capital outlay funds for the athletic improvements and negotiated
a lease agreement with Farmers Bank in Larned for the 10-year payment plan.
Tabler added an ongoing fundraiser has been able to collect approximately
$250,000 in private donations.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Listen below to the entire interview with Tabler that aired on Sports Day on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM on April 4, 2023.<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/3n2iyau3/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>

🎙 Larned High School set to install turf, update track facility

Week One is in the books and The Bull has charged out of the gates in the 2023 Cash Grab contest.

💵 Listen to your favorite Eagle Radio of Hays station for the code words at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday for your chance to win! 💰

Each station is playing to give money to a local organization. The station with the most winners gives the most money.&nbsp; 
101.9 The Bull - Hays Striders 
99.5 KZ Country - DSNWK 
Mix 103.3 - Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center 
96.9 KFIX - Big Brothers Big Sisters 
94.3 FM/1400 AM KAYS - Jana's Campaign 
Cash Grab is brought to you by Viaero Wireless, Shone Fumigation and Pest Control in Smith Center,&nbsp; Brogdan GMC, Leitner Buildings and EnerSys.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680973085400.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Week One is in the books and The Bull has charged out of the gates in the 2023 Cash Grab contest.💵 Listen to your favorite Eagle Radio of Hays station for the code words at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday for your chance to win! 💰Each station is playing to give money to a local organization. The station with the most winners gives the most money.&nbsp; 
101.9 The Bull - Hays Striders 
99.5 KZ Country - DSNWK 
Mix 103.3 - Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center 
96.9 KFIX - Big Brothers Big Sisters 
94.3 FM/1400 AM KAYS - Jana's Campaign 
Cash Grab is brought to you by Viaero Wireless, Shone Fumigation and Pest Control in Smith Center,&nbsp; Brogdan GMC, Leitner Buildings and EnerSys.

Week One results from Eagle Radio's Cash Grab 2023

For over half a century, the Hays High Plains
Barbershop Chapter has been entertaining area residents with their unique stylings
of barbershop favorites.

At 2 and 7 p.m. April 15, the group will
continue that legacy with "It’s a Grand Night For Singing" at the Beach/Schmidt
Performing Arts Center on the Fort Hays State University campus, 600 Park.

Both concerts will feature&nbsp;barbershop
harmony from Hays High Plains Barbershop Chorus, Tumbleweeds Chorus, FHSU
Singers and Vocal Spectrum.

“This is
a must-see show,” said Don Barber, a member since the group’s
inception. “It
really is if you like music at all. And it's a real family-oriented show. You
never hear any off-color, anything like that. It's just a pure family show and
wonderful, wonderful music.”

And with limited exposure to live barbershop , the annual concert provides a special
opportunity to explore a distinct musical style.

“It’s an
absolutely great thing for young people that love music to come see and enjoy a
different style of music than they normally hear,” said member Vance Chartier.
“Especially the ones that are singing in their
local choirs in schools.”

Barber said the
concert will feature large and small ensembles during the two-hour show.

“We have
two local quartets in our chapter that will perform, and we're going to perform,”
Barber said. “We'll open the show, and we have a couple of quartets that are
going to perform. And we have Dr. Terry Crull’s Fort Hays State choir also
singing in the show in the first half. And then our chorus will open the second
half.

“And
then we bring on the quartet Vocal Spectrum. So, it'll be about, with
everything, right around a two-hour show and Vocal Spectrum, they'll get about
30-35 minutes. So just the most beautiful thing you've ever heard in your life.”

He said
over the years, many of the quartets that have performed at the annual Hays show
have later taken first place in international competition.

“We are their lucky chapter,” Barber said.

The
annual concert marks one of the largest for barbershop music in the area.

“We are
one of the biggest shows for barbershop harmony in the Midwest,” Chartier said.
“And we are well-known across the country as a
very good venue for the quartets to come.”

Some lucky audience members will receive a
special takeaway as well, Chartier said.

“During
the intermission, we do a drawing to give away CDs of the performing quartets
that come in,” he said. “So people have a chance to win that, and that's done by
the ticket stubs that they turn in, so they'll get to take home some music that
they heard.”

Tickets
for the show are unreserved, with doors set to open an hour before the show start.

“So if
you have a favorite seat, if you get there, but pretty early, you'll probably
get the seat where you probably like are in the area,” Barber said. “And if you
get a ticket, you go to either show.”

While
the upcoming annual event will showcase Barbershop music, members of the group
get to experience the style throughout the year — and they are always looking
for new members.

“We always
invite new members at any time we sing,” Chartier said. “We're always looking
for people that sing well and invite them in.”

The group
rehearses at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays in the Trinity Lutheran Church, 2703 Fort.

And he
said there has even been interest in a women’s chapter if a director can be
found.

“We've got
one of the biggest choruses out in his part of the state,” Barber said. “So
we're very proud of it, and we have guys coming from nine counties.”

“We have
a lot of fun,” Chartier said. “Everybody knows there's nothing better than music,
to keep the heart and everything happy. …. And I will say, having been here seven
years, once I got there, it was like another family.”

“We love it,” Barber said. “We love singing.”

The love
of the art form brings the group together, and while members do not receive compensation,
the group is a non-profit organization that uses revenues to support other area
organizations.

“We're a
nonprofit, charitable, educational organization,” Barber said. “We're tax-exempt because we give a lot of our money away to different charities.”

“We've got members that come from two hours away
to practice with us every week, and like nine counties, so we donate to music
programs all through the area, and also scholarships to colleges in the area,” Chartier
said.

