By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

A dragon is now bursting from the side of the Sake2Me building, 803 Fort thanks to local artist Matt Miller.

The mural is part of the <a href="https://www.downtownhays.com/brushthebricks">Brush the Bricks</a> downtown Hays art project. This is the second mural Miller has done in the series.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/d8987c98-30c5-4304-8b88-cabf4ef0efb4">RELATED STORY: Mural in works at Golden Q in Hays; more planned for this summer</a> <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/274e05fe-f437-4c8a-95f7-2d33bdfb4c44">RELATED STORY: Individuals with disabilities featured in Arc mur</a>al <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/6bb3bfe4-ed00-43eb-87ed-eee70888ac9a">RELATED STORY: Downtown Hays mural depicts people, landscape early Hays</a> <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c249f967-7e8d-4a80-897e-25bccb78992e">RELATED STORY: Brush the Bricks mural project launches in downtown Hays</a>

The mural depicts a dragon and tiger across 54 feet, 2 inches of the north side of the Sake2Me building. The mural is about 9 feet tall.

Although Sake2Me is a Japanese sushi restaurant, Miller said he hoped the mural could symbolize the connection between China and Hays through both the Sister Cities program and Fort Hays State University's cross-border partnership at Zhengzhou Sias University&nbsp;and&nbsp;Shenyang Normal University in China.

Both the tiger and mythical dragon are ancient symbols in Asian culture. Both are depicted in the Chinese zodiac, with this year being the year of the tiger.

The tiger and dragon also have been linked in Chinese mythology as parts of the Yin and Yang. With the tiger being a symbol of land and earthbound and the dragon being a symbol of water, rain and heaven.

"There are stories about them going back and forth and fighting and then they decide ... based on that idea of Yin and Yang ... they find balance," Miller said.

Miller depicts the dragon swimming through frothy waves through most of the length of the mural and the tiger stalking on land at the west end of the mural.

The dragon is based on a collection of different images Miller came across in his research, but he based the coloring of the dragon head on the ring-necked peasant, which also originated in China.

The mural came together fairly quickly. The painting phase only took about two weeks. Miller was putting the finishing touches on the mural Thursday.

However, Miller said not only were the dimensions of the mural daunting, but the texture of the wall was a challenge.

The wall is primarily rough cement brick. The porous brick tended to soak up the paint and slightly distort the image, depending on the light. 

The hot conditions also took a toll and meant he struggled with the paint drying quickly.

Miller noted once the dragon began to take shape, the rough texture of the bricks took on an almost scaly appearance that was apropos for the dragon's body.

As with many murals, Miller said the viewer's perception of the painting often changes with the light and how far away the viewer is standing from the mural.

Miller's next mural project will be in Stockton. He plans to start the project next week. It will be based on an old-fashioned postcard and will depict images of sites and symbols that are important in Rooks County. 

The mural, which will be about 675 square feet, will be on the wall of a building at the corner of U.S. 24 and U.S. 183 as you drive into Stockton. The mural is being sponsored by the Rooks County Arts Council.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661978343286.jpeg" alt="This new Matt Miller mural, depicting a dragon and tiger, is on the side of Sake2Me in downtown Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>This new Matt Miller mural, depicting a dragon and tiger, is on the side of Sake2Me in downtown Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostA dragon is now bursting from the side of the Sake2Me building, 803 Fort thanks to local artist Matt Miller.The mural is part of the <a href="https://www.downtownhays.com/brushthebricks">Brush the Bricks</a> downtown Hays art project. This is the second mural Miller has done in the series.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/d8987c98-30c5-4304-8b88-cabf4ef0efb4">RELATED STORY: Mural in works at Golden Q in Hays; more planned for this summer</a> <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/274e05fe-f437-4c8a-95f7-2d33bdfb4c44">RELATED STORY: Individuals with disabilities featured in Arc mur</a>al <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/6bb3bfe4-ed00-43eb-87ed-eee70888ac9a">RELATED STORY: Downtown Hays mural depicts people, landscape early Hays</a> <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c249f967-7e8d-4a80-897e-25bccb78992e">RELATED STORY: Brush the Bricks mural project launches in downtown Hays</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661980544261.jpeg" alt="Artist Matt Miller of Hays was putting the finishing touches on this tiger Wednesday. The tiger is part of a mural on the side of Sake2Me in Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>Artist Matt Miller of Hays was putting the finishing touches on this tiger Wednesday. The tiger is part of a mural on the side of Sake2Me in Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>The mural depicts a dragon and tiger across 54 feet, 2 inches of the north side of the Sake2Me building. The mural is about 9 feet tall. Although Sake2Me is a Japanese sushi restaurant, Miller said he hoped the mural could symbolize the connection between China and Hays through both the Sister Cities program and Fort Hays State University's cross-border partnership at Zhengzhou Sias University&nbsp;and&nbsp;Shenyang Normal University in China. Both the tiger and mythical dragon are ancient symbols in Asian culture. Both are depicted in the Chinese zodiac, with this year being the year of the tiger.The tiger and dragon also have been linked in Chinese mythology as parts of the Yin and Yang. With the tiger being a symbol of land and earthbound and the dragon being a symbol of water, rain and heaven."There are stories about them going back and forth and fighting and then they decide ... based on that idea of Yin and Yang ... they find balance," Miller said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661981563256.jpeg" alt="Matt Miller's new mural on the north side of Sake2Me in Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Matt Miller's new mural on the north side of Sake2Me in Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Miller depicts the dragon swimming through frothy waves through most of the length of the mural and the tiger stalking on land at the west end of the mural.The dragon is based on a collection of different images Miller came across in his research, but he based the coloring of the dragon head on the ring-necked peasant, which also originated in China.The mural came together fairly quickly. The painting phase only took about two weeks. Miller was putting the finishing touches on the mural Thursday. However, Miller said not only were the dimensions of the mural daunting, but the texture of the wall was a challenge.The wall is primarily rough cement brick. The porous brick tended to soak up the paint and slightly distort the image, depending on the light. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661982282388.jpeg" alt="Artist Matt Miller with Sake2Me head chef Cesar Vargas in front of Miller's latest mural. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>Artist Matt Miller with Sake2Me head chef Cesar Vargas in front of Miller's latest mural. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>The hot conditions also took a toll and meant he struggled with the paint drying quickly. Miller noted once the dragon began to take shape, the rough texture of the bricks took on an almost scaly appearance that was apropos for the dragon's body.As with many murals, Miller said the viewer's perception of the painting often changes with the light and how far away the viewer is standing from the mural.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661978718082.jpeg" alt="A rendering of what Matt Miller's next mural will look like. He plans to start the mural next week in Stockton. Courtesy image. " />
 <figcaption>A rendering of what Matt Miller's next mural will look like. He plans to start the mural next week in Stockton. Courtesy image. </figcaption>
 </figure>Miller's next mural project will be in Stockton. He plans to start the project next week. It will be based on an old-fashioned postcard and will depict images of sites and symbols that are important in Rooks County. The mural, which will be about 675 square feet, will be on the wall of a building at the corner of U.S. 24 and U.S. 183 as you drive into Stockton. The mural is being sponsored by the Rooks County Arts Council.

Sake2Me mural emphasizes China, Hays connection

Due to the observance of the Labor Day, the city of Hays refuse/recycling route collection schedules will be altered as 
follows: 

Monday and Tuesday routes will 
be picked up on Tuesday.

There is no anticipated change to Wednesday, Thursday or Friday collection schedules.

Although
 collections may not occur on your normal day, collections will be 
completed during the week. It is anticipated that heavy volumes of 
refuse/recycling will be encountered around the holidays. Make 
sure your refuse and recycling are out by 7 a.m., and keep in mind that
 the trucks have no set time schedule.

For more information, call (785) 628-7350.

Due to the observance of the Labor Day, the city of Hays refuse/recycling route collection schedules will be altered as 
follows: Monday and Tuesday routes will 
be picked up on Tuesday.There is no anticipated change to Wednesday, Thursday or Friday collection schedules.Although
 collections may not occur on your normal day, collections will be 
completed during the week. It is anticipated that heavy volumes of 
refuse/recycling will be encountered around the holidays. Make 
sure your refuse and recycling are out by 7 a.m., and keep in mind that
 the trucks have no set time schedule.For more information, call (785) 628-7350.— City of Hays

City of Hays changes trash routes for Labor Day

🎥 Green & Growing: Warm season grass

SMITH COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Smith County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Vincent R. White, 31, Marquette, Nebraska, was southbound on U.S. 281 ten miles north of U.S. 36.

