During my 32-plus-year Extension career, my goal has always been to provide educational programs that help improve a persons’ quality of life and lead by example.&nbsp;The focus of my column today is to review important bicycle safety rules and encourage families to participate in upcoming bike events that are planned in our area.

The fact that school is out means you will see more young riders heading to their summer activities on bicycles. Instead of making in-person visits to the elementary schools in the area&nbsp;the past couple of years we created a short video that highlights bicycle safety rules. You can access it at the following link:<a href="https://youtu.be/vdaRPTky1SE">https://youtu.be/vdaRPTky1SE</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;I hope you will take a few minutes and share the video with your kids or grandkids. In the video you will see my husband, John, and I in our hi-vis jackets and helmets. &nbsp;

While I feel wearing an approved bicycle helmet is a must, I see a lot of cyclists going without that protection. Statistics show that the number of head injuries is reduced drastically when a properly fitted helmet is worn. Make sure all riders are fitted with a bike helmet and that you review the rules with young riders.&nbsp;Bicyclists need to ride with traffic, and acknowledge traffic signals. &nbsp;Some dangers to watch for include motorists backing from a parking stall or someone opening their car door in your traffic lane.&nbsp;

Two upcoming bicycle events are planned in Ellinwood and Great Bend to share bicycle safety tips as well as having fun. The community of Ellinwood will have a Bicycle Rodeo for kids of all ages on Saturday, June 11th. Information will be out soon via social media with the details. I know we will be bringing 25 helmets to be given away on a first come first served basis.&nbsp;

Another event, the “Family Fun Bike Ride” is in it’s second year as an activity at the Barton County Fair. Come to the runway just west of the Armory Saturday, July 9th, at 7:30 AM.&nbsp;Again, we will have bicycle helmets for riders of all ages available at no cost. You can watch for more details about this fun event on our Cottonwood website.

Every Friday night during the summer there is a community bike ride in Great Bend that leaves from the Jack Kilby bandshell area at 6:00 PM. We go at a relaxed pace and do a loop around Vet’s park. Consider joining us!

I hope you will make participating in one of these bike events a priority this summer. Bicycling a&nbsp;great&nbsp;family&nbsp;activity in the&nbsp;months to come!&nbsp;&nbsp;

Donna Krug is&nbsp;the District Director and Family and&nbsp;Consumer&nbsp;Science&nbsp;Agent with K-State Research and Extension –&nbsp;Cottonwood District.&nbsp;&nbsp;She may be reached at&nbsp;(620)793-1910 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&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.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>During my 32-plus-year Extension career, my goal has always been to provide educational programs that help improve a persons’ quality of life and lead by example.&nbsp;The focus of my column today is to review important bicycle safety rules and encourage families to participate in upcoming bike events that are planned in our area.The fact that school is out means you will see more young riders heading to their summer activities on bicycles. Instead of making in-person visits to the elementary schools in the area&nbsp;the past couple of years we created a short video that highlights bicycle safety rules. You can access it at the following link:<a href="https://youtu.be/vdaRPTky1SE">https://youtu.be/vdaRPTky1SE</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;I hope you will take a few minutes and share the video with your kids or grandkids. In the video you will see my husband, John, and I in our hi-vis jackets and helmets. &nbsp;While I feel wearing an approved bicycle helmet is a must, I see a lot of cyclists going without that protection. Statistics show that the number of head injuries is reduced drastically when a properly fitted helmet is worn. Make sure all riders are fitted with a bike helmet and that you review the rules with young riders.&nbsp;Bicyclists need to ride with traffic, and acknowledge traffic signals. &nbsp;Some dangers to watch for include motorists backing from a parking stall or someone opening their car door in your traffic lane.&nbsp;Two upcoming bicycle events are planned in Ellinwood and Great Bend to share bicycle safety tips as well as having fun. The community of Ellinwood will have a Bicycle Rodeo for kids of all ages on Saturday, June 11th. Information will be out soon via social media with the details. I know we will be bringing 25 helmets to be given away on a first come first served basis.&nbsp;Another event, the “Family Fun Bike Ride” is in it’s second year as an activity at the Barton County Fair. Come to the runway just west of the Armory Saturday, July 9th, at 7:30 AM.&nbsp;Again, we will have bicycle helmets for riders of all ages available at no cost. You can watch for more details about this fun event on our Cottonwood website.Every Friday night during the summer there is a community bike ride in Great Bend that leaves from the Jack Kilby bandshell area at 6:00 PM. We go at a relaxed pace and do a loop around Vet’s park. Consider joining us!I hope you will make participating in one of these bike events a priority this summer. Bicycling a&nbsp;great&nbsp;family&nbsp;activity in the&nbsp;months to come!&nbsp;&nbsp;Donna Krug is&nbsp;the District Director and Family and&nbsp;Consumer&nbsp;Science&nbsp;Agent with K-State Research and Extension –&nbsp;Cottonwood District.&nbsp;&nbsp;She may be reached at&nbsp;(620)793-1910 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