<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/its-a-grand-night-for-singing-tickets-443815081857?fbclid=IwAR0znXfvsVMyBaxwx9edG5TD3-677QEhN8z7vTxcSOI-ktbx_Z8zS-PCTZc">Tickets are available now at select locations
throughout the area and can be found online at Event Bright.</a>

Tickets are $15 in advance or $17 at the door.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680709640494.jpeg" alt="Hays High Plains Barbershop Chapter will present "It’s a Grand Night For Singing" April 15 in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center on the Fort Hays State University campus." />
 <figcaption>Hays High Plains Barbershop Chapter will present "It’s a Grand Night For Singing" April 15 in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center on the Fort Hays State University campus.</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Hays High Plains Barbershop Chapter to present ’It’s a Grand Night For Singing’ April 15" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=ajc8g-13d68bf-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>By JAMES BELL Hays PostFor over half a century, the Hays High Plains
Barbershop Chapter has been entertaining area residents with their unique stylings
of barbershop favorites.At 2 and 7 p.m. April 15, the group will
continue that legacy with "It’s a Grand Night For Singing" at the Beach/Schmidt
Performing Arts Center on the Fort Hays State University campus, 600 Park.Both concerts will feature&nbsp;barbershop
harmony from Hays High Plains Barbershop Chorus, Tumbleweeds Chorus, FHSU
Singers and Vocal Spectrum.“This is
a must-see show,” said Don Barber, a member since the group’s
inception. “It
really is if you like music at all. And it's a real family-oriented show. You
never hear any off-color, anything like that. It's just a pure family show and
wonderful, wonderful music.”And with limited exposure to live barbershop , the annual concert provides a special
opportunity to explore a distinct musical style.“It’s an
absolutely great thing for young people that love music to come see and enjoy a
different style of music than they normally hear,” said member Vance Chartier.
“Especially the ones that are singing in their
local choirs in schools.”Barber said the
concert will feature large and small ensembles during the two-hour show.“We have
two local quartets in our chapter that will perform, and we're going to perform,”
Barber said. “We'll open the show, and we have a couple of quartets that are
going to perform. And we have Dr. Terry Crull’s Fort Hays State choir also
singing in the show in the first half. And then our chorus will open the second
half.“And
then we bring on the quartet Vocal Spectrum. So, it'll be about, with
everything, right around a two-hour show and Vocal Spectrum, they'll get about
30-35 minutes. So just the most beautiful thing you've ever heard in your life.”He said
over the years, many of the quartets that have performed at the annual Hays show
have later taken first place in international competition.“We are their lucky chapter,” Barber said.The
annual concert marks one of the largest for barbershop music in the area.“We are
one of the biggest shows for barbershop harmony in the Midwest,” Chartier said.
“And we are well-known across the country as a
very good venue for the quartets to come.”Some lucky audience members will receive a
special takeaway as well, Chartier said.“During
the intermission, we do a drawing to give away CDs of the performing quartets
that come in,” he said. “So people have a chance to win that, and that's done by
the ticket stubs that they turn in, so they'll get to take home some music that
they heard.”Tickets
for the show are unreserved, with doors set to open an hour before the show start.“So if
you have a favorite seat, if you get there, but pretty early, you'll probably
get the seat where you probably like are in the area,” Barber said. “And if you
get a ticket, you go to either show.”While
the upcoming annual event will showcase Barbershop music, members of the group
get to experience the style throughout the year — and they are always looking
for new members.“We always
invite new members at any time we sing,” Chartier said. “We're always looking
for people that sing well and invite them in.”The group
rehearses at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays in the Trinity Lutheran Church, 2703 Fort.And he
said there has even been interest in a women’s chapter if a director can be
found.“We've got
one of the biggest choruses out in his part of the state,” Barber said. “So
we're very proud of it, and we have guys coming from nine counties.”“We have
a lot of fun,” Chartier said. “Everybody knows there's nothing better than music,
to keep the heart and everything happy. …. And I will say, having been here seven
years, once I got there, it was like another family.”“We love it,” Barber said. “We love singing.”The love
of the art form brings the group together, and while members do not receive compensation,
the group is a non-profit organization that uses revenues to support other area
organizations.“We're a
nonprofit, charitable, educational organization,” Barber said. “We're tax-exempt because we give a lot of our money away to different charities.”“We've got members that come from two hours away
to practice with us every week, and like nine counties, so we donate to music
programs all through the area, and also scholarships to colleges in the area,” Chartier
said.<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/its-a-grand-night-for-singing-tickets-443815081857?fbclid=IwAR0znXfvsVMyBaxwx9edG5TD3-677QEhN8z7vTxcSOI-ktbx_Z8zS-PCTZc">Tickets are available now at select locations
throughout the area and can be found online at Event Bright.</a>Tickets are $15 in advance or $17 at the door.

🎙 Hays High Plains Barbershop Chapter set to present ’It’s a Grand Night For Singing’ 

Fort Hays State University alumni Dave and Cathy Van Doren have enriched their lives traveling the world. To help FHSU students do the same, the couple has established a scholarship to cover airfare costs for students interested in studying abroad.

Growing up in western Kansas with a father who worked in construction, Dave studied pre-engineering and geology at Fort Hays State. After graduating and establishing his first business, Precast Concrete Construction, Dave recognized how difficult it was to transport ready-made concrete to remote areas. Determined to provide a solution, he created a unique, lightweight, steel, reinforced modular panel system, Waffle-Crete.

His patented Waffle-Crete system reduces the weight of concrete panels, making construction easier and faster. The product’s success led Dave to build housing in developing or impoverished countries worldwide.

Traveling and working abroad led the couple to host exchange students from other countries and gave them an appreciation for the richness and diversity of people and cultures. As a development officer at the FHSU Foundation, Cathy witnessed a growing interest in the university’s study abroad program. This inspired the couple to establish a scholarship to encourage more students to apply and experience traveling abroad. &nbsp;

The Dave and Cathy Van Doren Study Abroad Travel Fund covers airfare costs for full-time undergraduate or graduate students participating in summer or semester-long experiences overseas. The couple understands that the cost of airfare can discourage students from traveling abroad, and they are pleased to remove that barrier.

FHSU students from eight states and eight countries participated in a study abroad program this past year. Students can transfer credits to Fort Hays State while immersing themselves in their exchange country's culture, food, and language.&nbsp;

Financial assistance, like the scholarship established by Dave and Cathy Van Doren, makes studying abroad while experiencing life in another country as stress-free as possible.&nbsp; With partnerships worldwide, FHSU students can travel abroad while earning a degree. FHSU students seeking additional information about studying abroad can visit&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsu.edu/studyabroad">fhsu.edu/studyabroad</a>&nbsp;or call 785-628-4176.