The driver lost control of the motorcycle. It rolled and came to rest in the east ditch.

EMS transported White to the Smith County Hospital. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

SMITH COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Smith County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Vincent R. White, 31, Marquette, Nebraska, was southbound on U.S. 281 ten miles north of U.S. 36.The driver lost control of the motorcycle. It rolled and came to rest in the east ditch.EMS transported White to the Smith County Hospital. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

Man hospitalized after NW Kan. motorcycle accident

Abortion is on the November ballot in Kansas, at least indirectly. Our judicial and gubernatorial elections are critical for determining whether Kansas moves toward banning abortion long term.&nbsp;

But most Kansas voters are pro-choice and just rejected an anti-abortion constitutional amendment. Didn’t that settle the issue?&nbsp;

Let’s say that your goal is banning abortion in Kansas. Maybe you support Kansas House Bill 2486 that would have banned abortion except in limited circumstances, with no exception for rape, incest, or many threats to women’s life or health. How do you get that ban into law?&nbsp;

Strategy one: Constitutional amendment.&nbsp;

This was the amendment that just failed. It would have reversed the Kansas Supreme Court&nbsp;Hodes&nbsp;ruling on abortion access, allowing Kansas legislators to then ban abortion.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kansans voted in huge numbers against that amendment, but many conservative activists are struggling to accept those results. Some have alleged imaginary large-scale voter fraud. Others have delegitimized the vote, saying that Kansans were “fooled” or “misled.” Others have said they will just find another way to ban abortion.&nbsp;

Cue strategy two: Changing the courts.&nbsp;

If voters won’t overturn the&nbsp;Hodes&nbsp;ruling, then the Kansas Supreme Court must reverse its own decision on the case to enable banning abortion. That likely requires changing the judges on the court. How does that happen?&nbsp;

When court openings occur, a nominating commission reviews applicants on merit and presents the governor with three finalists. The governor appoints one. This helps depoliticize court politics by limiting executive power, but governors often still exercise some ideological influence over their appointments.&nbsp;

Judges must then face periodic retention votes. If voters keep a judge, they serve a six-year term. If voters oust a judge, then the governor appoints a replacement.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Six of seven judges on the Kansas Supreme Court face retention elections in November, five of whom were appointed by moderate Republican or Democratic governors. If voters oust any of these judges, then the next governor picks their replacements.&nbsp;

How can conservatives use this process to ban abortion? Step one: oust judges this November. Two: elect Republican Derek Schmidt as the next governor. Three: leverage politics to the extent possible to appoint new judges who are more anti-abortion. Four: the new judges must reverse&nbsp;Hodes. Five: the Kansas legislature then passes an abortion ban. Six: Schmidt signs that ban.&nbsp;

Obviously, it would have been easier for conservatives if Kansans had passed the abortion amendment and allowed them to skip to step five immediately, but that didn’t happen. That leaves conservatives with taking a more complicated and longer route to an abortion ban.&nbsp;

No matter your position on abortion, your bottom line is this: If you keep the Kansas Supreme Court judges, that likely protects abortion access for now. If you oust the judges, you raise the odds of an abortion ban.&nbsp;&nbsp;

And, our candidates for governor should answer tough questions about abortion, even if they prefer dodging them. Will abortion affect their judicial appointments? Would they sign an abortion ban? Do they support abortion ban exceptions for rape, incest, or the life or health of women?&nbsp;

So rather than being settled, your choices in November will absolutely affect abortion access in Kansas. Now that abortion bans are a political reality in America, don’t expect this issue and its complicated politics to disappear.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Patrick R. Miller is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575644168170.png" alt="Patrick R. Miller is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Patrick R. Miller is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Abortion is on the November ballot in Kansas, at least indirectly. Our judicial and gubernatorial elections are critical for determining whether Kansas moves toward banning abortion long term.&nbsp;But most Kansas voters are pro-choice and just rejected an anti-abortion constitutional amendment. Didn’t that settle the issue?&nbsp;No.&nbsp;Let’s say that your goal is banning abortion in Kansas. Maybe you support Kansas House Bill 2486 that would have banned abortion except in limited circumstances, with no exception for rape, incest, or many threats to women’s life or health. How do you get that ban into law?&nbsp;Strategy one: Constitutional amendment.&nbsp;This was the amendment that just failed. It would have reversed the Kansas Supreme Court&nbsp;Hodes&nbsp;ruling on abortion access, allowing Kansas legislators to then ban abortion.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Kansans voted in huge numbers against that amendment, but many conservative activists are struggling to accept those results. Some have alleged imaginary large-scale voter fraud. Others have delegitimized the vote, saying that Kansans were “fooled” or “misled.” Others have said they will just find another way to ban abortion.&nbsp;Cue strategy two: Changing the courts.&nbsp;If voters won’t overturn the&nbsp;Hodes&nbsp;ruling, then the Kansas Supreme Court must reverse its own decision on the case to enable banning abortion. That likely requires changing the judges on the court. How does that happen?&nbsp;When court openings occur, a nominating commission reviews applicants on merit and presents the governor with three finalists. The governor appoints one. This helps depoliticize court politics by limiting executive power, but governors often still exercise some ideological influence over their appointments.&nbsp;Judges must then face periodic retention votes. If voters keep a judge, they serve a six-year term. If voters oust a judge, then the governor appoints a replacement.&nbsp;&nbsp;Six of seven judges on the Kansas Supreme Court face retention elections in November, five of whom were appointed by moderate Republican or Democratic governors. If voters oust any of these judges, then the next governor picks their replacements.&nbsp;How can conservatives use this process to ban abortion? Step one: oust judges this November. Two: elect Republican Derek Schmidt as the next governor. Three: leverage politics to the extent possible to appoint new judges who are more anti-abortion. Four: the new judges must reverse&nbsp;Hodes. Five: the Kansas legislature then passes an abortion ban. Six: Schmidt signs that ban.&nbsp;Obviously, it would have been easier for conservatives if Kansans had passed the abortion amendment and allowed them to skip to step five immediately, but that didn’t happen. That leaves conservatives with taking a more complicated and longer route to an abortion ban.&nbsp;No matter your position on abortion, your bottom line is this: If you keep the Kansas Supreme Court judges, that likely protects abortion access for now. If you oust the judges, you raise the odds of an abortion ban.&nbsp;&nbsp;And, our candidates for governor should answer tough questions about abortion, even if they prefer dodging them. Will abortion affect their judicial appointments? Would they sign an abortion ban? Do they support abortion ban exceptions for rape, incest, or the life or health of women?&nbsp;So rather than being settled, your choices in November will absolutely affect abortion access in Kansas. Now that abortion bans are a political reality in America, don’t expect this issue and its complicated politics to disappear.&nbsp;&nbsp;Patrick R. Miller is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.&nbsp;

INSIGHT KANSAS: Abortion back on the ballot in November 

<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/2022/9/1662138400613.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

At the confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas Rivers in downtown Wichita stands a magnificent sculpture honoring the native American history of Kansas. This iconic sculpture is known as the Keeper of the Plains. It was created by a Wichita artist of Comanche and Kiowa descent, who had a remarkable career in the arts.&nbsp;

Blackbear Bosin is the artist who created this remarkable work. Much of the following information comes from the bookBlackbear Bosin: Keeper of the Indian Spirit, by Bosin’s stepson, David Simmonds.&nbsp;

Blackbear Bosin was born in Oklahoma in 1921 to a Kiowa father and Comanche mother. His native name, which belonged to his paternal grandfather (a Kiowa chief), means Blackbear in English.&nbsp;

Young Blackbear Bosin attended a mission school in Oklahoma where he studied the collection of Kiowa and European art objects and dabbled in painting. He went on to the&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilocco_Indian_Agricultural_School">Chilocco Indian Agricultural School</a>&nbsp;where he trained to work with sheet metal and then moved to Wichita with his wife. During World War II, he enlisted in the Marines.&nbsp;

In 1943, he fell ill and was hospitalized at the naval hospital in Hawaii. There, he took up painting again. His art was so well regarded that the hospital hosted a one-man exhibition of his works before his discharge in 1945.&nbsp;

Having regained his health, he returned to Wichita where he became an industrial designer and product illustrator for Boeing. He later worked in the training aids and arts department at McConnell Air Force Base. Meanwhile, he was building his career as an artist.&nbsp;

In 1946, he entered a painting, called&nbsp;Green Corn Dance,&nbsp;in the Philbrook Art Institute’s first Indian Artists Annual competition and earned his first award.&nbsp;