KRUG: Review bicycle safety rules with young riders​

Through the year’s agriculture, conservation and overall land management has gone through phases with each phase having its’ buzzwords, promoters, detractors, research objectives - well, you get the point. Some promoters will always feel like they’ve just unleashed the silver bullet to cure all the planet’s woes. Spoiler alert, none of them have! For the most part each phase has brought some improvements and certainly more tools for farmers, ranchers and land managers to consider and use. But no one is the cure all panacea that will work for everyone.

The newest buzzword is “soil health”. Soil health is a broad category for a lot of different things that are actually quite important. In searching for a good definition of soil health, and there are many out there. I found some that were way out there. Others were restrictive and may work for certain soils in certain ecosystems, some were very vague. Many definitions were tailored for a very specific form of agriculture, i.e. no-till, organic, natural, etc.

One of the top choices came from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) at USDA. Quoting from their web site, “Soil health, also referred to as soil quality, is defined as the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans.” They go on to point out that soil isn’t just some sterile rooting medium but is rather a living functioning ecosystem of its’ own.

Many people don’t realize how alive soil is! There is so much life in the soil, much of it invisible to the naked eye. Bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and many other organisms make up a valuable part of the soil mass and we often only see hints of it.

Mt. St. Helens volcano that blew in 1980 changed the landscape. Twenty-nine years later when a colleague of mine visited it, what he saw was “just scattered plants starting to grow, much of it looked like the landscape of a

barren planet”. When that volcano erupted it flash fried all living things and then buried it under feet, tens of feet, of ash. There was instantly a sterile environment. If a seed fell, that sterile medium was missing all those soil organisms that make plant life possible. We cannot underestimate the impact, the necessity of soil organisms!

In the end, defining soil health is fairly easy. Measuring it is another story however. There are many soil organisms that have not been discovered yet, that are important, or we know they are there but we don’t know what they do. We truly have so much we need to learn. Perhaps the best measure of soil health is by how well plants grow, by how productive the soil is, or by how sustainable the practices. Soil health is likely something we measure indirectly.

Soil health can, and does, change over time. How we farm, how we garden, how we tend our lawn, can all impact that soil health. We can compact soil with heavy equipment. We can tear it up and turn it over with construction or recreation. The plants we grow on it, the nutrients we add to it, the organic matter we allow to develop in it, even the rainfall or irrigation it receives, are all things that can improve or hurt soil health. If you haven’t yet heard about soil health, you eventually will. I doubt that we’ll come up with a simple way of measuring soil health in my life time. But we need to remember that soil health isn’t an end goal but an ongoing journey.

Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653404075959.jpeg" alt="written by: Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>written by: Stacy Campbell - Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>Through the year’s agriculture, conservation and overall land management has gone through phases with each phase having its’ buzzwords, promoters, detractors, research objectives - well, you get the point. Some promoters will always feel like they’ve just unleashed the silver bullet to cure all the planet’s woes. Spoiler alert, none of them have! For the most part each phase has brought some improvements and certainly more tools for farmers, ranchers and land managers to consider and use. But no one is the cure all panacea that will work for everyone.The newest buzzword is “soil health”. Soil health is a broad category for a lot of different things that are actually quite important. In searching for a good definition of soil health, and there are many out there. I found some that were way out there. Others were restrictive and may work for certain soils in certain ecosystems, some were very vague. Many definitions were tailored for a very specific form of agriculture, i.e. no-till, organic, natural, etc.One of the top choices came from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) at USDA. Quoting from their web site, “Soil health, also referred to as soil quality, is defined as the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans.” They go on to point out that soil isn’t just some sterile rooting medium but is rather a living functioning ecosystem of its’ own.Many people don’t realize how alive soil is! There is so much life in the soil, much of it invisible to the naked eye. Bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and many other organisms make up a valuable part of the soil mass and we often only see hints of it.Mt. St. Helens volcano that blew in 1980 changed the landscape. Twenty-nine years later when a colleague of mine visited it, what he saw was “just scattered plants starting to grow, much of it looked like the landscape of abarren planet”. When that volcano erupted it flash fried all living things and then buried it under feet, tens of feet, of ash. There was instantly a sterile environment. If a seed fell, that sterile medium was missing all those soil organisms that make plant life possible. We cannot underestimate the impact, the necessity of soil organisms!In the end, defining soil health is fairly easy. Measuring it is another story however. There are many soil organisms that have not been discovered yet, that are important, or we know they are there but we don’t know what they do. We truly have so much we need to learn. Perhaps the best measure of soil health is by how well plants grow, by how productive the soil is, or by how sustainable the practices. Soil health is likely something we measure indirectly.Soil health can, and does, change over time. How we farm, how we garden, how we tend our lawn, can all impact that soil health. We can compact soil with heavy equipment. We can tear it up and turn it over with construction or recreation. The plants we grow on it, the nutrients we add to it, the organic matter we allow to develop in it, even the rainfall or irrigation it receives, are all things that can improve or hurt soil health. If you haven’t yet heard about soil health, you eventually will. I doubt that we’ll come up with a simple way of measuring soil health in my life time. But we need to remember that soil health isn’t an end goal but an ongoing journey.Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Soil health

NORTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a wanted sex offender who has spent most of his life running from capture.

On Monday, a police officer conducted a traffic stop on West Holmes Street near Brown Avenue in Norton, according to a media release.

&nbsp;The officer learned the driver identified as 69-year-old Dale Farris Session had an outstanding warrant in Wisconsin for failure to register as a sex offender and in U.S. District Court for a probation violation. Officers took Sessions into custody without incident.

According to Norton Police, Sessions was convicted of kidnapping and raping two hitchhikers in 1975.&nbsp; He was sent to a mental hospital until he escaped in 1976. Sessions lived under an alias for 18 years until he was arrested again in 1994. Later that year, he was indicted for kidnapping a juvenile girl with a firearm and spent 13 years in federal prison.

