On this episode of the Post Podcat Holy Family Elementary principal Rachel Wentling discusses the upcoming State of the Catholic Schools address set for March 6.

<div><iframe title="State of the Hays catholic school address set for Monday" allowtransparency="true" height="600" 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=75h47-13a8a6c-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=600" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcat Holy Family Elementary principal Rachel Wentling discusses the upcoming State of the Catholic Schools address set for March 6.

🎙 Post Podcast: State of the Hays catholic school address set for Monday

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school board will discuss planned renovations at Roosevelt Elementary School at its meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Rockwell Administration Center.

As part of a&nbsp;$143.5 million bond issue, the district will make Roosevelt a five-section elementary school. It has three sections.&nbsp;

The school will have a capacity of 690 students once the renovations are complete.&nbsp;

The district plans to close Lincoln Elementary School and convert Wilson Elementary School into administrative offices. Hays Middle School will be renovated into an elementary school. O'Loughlin Elementary School will remain a three-section elementary school.

The Roosevelt renovation will include a separate gym and cafeteria, which will allow more freedom in scheduling considering the increase in the number of students who will need gym classes.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays USD 489 school board will discuss planned renovations at Roosevelt Elementary School at its meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Rockwell Administration Center.As part of a&nbsp;$143.5 million bond issue, the district will make Roosevelt a five-section elementary school. It has three sections.&nbsp;The school will have a capacity of 690 students once the renovations are complete.&nbsp;The district plans to close Lincoln Elementary School and convert Wilson Elementary School into administrative offices. Hays Middle School will be renovated into an elementary school. O'Loughlin Elementary School will remain a three-section elementary school.The Roosevelt renovation will include a separate gym and cafeteria, which will allow more freedom in scheduling considering the increase in the number of students who will need gym classes.

Hays USD 489 school board to discuss Roosevelt renovations

On this episode of the Post Podcast Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams shares STAR bonds and potential uses in Ellis County.

<div><iframe title="STAR bonds: Grow Hays director discusses concept and implementation" allowtransparency="true" height="600" 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=s68s3-13a89e7-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=600" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams shares STAR bonds and potential uses in Ellis County.

🎙 Post Podcast: STAR bonds: Grow Hays director discusses concept and implementation

Some enter this world&nbsp;eager&nbsp;to dig. From the time they&nbsp;first go&nbsp;outside, they&nbsp;find a stick or&nbsp;spoon&nbsp;and&nbsp;investigate&nbsp;what lies beneath&nbsp;them.&nbsp;

A few&nbsp;dirt lovers&nbsp;mature into&nbsp;agriculturists&nbsp;or big equipment operators. Others&nbsp;seek&nbsp;ancient life hidden&nbsp;in earth’s layers.&nbsp; Discovering&nbsp;fossilized&nbsp;teeth, bones and imprints&nbsp;offers&nbsp;a way&nbsp;to travel&nbsp;through time.&nbsp;

​For those who&nbsp;don’t&nbsp;evidence of ancient life&nbsp;in their own yard or pasture,&nbsp;visit a&nbsp;local history museum to see what&nbsp;amateur paleontologists have&nbsp;shared. A trip to the Trego County Historical Museum offers&nbsp;a close look at&nbsp;fossilized remains of cretaceous sea creatures as well as prehistoric bison,&nbsp;imperial elephant, and mammoth&nbsp;bones from&nbsp;the Pleistocene&nbsp;Era.&nbsp;Local&nbsp;Purinton&nbsp;family members and others loaned this collection that permits visitors to&nbsp;stand&nbsp;up&nbsp;close&nbsp;and personal&nbsp;to&nbsp;regional&nbsp;creatures&nbsp;that&nbsp;existed&nbsp;during&nbsp;multiple geologic eras.

Guests&nbsp;enter&nbsp;the&nbsp;museum&nbsp;doors&nbsp;in 2023, but a&nbsp;short&nbsp;walk&nbsp;transports&nbsp;them&nbsp;back in time&nbsp;over&nbsp;80 million years.&nbsp;Eyes widen&nbsp;as they&nbsp;spy&nbsp;remains of&nbsp;mosasaurs, squid, and other&nbsp;creatures that thrived in an ancient sea covering&nbsp;the middle of this continent. One&nbsp;display&nbsp;showcases&nbsp;a mouthful of fossilized&nbsp;teeth left behind by&nbsp;Ptychodus mortoni, an oyster crushing shark.&nbsp;Only a foot away rests the&nbsp;remains of&nbsp;a large&nbsp;inoceramus,&nbsp;a&nbsp;clam&nbsp;commonly found in this area. &nbsp;Those who&nbsp;wander Big Creek’s banks&nbsp;find&nbsp;fossilized&nbsp;bivalve&nbsp;remains&nbsp;that fit in their palms, but this one&nbsp;enormous&nbsp;example&nbsp;is a&nbsp;doozy&nbsp;.&nbsp;Whoever found it&nbsp;labored hours&nbsp;to&nbsp;release&nbsp;it from its rocky crypt.

While&nbsp;this big&nbsp;clam sieved&nbsp;seawater&nbsp;in its search for&nbsp;nutrients, fish swam&nbsp;nearby&nbsp;and pooped.&nbsp;On the same ranch&nbsp;where&nbsp;searchers&nbsp;found the clam,&nbsp;they also&nbsp;found&nbsp;shark teeth, fish jaw bones, and&nbsp;more&nbsp;clams.&nbsp;They discovered&nbsp;light-yellow,&nbsp;limestone ovals the size of quail and chicken eggs, now identified as&nbsp;fossilized fish dung&nbsp;that&nbsp;scientists call&nbsp;coprolites.&nbsp;Clearly,&nbsp;these deposits&nbsp;didn’t&nbsp;exit&nbsp;little fish.

​Not only did&nbsp;fossil hunters&nbsp;find sea creatures, they also discovered&nbsp;Pteranodon bones.Imagine traveling&nbsp;through&nbsp;time to spy a&nbsp;37-pound&nbsp;flying creature,&nbsp;riding hot air currents.&nbsp;It had abeak&nbsp;similar&nbsp;to&nbsp;a pelican’s&nbsp;so it could “scoop fish in&nbsp;its&nbsp;jaws and swallow them whole.”&nbsp;It would take a large beak to swallow the fish that left behind the coprolites displayed nearby.&nbsp;

Slide&nbsp;a few feet&nbsp;west&nbsp;of the sea creatures&nbsp;to&nbsp;time-travel&nbsp;millions of years&nbsp;forward&nbsp;to&nbsp;whenwaters&nbsp;had&nbsp;receded and the&nbsp;area&nbsp;morphed&nbsp;into&nbsp;a Pleistocene&nbsp;grassland.&nbsp;During that time, prehistoric&nbsp;bison&nbsp;and&nbsp;various&nbsp;mammoth species&nbsp;grazed this&nbsp;region.&nbsp;According to Sept. 9, 1974 University of Nebraska Museum Notes, “12 to 14-foot-tall mammoths ate from 800 to 1200 pounds of grass a day.&nbsp;Mastodonts&nbsp;such as&nbsp;Megabelodons&nbsp;joined&nbsp;these land mammals and&nbsp;browsed&nbsp;area&nbsp;leaves.”&nbsp;One&nbsp;Trego&nbsp;County farmer&nbsp;hit something while&nbsp;plowing. He&nbsp;discovered femurs and a partial tusk&nbsp;of&nbsp;a mastodont&nbsp;labeled an Imperial Elephant.&nbsp;Visit the Trego County Historical Society&nbsp;and&nbsp;marvel at&nbsp;the size of these leg bones.&nbsp;