From 1947-50, his work was on exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, Detroit Institute of Arts, Smithsonian Institution and more. In 1953, he produced&nbsp;Prairie Fire, which would win first place from the Philbrook and was featured in the May 1955 National Geographic. This painting was said to bring him international recognition.&nbsp;

In 1959, Bosin opened the Great Plains Studio in Wichita. In 1960, he won the Grand Prize at the All-Indian Show in New York. The following year he travelled to Switzerland to receive honors after he was elected a Fellow of the International Institution of Arts and Letters.&nbsp;

Bosin was the only Native American artist to participate in the 1965 White House Festival of the Arts. After winning the Victory Trophy from the Philbrook in 1967, he chose to stop entering art competitions because he felt it was time for younger artists to gain recognition.&nbsp;

His creative work continued. He designed the logos for the Mid-America Indian Center in Wichita and the Wolf Creek nuclear power plant which is located near the rural community of Burlington, population 2,764 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;

In 1969, one of Bosin’s friends at the Kansas Gas &amp; Electric Company asked if he would design a large-scale statue as tribute to the Indigenous peoples in the Wichita area.&nbsp;&nbsp;Bosin agreed. It became the iconic structure known as Keeper of the Plains, placed near the rivers in downtown Wichita.&nbsp;

A City of Wichita website describes it as a sculpture “with hands raised in supplication to the Great Spirit.” After a restoration and river beautification project, the five-ton, 44 foot tall sculpture now stands elevated on a 30-foot rock promontory, surrounded by a plaza which describes the Plains Indian way of life.&nbsp;

Bosin was commissioned to create ten designs for the Franklin Mint for a series of sterling silver medals about Native American history.&nbsp;The coins depicted various historical events with one side of the coin featuring the “traditional view” and the other side of the coin featuring the “Indian interpretation” of those events. In 1977, the state of Kansas awarded Bosin the Distinguished Service Award.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Blackbear Bosin passed away in 1980, but his magnificent sculpture still stands on what is considered sacred ground in Wichita. We commend this Kansan for making a difference with creativity in art. Like the Keeper of the Plains statue itself, the impact of Blackbear Bosin stands tall.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661954898293.png" alt="Courtesy Huck Boyd National Institute" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Huck Boyd National Institute</figcaption>
 </figure>BY RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural DevelopmentAt the confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas Rivers in downtown Wichita stands a magnificent sculpture honoring the native American history of Kansas. This iconic sculpture is known as the Keeper of the Plains. It was created by a Wichita artist of Comanche and Kiowa descent, who had a remarkable career in the arts.&nbsp;Blackbear Bosin is the artist who created this remarkable work. Much of the following information comes from the bookBlackbear Bosin: Keeper of the Indian Spirit, by Bosin’s stepson, David Simmonds.&nbsp;Blackbear Bosin was born in Oklahoma in 1921 to a Kiowa father and Comanche mother. His native name, which belonged to his paternal grandfather (a Kiowa chief), means Blackbear in English.&nbsp;Young Blackbear Bosin attended a mission school in Oklahoma where he studied the collection of Kiowa and European art objects and dabbled in painting. He went on to the&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilocco_Indian_Agricultural_School">Chilocco Indian Agricultural School</a>&nbsp;where he trained to work with sheet metal and then moved to Wichita with his wife. During World War II, he enlisted in the Marines.&nbsp;In 1943, he fell ill and was hospitalized at the naval hospital in Hawaii. There, he took up painting again. His art was so well regarded that the hospital hosted a one-man exhibition of his works before his discharge in 1945.&nbsp;Having regained his health, he returned to Wichita where he became an industrial designer and product illustrator for Boeing. He later worked in the training aids and arts department at McConnell Air Force Base. Meanwhile, he was building his career as an artist.&nbsp;In 1946, he entered a painting, called&nbsp;Green Corn Dance,&nbsp;in the Philbrook Art Institute’s first Indian Artists Annual competition and earned his first award.&nbsp;From 1947-50, his work was on exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, Detroit Institute of Arts, Smithsonian Institution and more. In 1953, he produced&nbsp;Prairie Fire, which would win first place from the Philbrook and was featured in the May 1955 National Geographic. This painting was said to bring him international recognition.&nbsp;In 1959, Bosin opened the Great Plains Studio in Wichita. In 1960, he won the Grand Prize at the All-Indian Show in New York. The following year he travelled to Switzerland to receive honors after he was elected a Fellow of the International Institution of Arts and Letters.&nbsp;Bosin was the only Native American artist to participate in the 1965 White House Festival of the Arts. After winning the Victory Trophy from the Philbrook in 1967, he chose to stop entering art competitions because he felt it was time for younger artists to gain recognition.&nbsp;His creative work continued. He designed the logos for the Mid-America Indian Center in Wichita and the Wolf Creek nuclear power plant which is located near the rural community of Burlington, population 2,764 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;In 1969, one of Bosin’s friends at the Kansas Gas &amp; Electric Company asked if he would design a large-scale statue as tribute to the Indigenous peoples in the Wichita area.&nbsp;&nbsp;Bosin agreed. It became the iconic structure known as Keeper of the Plains, placed near the rivers in downtown Wichita.&nbsp;A City of Wichita website describes it as a sculpture “with hands raised in supplication to the Great Spirit.” After a restoration and river beautification project, the five-ton, 44 foot tall sculpture now stands elevated on a 30-foot rock promontory, surrounded by a plaza which describes the Plains Indian way of life.&nbsp;Bosin was commissioned to create ten designs for the Franklin Mint for a series of sterling silver medals about Native American history.&nbsp;The coins depicted various historical events with one side of the coin featuring the “traditional view” and the other side of the coin featuring the “Indian interpretation” of those events. In 1977, the state of Kansas awarded Bosin the Distinguished Service Award.&nbsp;&nbsp;Blackbear Bosin passed away in 1980, but his magnificent sculpture still stands on what is considered sacred ground in Wichita. We commend this Kansan for making a difference with creativity in art. Like the Keeper of the Plains statue itself, the impact of Blackbear Bosin stands tall.&nbsp;

Now That’s Rural: Blackbear Bosin, artist 

On this episode of the Post Podcast Heartland Community Foundation executive director Sarah Meitner stops by to share updates from the foundation.

<a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.</a>

On this episode of the Post Podcast Heartland Community Foundation executive director Sarah Meitner stops by to share updates from the foundation. <div><iframe title="Heartland Community Foundation establishes new funds" 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=vrx75-12b3e2f-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><a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">For more about the Post Podcast, including a full list of episodes and episode transcripts click here.</a>

🎙Post Podcast: Heartland Community Foundation establishes new funds

The Hays Chamber is beginning one of its largest projects of the year, compiling next year’s Community Guide.

The annual product helps keep the community connected, and even as area residents frequently go online to find area businesses and events, it remains a popular product.

“It is a tool circulated 12,000 different times every year, at least in hardcopy form,” said Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger.

This year’s guide will include the standard listings but will also incorporate some new features.

“There's pretty much anything you can think of in there,” said Mariah Legleiter, Hays Chamber vice president of marketing and communications. “We have several things going into it this year, including a couple new things. We call out specific businesses like hotels, motels, and lodging options and restaurants. We have a section in there for senior living accommodations and grocery stores and transportation options.”

This year's edition will also feature a special events spread that will showcase area providers for weddings, baby showers, anniversary parties, family reunions or any event with a big group of people.

“It's places that you can go to have catering, a space for everyone to meet flowers, linens, decorations, DJ services, and music,” Legleiter said. “I mean, really, it's just anything that you would need to plan a party. You can go to that spread and find our members that do that.”

Wasinger said the chamber frequently receives those types of business inquiries.

“And so, we love being able to showcase our members in that regard, but just in general,” she said.

For new residents or those looking for a local provider for an item or service, the guide can fill that need.

“It's a piece that means different things to different people,” Wasinger said. "So our good friends at the Hays Convention and Visitor's Bureau, whenever they're doing a welcome packet for a convention that's in town, they're actually including that piece in there. When we have our ag appreciation or education appreciation events, or our annual chamber banquet, whenever we have those events, we also put that publication.”

It also helps showcase the services offered in Hays and Ellis County in one location that serves as a marketing tool for the area.

“We frequently have our businesses reach out to us saying, ‘Hey, we've got a couple of people that were interviewing this next week, would we be able to get some welcome packets to showcase all the different things that are available, so they can feel comfortable with the community as well as the business that they're looking at going to for work,’” Wasinger said.

As the chamber wraps the production work for next year’s guide, Legleiter said ads must be received by Nov. 21 as production commences.