Support students studying abroad through the Fort Hays State University Foundation by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://foundation.fhsu.edu/donate">foundation.fhsu.edu/donate</a>, calling 785-628-5620, or by mail to PO Box 1060, Hays, KS 67601, with a check addressed to the FHSU Foundation and “Study Abroad” listed in the memo line.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680789450722.jpeg" alt="Dave and Cathy Van Doren visiting the Isle of Skye in Scotland." />
 <figcaption>Dave and Cathy Van Doren visiting the Isle of Skye in Scotland.</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU FoundationFort Hays State University alumni Dave and Cathy Van Doren have enriched their lives traveling the world. To help FHSU students do the same, the couple has established a scholarship to cover airfare costs for students interested in studying abroad.Growing up in western Kansas with a father who worked in construction, Dave studied pre-engineering and geology at Fort Hays State. After graduating and establishing his first business, Precast Concrete Construction, Dave recognized how difficult it was to transport ready-made concrete to remote areas. Determined to provide a solution, he created a unique, lightweight, steel, reinforced modular panel system, Waffle-Crete.His patented Waffle-Crete system reduces the weight of concrete panels, making construction easier and faster. The product’s success led Dave to build housing in developing or impoverished countries worldwide.Traveling and working abroad led the couple to host exchange students from other countries and gave them an appreciation for the richness and diversity of people and cultures. As a development officer at the FHSU Foundation, Cathy witnessed a growing interest in the university’s study abroad program. This inspired the couple to establish a scholarship to encourage more students to apply and experience traveling abroad. &nbsp;The Dave and Cathy Van Doren Study Abroad Travel Fund covers airfare costs for full-time undergraduate or graduate students participating in summer or semester-long experiences overseas. The couple understands that the cost of airfare can discourage students from traveling abroad, and they are pleased to remove that barrier.FHSU students from eight states and eight countries participated in a study abroad program this past year. Students can transfer credits to Fort Hays State while immersing themselves in their exchange country's culture, food, and language.&nbsp;Financial assistance, like the scholarship established by Dave and Cathy Van Doren, makes studying abroad while experiencing life in another country as stress-free as possible.&nbsp; With partnerships worldwide, FHSU students can travel abroad while earning a degree. FHSU students seeking additional information about studying abroad can visit&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsu.edu/studyabroad">fhsu.edu/studyabroad</a>&nbsp;or call 785-628-4176.Support students studying abroad through the Fort Hays State University Foundation by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://foundation.fhsu.edu/donate">foundation.fhsu.edu/donate</a>, calling 785-628-5620, or by mail to PO Box 1060, Hays, KS 67601, with a check addressed to the FHSU Foundation and “Study Abroad” listed in the memo line.

Van Dorens remove barriers for students traveling abroad

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas was recently announced as the recipient of a $1,000 grant from Midwest Energy Inc. &nbsp;This award will be used to purchase transition backpacks.

The backpacks include early learning materials and activities that are developmentally appropriate for 3-year-old children and teach valuable concepts&nbsp;they&nbsp;need to know for school success. Backpacks provide caregivers and parents activities for children that encourage engagement and learning. &nbsp;&nbsp;

“We are very excited to be able to supply families with these special backpacks," said Tammy Dreiling, DSNWK Family Services Manager. &nbsp;“These will support both children and families by helping the children use the tools they developed while at Kid-Link for a smooth transition to their next level of education.”

DSNWK thanked Midwest Energy for its support of the children and families serviced by Kid-Link.

The DSNWK Kid-Link Early Intervention Program provides a system of services to help infants and toddlers from birth to age three who have a developmental delay, diagnosed disability, or are at risk for a developmental delay&nbsp;including&nbsp;vision and hearing impairments. These services are provided in the child’s natural living environment. Kid-Link covers multiple north-central Kansas counties: Norton, Osborne, Phillips, Rooks, Russell, Smith, Ellis and a portion of Rush.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602261742827.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>DSNWKDevelopmental Services of Northwest Kansas was recently announced as the recipient of a $1,000 grant from Midwest Energy Inc. &nbsp;This award will be used to purchase transition backpacks.The backpacks include early learning materials and activities that are developmentally appropriate for 3-year-old children and teach valuable concepts&nbsp;they&nbsp;need to know for school success. Backpacks provide caregivers and parents activities for children that encourage engagement and learning. &nbsp;&nbsp;“We are very excited to be able to supply families with these special backpacks," said Tammy Dreiling, DSNWK Family Services Manager. &nbsp;“These will support both children and families by helping the children use the tools they developed while at Kid-Link for a smooth transition to their next level of education.”DSNWK thanked Midwest Energy for its support of the children and families serviced by Kid-Link.The DSNWK Kid-Link Early Intervention Program provides a system of services to help infants and toddlers from birth to age three who have a developmental delay, diagnosed disability, or are at risk for a developmental delay&nbsp;including&nbsp;vision and hearing impairments. These services are provided in the child’s natural living environment. Kid-Link covers multiple north-central Kansas counties: Norton, Osborne, Phillips, Rooks, Russell, Smith, Ellis and a portion of Rush.

Midwest Energy grant supports DSNWK’s Kid-Link

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

The Ellis County Commission got an early look and the county’s
financial situation this week as they prepare to begin working on the 2024
budget.

County Administrator Darin Myers told the commission Tuesday
that, for 2022, the county saw an increase of more than 4.5 percent in
revenues, totaling a little more than $1 million.

"There are several reasons,” Myers said. “You have revenues
from EMS, health (and) grants throughout all the departments (and) that
collectively is where that $1 million comes from.”

Myers said a big reason for the increase is a reduction in spending.
The county’s expenditures for the end of 2022 came in $1.3 million under budget.

“So, kudos to the staff, the department heads (and) elected
officials to make sure we maintain collectively, the general fund under budget,”
Myers said.

Of that $1.3 million, approximately $377,000 was transferred
to capital reserve accounts.

“So essentially, we were still about $950,000 under budget
last year,” Myers said.

If departments come in under budget for the prior year, they
are allowed to transfer up to 50 percent of the amount they are under budget to
the capital outlay fund. The fund is used to purchase equipment for departments.

The county will also continue increasing the amount of money
set aside for the special highway road and bridge fund.