Sessions has been eluding law enforcement for many years including&nbsp; most recently when warrants were issued in 2019. U.S. Marshals were happy to have Sessions in custody.&nbsp; According to Norton Police, this traffic stop for a traffic infraction led to the arrest of a potentially&nbsp; violent and dangerous individual.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653424048036.png" alt="Sessions-photo Norton Co." />
 <figcaption>Sessions-photo Norton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>NORTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a wanted sex offender who has spent most of his life running from capture.On Monday, a police officer conducted a traffic stop on West Holmes Street near Brown Avenue in Norton, according to a media release.&nbsp;The officer learned the driver identified as 69-year-old Dale Farris Session had an outstanding warrant in Wisconsin for failure to register as a sex offender and in U.S. District Court for a probation violation. Officers took Sessions into custody without incident.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653423985039.png" alt="Sessions-photo Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Sessions-photo Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>According to Norton Police, Sessions was convicted of kidnapping and raping two hitchhikers in 1975.&nbsp; He was sent to a mental hospital until he escaped in 1976. Sessions lived under an alias for 18 years until he was arrested again in 1994. Later that year, he was indicted for kidnapping a juvenile girl with a firearm and spent 13 years in federal prison.Sessions has been eluding law enforcement for many years including&nbsp; most recently when warrants were issued in 2019. U.S. Marshals were happy to have Sessions in custody.&nbsp; According to Norton Police, this traffic stop for a traffic infraction led to the arrest of a potentially&nbsp; violent and dangerous individual.

Wanted sex offender captured in NW Kansas 

OLATHE — Gov. Laura Kelly joined Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz this week to announce that more than $7 million will be awarded to 11 transportation construction projects through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Cost Share Program for spring 2022. With these grants, more than $100 million has been given to Kansas communities since the Cost Share Program’s inception.

Projects in Ellis County, Logan and Scott County were included in the announcement.

“My administration has invested more than $100 million in our roads, trails, and bridges since the start of the Cost Share program because quality infrastructure is the foundation of strong communities,” Kelly said.&nbsp;“Congratulations to each of this year’s Cost Share awardees. Thank you for the work you’re doing to continue building a beautiful, vibrant, and safe Kansas.”

The Cost Share Program was founded in 2019 as part of the Kelly Administration’s 10-year, bipartisan Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, or IKE. By leveraging both state and local dollars to fund community transportation projects, Cost Share improves safety, supports job retention and growth, relieves congestion, and increases access and mobility in rural and urban areas.

Kelly lauded the Cedar Creek Trail in Olathe as a prime example of how Cost Share can benefit a community. Enhancements to the city’s trail system will give residents greater access to recreational amenities, connect to regional trails, and provide hiking and biking access to nearby health care facilities.

With today’s announcement, more than $103 million in state funding, matched by more than $74 million in local funding, has been invested in Cost Share projects since the program was founded by the Kelly Administration.

“We rely on local leaders to bring us their best ideas for projects that, with a little help, can make a significant difference in a community,” Lorenz said.“Communities come to the table with a solid project plan, the support of local business and community members, and matching funds in place. State dollars help get the projects to the finish line.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653419843182.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Office of the GovernorOLATHE — Gov. Laura Kelly joined Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz this week to announce that more than $7 million will be awarded to 11 transportation construction projects through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Cost Share Program for spring 2022. With these grants, more than $100 million has been given to Kansas communities since the Cost Share Program’s inception.Projects in Ellis County, Logan and Scott County were included in the announcement.“My administration has invested more than $100 million in our roads, trails, and bridges since the start of the Cost Share program because quality infrastructure is the foundation of strong communities,” Kelly said.&nbsp;“Congratulations to each of this year’s Cost Share awardees. Thank you for the work you’re doing to continue building a beautiful, vibrant, and safe Kansas.”The Cost Share Program was founded in 2019 as part of the Kelly Administration’s 10-year, bipartisan Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, or IKE. By leveraging both state and local dollars to fund community transportation projects, Cost Share improves safety, supports job retention and growth, relieves congestion, and increases access and mobility in rural and urban areas.Kelly lauded the Cedar Creek Trail in Olathe as a prime example of how Cost Share can benefit a community. Enhancements to the city’s trail system will give residents greater access to recreational amenities, connect to regional trails, and provide hiking and biking access to nearby health care facilities.With today’s announcement, more than $103 million in state funding, matched by more than $74 million in local funding, has been invested in Cost Share projects since the program was founded by the Kelly Administration.“We rely on local leaders to bring us their best ideas for projects that, with a little help, can make a significant difference in a community,” Lorenz said.“Communities come to the table with a solid project plan, the support of local business and community members, and matching funds in place. State dollars help get the projects to the finish line.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653419793101.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

NW Kan. projects included in latest round of IKE grants

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

The soaking rains continued in Hays Tuesday morning after nearly a half-inch fell overnight. And there's more on the way.