“I am quickly putting things together and kind of coming up with the layout,” she said. “And right now, I'm in the very beginning stages of getting it off the ground and going for this for 2023.”

She said for those needing ad design help, the chamber could assist as well.

“If folks need help designing their ad space, Mariah is equipped to do that,” Wasinger said. “And it's OK to use the same ad from one year to the next. It doesn't have to be something new.”

For those advertisers and members in the guide and for the community that uses it, Wasinger said the final product highlights the area.

“What I love is it really showcases the depth and breadth of our county,” Wasinger said. “You can look at different options, whether it's shopping, arts. We have a quality-of-life section that showcases why Hays and Ellis County are such great places to live, work and play.”

For more information about the Hays Chamber’s Community Guide, visit hayschamber.com.

<div><iframe title="Work begins on the 2023 Hays Chamber Community Guide" 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=9cjik-12afa2d-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 PostThe Hays Chamber is beginning one of its largest projects of the year, compiling next year’s Community Guide.The annual product helps keep the community connected, and even as area residents frequently go online to find area businesses and events, it remains a popular product.“It is a tool circulated 12,000 different times every year, at least in hardcopy form,” said Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger.This year’s guide will include the standard listings but will also incorporate some new features.“There's pretty much anything you can think of in there,” said Mariah Legleiter, Hays Chamber vice president of marketing and communications. “We have several things going into it this year, including a couple new things. We call out specific businesses like hotels, motels, and lodging options and restaurants. We have a section in there for senior living accommodations and grocery stores and transportation options.”This year's edition will also feature a special events spread that will showcase area providers for weddings, baby showers, anniversary parties, family reunions or any event with a big group of people.“It's places that you can go to have catering, a space for everyone to meet flowers, linens, decorations, DJ services, and music,” Legleiter said. “I mean, really, it's just anything that you would need to plan a party. You can go to that spread and find our members that do that.”Wasinger said the chamber frequently receives those types of business inquiries.“And so, we love being able to showcase our members in that regard, but just in general,” she said.For new residents or those looking for a local provider for an item or service, the guide can fill that need.“It's a piece that means different things to different people,” Wasinger said. "So our good friends at the Hays Convention and Visitor's Bureau, whenever they're doing a welcome packet for a convention that's in town, they're actually including that piece in there. When we have our ag appreciation or education appreciation events, or our annual chamber banquet, whenever we have those events, we also put that publication.”It also helps showcase the services offered in Hays and Ellis County in one location that serves as a marketing tool for the area.“We frequently have our businesses reach out to us saying, ‘Hey, we've got a couple of people that were interviewing this next week, would we be able to get some welcome packets to showcase all the different things that are available, so they can feel comfortable with the community as well as the business that they're looking at going to for work,’” Wasinger said.As the chamber wraps the production work for next year’s guide, Legleiter said ads must be received by Nov. 21 as production commences.“I am quickly putting things together and kind of coming up with the layout,” she said. “And right now, I'm in the very beginning stages of getting it off the ground and going for this for 2023.”She said for those needing ad design help, the chamber could assist as well.“If folks need help designing their ad space, Mariah is equipped to do that,” Wasinger said. “And it's OK to use the same ad from one year to the next. It doesn't have to be something new.”For those advertisers and members in the guide and for the community that uses it, Wasinger said the final product highlights the area.“What I love is it really showcases the depth and breadth of our county,” Wasinger said. “You can look at different options, whether it's shopping, arts. We have a quality-of-life section that showcases why Hays and Ellis County are such great places to live, work and play.”For more information about the Hays Chamber’s Community Guide, visit hayschamber.com.

🎙 Work begins on 2023 Hays Chamber Community Guide

By MIKE COURSON <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>

A space-themed
 weekend is coming up Sept. 10 in Larned. That Saturday, the Santa Fe 
Trail Center and Fort Larned National Historic Site will host hands-on 
and instructional events that are free to the public. The events are a 
celebration of the scientific achievements of the James Webb Telescope. 
Fort Larned Park Ranger Celeste Dixon offers a hint about the telescope.

"It
 takes pictured with infrared, which actually allows it to see past the 
dust clouds that get in the way," she said. "These dust clouds in space 
block visible light, but infrared light gets through so it can take 
pictures much further out into space and get much clearer pictures than 
Hubble can get."

The fun begins Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at the 
Santa Fe Trail Center. A "Walking the Galaxy" event outdoors will 
provide a scaled demonstration of the size of the solar system. Kids can
 build a bead bracelet and learn about the life cycles of massive stars,
 and a "Meeting the Neighbors" program will discuss neighboring planets 
and galaxies. A discussion about telescopes follows at 11 a.m.

"We're
 going to be giving a talk on, basically, the history of telescopes, 
going from the homemade telescope of Clyde Tombaugh, who grew up over by
 Burdett, and that will lead to James Webb," said Santa Fe Trail Museum 
Director Seth McFarland.

After a brief break, events resume at the
 Fort Larned National Historic Site from 1-3:30 p.m. Programming there 
will include rotating images from the Webb Telescope with a discussion 
of how it works. Hands-on activities include "packing a telescope" to 
demonstrate how Webb was launched into space, and spinning a nebulous 
using a salad spinner.

Admission is free to both events, however standard admission rates will apply for tours of the Santa Fe Trail Museum.

Fort
 Larned will also be hosting free living history before Labor Day on 
Saturday, Sept. 3. A blacksmith demonstration begins at 10 a.m., 
followed by a firearms demonstration with small arms and a Howitzer at 
11 a.m. Programs on Buffalo Soldiers, drum calls of the Civil War Era, 
and life on officer's row follow in the afternoon. Admission is free for
 all events.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661871876774.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>A space-themed
 weekend is coming up Sept. 10 in Larned. That Saturday, the Santa Fe 
Trail Center and Fort Larned National Historic Site will host hands-on 
and instructional events that are free to the public. The events are a 
celebration of the scientific achievements of the James Webb Telescope. 
Fort Larned Park Ranger Celeste Dixon offers a hint about the telescope."It
 takes pictured with infrared, which actually allows it to see past the 
dust clouds that get in the way," she said. "These dust clouds in space 
block visible light, but infrared light gets through so it can take 
pictures much further out into space and get much clearer pictures than 
Hubble can get."The fun begins Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at the 
Santa Fe Trail Center. A "Walking the Galaxy" event outdoors will 
provide a scaled demonstration of the size of the solar system. Kids can
 build a bead bracelet and learn about the life cycles of massive stars,
 and a "Meeting the Neighbors" program will discuss neighboring planets 
and galaxies. A discussion about telescopes follows at 11 a.m."We're
 going to be giving a talk on, basically, the history of telescopes, 
going from the homemade telescope of Clyde Tombaugh, who grew up over by
 Burdett, and that will lead to James Webb," said Santa Fe Trail Museum 
Director Seth McFarland.After a brief break, events resume at the
 Fort Larned National Historic Site from 1-3:30 p.m. Programming there 
will include rotating images from the Webb Telescope with a discussion 
of how it works. Hands-on activities include "packing a telescope" to 
demonstrate how Webb was launched into space, and spinning a nebulous 
using a salad spinner.Admission is free to both events, however standard admission rates will apply for tours of the Santa Fe Trail Museum.Fort
 Larned will also be hosting free living history before Labor Day on 
Saturday, Sept. 3. A blacksmith demonstration begins at 10 a.m., 
followed by a firearms demonstration with small arms and a Howitzer at 
11 a.m. Programs on Buffalo Soldiers, drum calls of the Civil War Era, 
and life on officer's row follow in the afternoon. Admission is free for
 all events.

Larned historical sites hosting free space-themed event

Last week, our K-State Research and Extension&nbsp;specialists&nbsp;shared an update with us about the work being done related to mental health&nbsp;in Kansas. A Strength and Resiliency team&nbsp;is working to train Extension Educators&nbsp;in Kansas in both Mental Health First Aid, which several of our team members have completed,&nbsp;and the QPR program. QPR stands for question, persuade, and refer and targets suicide prevention training.&nbsp;

Since September 4-10 is noted as National Suicide Prevention Week, it seems like the perfect place to provide basic information about suicide prevention and the warning signs of suicide.&nbsp;It also aims to reduce the stigma surrounding suicide and encourage the pursuit of mental health assistance because going to therapy should be as normalized as going to the gym.