Myers said three years ago the county set aside just less than
$400,000 per year and that has increased each year surpassing $4 million in 2022. The county transferred $1.6 million to the fund and also received
approximately $2.8 million in additional federal funds from a build grant for the
Northwest Business Corridor project reimbursement. 

“That's significant for that fund, to be able to maintain
increased minimum balance, but also just start doing more projects into the
future,” Myers said.

Myers said the county is benefitting from an increase in the
interest rate.

Through the county treasurer’s office investments, the
county saw an increase of $210,000 from 2021 to 2022.

“That's because of the changes though, where the funds are
invested, but also the interest rates that have gotten better,” Myers said.

Myers added that through the first three months of 2023 the
county has already collected $355,000, a 50 percent increase from last year’s
total. They estimate the county could see $1.3 million in revenue from those
investments this year.

“If those rates and investments stay the same. It would be
about three mills that would offset property taxes,” Myers said.

Myers also updated the commission on the revenue generated
from the two quarter-cent sales taxes. According to Myers both funds increased
by more than 4 percent.

“One is up year over year by 4.6 percent. And the other one
is up by about 4.9 percent,” Myers said. 

He said he does not believe that will continue at
the rate in the future.

“I don't think we can plan on 4.5 to 5 percent annual growth
and sales tax. These last couple years have been good, partially probably
because of inflation, the stimulus money that's been out there, the ARPA funds,
people are spending more,” Myers said.

2021 was the first full year the county collected a full
year of sales tax under both taxes. The current sales tax is scheduled to sunset
in 2030.

The county collects the entire quarter-cent for health services
and the general sales tax is divided between Ellis County and the cities of
Hays, Victoria, Ellis and Schoechen.

Commissioner Michael Berges asked Myers how the county plans
to counter the possibility of losing the sales tax on food.

Kansas lawmakers are working on legislation that would not
only eliminate the sales tax collected at the state level on food, but also
block local entities from collecting those taxes. 

“To me, it's counterproductive for our state legislature,”
Myers said. “when they when they say one thing, about we want to do whatever we
can to help lower property taxes, but then when a county passes a sales tax to
help offset those property taxes, they then take away our sales tax as well.”

Myers touted the county’s pull factor that helps to offset
property taxes.

“We do have that pull factor, which means a lot of people
come in as a regional hub to Ellis County, spend money stay play, eat (and) shop,
and more of the sales tax that we collect comes from those who visit Ellis
County,” Myers said.

Myers said as the commission works through the 2024, they
will have to take into account several factors.

If it aims to keep the ad valorem tax collections the same
as 2023, approximately $17 million, the county would likely reduce the mill
levy rate.

But, Myers cautioned, that could have a negative impact.

“If we keep the revenues same, but all of our expenses for
contractual services, for commodities (and) for capital, all those go up, you
start to get where eventually you're going to lose your ground, and you're going
to start going negative,” he said.

Last year, valuations saw an increase of 13 percent, Myers said. Appraiser Lise Ree said next year’s valuation is approximately 10 percent. But
Myers said the five-year historical trend is approximately 3.7 percent.

Myers said if the sales tax is allowed to sunset in 2030 it
will start cutting into the county’s unencumbered rollover cash. The county’s
budget policy states that the county should attempt to roll over 25 percent of
that budget to the next year.

For the $29 million budget this year Myers said they are million
away from reaching that budget margin.

He said that each year they are getting closer to that goal and
it could be reached by the year 2029. The year before the sales tax is allowed
to sunset. 

“Once 2031 comes around and the sales tax doesn't get re-voted
on again and reallocated right away within that next year,” Myers said, “we're already
starting dipping into how much unencumbered cash we have at the beginning of
the year.”

He said that without the sales tax, the rollover unencumbered
case will be cut dramatically.

“As it progressively gets worse, the county would not be
funding for operations without making significant cuts again,” Myers said.

Myers said as they begin preparing for this year’s budgeting
process he urged the commission to look at how the decisions they make this year
will affect the county for the next several years.

The commission weigh options with employee salaries and benefits,
departmental spending and the amount of funding the county provides to each
outside agency.

Next week, the commission is set to provide a budget
direction for each department and for those outside agencies.

Myers said an initial draft budget will be provided to the
county commission.