​Thank goodness, area&nbsp;museums make&nbsp;it&nbsp;possible&nbsp;to time travel&nbsp;often.&nbsp;This is&nbsp;necessaryfor humans who want to&nbsp;wrap&nbsp;modern&nbsp;brains&nbsp;around hard-&nbsp;to-pronounce names and&nbsp;difficult-to-imagine&nbsp;geologic&nbsp;eras.&nbsp;Visit&nbsp;often as a reminder the world changes over time.&nbsp;To make it more fun, invite&nbsp;a youngster&nbsp;along to see cretaceous and Pleistocene critters.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677794820303.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORIN Some enter this world&nbsp;eager&nbsp;to dig. From the time they&nbsp;first go&nbsp;outside, they&nbsp;find a stick or&nbsp;spoon&nbsp;and&nbsp;investigate&nbsp;what lies beneath&nbsp;them.&nbsp;A few&nbsp;dirt lovers&nbsp;mature into&nbsp;agriculturists&nbsp;or big equipment operators. Others&nbsp;seek&nbsp;ancient life hidden&nbsp;in earth’s layers.&nbsp; Discovering&nbsp;fossilized&nbsp;teeth, bones and imprints&nbsp;offers&nbsp;a way&nbsp;to travel&nbsp;through time.&nbsp;​For those who&nbsp;don’t&nbsp;evidence of ancient life&nbsp;in their own yard or pasture,&nbsp;visit a&nbsp;local history museum to see what&nbsp;amateur paleontologists have&nbsp;shared. A trip to the Trego County Historical Museum offers&nbsp;a close look at&nbsp;fossilized remains of cretaceous sea creatures as well as prehistoric bison,&nbsp;imperial elephant, and mammoth&nbsp;bones from&nbsp;the Pleistocene&nbsp;Era.&nbsp;Local&nbsp;Purinton&nbsp;family members and others loaned this collection that permits visitors to&nbsp;stand&nbsp;up&nbsp;close&nbsp;and personal&nbsp;to&nbsp;regional&nbsp;creatures&nbsp;that&nbsp;existed&nbsp;during&nbsp;multiple geologic eras.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658158605319.jpeg" alt="Karen Madorin" />
 <figcaption>Karen Madorin</figcaption>
 </figure>Guests&nbsp;enter&nbsp;the&nbsp;museum&nbsp;doors&nbsp;in 2023, but a&nbsp;short&nbsp;walk&nbsp;transports&nbsp;them&nbsp;back in time&nbsp;over&nbsp;80 million years.&nbsp;Eyes widen&nbsp;as they&nbsp;spy&nbsp;remains of&nbsp;mosasaurs, squid, and other&nbsp;creatures that thrived in an ancient sea covering&nbsp;the middle of this continent. One&nbsp;display&nbsp;showcases&nbsp;a mouthful of fossilized&nbsp;teeth left behind by&nbsp;Ptychodus mortoni, an oyster crushing shark.&nbsp;Only a foot away rests the&nbsp;remains of&nbsp;a large&nbsp;inoceramus,&nbsp;a&nbsp;clam&nbsp;commonly found in this area. &nbsp;Those who&nbsp;wander Big Creek’s banks&nbsp;find&nbsp;fossilized&nbsp;bivalve&nbsp;remains&nbsp;that fit in their palms, but this one&nbsp;enormous&nbsp;example&nbsp;is a&nbsp;doozy&nbsp;.&nbsp;Whoever found it&nbsp;labored hours&nbsp;to&nbsp;release&nbsp;it from its rocky crypt.While&nbsp;this big&nbsp;clam sieved&nbsp;seawater&nbsp;in its search for&nbsp;nutrients, fish swam&nbsp;nearby&nbsp;and pooped.&nbsp;On the same ranch&nbsp;where&nbsp;searchers&nbsp;found the clam,&nbsp;they also&nbsp;found&nbsp;shark teeth, fish jaw bones, and&nbsp;more&nbsp;clams.&nbsp;They discovered&nbsp;light-yellow,&nbsp;limestone ovals the size of quail and chicken eggs, now identified as&nbsp;fossilized fish dung&nbsp;that&nbsp;scientists call&nbsp;coprolites.&nbsp;Clearly,&nbsp;these deposits&nbsp;didn’t&nbsp;exit&nbsp;little fish.​Not only did&nbsp;fossil hunters&nbsp;find sea creatures, they also discovered&nbsp;Pteranodon bones.Imagine traveling&nbsp;through&nbsp;time to spy a&nbsp;37-pound&nbsp;flying creature,&nbsp;riding hot air currents.&nbsp;It had abeak&nbsp;similar&nbsp;to&nbsp;a pelican’s&nbsp;so it could “scoop fish in&nbsp;its&nbsp;jaws and swallow them whole.”&nbsp;It would take a large beak to swallow the fish that left behind the coprolites displayed nearby.&nbsp;Slide&nbsp;a few feet&nbsp;west&nbsp;of the sea creatures&nbsp;to&nbsp;time-travel&nbsp;millions of years&nbsp;forward&nbsp;to&nbsp;whenwaters&nbsp;had&nbsp;receded and the&nbsp;area&nbsp;morphed&nbsp;into&nbsp;a Pleistocene&nbsp;grassland.&nbsp;During that time, prehistoric&nbsp;bison&nbsp;and&nbsp;various&nbsp;mammoth species&nbsp;grazed this&nbsp;region.&nbsp;According to Sept. 9, 1974 University of Nebraska Museum Notes, “12 to 14-foot-tall mammoths ate from 800 to 1200 pounds of grass a day.&nbsp;Mastodonts&nbsp;such as&nbsp;Megabelodons&nbsp;joined&nbsp;these land mammals and&nbsp;browsed&nbsp;area&nbsp;leaves.”&nbsp;One&nbsp;Trego&nbsp;County farmer&nbsp;hit something while&nbsp;plowing. He&nbsp;discovered femurs and a partial tusk&nbsp;of&nbsp;a mastodont&nbsp;labeled an Imperial Elephant.&nbsp;Visit the Trego County Historical Society&nbsp;and&nbsp;marvel at&nbsp;the size of these leg bones.&nbsp;​Thank goodness, area&nbsp;museums make&nbsp;it&nbsp;possible&nbsp;to time travel&nbsp;often.&nbsp;This is&nbsp;necessaryfor humans who want to&nbsp;wrap&nbsp;modern&nbsp;brains&nbsp;around hard-&nbsp;to-pronounce names and&nbsp;difficult-to-imagine&nbsp;geologic&nbsp;eras.&nbsp;Visit&nbsp;often as a reminder the world changes over time.&nbsp;To make it more fun, invite&nbsp;a youngster&nbsp;along to see cretaceous and Pleistocene critters.&nbsp;&nbsp;

MADORIN: Time travel at the local history museum​

<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/2023/3/1677871342679.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

Woman hospitalized after violent I-70 SUV accident

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Sunflower Insurance Solutions owner Courtney Dale shares the latest in Medicate enrollment news.

<div><iframe title="Evaluating Medicare packages can save significant money" allowtransparency="true" height="600" 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=ajc5x-13a89cb-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=600" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Sunflower Insurance Solutions owner Courtney Dale shares the latest in Medicate enrollment news.

🎙 Post Podcast: Evaluating Medicare packages can save significant money

The Fort Hays State University Department
of Music and Theatre is preparing for a busy week as various ensembles and
groups will take the stage the first full week of March.

Kicking off a busy month for the
students, last Friday was opening night for Don’t Dress for Dinner, with further
performances at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the Felten/Start
Theatre in Malloy Hall on the FHSU campus, 510 S. Campus Drive.

The play by Marc Camoletti and adapted by Robin
Hawdon features Bernard as he “plans a romantic weekend with his chic mistress
in his charming farmhouse, while his wife, Jacqueline, is away,” according to
the FHSU website. “He hired a cordon bleu chef to cook and invited his best
friend, Robert, to provide the alibi,” and asks,&nbsp;“What could possibly go
wrong? ... A night of hilarious confusion ensues.”

At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Smokey Hill chorale, FHSU Singers and
Concert Choir will perform at the St. Joseph Church, 201 W. 13th, under the direction of FHSU choral activities director Terry Crull.

“That will be at St. John's Catholic Church because there's an Encore
event in Beach/Schmidt, and of course, they can't go somewhere else,” Crull
said. “So rather than try and find another date, which is next to impossible, we
said let's go to St. Joseph Catholic Church. It’s going to be beautiful there.”