Some of the things you can do this week to observe suicide prevention would be:

1) Raise awareness – One of the most helpful and effective ways we can observe Suicide Prevention Week is by raising awareness of it. We need to reduce the stigma around it so that more people can reach out for help. 2) Educate yourself – The best thing we can do is to learn more about itourselves. We need to educate ourselves and facilitate proactive prevention in our communities so that we can shatter the silence around our mental health. About a year ago, my husband John, and I started attending the Suicide Prevention Task Force meetings. We always come away from the meetings with a “Wow, I had no idea” kind of feeling. Hearing from family members who have lost loved ones to suicide is heart wrenching but in the safe space at our meetings I know it is an important part of the healing process. 3) Look out for others – Many people suffering from poor mental health do not reach out for help for fear of being judged or misunderstood. We need to look out for others and check for warning signs. Find ways to help people feel heard and understood.

Some of the warning signs of suicide&nbsp;include:

•Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose •Talking about being a burden to others •Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs •Acting anxious, agitated or reckless •Sleeping too little or too much •Withdrawing or feeling isolated.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the lifeline at 988 or text SAVE to 741741 for 24/7 anonymous, free crisis counseling.&nbsp;

Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at (620)793-1910 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141404420.png" alt="Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>Last week, our K-State Research and Extension&nbsp;specialists&nbsp;shared an update with us about the work being done related to mental health&nbsp;in Kansas. A Strength and Resiliency team&nbsp;is working to train Extension Educators&nbsp;in Kansas in both Mental Health First Aid, which several of our team members have completed,&nbsp;and the QPR program. QPR stands for question, persuade, and refer and targets suicide prevention training.&nbsp;Since September 4-10 is noted as National Suicide Prevention Week, it seems like the perfect place to provide basic information about suicide prevention and the warning signs of suicide.&nbsp;It also aims to reduce the stigma surrounding suicide and encourage the pursuit of mental health assistance because going to therapy should be as normalized as going to the gym.Some of the things you can do this week to observe suicide prevention would be:1) Raise awareness – One of the most helpful and effective ways we can observe Suicide Prevention Week is by raising awareness of it. We need to reduce the stigma around it so that more people can reach out for help. 2) Educate yourself – The best thing we can do is to learn more about itourselves. We need to educate ourselves and facilitate proactive prevention in our communities so that we can shatter the silence around our mental health. About a year ago, my husband John, and I started attending the Suicide Prevention Task Force meetings. We always come away from the meetings with a “Wow, I had no idea” kind of feeling. Hearing from family members who have lost loved ones to suicide is heart wrenching but in the safe space at our meetings I know it is an important part of the healing process. 3) Look out for others – Many people suffering from poor mental health do not reach out for help for fear of being judged or misunderstood. We need to look out for others and check for warning signs. Find ways to help people feel heard and understood.Some of the warning signs of suicide&nbsp;include:•Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose •Talking about being a burden to others •Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs •Acting anxious, agitated or reckless •Sleeping too little or too much •Withdrawing or feeling isolated.If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the lifeline at 988 or text SAVE to 741741 for 24/7 anonymous, free crisis counseling.&nbsp;Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at (620)793-1910 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

KRUG: Mental health promotion, suicide prevention

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662138367105.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>

September’s coming and so is the end of&nbsp;this year’s&nbsp;garden. This has been a landmark&nbsp;season&nbsp;for several reasons, but&nbsp;the&nbsp;main one is that this is the first Kansas garden I’ve grown in six years. NW Wyoming has such a short growing season that we focused on early season greens because that’s all&nbsp;that&nbsp;had time&nbsp;to grow&nbsp;before frost put the kibosh on&nbsp;outdoor plants.&nbsp;

Previous owners of our&nbsp;current home never&nbsp;had&nbsp;gardens&nbsp;so&nbsp;we tilled up part of the back yard&nbsp;for the first time since&nbsp;what was once&nbsp;farm&nbsp;ground&nbsp;became residential property 60 some years ago.&nbsp;Starting out,&nbsp;we knew&nbsp;anything we planted was&nbsp;an&nbsp;experiment, and we&nbsp;weren’t sure&nbsp;how&nbsp;many veggies&nbsp;we’d actually pick.&nbsp;Fortunately,&nbsp;our&nbsp;freshly tilled soil&nbsp;offered&nbsp;hope&nbsp;in the form of scads of wildly wiggling earthworms.&nbsp;They must have been good success predictors because so&nbsp;farwe’ve harvested potatoes,&nbsp;sweet corn, beans, carrots, really small onions and cantaloupe, a few jalapenos,&nbsp;4&nbsp;kinds of squash, less than a handful of&nbsp;tomatoes, and more okra than we know what to do with.&nbsp;

More&nbsp;okra&nbsp;than we expected&nbsp;surprised us&nbsp;so I investigated further&nbsp;to&nbsp;learn&nbsp;this plant came to America in the 1700s with the African slave trade, it doesn’t mind clay soil&nbsp;(bonus in our case), and&nbsp;it’s&nbsp;drought friendly. While its point of origin is disputed, folks have been cooking, eating, and documenting it since the 1200s.&nbsp;I’ve always loved its beautiful&nbsp;yellow and purple&nbsp;blossomsthat remind&nbsp;me of a hibiscus, so imagine my lack of surprise&nbsp;at&nbsp;discovering&nbsp;they&nbsp;are&nbsp;plant cousins.&nbsp;

What&nbsp;I previously knew from&nbsp;decades of growing, cooking, and eating this&nbsp;garden goody&nbsp;is that you better check it every day and&nbsp;maybe&nbsp;twice. You can&nbsp;examine a&nbsp;row in the morning and find little one-inch pods that&nbsp;resembled&nbsp;elongated,&nbsp;green&nbsp;elf hats. Come back in the early evening and those babies are now two&nbsp;+&nbsp;inches long and picking size. If you let them get bigger than three inches, you might as well pick ‘em, dry ‘em, and spray paint ‘em gold to use for craft supplies. They’re pure pithy fiber when they get&nbsp;too long.&nbsp;That said, a few&nbsp;always&nbsp;escape my search&nbsp;and end up&nbsp;bigger than my foot.

Not only do you have to keep a close eye on the length of your okra, this crop&nbsp;is like politics; it’s polarizing. Folks&nbsp;either&nbsp;love it or hate it. It’s one of my favorites&nbsp;in&nbsp;all&nbsp;its&nbsp;culinary incarnations: fried, stewed, pickled,&nbsp;and stir-fried.&nbsp;Those who hate it, dislike the fact that once cut,&nbsp;it seeps gooey mucilage. I say that goo makes cornmeal&nbsp;and flour&nbsp;stick better before I fry&nbsp;it. If you prefer&nbsp;okra&nbsp;stewed, throw in some tomatoes. The&nbsp;acid cancels out the slime&nbsp;that makes&nbsp;some diners howl. Pickled okra is best of all, especially&nbsp;when&nbsp;you toss a jalapeno and&nbsp;a&nbsp;garlic clove in the jar before you&nbsp;heat&nbsp;seal it.

It’s nearly time to put the garden to bed for winter, and I tomatoes are running in short supply. However,&nbsp;the freezer’s full of okra. During the cold months ahead,&nbsp;I’ll remember how much fun we had tending&nbsp;a new&nbsp;western Kansas garden as I watch it&nbsp;sizzle&nbsp;into golden nuggets that taste like&nbsp;summer sunshine. &nbsp;