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostThe Ellis County Commission got an early look and the county’s
financial situation this week as they prepare to begin working on the 2024
budget.County Administrator Darin Myers told the commission Tuesday
that, for 2022, the county saw an increase of more than 4.5 percent in
revenues, totaling a little more than $1 million."There are several reasons,” Myers said. “You have revenues
from EMS, health (and) grants throughout all the departments (and) that
collectively is where that $1 million comes from.”Myers said a big reason for the increase is a reduction in spending.
The county’s expenditures for the end of 2022 came in $1.3 million under budget.“So, kudos to the staff, the department heads (and) elected
officials to make sure we maintain collectively, the general fund under budget,”
Myers said.Of that $1.3 million, approximately $377,000 was transferred
to capital reserve accounts.“So essentially, we were still about $950,000 under budget
last year,” Myers said.If departments come in under budget for the prior year, they
are allowed to transfer up to 50 percent of the amount they are under budget to
the capital outlay fund. The fund is used to purchase equipment for departments.The county will also continue increasing the amount of money
set aside for the special highway road and bridge fund.Myers said three years ago the county set aside just less than
$400,000 per year and that has increased each year surpassing $4 million in 2022. The county transferred $1.6 million to the fund and also received
approximately $2.8 million in additional federal funds from a build grant for the
Northwest Business Corridor project reimbursement. “That's significant for that fund, to be able to maintain
increased minimum balance, but also just start doing more projects into the
future,” Myers said.Myers said the county is benefitting from an increase in the
interest rate.Through the county treasurer’s office investments, the
county saw an increase of $210,000 from 2021 to 2022.“That's because of the changes though, where the funds are
invested, but also the interest rates that have gotten better,” Myers said.Myers added that through the first three months of 2023 the
county has already collected $355,000, a 50 percent increase from last year’s
total. They estimate the county could see $1.3 million in revenue from those
investments this year.“If those rates and investments stay the same. It would be
about three mills that would offset property taxes,” Myers said.Myers also updated the commission on the revenue generated
from the two quarter-cent sales taxes. According to Myers both funds increased
by more than 4 percent.“One is up year over year by 4.6 percent. And the other one
is up by about 4.9 percent,” Myers said. He said he does not believe that will continue at
the rate in the future.“I don't think we can plan on 4.5 to 5 percent annual growth
and sales tax. These last couple years have been good, partially probably
because of inflation, the stimulus money that's been out there, the ARPA funds,
people are spending more,” Myers said.2021 was the first full year the county collected a full
year of sales tax under both taxes. The current sales tax is scheduled to sunset
in 2030.The county collects the entire quarter-cent for health services
and the general sales tax is divided between Ellis County and the cities of
Hays, Victoria, Ellis and Schoechen.Commissioner Michael Berges asked Myers how the county plans
to counter the possibility of losing the sales tax on food.Kansas lawmakers are working on legislation that would not
only eliminate the sales tax collected at the state level on food, but also
block local entities from collecting those taxes. “To me, it's counterproductive for our state legislature,”
Myers said. “when they when they say one thing, about we want to do whatever we
can to help lower property taxes, but then when a county passes a sales tax to
help offset those property taxes, they then take away our sales tax as well.”Myers touted the county’s pull factor that helps to offset
property taxes.“We do have that pull factor, which means a lot of people
come in as a regional hub to Ellis County, spend money stay play, eat (and) shop,
and more of the sales tax that we collect comes from those who visit Ellis
County,” Myers said.Myers said as the commission works through the 2024, they
will have to take into account several factors.If it aims to keep the ad valorem tax collections the same
as 2023, approximately $17 million, the county would likely reduce the mill
levy rate.But, Myers cautioned, that could have a negative impact.“If we keep the revenues same, but all of our expenses for
contractual services, for commodities (and) for capital, all those go up, you
start to get where eventually you're going to lose your ground, and you're going
to start going negative,” he said.Last year, valuations saw an increase of 13 percent, Myers said. Appraiser Lise Ree said next year’s valuation is approximately 10 percent. But
Myers said the five-year historical trend is approximately 3.7 percent.Myers said if the sales tax is allowed to sunset in 2030 it
will start cutting into the county’s unencumbered rollover cash. The county’s
budget policy states that the county should attempt to roll over 25 percent of
that budget to the next year.For the $29 million budget this year Myers said they are million
away from reaching that budget margin.He said that each year they are getting closer to that goal and
it could be reached by the year 2029. The year before the sales tax is allowed
to sunset. “Once 2031 comes around and the sales tax doesn't get re-voted
on again and reallocated right away within that next year,” Myers said, “we're already
starting dipping into how much unencumbered cash we have at the beginning of
the year.”He said that without the sales tax, the rollover unencumbered
case will be cut dramatically.“As it progressively gets worse, the county would not be
funding for operations without making significant cuts again,” Myers said.Myers said as they begin preparing for this year’s budgeting
process he urged the commission to look at how the decisions they make this year
will affect the county for the next several years.The commission weigh options with employee salaries and benefits,
departmental spending and the amount of funding the county provides to each
outside agency.Next week, the commission is set to provide a budget
direction for each department and for those outside agencies.Myers said an initial draft budget will be provided to the
county commission.

Ellis County Commission set to begin budget discussions

Gov. Laura Kelly recently announced seven appointments and five reappointments to the following boards, commissions, and councils.

Governor’s Behavioral Health Services Planning Council Purpose: To advise the Governor on adult, adolescent, and children’s services issues.

KS Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Purpose: To advocate for and facilitates equal access to quality, coordinated, and comprehensive services that enhance the quality of life for Kansans who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Citizen’s Utility Ratepayers Board Purpose: Provides efficient and effective legal and technical representation for residential and small commercial utility ratepayers and ensures that utilities can charge only just and reasonable rates to Kansans.

Agricultural Remediation Board Purpose: To administer the Kansas Agricultural Remediation Fund and the remediation reimbursement program.

KS Dental Board Purpose: Adopt rules, issue licenses, and conducts hearings to revoke or suspend dental licenses.

Pet Animal Advisory Board Purpose: To make recommendations on changes to the Kansas Pet Animal Act.

Physical Therapy Advisory Council Purpose: Advises the Board of Healing Arts on the examination and registration of physical therapists.

KS Athletic Commission Purpose: Supervises all regulated sports and professional wrestling performances held in the state.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680712211972.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Office of the GovernorGov. Laura Kelly recently announced seven appointments and five reappointments to the following boards, commissions, and councils.Governor’s Behavioral Health Services Planning Council Purpose: To advise the Governor on adult, adolescent, and children’s services issues.<ul>
 <li>Cindy Sherlock, Osawatomie</li><li>Amber McMurray, Dighton</li><li>James Jones, Kinsley</li><li>Seth Dewey, Hutchinson</li>
 </ul>KS Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Purpose: To advocate for and facilitates equal access to quality, coordinated, and comprehensive services that enhance the quality of life for Kansans who are deaf and hard of hearing.<ul>
 <li>Harmony Jarratt, Olathe</li>
 </ul>Citizen’s Utility Ratepayers Board Purpose: Provides efficient and effective legal and technical representation for residential and small commercial utility ratepayers and ensures that utilities can charge only just and reasonable rates to Kansans.<ul>
 <li>Danya Burks, Wichita</li>
 </ul>Agricultural Remediation Board Purpose: To administer the Kansas Agricultural Remediation Fund and the remediation reimbursement program.<ul>
 <li>Laura Pearl, St. Marys (reappointment)</li><li>Jami Loecker, Manhattan (reappointment)</li>
 </ul>KS Dental Board Purpose: Adopt rules, issue licenses, and conducts hearings to revoke or suspend dental licenses.<ul>
 <li>Maya Nunley, Wichita (reappointment)</li>
 </ul>Pet Animal Advisory Board Purpose: To make recommendations on changes to the Kansas Pet Animal Act.<ul>
 <li>Dawn Bryant, Fort Scott</li>
 </ul>Physical Therapy Advisory Council Purpose: Advises the Board of Healing Arts on the examination and registration of physical therapists.<ul>
 <li>Danielle Vequist, Wichita (reappointment)</li>
 </ul>KS Athletic Commission Purpose: Supervises all regulated sports and professional wrestling performances held in the state.<ul>
 <li>Tom Burroughs, Kansas City (reappointment)</li>
 </ul>