At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Felten/Start Theatre, the
FHSU Percussion Ensemble will perform, including numbers they recently
performed as a selected ensemble at the Kansas Music Educators Association 2023
In-service workshop. &nbsp;

“Ryan Pearson is our percussion instructor, and he's got a full stable of
horses there that just play well,” Crull said.

At 7:30 Thursday, the FHSU bands will
perform their Spring Concert under the direction of Peter Lillpopp in the Beach/Schmidt
Performing Arts Center,&nbsp;600
Park.

Northwestern College Symphonic
Band Concert

Wrapping up the week, Northwestern
College’s Symphonic Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Beach/Schmidt
Performing Arts Center.

“They're on their spring break
tour, and their organizer … called me and said, ‘Hey, we lost the stop between
Colorado Springs and Omaha, can we come there?’ ” Crull said.

The week’s events are free,
excluding the play, and open to the public.

“The only thing that's not free is
the play because you have to pay royalties to put on a play, and we don’t lump
it into student activities fees,” Crull said. “It's $800 to $1,500 per show to
do the fall musical. So that's why we sell tickets. So, the play is tickets,
but our concerts, Hays Symphony Orchestra, our choirs, our bands, all of our
recitals and things, they're all free.”

The concerts allow the students to
perform in front of an audience and can help entice students to the university
along with the collaboration between ensembles, made possible by the department’s
size, Crull said.

“We support each other quite a bit,”
he said. “We're a small enough department, that's one of our big recruiting
positives. We say you come here, and you can do a lot of different things.

“And you'll step on stage right
away. I mean, you could get a role as a freshman, maybe not the big lead, but if
you go to a big school, you have to wait till all the graduate students get out
of there before you're an upperclassman, and you get your chance. Otherwise,
you might be just in the chorus, but you can get really good experience in jazz
band and in our top bands, and so (it’s a) pretty well-rounded program. We're
proud of it. And our kids work hard.”

<div><iframe title="FHSU Music and Theatre prepares for upcoming productions" allowtransparency="true" height="600" 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=zw5a9-13a89f3-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=600" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>By JAMES BELL Hays PostThe Fort Hays State University Department
of Music and Theatre is preparing for a busy week as various ensembles and
groups will take the stage the first full week of March.<h2>Don’t Dress for Dinner</h2>Kicking off a busy month for the
students, last Friday was opening night for Don’t Dress for Dinner, with further
performances at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the Felten/Start
Theatre in Malloy Hall on the FHSU campus, 510 S. Campus Drive.The play by Marc Camoletti and adapted by Robin
Hawdon features Bernard as he “plans a romantic weekend with his chic mistress
in his charming farmhouse, while his wife, Jacqueline, is away,” according to
the FHSU website. “He hired a cordon bleu chef to cook and invited his best
friend, Robert, to provide the alibi,” and asks,&nbsp;“What could possibly go
wrong? ... A night of hilarious confusion ensues.”<h2>Choirs Concert</h2>At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Smokey Hill chorale, FHSU Singers and
Concert Choir will perform at the St. Joseph Church, 201 W. 13th, under the direction of FHSU choral activities director Terry Crull.“That will be at St. John's Catholic Church because there's an Encore
event in Beach/Schmidt, and of course, they can't go somewhere else,” Crull
said. “So rather than try and find another date, which is next to impossible, we
said let's go to St. Joseph Catholic Church. It’s going to be beautiful there.”<h2>Percussion Ensemble Spring Recital</h2>At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Felten/Start Theatre, the
FHSU Percussion Ensemble will perform, including numbers they recently
performed as a selected ensemble at the Kansas Music Educators Association 2023
In-service workshop. &nbsp;“Ryan Pearson is our percussion instructor, and he's got a full stable of
horses there that just play well,” Crull said.<h2>Bands Spring Concert</h2>At 7:30 Thursday, the FHSU bands will
perform their Spring Concert under the direction of Peter Lillpopp in the Beach/Schmidt
Performing Arts Center,&nbsp;600
Park.<h2>Northwestern College Symphonic
Band Concert</h2>Wrapping up the week, Northwestern
College’s Symphonic Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Beach/Schmidt
Performing Arts Center.“They're on their spring break
tour, and their organizer … called me and said, ‘Hey, we lost the stop between
Colorado Springs and Omaha, can we come there?’ ” Crull said.The week’s events are free,
excluding the play, and open to the public.“The only thing that's not free is
the play because you have to pay royalties to put on a play, and we don’t lump
it into student activities fees,” Crull said. “It's $800 to $1,500 per show to
do the fall musical. So that's why we sell tickets. So, the play is tickets,
but our concerts, Hays Symphony Orchestra, our choirs, our bands, all of our
recitals and things, they're all free.”The concerts allow the students to
perform in front of an audience and can help entice students to the university
along with the collaboration between ensembles, made possible by the department’s
size, Crull said.“We support each other quite a bit,”
he said. “We're a small enough department, that's one of our big recruiting
positives. We say you come here, and you can do a lot of different things.“And you'll step on stage right
away. I mean, you could get a role as a freshman, maybe not the big lead, but if
you go to a big school, you have to wait till all the graduate students get out
of there before you're an upperclassman, and you get your chance. Otherwise,
you might be just in the chorus, but you can get really good experience in jazz
band and in our top bands, and so (it’s a) pretty well-rounded program. We're
proud of it. And our kids work hard.”

🎙 FHSU Music and Theatre prepares for performance-filled week

HaysMed Janine Kisner BSN, RN recently was awarded the DAISY Nurse Leader Award at HaysMed. She was selected from a group of blinded nominations voted on by the HaysMed administrative team.&nbsp; Nominations for DAISY Awards are received from patients and family members, physicians, volunteers, and associates for nurses in inpatient, outpatient, and clinic settings.

“The DAISY Nurse Leader Award was created to shine a light on those nurses who do not typically have direct patient care as part of their work as well as those who create an environment where compassion, mutual trust and respect, and skillful care thrives,” said Sandy Gottschalk, director of professional development at HaysMed.

“Janine supervises several units and works with the float and flex nurses at HaysMed. Her caring and compassionate nature resonates in the areas she supervises. Janine is very accessible, available and responsive to the needs of her units.”

“The DAISY Award is a worldwide program that rewards and celebrates the extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care given by nurses every day. HaysMed is proud to be a DAISY Award Hospital Partner, recognizing our nurses with this honor.”

HaysMed Janine Kisner BSN, RN recently was awarded the DAISY Nurse Leader Award at HaysMed. She was selected from a group of blinded nominations voted on by the HaysMed administrative team.&nbsp; Nominations for DAISY Awards are received from patients and family members, physicians, volunteers, and associates for nurses in inpatient, outpatient, and clinic settings.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677779033977.jpeg" alt="Janine Kisner" />
 <figcaption>Janine Kisner</figcaption>
 </figure>“The DAISY Nurse Leader Award was created to shine a light on those nurses who do not typically have direct patient care as part of their work as well as those who create an environment where compassion, mutual trust and respect, and skillful care thrives,” said Sandy Gottschalk, director of professional development at HaysMed.“Janine supervises several units and works with the float and flex nurses at HaysMed. Her caring and compassionate nature resonates in the areas she supervises. Janine is very accessible, available and responsive to the needs of her units.”“The DAISY Award is a worldwide program that rewards and celebrates the extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care given by nurses every day. HaysMed is proud to be a DAISY Award Hospital Partner, recognizing our nurses with this honor.”

HaysMed nurse recognized with Daisy Nurse Leader Award

Voter suppression bills are once again making their way through the state legislature.

The justification — or lack thereof as the case may be — for these bills lies with the unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud made during the 2020 election.

Legislation like these could be warranted if they were being passed to increase election security. But they’re not. Recent elections in Kansas have been as safe and secure as they have ever been.

Hundreds of post-election audits have been conducted across the state since 2020, and not a single failure has been uncovered.