Karen is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and
 sixth-generation Kansan. After a time away, she’s glad to be home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662147894583.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Getting to know a new garden</h2>September’s coming and so is the end of&nbsp;this year’s&nbsp;garden. This has been a landmark&nbsp;season&nbsp;for several reasons, but&nbsp;the&nbsp;main one is that this is the first Kansas garden I’ve grown in six years. NW Wyoming has such a short growing season that we focused on early season greens because that’s all&nbsp;that&nbsp;had time&nbsp;to grow&nbsp;before frost put the kibosh on&nbsp;outdoor plants.&nbsp;Previous owners of our&nbsp;current home never&nbsp;had&nbsp;gardens&nbsp;so&nbsp;we tilled up part of the back yard&nbsp;for the first time since&nbsp;what was once&nbsp;farm&nbsp;ground&nbsp;became residential property 60 some years ago.&nbsp;Starting out,&nbsp;we knew&nbsp;anything we planted was&nbsp;an&nbsp;experiment, and we&nbsp;weren’t sure&nbsp;how&nbsp;many veggies&nbsp;we’d actually pick.&nbsp;Fortunately,&nbsp;our&nbsp;freshly tilled soil&nbsp;offered&nbsp;hope&nbsp;in the form of scads of wildly wiggling earthworms.&nbsp;They must have been good success predictors because so&nbsp;farwe’ve harvested potatoes,&nbsp;sweet corn, beans, carrots, really small onions and cantaloupe, a few jalapenos,&nbsp;4&nbsp;kinds of squash, less than a handful of&nbsp;tomatoes, and more okra than we know what to do with.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658158605319.jpeg" alt="Karen Madorin" />
 <figcaption>Karen Madorin</figcaption>
 </figure>More&nbsp;okra&nbsp;than we expected&nbsp;surprised us&nbsp;so I investigated further&nbsp;to&nbsp;learn&nbsp;this plant came to America in the 1700s with the African slave trade, it doesn’t mind clay soil&nbsp;(bonus in our case), and&nbsp;it’s&nbsp;drought friendly. While its point of origin is disputed, folks have been cooking, eating, and documenting it since the 1200s.&nbsp;I’ve always loved its beautiful&nbsp;yellow and purple&nbsp;blossomsthat remind&nbsp;me of a hibiscus, so imagine my lack of surprise&nbsp;at&nbsp;discovering&nbsp;they&nbsp;are&nbsp;plant cousins.&nbsp;What&nbsp;I previously knew from&nbsp;decades of growing, cooking, and eating this&nbsp;garden goody&nbsp;is that you better check it every day and&nbsp;maybe&nbsp;twice. You can&nbsp;examine a&nbsp;row in the morning and find little one-inch pods that&nbsp;resembled&nbsp;elongated,&nbsp;green&nbsp;elf hats. Come back in the early evening and those babies are now two&nbsp;+&nbsp;inches long and picking size. If you let them get bigger than three inches, you might as well pick ‘em, dry ‘em, and spray paint ‘em gold to use for craft supplies. They’re pure pithy fiber when they get&nbsp;too long.&nbsp;That said, a few&nbsp;always&nbsp;escape my search&nbsp;and end up&nbsp;bigger than my foot.Not only do you have to keep a close eye on the length of your okra, this crop&nbsp;is like politics; it’s polarizing. Folks&nbsp;either&nbsp;love it or hate it. It’s one of my favorites&nbsp;in&nbsp;all&nbsp;its&nbsp;culinary incarnations: fried, stewed, pickled,&nbsp;and stir-fried.&nbsp;Those who hate it, dislike the fact that once cut,&nbsp;it seeps gooey mucilage. I say that goo makes cornmeal&nbsp;and flour&nbsp;stick better before I fry&nbsp;it. If you prefer&nbsp;okra&nbsp;stewed, throw in some tomatoes. The&nbsp;acid cancels out the slime&nbsp;that makes&nbsp;some diners howl. Pickled okra is best of all, especially&nbsp;when&nbsp;you toss a jalapeno and&nbsp;a&nbsp;garlic clove in the jar before you&nbsp;heat&nbsp;seal it.It’s nearly time to put the garden to bed for winter, and I tomatoes are running in short supply. However,&nbsp;the freezer’s full of okra. During the cold months ahead,&nbsp;I’ll remember how much fun we had tending&nbsp;a new&nbsp;western Kansas garden as I watch it&nbsp;sizzle&nbsp;into golden nuggets that taste like&nbsp;summer sunshine. &nbsp;Karen is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and
 sixth-generation Kansan. After a time away, she’s glad to be home.

MADORIN: Okra — the surprise success story

The Hays High Indians open the season Friday night at home against the Junction City Blue Jays.

Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/423052">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.

You can also listen to the game on 96.9 KFIX or <a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">HERE </a>starting at 6:30 p.m.

The Hays High Indians open the season Friday night at home against the Junction City Blue Jays.Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/423052">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.Kickoff set for 7 p.m.<div><iframe src="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/423052?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>You can also listen to the game on 96.9 KFIX or <a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">HERE </a>starting at 6:30 p.m.

🏈🎥 WATCH LIVE Hays High Indians v Junction City

The TMP-M and Oakley game is under weather delay.

For a third straight season TMP and Oakley open up the season as week one opponents as the Monarchs travel to Oakley.

Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/423057">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.

You can also hear the Monarchs on 99.5 KHAZ or <a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KHAZ">HERE </a>starting at 6:30 p.m.

The TMP-M and Oakley game is under weather delay.For a third straight season TMP and Oakley open up the season as week one opponents as the Monarchs travel to Oakley.Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/423057">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.<div><iframe src="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/423057?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>You can also hear the Monarchs on 99.5 KHAZ or <a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KHAZ">HERE </a>starting at 6:30 p.m.

🏈🎥 WATCH LIVE Thomas More Prep-Marian at Oakley

The Eagle Media Hays Sports social media sites provide another 
opportunity for our team to promote the area athletes and programs that we 
cover. 
We will also provide our live broadcast details on the sites. During the
 broadcasts, we will also share highlights from the games.

Click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Eagle-Media-Hays-Sports-110419818444024">HERE</a> to follow on Facebook.

Click <a href="https://twitter.com/mediahays">HERE</a> to follow in Twitter.

<div><div itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/VideoObject"><meta itemprop="uploadDate" content="Tue Aug 23 2022 09:49:49 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time)"/><meta itemprop="name" content="Emhs Kanek"/><meta itemprop="duration" content="P0Y0M0DT0H0M16S" /><meta itemprop="thumbnailUrl" content="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/thumbs/twz9PfPp-720.jpg"/><meta itemprop="contentUrl" content="https://content.jwplatform.com/videos/twz9PfPp-25NauLGk.m4a"/><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/twz9PfPp-oVs1oZUT.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Emhs Kanek" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></div>The Eagle Media Hays Sports social media sites provide another 
opportunity for our team to promote the area athletes and programs that we 
cover. 
We will also provide our live broadcast details on the sites. During the
 broadcasts, we will also share highlights from the games.Click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Eagle-Media-Hays-Sports-110419818444024">HERE</a> to follow on Facebook.Click <a href="https://twitter.com/mediahays">HERE</a> to follow in Twitter.<div><div itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/VideoObject"><meta itemprop="uploadDate" content="Tue Aug 23 2022 09:11:45 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time)"/><meta itemprop="name" content="Emhs"/><meta itemprop="duration" content="P0Y0M0DT0H0M19S" /><meta itemprop="thumbnailUrl" content="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/thumbs/77y1MRlE-720.jpg"/><meta itemprop="contentUrl" content="https://content.jwplatform.com/videos/77y1MRlE-25NauLGk.m4a"/><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/77y1MRlE-oVs1oZUT.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Emhs" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></div>

Don't miss the action: Follow Eagle Media Hays Sports

Another area earthquake was reported in southern Rooks County at 12:47 p.m. Friday.

The Kansas Geological Survey recorded the 2.8-magnitude quake near the Rooks-Ellis county line.

There have been 14 measurable earthquakes in northwest Kansas since the beginning of August, according to KGS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662147375489.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Another area earthquake was reported in southern Rooks County at 12:47 p.m. Friday.The Kansas Geological Survey recorded the 2.8-magnitude quake near the Rooks-Ellis county line.There have been 14 measurable earthquakes in northwest Kansas since the beginning of August, according to KGS.

Friday's quake the 14th in NW Kansas since beginning of August

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with&nbsp;Kansas State Fair General Manager Bryan Schulz.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MXgwt3FGYpE" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with&nbsp;Kansas State Fair General Manager Bryan Schulz.

🎤Forward Ever: Kan. State Fair General Manager Bryan Schulz

Video by Jordan Schaeffer / photos by Cristina Janney

Jeannine Marie Ross (Jean) passed away August 24, 2022, at Hays Medical Center at the age of 86. She was born November 16, 1935, in Hays, Kansas, to Walter C. and Philomene Frances (Fisher) Ross.

Jean entered the convent when she was 15 years old and was with the Sisters of Saint Agnes for 23 years. During this time, she served as an educator and administrator at several private schools located in the states of Wisconsin and Indiana. After 23 years, she returned to Hays to care for her aging parents.

In Hays, she also continued to serve as an educator: teaching in Schoenchen, KS; Principal at Washington Elementary School, and for 18 years she served in the position of Assistant Superintendent of Finance with USD 489.

Jean earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Marian College in Fond De Lac, Wisconsin; her Master’s Degree in Education and her Master’s Degree in Speech were earned at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and her Doctor of Education (EdD) in Administration was earned from Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For 10 years, beginning in 2000, Jean served in the role as President of Thomas More Prep (TMP)-Marian.&nbsp; The Jean Ross Society was created to honor spiritual and dedication to the success of Catholic schools in Hays, KS. She often referred to TMP as “God’s school.” Jean also received the Point of Light award, which is the highest recognition given to individuals who have given time, talent, and resources to the school.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Jean is survived by sister, Marilyn Wasinger, Wichita, KS; sister-in-law, Debbie Ross, Hays, KS; brothers-in-law, Ken Pfeifer, Hays, KS, Dan Needy, Tucson, AZ,&nbsp;and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Philomene (Fisher) Ross; sisters, Shirley Schartz, Patricia Needy, Betty Pfeifer, and brother Walter (Chuck) Ross, Jr.