An official 0.43 inches of rain was measured at 9 a.m. Tuesday by the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town.&nbsp;

Hays is still well below the 153-year cumulative average for the end of May.

By May 31st, Hays averages 7.81 inches of moisture. On May 23 of this year, 5.93 inches has been measured for the year, a little more than two inches below normal.

The <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a4f11e34-6dc5-4f59-92d9-36f26c21bb89">three-day weather forecast</a> calls for continued rain Wednesday as the temperature begins to warm up.&nbsp;

There's a 20 percent chance of rain <a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=38.87706000000003&amp;lon=-99.33013499999998#.Yoz3MajMKM8">Memorial Day</a>, according to the National Weather Service in Dodge City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653406429503.jpeg" alt="Rain is in the Hays weather forecast through Wednesday evening. (Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post)" />
 <figcaption>Rain is in the Hays weather forecast through Wednesday evening. (Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post)</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostThe soaking rains continued in Hays Tuesday morning after nearly a half-inch fell overnight. And there's more on the way.An official 0.43 inches of rain was measured at 9 a.m. Tuesday by the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town.&nbsp;Hays is still well below the 153-year cumulative average for the end of May.By May 31st, Hays averages 7.81 inches of moisture. On May 23 of this year, 5.93 inches has been measured for the year, a little more than two inches below normal.The <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a4f11e34-6dc5-4f59-92d9-36f26c21bb89">three-day weather forecast</a> calls for continued rain Wednesday as the temperature begins to warm up.&nbsp;There's a 20 percent chance of rain <a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=38.87706000000003&amp;lon=-99.33013499999998#.Yoz3MajMKM8">Memorial Day</a>, according to the National Weather Service in Dodge City.

Half-inch of rain overnight in Hays with more in the forecast; Still 2" below normal

Avenue of Pinwheels rescheduled to Thursday

By JAMES BELL 
Hays Post

Bringing back its annual Summer Youth Art Program, the Hays Arts
Council, 112 E. 11th, is again ready to engage children with various art
forms throughout the season.

This year's theme is Sizzlin' Summer 2022.

“We've
got a lot of amazing classes again this year,” said Hays Arts Council Executive
Director Brenda Meder. 

Returning
among this year’s courses are some annual favorites as well as first-time
offerings, all taught by a diverse group of area artists.

The
first courses begin June 6 and include acting and theater classes. 

“We've
got three different classes, and two of them start early this summer,” Meder
said. “We like to do those early because it does get hot.”

Hannah Dreiling,
a longtime instructor of the class, will return to teach both the opening
Acting and The Theater classes — and plans to return the classes to the stage.

“This
year, [Dreiling] wanted to go back into the 12 Street Auditorium,” Meder said. “After
two years of being at the Downtown Pavilion, nothing feels better than a
theater. … There's still something magical about a theater.”

Both
sessions will run from June 6 to 9 and June 13 to 17.

Catherine
Trieschmann Miller will teach the third theater class, Dramatic Arts Workshop
from June 20 to 24.

Along
with the acting and theater classes, visual, literary and craft classes will
also kick off on June 6 with Summer Fun, where children will kick off the
summer with painting, collage and printmaking using wood paper and found
materials. Along with the June 6 opening one-day session another will be hosted
on June 13. Those classes will be taught by Grace Splichal.

Another one-day
class, Patriotic Pride, is scheduled for July 1, and will give the students an
opportunity to create patriotic-themed projects using paint, wood, stamps and
markers.

Those one-day
courses, Meder said, are great for children with tight summer schedules, but
the center also has planned several multiday sessions.