Republican Secretary of State Scott Schwab has been an outspoken critic of measures that would restrict the state’s ability to collect ballots from voters, causing a rift between top Republican officials in Kansas.

But ever since 2020, questioning election integrity has become a political dog whistle in statehouses across the country.

A majority of Kansans don’t seem to be buying it.

The 2022 Kansas Speaks public opinion survey conducted by the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University last fall asked questions about perceptions of voter fraud and election integrity in our state.

The survey found that only 11 percent of respondents thought fraudulent voting decides elections in our state and about the same number (12 percent) thought state and local officials commit election fraud to alter outcomes.

These results suggest that even if Kansans possibly believe one-off incidents of voter fraud are common — there is little evidence to support this, only a handful of cases have been found in the past decade — they do not believe there widespread systemic fraud that alters election results

Despite little popular support, state legislators are perpetuating these false claims by introducing legislation that restricts voters’ ability to cast a ballot.

Senate Bill 208 would modify state law on use of ballot drop boxes. In its original form, it would have limited each county to a single dropbox — severely impractical for the state’s largest counties like Johnson and Sedgwick.

SB 208 was then amended to eliminate the use of ballot drop boxes altogether, despite no reported problems with their usage.

In the Kansas Speaks survey, less than one-third of Kansas voters thought ballot drop boxes should be banned.

Senate Bill 209 eliminates the current three-day grace period for accepting mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day.

Research shows that mail-in voting is disproportionately used by elderly, disabled, military, and college student voters and therefore restricting when mail-in ballots can be accepted would disenfranchise these voters specifically.

The harm done by these bills is far greater than any credible “justification” legislators could have for supporting them.

Passing these bills would be a shortsighted move by the state legislature. There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud, let alone voter fraud related to drop boxes and mail-in ballots; there is a lack of popular support for these measures among Kansans; and there isn’t even partisan consensus that these actions are necessary.

Election security is of utmost importance, but our elections are secure and getting more so every year. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security continuously strengthens our election infrastructure ensuring our protection.

These bills only make it harder for eligible Kansans to have their ballot counted.

Free and fair access to the ballot is what allows citizens to have a voice in their government. It is a vital element of democracy.

Kansans should be concerned that the state legislature is actively trying to suppress that voice.&nbsp;

Alexandra Middlewood, Ph.D. is an assistant professor of Political Science at Wichita State University.

Voter suppression bills are once again making their way through the state legislature.The justification — or lack thereof as the case may be — for these bills lies with the unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud made during the 2020 election.Legislation like these could be warranted if they were being passed to increase election security. But they’re not. Recent elections in Kansas have been as safe and secure as they have ever been.Hundreds of post-election audits have been conducted across the state since 2020, and not a single failure has been uncovered.Republican Secretary of State Scott Schwab has been an outspoken critic of measures that would restrict the state’s ability to collect ballots from voters, causing a rift between top Republican officials in Kansas.But ever since 2020, questioning election integrity has become a political dog whistle in statehouses across the country.A majority of Kansans don’t seem to be buying it.The 2022 Kansas Speaks public opinion survey conducted by the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University last fall asked questions about perceptions of voter fraud and election integrity in our state.The survey found that only 11 percent of respondents thought fraudulent voting decides elections in our state and about the same number (12 percent) thought state and local officials commit election fraud to alter outcomes.These results suggest that even if Kansans possibly believe one-off incidents of voter fraud are common — there is little evidence to support this, only a handful of cases have been found in the past decade — they do not believe there widespread systemic fraud that alters election resultsDespite little popular support, state legislators are perpetuating these false claims by introducing legislation that restricts voters’ ability to cast a ballot.Senate Bill 208 would modify state law on use of ballot drop boxes. In its original form, it would have limited each county to a single dropbox — severely impractical for the state’s largest counties like Johnson and Sedgwick.SB 208 was then amended to eliminate the use of ballot drop boxes altogether, despite no reported problems with their usage.In the Kansas Speaks survey, less than one-third of Kansas voters thought ballot drop boxes should be banned.Senate Bill 209 eliminates the current three-day grace period for accepting mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day.Research shows that mail-in voting is disproportionately used by elderly, disabled, military, and college student voters and therefore restricting when mail-in ballots can be accepted would disenfranchise these voters specifically.The harm done by these bills is far greater than any credible “justification” legislators could have for supporting them.Passing these bills would be a shortsighted move by the state legislature. There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud, let alone voter fraud related to drop boxes and mail-in ballots; there is a lack of popular support for these measures among Kansans; and there isn’t even partisan consensus that these actions are necessary.Election security is of utmost importance, but our elections are secure and getting more so every year. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security continuously strengthens our election infrastructure ensuring our protection.These bills only make it harder for eligible Kansans to have their ballot counted.Free and fair access to the ballot is what allows citizens to have a voice in their government. It is a vital element of democracy.Kansans should be concerned that the state legislature is actively trying to suppress that voice.&nbsp;Alexandra Middlewood, Ph.D. is an assistant professor of Political Science at Wichita State University.

INSIGHT: Bills restricting ballot collection are unpopular with Kansans

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677871294741.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>

By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development

An 8- foot-tall tomato plant? It sounds like a gardener’s dream, but one innovative young rural Kansas couple is making it become reality using a gardening technique known as hydroponics.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Samuel and MaryAnn Beachy are the founders and owners of Beachy’s Flowers and Produce. They were living in Kentucky and then moved to Kansas to be closer to MaryAnn’s parents in Lyndon.&nbsp;

Samuel was operating a locker plant in Osage City until he sold that business. The Beachys’ church was looking to expand in the Wamego and Manhattan area, and Samuel wanted to pursue a new enterprise there.&nbsp;

“I’ve always been intrigued with growing things,” Samuel said. “I loved to grow things in the garden.”&nbsp;

As he and MaryAnn considered a move, they thought about the type of produce operation that could work best in northeast Kansas and decided to try an indoor, hydroponic system. “He did a lot of studying,” MaryAnn said.&nbsp;

As the Beachys prepared to relocate, they told the realtor they were looking for a location that was served by natural gas and was next to a major highway. The realtor identified just one location. It was the first place the Beachys looked at, and they bought it. “This was a Godsend,” Samuel said.&nbsp;

The location was next to Highway 24 east of Manhattan. It already had a house with a large shop. The Beachys built a state-of-the-art polycarbonate truss-style greenhouse that connected to the shop. It is fully hydroponic, so the plants are raised in recycled water with the precise nutrients needed.&nbsp;

Beachy’s Flowers and Produce opened on November 30, 2022. For now, the flowers are coming from Council Grove, but the produce is homegrown and booming.&nbsp;

The Beachys produce tomatoes, lettuce, broccoli, peppers, cauliflower, spring onions, kale, spinach, cilantro and cucumbers. In the future, they plan to also grow carrots, beets, potatoes and strawberries. The climate-controlled greenhouse enables produce to be grown year-round.&nbsp;

“My goal is to provide a place where people can buy produce at the same place that it is grown,” Samuel said. That would definitely seem to shorten the supply chain.&nbsp;

“I want to raise enough that you can make a good salad with what we produce.”&nbsp;

The production process is highly scientific, with probes used to control pH and nutrient levels. No soil is needed. Water is constantly recirculated. A retractable ceiling curtain helps control the climate naturally.&nbsp;

“We can open the curtain to let the sun in, and close it when we want to hold in the warmth,” Samuel said.&nbsp;

Lettuce seedlings, for example, are started under growlights. The rooted seedlings, in peat pellets, are placed in rows of watertight PVC trays through which the water and nutrients are pumped and recirculated. The trays are placed on waist-high metal frames and, with time, moved farther apart to make room for the plants to grow.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We have to plan ahead,” Samuel said. “We plant 200 seeds per week of lettuce, and harvest in two months.”&nbsp;

The Beachys’ butterhead lettuce, with just a hint of sweetness, is a variety that has proven especially popular.&nbsp;