W. Kansas residents appointed to statewide planning council

<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/2023/4/1680883301969.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

By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;

“Nothing changes if nothing changes.”&nbsp;

That quote was cited by K-State sportswriter D. Scott Fritchen in an article about a young ballplayer who used the transfer portal and became an impact player at her new school. The young player posted that quote on her mirror to remind herself that sometimes we have to make a change if we are to better our situation.&nbsp;

Is this true for communities as well? Today we’ll meet another woman who has been a leading force for positive change in her community.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Carolyn Dunn is president of the Stafford County Port Authority and past director of economic development in Stafford County. She has seen change firsthand.&nbsp;

Dunn grew up on a farm near the rural community of Ottawa, population 12,625 people. Now, that’s rural. She studied agricultural economics at K-State and worked in Washington, D.C. before meeting and marrying Brian Dunn and moving back to his farm in Stafford County, Kansas.&nbsp;

By 2011, she was the mother of three boys and serving on the local school board. 

“We were talking about declining enrollments,” Dunn said. “I commented that we didn’t even have an economic development program in the county and we need one.”&nbsp;

She was also consulting on a Kansas Farm Bureau project to assist three other rural communities in the state. “I asked myself, `Why am I working on these other towns when we need this here?’”&nbsp;&nbsp;Dunn said.&nbsp;

Stafford County Farm Bureau approached the county commissioners and pledged to commit funds if the county would create a full-time economic development director position. They did so. Dunn took the job.&nbsp;

In 2019, a crisis hit the Stafford County community of St. John: Dillons closed the only grocery store in town. “The immediate thought was, we need somebody else to come in and run that (same) store,” Dunn said. The city established a committee of citizens to consider the matter.&nbsp;

“To their credit, the committee stepped back to look at the big picture,” Dunn said. More alternatives were considered. An outside consultant provided input.&nbsp;

A study concluded that rather than reopening the cramped store downtown, a new, more spacious highway location would be more successful.&nbsp;&nbsp;After all, nothing changes if nothing changes.&nbsp;

Ultimately, Stafford County Economic Development built a new building near the highway and rented the space to White’s Foodliner, which operates the grocery store today. Space is also rented to Stafford County Drug, which operates a pharmacy.&nbsp;

“We needed more space to sell more things, especially those things that the consumer wants today, such as a deli,” Dunn said. Fuel pumps were also added, including ethanol pumps with support from Kansas Corn Commission.&nbsp;

“This was a $3.8 million project,” Dunn said. Talk about a heavy lift.&nbsp;

“Fourteen different sources of financing went into the project, including loans and grants,” she said. “We used a tax increment financing district so the city didn’t have to raise taxes to do this.”&nbsp;

“The president of the economic development board at the time was a 26-year-old young professional,” Dunn said. “As he was signing these two million dollar loan documents, I felt proud that he was stepping into this leadership role at such a young age.”&nbsp;

The store is doing well, but that is not the only accomplishment in Dunn’s eyes.&nbsp;

“The grocery store is important, and it could be a template for other rural communities,” she said. “The schools say you can’t recruit teachers without a store in town, for example, but I think it goes deeper than that. (Accomplishing this project) shifted our mentality. It told us that we could do bigger, harder things.”&nbsp;

For more information, see&nbsp;<a href="http://www.staffordecodevo.com/">www.staffordecodevo.com</a>.&nbsp;

Nothing changes if nothing changes. We commend Carolyn Dunn of Stafford County Economic Development for making a difference with visionary economic development in her county. I’m glad to see she is an agent of change.&nbsp;

And there’s more. Housing was another huge issue that her office tackled. Now 10 new affordable, energy-efficient houses have been built in Stafford County. We’ll learn about that next week.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680700670828.png" alt="Courtesy K-State Research &amp; Extension" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy K-State Research &amp; Extension</figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;“Nothing changes if nothing changes.”&nbsp;That quote was cited by K-State sportswriter D. Scott Fritchen in an article about a young ballplayer who used the transfer portal and became an impact player at her new school. The young player posted that quote on her mirror to remind herself that sometimes we have to make a change if we are to better our situation.&nbsp;Is this true for communities as well? Today we’ll meet another woman who has been a leading force for positive change in her community.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Carolyn Dunn is president of the Stafford County Port Authority and past director of economic development in Stafford County. She has seen change firsthand.&nbsp;Dunn grew up on a farm near the rural community of Ottawa, population 12,625 people. Now, that’s rural. She studied agricultural economics at K-State and worked in Washington, D.C. before meeting and marrying Brian Dunn and moving back to his farm in Stafford County, Kansas.&nbsp;By 2011, she was the mother of three boys and serving on the local school board. “We were talking about declining enrollments,” Dunn said. “I commented that we didn’t even have an economic development program in the county and we need one.”&nbsp;She was also consulting on a Kansas Farm Bureau project to assist three other rural communities in the state. “I asked myself, `Why am I working on these other towns when we need this here?’”&nbsp;&nbsp;Dunn said.&nbsp;Stafford County Farm Bureau approached the county commissioners and pledged to commit funds if the county would create a full-time economic development director position. They did so. Dunn took the job.&nbsp;In 2019, a crisis hit the Stafford County community of St. John: Dillons closed the only grocery store in town. “The immediate thought was, we need somebody else to come in and run that (same) store,” Dunn said. The city established a committee of citizens to consider the matter.&nbsp;“To their credit, the committee stepped back to look at the big picture,” Dunn said. More alternatives were considered. An outside consultant provided input.&nbsp;A study concluded that rather than reopening the cramped store downtown, a new, more spacious highway location would be more successful.&nbsp;&nbsp;After all, nothing changes if nothing changes.&nbsp;Ultimately, Stafford County Economic Development built a new building near the highway and rented the space to White’s Foodliner, which operates the grocery store today. Space is also rented to Stafford County Drug, which operates a pharmacy.&nbsp;“We needed more space to sell more things, especially those things that the consumer wants today, such as a deli,” Dunn said. Fuel pumps were also added, including ethanol pumps with support from Kansas Corn Commission.&nbsp;“This was a $3.8 million project,” Dunn said. Talk about a heavy lift.&nbsp;“Fourteen different sources of financing went into the project, including loans and grants,” she said. “We used a tax increment financing district so the city didn’t have to raise taxes to do this.”&nbsp;“The president of the economic development board at the time was a 26-year-old young professional,” Dunn said. “As he was signing these two million dollar loan documents, I felt proud that he was stepping into this leadership role at such a young age.”&nbsp;The store is doing well, but that is not the only accomplishment in Dunn’s eyes.&nbsp;“The grocery store is important, and it could be a template for other rural communities,” she said. “The schools say you can’t recruit teachers without a store in town, for example, but I think it goes deeper than that. (Accomplishing this project) shifted our mentality. It told us that we could do bigger, harder things.”&nbsp;For more information, see&nbsp;<a href="http://www.staffordecodevo.com/">www.staffordecodevo.com</a>.&nbsp;Nothing changes if nothing changes. We commend Carolyn Dunn of Stafford County Economic Development for making a difference with visionary economic development in her county. I’m glad to see she is an agent of change.&nbsp;And there’s more. Housing was another huge issue that her office tackled. Now 10 new affordable, energy-efficient houses have been built in Stafford County. We’ll learn about that next week.&nbsp;