Mass of Christian Burial was Thursday, September 1, 2022, at St Joseph Church, with Father Mike Scully officiating. Burial was at St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays, KS.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials to TMP-Marian or for masses.

The family extends special thanks to all her caregivers at Via Christi Nursing Home, Hays Medical Center, and Hospice.

Services were entrusted to Brocks-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS 67601.

Condolences may be left by guest book at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>

<div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/h6IJHvqD-KcBmu4K3.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Tmp Walk" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>Video by Jordan Schaeffer / photos by Cristina Janney<h2>Jeannine Marie Ross, 'Jean'</h2>Jeannine Marie Ross (Jean) passed away August 24, 2022, at Hays Medical Center at the age of 86. She was born November 16, 1935, in Hays, Kansas, to Walter C. and Philomene Frances (Fisher) Ross.Jean entered the convent when she was 15 years old and was with the Sisters of Saint Agnes for 23 years. During this time, she served as an educator and administrator at several private schools located in the states of Wisconsin and Indiana. After 23 years, she returned to Hays to care for her aging parents.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661456258119.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In Hays, she also continued to serve as an educator: teaching in Schoenchen, KS; Principal at Washington Elementary School, and for 18 years she served in the position of Assistant Superintendent of Finance with USD 489.Jean earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Marian College in Fond De Lac, Wisconsin; her Master’s Degree in Education and her Master’s Degree in Speech were earned at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and her Doctor of Education (EdD) in Administration was earned from Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS.&nbsp;&nbsp;For 10 years, beginning in 2000, Jean served in the role as President of Thomas More Prep (TMP)-Marian.&nbsp; The Jean Ross Society was created to honor spiritual and dedication to the success of Catholic schools in Hays, KS. She often referred to TMP as “God’s school.” Jean also received the Point of Light award, which is the highest recognition given to individuals who have given time, talent, and resources to the school.&nbsp;&nbsp;Jean is survived by sister, Marilyn Wasinger, Wichita, KS; sister-in-law, Debbie Ross, Hays, KS; brothers-in-law, Ken Pfeifer, Hays, KS, Dan Needy, Tucson, AZ,&nbsp;and many nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Philomene (Fisher) Ross; sisters, Shirley Schartz, Patricia Needy, Betty Pfeifer, and brother Walter (Chuck) Ross, Jr.Mass of Christian Burial was Thursday, September 1, 2022, at St Joseph Church, with Father Mike Scully officiating. Burial was at St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays, KS.In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials to TMP-Marian or for masses.The family extends special thanks to all her caregivers at Via Christi Nursing Home, Hays Medical Center, and Hospice.Services were entrusted to Brocks-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS 67601.Condolences may be left by guest book at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>

🎥 TMP-M pays tribute to Ross during prayer, procession

Despite a slight chance of showers or thunderstorms Friday evening, the National Weather Service in Dodge City is predicting a pleasant Labor Day holiday weekend.

After a high in the mid- to upper-90s Friday afternoon, there is a 30 percent chance of precipitation before 11 p.m. Friday before clouds begin to part.

The NWS is predicting clear skies and a slight breeze through the weekend, with highs in the mid-80s to low-90s through Tuesday. Overnight lows will be in the mid-50s to low-60s.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662126608470.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Despite a slight chance of showers or thunderstorms Friday evening, the National Weather Service in Dodge City is predicting a pleasant Labor Day holiday weekend.After a high in the mid- to upper-90s Friday afternoon, there is a 30 percent chance of precipitation before 11 p.m. Friday before clouds begin to part.The NWS is predicting clear skies and a slight breeze through the weekend, with highs in the mid-80s to low-90s through Tuesday. Overnight lows will be in the mid-50s to low-60s.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Mostly sunny today with afternoon highs in the 90s. <a href="https://t.co/iq1sBPFH8i">pic.twitter.com/iq1sBPFH8i</a>&mdash; NWS Dodge City (@NWSDodgeCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSDodgeCity/status/1565573136543715328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>

NWS: Slight chance of rain followed by pleasant holiday weekend

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

GREAT BEND — Forecasts 
called for a slight chance of storms in Barton County Thursday evening. 
No one expected the deluge that arrived or the downed power poles that 
followed. Frey Street on the east side of Great Bend was hit 
particularly hard with broken power poles in the stretch from 24th 
Street to the crossing at 281 Bypass.

"We lost the entire city of 
Great Bend," said Wheatland Electric Director of Member Services and 
Corporate Communication Alli Conine. "Once we lost that 115 line from 
Sunflower, which is where we get our power, we lost the entire city."

Brent
 Cox lives just half a block from Frey Street and was on the phone with 
his mother when the storm hit. Some 10 poles were downed in a half-mile 
stretch along Frey Street.

"As I was talking to her on Facetime on
 the phone, her power went out, and my power went out at the exact same 
time," he said. "I was in the kitchen looking out my back window, out my
 back yard, and I heard a big zapping sound. That's when all the power 
went out. I didn't hear the poles cracking or anything like that. I 
didn't hear any of that."

The Great Bend High School soccer game 
was still in the first half against Liberal when lightning caused what 
was to be a 30-minute delay just before 7 p.m. Within 30 minutes, the 
city was hit hard by wind, rain, and small hail. Harper Camperland on 
the east edge of town reported some campers were blown over. Flooding 
was reported on 10th Street at the McKinley and Washington Street 
intersections.

Weather Underground reports the temperature in 
Great Bend fell from 92 degrees at 5:56 p.m., to 68 degrees an hour 
later. The National Weather Services reports that seven-tenths of an 
inch of rain fell during the brief storm.

At 7:53 p.m., Wheatland 
Electric reported on social media that poles were down. Despite the 
severe damage, Wheatland restored power to most of the city by 9:20. All
 sub-stations were operational by 10:15, and Wheatland continued to work
 on isolated outages late into the evening.

"It's our top priority
 but our keeping our linemen safe is also our top priority," Conine 
said. "They're out in the conditions as long as it's safe for them to do
 so. They're restoring power as quickly and safely as possible."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662085569231.jpeg" alt="One of the poles downed on Frey Street on the east side of Great Bend." />
 <figcaption>One of the poles downed on Frey Street on the east side of Great Bend.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostGREAT BEND — Forecasts 
called for a slight chance of storms in Barton County Thursday evening. 
No one expected the deluge that arrived or the downed power poles that 
followed. Frey Street on the east side of Great Bend was hit 
particularly hard with broken power poles in the stretch from 24th 
Street to the crossing at 281 Bypass."We lost the entire city of 
Great Bend," said Wheatland Electric Director of Member Services and 
Corporate Communication Alli Conine. "Once we lost that 115 line from 
Sunflower, which is where we get our power, we lost the entire city."Brent
 Cox lives just half a block from Frey Street and was on the phone with 
his mother when the storm hit. Some 10 poles were downed in a half-mile 
stretch along Frey Street."As I was talking to her on Facetime on
 the phone, her power went out, and my power went out at the exact same 
time," he said. "I was in the kitchen looking out my back window, out my
 back yard, and I heard a big zapping sound. That's when all the power 
went out. I didn't hear the poles cracking or anything like that. I 
didn't hear any of that."The Great Bend High School soccer game 
was still in the first half against Liberal when lightning caused what 
was to be a 30-minute delay just before 7 p.m. Within 30 minutes, the 
city was hit hard by wind, rain, and small hail. Harper Camperland on 
the east edge of town reported some campers were blown over. Flooding 
was reported on 10th Street at the McKinley and Washington Street 
intersections.Weather Underground reports the temperature in 
Great Bend fell from 92 degrees at 5:56 p.m., to 68 degrees an hour 
later. The National Weather Services reports that seven-tenths of an 
inch of rain fell during the brief storm.At 7:53 p.m., Wheatland 
Electric reported on social media that poles were down. Despite the 
severe damage, Wheatland restored power to most of the city by 9:20. All
 sub-stations were operational by 10:15, and Wheatland continued to work
 on isolated outages late into the evening."It's our top priority
 but our keeping our linemen safe is also our top priority," Conine 
said. "They're out in the conditions as long as it's safe for them to do
 so. They're restoring power as quickly and safely as possible."