For tomatoes, the truss ceiling makes it possible to use string to hold up the tops of the plants, enabling them to grow to their full potential. With proper trimming and treatment, these plants can grow eight feet tall and produce extraordinary tomatoes. “Our goal is three-quarter pound tomatoes,” Samuel said.&nbsp;

Their produce is available for sale at grocery stores in Wamego, Westmoreland, and Holton; at Manhattan farmer’s market; and direct from the greenhouse. “I would like to grow the business so that people can come right here for their produce,” Samuel said.&nbsp;

Their location is along Highway 24 northwest of the rural community of St. George, population 1,054 people.&nbsp;&nbsp;Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;

For more information, contact Beachy’s Flowers and Produce at&nbsp;785-219-1759.&nbsp;

Eight feet tall tomato plants? It sounds like a gardener’s dream, and they’re growing at Beachy’s Flowers and Produce. We commend Samuel and MaryAnn Beachy for making a difference with fantastic produce and innovative production practices.&nbsp;

Seeing their success makes me feel ten feet tall.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677791433168.png" alt="Samuel and MaryAnn Beachy" />
 <figcaption>Samuel and MaryAnn Beachy</figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural DevelopmentAn 8- foot-tall tomato plant? It sounds like a gardener’s dream, but one innovative young rural Kansas couple is making it become reality using a gardening technique known as hydroponics.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Samuel and MaryAnn Beachy are the founders and owners of Beachy’s Flowers and Produce. They were living in Kentucky and then moved to Kansas to be closer to MaryAnn’s parents in Lyndon.&nbsp;Samuel was operating a locker plant in Osage City until he sold that business. The Beachys’ church was looking to expand in the Wamego and Manhattan area, and Samuel wanted to pursue a new enterprise there.&nbsp;“I’ve always been intrigued with growing things,” Samuel said. “I loved to grow things in the garden.”&nbsp;As he and MaryAnn considered a move, they thought about the type of produce operation that could work best in northeast Kansas and decided to try an indoor, hydroponic system. “He did a lot of studying,” MaryAnn said.&nbsp;As the Beachys prepared to relocate, they told the realtor they were looking for a location that was served by natural gas and was next to a major highway. The realtor identified just one location. It was the first place the Beachys looked at, and they bought it. “This was a Godsend,” Samuel said.&nbsp;The location was next to Highway 24 east of Manhattan. It already had a house with a large shop. The Beachys built a state-of-the-art polycarbonate truss-style greenhouse that connected to the shop. It is fully hydroponic, so the plants are raised in recycled water with the precise nutrients needed.&nbsp;Beachy’s Flowers and Produce opened on November 30, 2022. For now, the flowers are coming from Council Grove, but the produce is homegrown and booming.&nbsp;The Beachys produce tomatoes, lettuce, broccoli, peppers, cauliflower, spring onions, kale, spinach, cilantro and cucumbers. In the future, they plan to also grow carrots, beets, potatoes and strawberries. The climate-controlled greenhouse enables produce to be grown year-round.&nbsp;“My goal is to provide a place where people can buy produce at the same place that it is grown,” Samuel said. That would definitely seem to shorten the supply chain.&nbsp;“I want to raise enough that you can make a good salad with what we produce.”&nbsp;The production process is highly scientific, with probes used to control pH and nutrient levels. No soil is needed. Water is constantly recirculated. A retractable ceiling curtain helps control the climate naturally.&nbsp;“We can open the curtain to let the sun in, and close it when we want to hold in the warmth,” Samuel said.&nbsp;Lettuce seedlings, for example, are started under growlights. The rooted seedlings, in peat pellets, are placed in rows of watertight PVC trays through which the water and nutrients are pumped and recirculated. The trays are placed on waist-high metal frames and, with time, moved farther apart to make room for the plants to grow.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“We have to plan ahead,” Samuel said. “We plant 200 seeds per week of lettuce, and harvest in two months.”&nbsp;The Beachys’ butterhead lettuce, with just a hint of sweetness, is a variety that has proven especially popular.&nbsp;For tomatoes, the truss ceiling makes it possible to use string to hold up the tops of the plants, enabling them to grow to their full potential. With proper trimming and treatment, these plants can grow eight feet tall and produce extraordinary tomatoes. “Our goal is three-quarter pound tomatoes,” Samuel said.&nbsp;Their produce is available for sale at grocery stores in Wamego, Westmoreland, and Holton; at Manhattan farmer’s market; and direct from the greenhouse. “I would like to grow the business so that people can come right here for their produce,” Samuel said.&nbsp;Their location is along Highway 24 northwest of the rural community of St. George, population 1,054 people.&nbsp;&nbsp;Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;For more information, contact Beachy’s Flowers and Produce at&nbsp;785-219-1759.&nbsp;Eight feet tall tomato plants? It sounds like a gardener’s dream, and they’re growing at Beachy’s Flowers and Produce. We commend Samuel and MaryAnn Beachy for making a difference with fantastic produce and innovative production practices.&nbsp;Seeing their success makes me feel ten feet tall.&nbsp;

Now That’s Rural: Beachy’s Flowers and Produce 

Strong southwest winds and extremely low humidity will lead to an increased risk of wildfires Sunday, the National Weather Service in Dodge City reported.

Hays remains just to the east of a fire weather watch.

There is a slight chance of rain in&nbsp; the early morning hours Saturday, which will top out in the mid- to upper-50s.

On Sunday, the mercury will jump into the low-70s for a high, with sustained winds of 15 to 22 mph and gusts more than 30 mph.

By Tuesday night, a slight chance of rain or snow returns and highs will be around 40 degrees through the work week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677880706983.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Strong southwest winds and extremely low humidity will lead to an increased risk of wildfires Sunday, the National Weather Service in Dodge City reported.Hays remains just to the east of a fire weather watch.There is a slight chance of rain in&nbsp; the early morning hours Saturday, which will top out in the mid- to upper-50s.On Sunday, the mercury will jump into the low-70s for a high, with sustained winds of 15 to 22 mph and gusts more than 30 mph.By Tuesday night, a slight chance of rain or snow returns and highs will be around 40 degrees through the work week.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Breezy southwest winds will occur during the afternoon on Sunday which will bring in drier air. Lowest relative humidity values will be around 10% and this will lead to elevated fire weather conditions. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/XK2blbIOfC">pic.twitter.com/XK2blbIOfC</a>&mdash; NWS Dodge City (@NWSDodgeCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSDodgeCity/status/1631726189277769728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>

Warm weekend, elevated fire risk on Sunday in NW Kan.

When Gerard Wellbrock became the eighth Voice of the Tigers at Fort Hays State University, he only hoped he could fill the role’s big shoes previously worn by four Kansas Hall of Fame broadcasters. After taking the helm more than 20 years ago, Wellbrock likens the role as a conduit between the team and the fans, transferring the energy from the live game and crowd to those who can’t see the game through storytelling, commentary, and play-by-play.

Destiny and talent brought Wellbrock to the role in 2002 after years of working with the preceding Voice of the Tigers, Steve Webster. Wellbrock, a 1990 FHSU graduate, worked in Phillipsburg with legendary “Tad Pole” broadcaster Tad Felts and in Hays with Webster. Wellbrock served as a color commentator and station worker when Webster received a job offer that led him to leave FHSU. After thirteen years as the Voice of the Tigers, it was time for Webster to pass the baton, and Wellbrock, who had worked several years with Webster, was a shoo-in for the position.

Half a century before Wellbrock would graduate from Fort Hays State University and kickstart his sportscasting career, the first Voice of the Tigers arose. Through 73 years of sportscasters, the Voice of the Tigers has been embodied by eight people, including its first, Bob Schmidt from 1949-51; Bob Jenkins from 1951-55; Kay Melia from 1955-60; Keith Cummings from 1960-68; Bob Davis, from 1968-84; Wyatt Thompson, from 1984-89; Steve Webster, from 1989-2002, and Wellbrock, from 2002 to present. Wellbrock says each sportscaster has had two compelling common threads: a love of sports and a love for Fort Hays State University.