Now That’s Rural: Carolyn Dunn, rural grocer

A red flag warning is in effect for Hays and much of western Kansas until 9 p.m. Friday, the National Weather Service in Dodge City warned.

With an expected high in the upper-60s, persistent dry conditions and strong winds have created an extreme wildfire risk.

The high Saturday is expected to be iun the mid-70s, with sustained winds of 13 to 22 mph. The early morning hours Sunday bring a slight possibility of relief with a 20 percent chance of&nbsp; isolated showers. There is also a 30 percent chance of showers Sunday evening.

By Tuesday, the NWS is forecasting high temperatures around 80 degrees.

Hays PostA red flag warning is in effect for Hays and much of western Kansas until 9 p.m. Friday, the National Weather Service in Dodge City warned.With an expected high in the upper-60s, persistent dry conditions and strong winds have created an extreme wildfire risk.The high Saturday is expected to be iun the mid-70s, with sustained winds of 13 to 22 mph. The early morning hours Sunday bring a slight possibility of relief with a 20 percent chance of&nbsp; isolated showers. There is also a 30 percent chance of showers Sunday evening.By Tuesday, the NWS is forecasting high temperatures around 80 degrees.

Dry, warm windy: NWS warns of wildfire danger Friday

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas Department of Labor Secretary Amber Schultz.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b3k7JG5uqrk" 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 Kansas Department of Labor Secretary Amber Schultz.

🎤 Forward Ever: Kansas Sec. of Labor Amber Schultz

Ellis County fire officials extinguished a fire in a
dust collector at Hess Services north of Hays early Thursday evening. 

According to Fire Chief Darin Myers, the fire initially was reported just after 6 p.m. as a structure fire was but was in a dust
collector located about 15 feet from the building.

Myers said when fire crews arrived on scene, they dismantled the dust collector and removed the filters to make sure the fire was extinguished.

The buildings garage doors were opened to ventilate the
structure and to confirm the fire had not entered the building.

Hays PostEllis County fire officials extinguished a fire in a
dust collector at Hess Services north of Hays early Thursday evening. According to Fire Chief Darin Myers, the fire initially was reported just after 6 p.m. as a structure fire was but was in a dust
collector located about 15 feet from the building.Myers said when fire crews arrived on scene, they dismantled the dust collector and removed the filters to make sure the fire was extinguished.The buildings garage doors were opened to ventilate the
structure and to confirm the fire had not entered the building.

Ellis Co. firefighters extinguish fire in dust collector at Hess Services

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

RUSSELL — Russell County gets an "A" for effort. Earlier this year, groups in the county began an effort to recruit super chain Buc-ees for a new store along Interstate 70 in Russell. The chain did reach out to area officials, but Russell County Eco Devo Director Mike Parsons said the county of just more than 6,700 people lacked the manpower to staff the massive convenience store.

"When we first went into it, I kind of just had a number in my head that they'd need maybe around 150 employees being open 24/7 and being that big of a store," he said. "But when we got to talking to the vice president, Mr. (Joe) O'Leary, the number was 300."

Eco Devo issued a recruitment flyer requesting submissions to let Buc-ees know there was interest in the county. Hundreds of comments were submitted by local and regional residents, and even some from out of state. Russell County may not have been able to meet the workforce requirement, but Parsons said it was a step in the right direction.

"I think it was still a good experience," he said. "It was a good way to keep momentum going forward with our development land out by I-70. Of course, we're going to keep that momentum going on to the next project."

A Russell Buc-ees would have been a first for the chain in Kansas, but the stores are getting closer. A new store is planned north of Denver, Colo. in 2024.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675260825745.jpeg" alt="The Richmond, Ky., Buc-ee's location, the only one in that state, features 120 gas pumps." />
 <figcaption>The Richmond, Ky., Buc-ee's location, the only one in that state, features 120 gas pumps.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostRUSSELL — Russell County gets an "A" for effort. Earlier this year, groups in the county began an effort to recruit super chain Buc-ees for a new store along Interstate 70 in Russell. The chain did reach out to area officials, but Russell County Eco Devo Director Mike Parsons said the county of just more than 6,700 people lacked the manpower to staff the massive convenience store."When we first went into it, I kind of just had a number in my head that they'd need maybe around 150 employees being open 24/7 and being that big of a store," he said. "But when we got to talking to the vice president, Mr. (Joe) O'Leary, the number was 300."Eco Devo issued a recruitment flyer requesting submissions to let Buc-ees know there was interest in the county. Hundreds of comments were submitted by local and regional residents, and even some from out of state. Russell County may not have been able to meet the workforce requirement, but Parsons said it was a step in the right direction."I think it was still a good experience," he said. "It was a good way to keep momentum going forward with our development land out by I-70. Of course, we're going to keep that momentum going on to the next project."A Russell Buc-ees would have been a first for the chain in Kansas, but the stores are getting closer. A new store is planned north of Denver, Colo. in 2024.