“Like the
Art and Imagination class that Grace is also teaching,” Meder said. “And
there's classes in drawing and painting. And then Mitch Sommers, who's been
doing our Stained Glass classes forever, will be back with one of those.”

That
course is scheduled from June 27 to 30.

Throughout
the month of June, four two-day Call of the Wild classes will be offered. Sommers
and Splichal are set as instructors for those classes.

”He's
retired and a volunteer for Sternberg and so he has access to the critters,” Meder
said. “So, we've got a session on snakes, turtles, frogs, and lizards. You get
to see those animals, but then talk about them and have a little bit of
knowledge. But then that first day and all of the second day, are then
also devoted to doing art created around those critters.”

From
July 6 to 8, Jackie Leiker is set to teach Get Some Perspective, a course
designed for upper elementary-age students to learn the basics of drawing with perspective.


Fashion
Fun will also return with veteran instructor Linda Hohman from July 18 to 21.

Drawing
and Painting will run from June 20 to 23. And Down on the Farm, featuring farm
animal-themed projects will be offered from July 5 to 7.

And Let’s
Write a Book,will be taught by the area writer and illustrator of "Millie’s
Garden" —&nbsp;Kathleen Kuchar and Joyce Frey.

“We had
the big exhibition and had that on display and her illustrations have been
around,” Meder said. “I snagged those two ladies and talked him into doing a three-day
workshop two hours for each of three days.

“Those
two instructors are going to help the students develop their stories and do
illustrations,” she continued. “And we're going to print up very simple books
that then they will share with their family on the last day of class. And we're
planning on hopefully having those up during the summer Artwalk, which will
follow just two days after that class closes.”

<a href="https://haysartscouncil.org/summer-classes">For more about the Summer Youth
Art Program, including a class list and registration form, visit the Hays Arts
Council’s website, haysartscouncil.org.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623877479116.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL 
Hays PostBringing back its annual Summer Youth Art Program, the Hays Arts
Council, 112 E. 11th, is again ready to engage children with various art
forms throughout the season.This year's theme is Sizzlin' Summer 2022.“We've
got a lot of amazing classes again this year,” said Hays Arts Council Executive
Director Brenda Meder. Returning
among this year’s courses are some annual favorites as well as first-time
offerings, all taught by a diverse group of area artists.<div><iframe title="Hays Arts Council summer classes return for 2022" 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=pfy2g-1232968-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>The
first courses begin June 6 and include acting and theater classes. “We've
got three different classes, and two of them start early this summer,” Meder
said. “We like to do those early because it does get hot.”Hannah Dreiling,
a longtime instructor of the class, will return to teach both the opening
Acting and The Theater classes — and plans to return the classes to the stage.“This
year, [Dreiling] wanted to go back into the 12 Street Auditorium,” Meder said. “After
two years of being at the Downtown Pavilion, nothing feels better than a
theater. … There's still something magical about a theater.”Both
sessions will run from June 6 to 9 and June 13 to 17.Catherine
Trieschmann Miller will teach the third theater class, Dramatic Arts Workshop
from June 20 to 24.Along
with the acting and theater classes, visual, literary and craft classes will
also kick off on June 6 with Summer Fun, where children will kick off the
summer with painting, collage and printmaking using wood paper and found
materials. Along with the June 6 opening one-day session another will be hosted
on June 13. Those classes will be taught by Grace Splichal.Another one-day
class, Patriotic Pride, is scheduled for July 1, and will give the students an
opportunity to create patriotic-themed projects using paint, wood, stamps and
markers.Those one-day
courses, Meder said, are great for children with tight summer schedules, but
the center also has planned several multiday sessions.“Like the
Art and Imagination class that Grace is also teaching,” Meder said. “And
there's classes in drawing and painting. And then Mitch Sommers, who's been
doing our Stained Glass classes forever, will be back with one of those.”That
course is scheduled from June 27 to 30.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621625981132.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Throughout
the month of June, four two-day Call of the Wild classes will be offered. Sommers
and Splichal are set as instructors for those classes.”He's
retired and a volunteer for Sternberg and so he has access to the critters,” Meder
said. “So, we've got a session on snakes, turtles, frogs, and lizards. You get
to see those animals, but then talk about them and have a little bit of
knowledge. But then that first day and all of the second day, are then
also devoted to doing art created around those critters.”From
July 6 to 8, Jackie Leiker is set to teach Get Some Perspective, a course
designed for upper elementary-age students to learn the basics of drawing with perspective.
Fashion
Fun will also return with veteran instructor Linda Hohman from July 18 to 21.Drawing
and Painting will run from June 20 to 23. And Down on the Farm, featuring farm
animal-themed projects will be offered from July 5 to 7.And Let’s
Write a Book,will be taught by the area writer and illustrator of "Millie’s
Garden" —&nbsp;Kathleen Kuchar and Joyce Frey.“We had
the big exhibition and had that on display and her illustrations have been
around,” Meder said. “I snagged those two ladies and talked him into doing a three-day
workshop two hours for each of three days.“Those
two instructors are going to help the students develop their stories and do
illustrations,” she continued. “And we're going to print up very simple books
that then they will share with their family on the last day of class. And we're
planning on hopefully having those up during the summer Artwalk, which will
follow just two days after that class closes.”<a href="https://haysartscouncil.org/summer-classes">For more about the Summer Youth
Art Program, including a class list and registration form, visit the Hays Arts
Council’s website, haysartscouncil.org.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592495640022.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