These threads have created an unspoken bond among the group, which meets during the summer to share stories of their time calling play-by-plays for FHSU Athletics. They share experiences, stories, and jokes that only their small group understands. Through heartbreak, like grieving the loss of Bob Schmidt and Kay Melia, and triumph, like calling a championship game, the group has bonded with unwavering support for one another.

Fort Hays State fans, Wellbrock says, have been fortunate to have had generations of talented sportscasters delivering engaging, yet fair, commentary on games. It's the kind of job, he says, you can’t just show up for. To bring the best possible experience to fans, an effective sportscaster must be disciplined and dedicated to the craft. Though Wellbrock doesn’t plan on hanging up his microphone as the Voice of the Tigers anytime soon, he often thinks of what will be considered his legacy in the role.

Wellbrock has broken the record for being the longest-running Voice of the Tigers. Still, he aspires to announce a national championship for FHSU before passing the torch to the next sportscaster. He feels grateful to be among some of the best sportscasters in Kansas. While he holds out for the national championship, Wellbrock hopes that spectators and fans regard him as a passionate sportscaster who loves his vocation and the university.

Wellbrock will call all Fort Hays State basketball games during this weekend’s MIAA tournament in Kansas City. Going into this weekend, the FHSU men’s team will play their first quarterfinal game against Rogers State on Friday, March 3, at 2:15 p.m. Later that night, the FHSU women’s team will match up against Missouri Western in the quarterfinals at 8:15 p.m. Those tuning in at home can listen to Wellbrock’s broadcast by tuning in to KJLS 103.3 FM. Stay up-to-date throughout the weekend by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/">FHSUAthletics.com</a>&nbsp;or following the FHSU Alumni Association on Facebook.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677794588614.jpeg" alt="Gerard Wellbrock captured in action at an FHSU Athletics event. Photographed by Bob Duffy." />
 <figcaption>Gerard Wellbrock captured in action at an FHSU Athletics event. Photographed by Bob Duffy.</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU Alumni AssociationWhen Gerard Wellbrock became the eighth Voice of the Tigers at Fort Hays State University, he only hoped he could fill the role’s big shoes previously worn by four Kansas Hall of Fame broadcasters. After taking the helm more than 20 years ago, Wellbrock likens the role as a conduit between the team and the fans, transferring the energy from the live game and crowd to those who can’t see the game through storytelling, commentary, and play-by-play.Destiny and talent brought Wellbrock to the role in 2002 after years of working with the preceding Voice of the Tigers, Steve Webster. Wellbrock, a 1990 FHSU graduate, worked in Phillipsburg with legendary “Tad Pole” broadcaster Tad Felts and in Hays with Webster. Wellbrock served as a color commentator and station worker when Webster received a job offer that led him to leave FHSU. After thirteen years as the Voice of the Tigers, it was time for Webster to pass the baton, and Wellbrock, who had worked several years with Webster, was a shoo-in for the position.Half a century before Wellbrock would graduate from Fort Hays State University and kickstart his sportscasting career, the first Voice of the Tigers arose. Through 73 years of sportscasters, the Voice of the Tigers has been embodied by eight people, including its first, Bob Schmidt from 1949-51; Bob Jenkins from 1951-55; Kay Melia from 1955-60; Keith Cummings from 1960-68; Bob Davis, from 1968-84; Wyatt Thompson, from 1984-89; Steve Webster, from 1989-2002, and Wellbrock, from 2002 to present. Wellbrock says each sportscaster has had two compelling common threads: a love of sports and a love for Fort Hays State University.These threads have created an unspoken bond among the group, which meets during the summer to share stories of their time calling play-by-plays for FHSU Athletics. They share experiences, stories, and jokes that only their small group understands. Through heartbreak, like grieving the loss of Bob Schmidt and Kay Melia, and triumph, like calling a championship game, the group has bonded with unwavering support for one another.Fort Hays State fans, Wellbrock says, have been fortunate to have had generations of talented sportscasters delivering engaging, yet fair, commentary on games. It's the kind of job, he says, you can’t just show up for. To bring the best possible experience to fans, an effective sportscaster must be disciplined and dedicated to the craft. Though Wellbrock doesn’t plan on hanging up his microphone as the Voice of the Tigers anytime soon, he often thinks of what will be considered his legacy in the role.Wellbrock has broken the record for being the longest-running Voice of the Tigers. Still, he aspires to announce a national championship for FHSU before passing the torch to the next sportscaster. He feels grateful to be among some of the best sportscasters in Kansas. While he holds out for the national championship, Wellbrock hopes that spectators and fans regard him as a passionate sportscaster who loves his vocation and the university.Wellbrock will call all Fort Hays State basketball games during this weekend’s MIAA tournament in Kansas City. Going into this weekend, the FHSU men’s team will play their first quarterfinal game against Rogers State on Friday, March 3, at 2:15 p.m. Later that night, the FHSU women’s team will match up against Missouri Western in the quarterfinals at 8:15 p.m. Those tuning in at home can listen to Wellbrock’s broadcast by tuning in to KJLS 103.3 FM. Stay up-to-date throughout the weekend by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/">FHSUAthletics.com</a>&nbsp;or following the FHSU Alumni Association on Facebook.

Wellbrock reflects on 20 years as the Voice of the Tigers

On this episode of the Post Podcast Fort Hays State University sports information director, Ryan Prickett shares updates from winter and spring sports.

<div><iframe title="As FHSU winter sports wrap up, spring sports celebrating early successes" 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=hnti7-13a890a-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>On this episode of the Post Podcast Fort Hays State University sports information director, Ryan Prickett shares updates from winter and spring sports.

🎙 Post Podcast: As FHSU winter sports wrap up, spring sports celebrating early successes

Imagine being locked in a cell 24 hours, seven days a week with nothing to do but look at four dingy walls and think about the mistakes you've made in your life.

Fort Hays State University Professor Sarah Broman Miller saw this pain in a former inmate who became a friend. The woman, who was incarcerated in the Ellis County Jail, said she longed to have a book to read while she was in jail, but none were available.&nbsp;

"She had no books to read. She had nothing to do. She really felt helpless," Broman Miller said. "She said she thought if she had a book, just something to keep her mind occupied and maybe some self-help books or something to get her out of this depression she was in, that would have really been a benefit to her."

Broman Miller and her husband, Pastor Troy Miller of Hays United Methodist Church, created the Liberate Books Project in 2019. The project distributes books to jails and prisons across the state of Kansas.

Broman Miller estimated in the few years that the program has been active, the project has delivered about 11,000 books.

The program recently partnered with the Micah 6:8 project through the Hays First United Methodist Church so it can enjoy non-profit status and expand its services.

"I feel a responsibility, almost a moral obligation, to take care of people who maybe don't get help and who maybe don't get that kind of attention or love from others," Broman Miller said.

She said she is motivated to keep taking books to show people they are cared about, thought about and they are loved.&nbsp;

"... I think one of the biggest things we can do for humanity is just care for other people and especially people in our own state and who are having these problems," she said.

&nbsp;The project came as an offshoot of another program Broman Miller, who teaches teacher education, was working on with fellow FHSU Associate Professor in criminal justice April Terry.

Broman Miller and Terry take both education and criminal justice students to the Topeka Correctional Facility where they work with female inmates on a literacy project.&nbsp;

The students help inmates record themselves reading a children's book for their children or grandchildren. The program sends the recordings, the books and stuffed animals to the children. This program is ongoing.

As an afterthought, Broman Miller suggested the students take books to the prison to replenish the prison's library. Broman Miller sponsored a book drive for the prison.

"The support that came from the community was incredible," Broman Miller said. "It was like someone turned on a fire hose."

Broman Miller received so many books they took up a whole classroom at Hays First United Methodist Church.

Out of that outpouring of love, as Broman Miller described it, came the Liberate Books Project, which sends books to county jails across the state.

"What I found out is that a lot of county jails do not have libraries," she said.

Although the program that sparked the Liberate Book Project was exclusively for women, the book project offers reading material to all inmates.