Russell County comes up shy on Buc-ees bid

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Your kid comes home from school and you ask them what they did today and they say "Nothing."

You ask to talk, and they roll their eyes and say "Whatever."

A group in Hays is trying to demystify youth mental health and help parents better communicate with their kids.

The Green Ribbon Hays project led the second in what will be a series of conversations about youth mental health at the Hays Public Library Wednesday night. They focused Wednesday on helpings kids feel connected and understood.

"The process of understanding your kids deserves time and energy whatever kids you are responsible for," said Patrick McGinnis, facilitator. "You can't say it's someone else's problem. I believe it's our problem to figure it out."

It is the quality of our relationships that best predicts our lifelong happiness, McGinnis said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680187975357.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostYour kid comes home from school and you ask them what they did today and they say "Nothing."You ask to talk, and they roll their eyes and say "Whatever."A group in Hays is trying to demystify youth mental health and help parents better communicate with their kids.The Green Ribbon Hays project led the second in what will be a series of conversations about youth mental health at the Hays Public Library Wednesday night. They focused Wednesday on helpings kids feel connected and understood."The process of understanding your kids deserves time and energy whatever kids you are responsible for," said Patrick McGinnis, facilitator. "You can't say it's someone else's problem. I believe it's our problem to figure it out."It is the quality of our relationships that best predicts our lifelong happiness, McGinnis said."You will not find or create happiness for your kids or the people involved in your life if they don't have quality relationships," he said. "You won't do it with great vacations with all of the money in the world with a great education with achieving everything they want to do."All the measures show that if there are not positive communicative, supportive relationships in a person's life, they won't be happy."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680207644316.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>McGinnis stressed key elements in connecting with kids. They include: • Acknowledging their feelings • Empathizing with them • Making them feel seen, heard and valued • Giving hugs • Playing together (Do something that they enjoy.) • Giving your full attention (face-to-face time with no phones) • Having a daily debrief (with questions other than How was your day?)The group discussed how specifically you could do these things with your kids.You can acknowledge feelings by mirroring their body language and emotional intensity. McGinnis said we often screw up with kids by minimizing what they are feeling. Try to validate their feelings, he said.&nbsp;"Start out the conversation by saying it's OK to feel what you feel," he said.Also, realize you can't always fix the problem, he said."Dialogue was my revelation in life—when I realized I didn't have to get a conversation to an ending point," he said. "I didn't have to solve a problem in a conversation."<h2>'Kids need a safe place to lose it'</h2>Showing empathy might be saying "If I were in that situation, I would have felt really mad, how do you feel?" Kyle Carlin, director of the local special education co-op and member of the Green Ribbon project, said."If they are in a spot where they are mad and truly angry and truly frustrated, they're not thinking. It won't do you any good. You cannot move them to logical thought because it's like your 4-year-old having a tantrum," McGinnis said."You've got to let them have time to reset," he said.McGinnis said you need to give kids a safe place to lose it and then after they are able to calm down and refocus, you can move on to solutions.The group talked about making time and spaces for kids to be seen, heard and valued. One mother said she used to take her kids for cruises. They would go get a Coke and go for a drive."When they don't have to make eye contact with you, they share a lot," she said. "We had rules. Nothing was off-limits on the cruise. You could talk about whatever you wanted to on the cruise. It was hard sometimes, but I have kids who are 23 and 24 and they still like cruises."<h2>It was just a brussels sprouts kind of day</h2>For younger kids, McGinnis suggested giving kids tools to tell you how they feel rather than forcing them to use adult language.You might have a kid who uses their favorite or worst food to tell you how their day went. It was a pizza day or it was a brussels sprouts day.Someone also suggested a thumbs up or thumbs down.You can also say "What I hear you saying is this ...," one group member said.&nbsp; "If they say yeah at the end of it at least I know there's been a connection."When it came to playing together, McGinnis admitted he didn't know what his kids liked and he certainly didn't want to do it."I started to realize that means they are building a language without you in it," he said. "You will never learn how to talk it. It will irritate you when they speak of it because they are creating a whole language outside of your scope. You told them, 'I don't care about that.'"<h2>Even babies know when your neglecting them for your phone</h2>Even infants will stop trying to get your attention if you continue to ignore them, McGinnis said."It can be developed early. It can be developed before they are 1 year old. If they are attempting to get your attention and you are on your phone, it doesn't take but a minute and they will stop trying to get your attention." he said."If it's true for a 10 month old, it's definitely true for a 13-year-old."One member of the group said he sees the same thing with his Golden Retriever. If he and his wife are on their phones, she will be tearing stuff up.&nbsp;"She will growl at you. She will bark at you. You put the phones away, and she's fine. She'll lie on the ground next to you. She doesn't care," he said. "If we're not connected to the animal, we're not connected to each other."One of the members of the group said she struggles to get students at the middle school to look up even when she is smiling and eager to greet them.Face-to-face contact lowers blood pressure. It is connected to longevity, and health, McGinnis said"This effort is running counter-culture," McGinnis said of trying to bring people together to make in-person connections.He said we have to practice.&nbsp;"It's like shooting a basketball," he said. "People aren't comfortable with it. It's going to feel weird."For the debrief, McGinnis said his family talked about highs and lows from the day at dinner with no limit on how many highs you could talk about.&nbsp;Carlin said he found he had to vary his debrief questions with his son. When he started to get the same response, several days in a row, it was time to switch things up.The group will have further discussions on youth mental health every two months. In the alternating months, the group will meet for shorter group discussions. The next group discussion will be from 7 to 7:45 p.m. April 26 at the Hays Public Library. McGinnis urged members of the public to suggest topics they would like addressed in the future.You can follow the group on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/greenribbonhays">Facebook</a> or&nbsp;McGinnis is also considering creating a general parent support group if there is interest.If you need to speak to someone right away about a mental health issue, call High Plains Mental Health Center 24/7 crisis line at 1-800-432-0333.

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