'Rogue' storm pounds Great Bend with wind, rain

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

More moderate income apartment housing is expected to soon be developed in Hays.&nbsp;

Dave VanDoren, owner of the Hadley Office Center, has plans to add apartments to the third floor of the building in downtown Hays, located at 205 E. 7th.

To finance the construction, VanDoren wants to apply for a $650,000 Moderate Income Housing (MIH) grant from the Kansas Housing
Resources Corporation (KHRC).

As Collin Bielser, asst. city manager, explained to city commissioners during their Thursday work session, only cities or counties with a population smaller than 60,000 may apply for the grant. Applications must include a resolution from the governing body indicating support for the project.

"Technically the grant would be between the city of Hays and Kansas Housing Resources Corporation. 

"... This is the same agreement we did with Frontier Apartments having an assumption agreement. 

"That's basically assigning the grant responsibilities over to Mr. VanDoren, also with a personal guarantee [from VanDoren] to follow through with the requirements...," Bielser said.&nbsp;

To be eligible for the moderate income housing, a four-person household for example, must earn between $50,000 and $130,000, based on federal HUD (United States Department of Housing and Urban Development) guidelines.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Two renovation phases are proposed, starting with the east wing of the building in phase one followed by the north wing in phase two.

Phase one would consist of 23 total units, one and two bedroom apartments. Some of the one-bedroom units would include an office.&nbsp;

VanDoren said tenants would have easy access to many amenities in the Hadley Center, including a restaurant, hair salon, and massage services. "There's over a mile of hallways you can walk indoors when the weather is bad," he said.

VanDoren also noted the building's close proximity to downtown Hays with many other services and amenities nearby.

According to VanDoren, there are currently 70 businesses occupying the Hadley Center.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662081803998.jpeg" alt="The Hadley Center, 205 E. 7th, currently houses 70 business tenants. Owner Dave VanDoren plans to remodel the third floor into apartments. (Courtesy Hadley Center)" />
 <figcaption>The Hadley Center, 205 E. 7th, currently houses 70 business tenants. Owner Dave VanDoren plans to remodel the third floor into apartments. (Courtesy Hadley Center)</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostMore moderate income apartment housing is expected to soon be developed in Hays.&nbsp;Dave VanDoren, owner of the Hadley Office Center, has plans to add apartments to the third floor of the building in downtown Hays, located at 205 E. 7th.To finance the construction, VanDoren wants to apply for a $650,000 Moderate Income Housing (MIH) grant from the Kansas Housing
Resources Corporation (KHRC).<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662085368322.jpeg" alt="Hays businessman Dave VanDoren (center) is flanked by Doug Williams of Grow Hays (left) and Dan Steffen,&nbsp;Kansas Department of Commerce&nbsp;Regional Project Manager (right) at Thursday's Hays city commission work session.&nbsp; " />
 <figcaption>Hays businessman Dave VanDoren (center) is flanked by Doug Williams of Grow Hays (left) and Dan Steffen,&nbsp;Kansas Department of Commerce&nbsp;Regional Project Manager (right) at Thursday's Hays city commission work session.&nbsp; </figcaption>
 </figure>As Collin Bielser, asst. city manager, explained to city commissioners during their Thursday work session, only cities or counties with a population smaller than 60,000 may apply for the grant. Applications must include a resolution from the governing body indicating support for the project."Technically the grant would be between the city of Hays and Kansas Housing Resources Corporation. "... This is the same agreement we did with Frontier Apartments having an assumption agreement. "That's basically assigning the grant responsibilities over to Mr. VanDoren, also with a personal guarantee [from VanDoren] to follow through with the requirements...," Bielser said.&nbsp;No city incentives are requested.<div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/fXIKdHuC-P46diVCW.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Bielser Hadley Apts" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>To be eligible for the moderate income housing, a four-person household for example, must earn between $50,000 and $130,000, based on federal HUD (United States Department of Housing and Urban Development) guidelines.&nbsp; &nbsp;Two renovation phases are proposed, starting with the east wing of the building in phase one followed by the north wing in phase two.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662082943357.jpeg" alt="Hadley Center owner Dave VanDoren of Hays, plans to remodel the building's third floor into 31 moderate income apartments. (Courtesy Hadley Center)" />
 <figcaption>Hadley Center owner Dave VanDoren of Hays, plans to remodel the building's third floor into 31 moderate income apartments. (Courtesy Hadley Center)</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662083536261.jpeg" alt="Some of the one-bedroom apartment units would include an office. (Courtesy Hadley Center)" />
 <figcaption>Some of the one-bedroom apartment units would include an office. (Courtesy Hadley Center)</figcaption>
 </figure>Phase one would consist of 23 total units, one and two bedroom apartments. Some of the one-bedroom units would include an office.&nbsp;VanDoren said tenants would have easy access to many amenities in the Hadley Center, including a restaurant, hair salon, and massage services. "There's over a mile of hallways you can walk indoors when the weather is bad," he said.VanDoren also noted the building's close proximity to downtown Hays with many other services and amenities nearby.According to VanDoren, there are currently 70 businesses occupying the Hadley Center.&nbsp;"It's a great project," City Commissioner Sandy Jacobs told VanDoren. "Appreciate your investment again in the community.""Absolutely," agreed Mayor Mason Ruder. "Thank you for chipping away at this housing problem that we have."The city's resolution of support for the project will be considered at the Sept. 8 commission meeting.&nbsp;Jacobs also updated the commission on her recent discussion with a couple of the outside agencies requesting funding from the city in 2023."Julie Rider, the interim director of DHDC (Downtown Hays Development Corporation) is working very hard to make a difference on their financials."The United Way of Ellis County moved into the same office location as DHDC earlier this week, "so DHDC's rent is half of what it was before," Jacobs reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;Rider is also reviewing DHDC computer costs and was able to downsize to a smaller, less expensive Illustrator program, eliminating $400 a year from their budget."Whenever our outside agencies are making those kind of attempts at improvement, I want everybody to know about it," Jacobs said.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661361380933.jpeg" alt="Karen Dreiling, DHDC member and owner of Furniture Look, speaks to Hays city commissioners on Aug. 18 about the downtown organization's economic impact on the town.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Karen Dreiling, DHDC member and owner of Furniture Look, speaks to Hays city commissioners on Aug. 18 about the downtown organization's economic impact on the town.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Following another round of discussion during the August 18 work session, city commissioners finally agreed on the funding requests from outside agencies for 2023.A total $215,000 will be allocated to the non-profit groups:&nbsp;&nbsp;* CARE Council – full request ($170,000) from social services budget in the General Fund; up $2,000 from last year &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Western KS Child Advocacy-$10,000 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Center for Life Experience-$3,500 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Big Brothers Big Sisters-$16,000 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Cancer Council-$1,500 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;CASA of the High Plains-$11,000 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;First Call for Help-$30,700 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Options-$5,300 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Hays Senior Center-$13,750 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;DSNWK Access Transportation-$75,250 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Western KS Assoc. for Concerns of the Disabled-$3,000* FHSU Scholarship Program - full request ($100,000) from Economic Development budget in the General Fund* Grow Hays – full request ($180,000) from economic development budget in the General Fund* Ellis County Historical Society – full request ($21,116) from CVB; up from $3,000 last year* Hays Arts Council – full request ($15,000) from CVB* Wild West Festival -&nbsp;&nbsp;($9,500) from CVB; down $500 from last year* DHDC – full request ($60,000) from CVB; up $6,000 from last year* Sister Cities – full request ($5,050) from CVBThe Hays Chamber also made a funding request of $45,000. This was a first-time request for the chamber, and a one-time request, according to Sarah Wasinger, president and CEO.Chamber members will see an across-the-board 10% increase in their dues next year."We're hoping that (along with other new plans) will bring some sustainability to us," Wasinger told commissioners.&nbsp;A small dues increase was implemented this year."We had about 25 members drop out because of inflation and things of that nature. We're really not sure how many more might drop&nbsp; out next year."So this is really just to give us a baseline and an extra year to put those other pieces in place so we can continue to still pay our staff (of four) liveable wages and still work on projects like childcare."<div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/6viVssKj-P46diVCW.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Wasinger Chamber Funding Request" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>If approved by city commissioners, the chamber's allocation&nbsp;would not be funded through the 2023 budgeting process, but from the commission capital reserve account.&nbsp;That would take separate action at a future commission meeting.The city commission is scheduled to conduct its revenue neutral rate public hearing and 2023 budget public hearing at its Sept. 8 regular meeting.&nbsp;

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