Jail staff members are often surprised the program is offering the books for free, Broman Miller said.

Broman Miller's brother-in-law used to be a jailer in Johnson County. He started helping the Millers deliver books to the two jail facilities there. After he started to deliver books, he could walk the cell blocks and hear inmates talking about their favorite authors.

The program promotes literacy, but Broman Miller said it is also a comfort for the inmates, many of whom may be dealing with trauma or addiction.

"They are at the lowest part of their lives," Broman Miller said. "To have something there that says you're not alone.&nbsp; This book when you read is going to take you somewhere else other than your current state."

The project offers self-help books, which she said many of the inmates appreciate.

"If you are in a cell by yourself with nothing else to do but spend time thinking about your life, what a better place to have a book," she said.&nbsp;"I think it really does encourage people to become readers."

Broman Miller has delivered books to the state correction facility in Stockton, where the inmates helped unload the books.

"Seeing their faces, it was like a kid in a candy store. They were so excited to get the books. It has really helped to build their library," she said.

The couple has been loading down their personal vehicle and paying out of their own pocket for gas to take these books to the county jails and prisons.

The Northwest Kansas Library System recently donated books they were releasing out of their book talk collection. The couple recently took two carloads of these books to Norton.

"One time, there were so many books, I could barely fit my purse in the car," she said.

Although many people have expressed interest in donating monetarily to the project, until the Liberate Books merged into the Micah 6:8 social justice charity under the Hays First United Methodist Church, it did not have non-profit status.

"[Micah 6:8] focuses on social issues and these can be illiteracy, incarceration, poverty, food scarcity. We plan to address those types of things that are happening right here in our own community," she said.&nbsp;

This new status will allow the project to take donations that will be used to help with the expenses of getting books to the jails as well as ordering books that are specifically requested by inmates, Broman Miller said.

Prior to the non-profit designation, the Millers were paying for ordering books out of their pocket.

In addition to book and monetary donations, the Liberate Books Project is also looking for volunteers to deliver books.

This could be individuals or groups. Broman Miller said you don't have to make a special trip. If you have plans to visit another community, you just have to be willing to take a load of books with you to that county's jail.

Broman Miller has the contacts and will make the arrangements for the delivery and make sure the books are loaded into the volunteer's vehicle in Hays.

"It would be genius. I already have the books. That person is already going," she said.

If you are interested in delivering books, you can email Broman Miller at sebmiller@fhsu.edu.

"It's a really fun and good service project," Broman Miller said. "I really hope the community would like to get involved. For them, it's really not a hard thing. All they have to do if they're going that direction anyway is reach out to me."

The project takes all types of books, including all genres of adult books, picture books, chapter books and books for young adults.

The average American reading level is between sixth and eighth grade. The average inmate's reading level is between fourth and fifth grade.

Books and monetary donations can be made through Hays First United Methodist Church, 305 W. Seventh St., Hays. If sending a check,&nbsp; make checks payable to the church and put Liberate Books Project in the memo line.&nbsp;

"This really helps. People may think 'I'm only giving books. This is not that hard for me," Broman Miller said. "In fact, it's good for me because I'm cleaning out grandma's closet. Grandma died and I need to take these books somewhere. It's actually a huge blessing for the people who are receiving them.&nbsp;

"... your small donation of books or finances makes such a huge impact on these people."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677703476045.jpeg" alt="Hays United Methodist Church Pastor Troy Miller (left) and his wife FHSU Assistant Professor Sarah Broman Miller (middle) with donated books for Kansas inmates as part of the Liberate Books Project. Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Hays United Methodist Church Pastor Troy Miller (left) and his wife FHSU Assistant Professor Sarah Broman Miller (middle) with donated books for Kansas inmates as part of the Liberate Books Project. Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostImagine being locked in a cell 24 hours, seven days a week with nothing to do but look at four dingy walls and think about the mistakes you've made in your life.Fort Hays State University Professor Sarah Broman Miller saw this pain in a former inmate who became a friend. The woman, who was incarcerated in the Ellis County Jail, said she longed to have a book to read while she was in jail, but none were available.&nbsp;"She had no books to read. She had nothing to do. She really felt helpless," Broman Miller said. "She said she thought if she had a book, just something to keep her mind occupied and maybe some self-help books or something to get her out of this depression she was in, that would have really been a benefit to her."Broman Miller and her husband, Pastor Troy Miller of Hays United Methodist Church, created the Liberate Books Project in 2019. The project distributes books to jails and prisons across the state of Kansas.Broman Miller estimated in the few years that the program has been active, the project has delivered about 11,000 books.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677703777942.jpeg" alt="Troy Miller and Sarah Broman Miller deliver books to a detention facility as part of the Liberate Books Project. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Troy Miller and Sarah Broman Miller deliver books to a detention facility as part of the Liberate Books Project. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The program recently partnered with the Micah 6:8 project through the Hays First United Methodist Church so it can enjoy non-profit status and expand its services."I feel a responsibility, almost a moral obligation, to take care of people who maybe don't get help and who maybe don't get that kind of attention or love from others," Broman Miller said.She said she is motivated to keep taking books to show people they are cared about, thought about and they are loved.&nbsp;"... I think one of the biggest things we can do for humanity is just care for other people and especially people in our own state and who are having these problems," she said.&nbsp;The project came as an offshoot of another program Broman Miller, who teaches teacher education, was working on with fellow FHSU Associate Professor in criminal justice April Terry.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677704109958.jpeg" alt="Sarah Broman Miller and her husband, Troy, load up their own vehicle, sometimes with hundreds of books to deliver to prisons and jails in the state. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Sarah Broman Miller and her husband, Troy, load up their own vehicle, sometimes with hundreds of books to deliver to prisons and jails in the state. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Broman Miller and Terry take both education and criminal justice students to the Topeka Correctional Facility where they work with female inmates on a literacy project.&nbsp;The students help inmates record themselves reading a children's book for their children or grandchildren. The program sends the recordings, the books and stuffed animals to the children. This program is ongoing.As an afterthought, Broman Miller suggested the students take books to the prison to replenish the prison's library. Broman Miller sponsored a book drive for the prison."The support that came from the community was incredible," Broman Miller said. "It was like someone turned on a fire hose."Broman Miller received so many books they took up a whole classroom at Hays First United Methodist Church.Out of that outpouring of love, as Broman Miller described it, came the Liberate Books Project, which sends books to county jails across the state."What I found out is that a lot of county jails do not have libraries," she said.Although the program that sparked the Liberate Book Project was exclusively for women, the book project offers reading material to all inmates.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677704151920.jpeg" alt="Sarah Broman Miller delivering books to a detention facility. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Sarah Broman Miller delivering books to a detention facility. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Jail staff members are often surprised the program is offering the books for free, Broman Miller said.Broman Miller's brother-in-law used to be a jailer in Johnson County. He started helping the Millers deliver books to the two jail facilities there. After he started to deliver books, he could walk the cell blocks and hear inmates talking about their favorite authors.The program promotes literacy, but Broman Miller said it is also a comfort for the inmates, many of whom may be dealing with trauma or addiction."They are at the lowest part of their lives," Broman Miller said. "To have something there that says you're not alone.&nbsp; This book when you read is going to take you somewhere else other than your current state."The project offers self-help books, which she said many of the inmates appreciate."If you are in a cell by yourself with nothing else to do but spend time thinking about your life, what a better place to have a book," she said.&nbsp;"I think it really does encourage people to become readers."Broman Miller has delivered books to the state correction facility in Stockton, where the inmates helped unload the books.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677704187658.jpeg" alt="The Liberate Books Project accepts donated books. The outpouring of gifts to the program has been so strong, the project had to take over a classroom at Hays First United Methodist Church to store all the books. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>The Liberate Books Project accepts donated books. The outpouring of gifts to the program has been so strong, the project had to take over a classroom at Hays First United Methodist Church to store all the books. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>"Seeing their faces, it was like a kid in a candy store. They were so excited to get the books. It has really helped to build their library," she said.The couple has been loading down their personal vehicle and paying out of their own pocket for gas to take these books to the county jails and prisons.The Northwest Kansas Library System recently donated books they were releasing out of their book talk collection. The couple recently took two carloads of these books to Norton."One time, there were so many books, I could barely fit my purse in the car," she said.Although many people have expressed interest in donating monetarily to the project, until the Liberate Books merged into the Micah 6:8 social justice charity under the Hays First United Methodist Church, it did not have non-profit status."[Micah 6:8] focuses on social issues and these can be illiteracy, incarceration, poverty, food scarcity. We plan to address those types of things that are happening right here in our own community," she said.&nbsp;This new status will allow the project to take donations that will be used to help with the expenses of getting books to the jails as well as ordering books that are specifically requested by inmates, Broman Miller said.Prior to the non-profit designation, the Millers were paying for ordering books out of their pocket.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677704323085.jpeg" alt="The Liberate Books Project is accepting books and monetary donations. All types of books are needed, including adult and young adult books. See more on how to donate below. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>The Liberate Books Project is accepting books and monetary donations. All types of books are needed, including adult and young adult books. See more on how to donate below. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>How you can help</h2>In addition to book and monetary donations, the Liberate Books Project is also looking for volunteers to deliver books.This could be individuals or groups. Broman Miller said you don't have to make a special trip. If you have plans to visit another community, you just have to be willing to take a load of books with you to that county's jail.Broman Miller has the contacts and will make the arrangements for the delivery and make sure the books are loaded into the volunteer's vehicle in Hays."It would be genius. I already have the books. That person is already going," she said.If you are interested in delivering books, you can email Broman Miller at sebmiller@fhsu.edu."It's a really fun and good service project," Broman Miller said. "I really hope the community would like to get involved. For them, it's really not a hard thing. All they have to do if they're going that direction anyway is reach out to me."The project takes all types of books, including all genres of adult books, picture books, chapter books and books for young adults.The average American reading level is between sixth and eighth grade. The average inmate's reading level is between fourth and fifth grade.Books and monetary donations can be made through Hays First United Methodist Church, 305 W. Seventh St., Hays. If sending a check,&nbsp; make checks payable to the church and put Liberate Books Project in the memo line.&nbsp;"This really helps. People may think 'I'm only giving books. This is not that hard for me," Broman Miller said. "In fact, it's good for me because I'm cleaning out grandma's closet. Grandma died and I need to take these books somewhere. It's actually a huge blessing for the people who are receiving them.&nbsp;"... your small donation of books or finances makes such a huge impact on these people."

Hays-based Liberate Books Project provides books to inmates across Kansas

The Child Care Task Force of Ellis County is exploring options to create a food service system for child care homes and centers in Ellis County.

A subcommittee met Thursday night that brought together food service and child care providers.

Ellis County has eight child care centers and 75 registered in-home child care providers who, in total, care for about 2,200 children with more children on waiting lists.

The Sunshine Connections food program is a locally-based and federally-funded food program that provides reimbursement for food costs for in-home child care providers.&nbsp;

The providers have to prepare the food themselves for the children.

Tory Ruder, an in-home provider, said the program has nutritional requirements as well as restricts certain processed foods from being served.

Because of regulations and paperwork, some providers do not participate in the program, although Ruder said she does use the program.

A central food provider or providers could decrease food costs through bulk purchasing, save providers time in shopping and preparing food, save space for storing food, reduce paperwork for providers and ensure children are served balanced meals.

The group discussed the possibility of offering breakfast, lunch and snack daily. Food would likely be delivered once a day, but it was unclear if that would be in the morning and would need to be reheated or at lunchtime.

Brett Schmidt, Learning Cross Child Care owner, said Learning Cross currently only provides lunch with parents providing snacks. He said he would be interested in offering breakfast if this service was offered.

Food service providers said set menus and headcounts are important in food service contracts.

Ruder asked if there would be the possibility of opting out of a meal or day.

Philip Kuhn, owner of The Press, said food has to be ordered in advance and inconsistent food orders make it harder for a food service provider to order food, maintain staff and pay for other fixed expenses, such as utilities.&nbsp;

Kuhn, who already has food service contracts, said he has provisions in his menus for special diets, such as lactose intolerance and common allergies.

Schmidt said most child care providers would need food delivery because of staffing issues.&nbsp;

Sarah Wasinger, Hays Chamber director and group facilitator, said she hoped to draw on a volunteer base to deliver food.

Wasinger said she also hopes to write grant requests to help pay for the start-up costs of the food service program, especially for those costs associated with delivery.

The food service providers said all of the food would have to be delivered in hot boxes. Health regulations also require temperatures to be checked before food is sent and once it arrives at a facility.&nbsp;

Jessica Younker, Hays USD 489 food service director, serves family-style food to Westside school and Early Childhood Connections and just those two facilities require many serving containers that have to be washed and delivered back to the kitchen each day.

Wasinger said the new food system may involve multiple food service providers. She said those providers would likely be selected through a bidding process.

Costs to providers to participate in the program have not been set yet.

However, Kuhn said as a provider he would have to take into several factors when deciding that cost and if he as a business owner would participate. Some of these include the complexity of the program. Would he be asked to just cook food or deliver food or handle logistics or even paperwork associated with state or federal food programs?

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677809366384.jpg" alt="Photo courtesy of Pixabay." />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Pixabay.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Child Care Task Force of Ellis County is exploring options to create a food service system for child care homes and centers in Ellis County.A subcommittee met Thursday night that brought together food service and child care providers.Ellis County has eight child care centers and 75 registered in-home child care providers who, in total, care for about 2,200 children with more children on waiting lists.The Sunshine Connections food program is a locally-based and federally-funded food program that provides reimbursement for food costs for in-home child care providers.&nbsp;The providers have to prepare the food themselves for the children.Tory Ruder, an in-home provider, said the program has nutritional requirements as well as restricts certain processed foods from being served.Because of regulations and paperwork, some providers do not participate in the program, although Ruder said she does use the program.A central food provider or providers could decrease food costs through bulk purchasing, save providers time in shopping and preparing food, save space for storing food, reduce paperwork for providers and ensure children are served balanced meals.The group discussed the possibility of offering breakfast, lunch and snack daily. Food would likely be delivered once a day, but it was unclear if that would be in the morning and would need to be reheated or at lunchtime.Brett Schmidt, Learning Cross Child Care owner, said Learning Cross currently only provides lunch with parents providing snacks. He said he would be interested in offering breakfast if this service was offered.Food service providers said set menus and headcounts are important in food service contracts.Ruder asked if there would be the possibility of opting out of a meal or day.Philip Kuhn, owner of The Press, said food has to be ordered in advance and inconsistent food orders make it harder for a food service provider to order food, maintain staff and pay for other fixed expenses, such as utilities.&nbsp;Kuhn, who already has food service contracts, said he has provisions in his menus for special diets, such as lactose intolerance and common allergies.Schmidt said most child care providers would need food delivery because of staffing issues.&nbsp;Sarah Wasinger, Hays Chamber director and group facilitator, said she hoped to draw on a volunteer base to deliver food.Wasinger said she also hopes to write grant requests to help pay for the start-up costs of the food service program, especially for those costs associated with delivery.The food service providers said all of the food would have to be delivered in hot boxes. Health regulations also require temperatures to be checked before food is sent and once it arrives at a facility.&nbsp;Jessica Younker, Hays USD 489 food service director, serves family-style food to Westside school and Early Childhood Connections and just those two facilities require many serving containers that have to be washed and delivered back to the kitchen each day.Wasinger said the new food system may involve multiple food service providers. She said those providers would likely be selected through a bidding process.Costs to providers to participate in the program have not been set yet.However, Kuhn said as a provider he would have to take into several factors when deciding that cost and if he as a business owner would participate. Some of these include the complexity of the program. Would he be asked to just cook food or deliver food or handle logistics or even paperwork associated with state or federal food programs?Wasinger said the next step will be to send a survey to in-home providers to see how much they are paying for food and what their interest may be in a food program.