🎙Youngsters get a chance to flex creative muscles with HAC  summer classes

The benchmark crude contract for June delivery expired last week at $113.23 per barrel, up more than a dollar Friday.&nbsp; The July contract in New York was a little cheaper, fetching just over $110. London Brent rose over $113 per barrel by lunchtime Monday. The national average for a gallon of gas has not fallen for nearly a month and has set a new record price each day since May 10th. It's now up to $4.59, more than a dime higher on the week and nearly half a dollar higher than a month ago. All 50 states were over $4 for the first time ever on May 17th. At $4.04 per gallon, the average price in Kansas was half a cent lower on the day Monday, but still nearly thirty cents higher on the month. Prices reached $4.09 in Great Bend and $4.19 in Hays. The London crude-oil benchmark is once again slightly more expensive than its New York counterpart, but for two trading sessions last week West Texas Intermediate crude was selling for more than London Brent for the first time ever. Some analysts say the shrinking spread between prices for the two benchmarks is caused by reduced purchases of Russian crude due to international sanctions. US crude production is up 100,000 barrels per day from a week ago. The Energy Information Administration reports output rose during the week through May 13th to 11.947 million barrels per day.&nbsp; EIA said US crude stockpiles dropped 3.4 million barrels to just over 420 million barrels. US inventories are about 14% below the five-year average for this time of year. Gasoline inventories are down 4.8 million barrels and are eight percent below the five-year seasonal average. EIA reported average imports for the week of 6.6 million barrels per day, an increase of nearly 300,000 barrels. The four-week average is nearly five percent higher than during the same four weeks a year ago. Baker Hughes reported 728 active drilling rigs nationwide, marking an increase of 13 oil rigs. and one seeking natural gas. The count in Texas was up 12 rigs. Oklahoma was up one. The Rig Count in Kansas was unchanged in the eastern half of the state at 21 active drilling rigs. In Western Kansas there are 30 active rigs, up one for the week. Operators were about to spud new wells on two leases in Barton County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 138 active operators in Kansas, and is scouting 376 wells in various stages of drilling and completion, up more than 95% from a year ago.&nbsp; Kansas Operators have completed 582 wells so far this year including 43 last week. Of those 24 were located east of Wichita and 19 were in Western Kansas, including one in Barton County and two in Stafford County. Regulators okayed 20 new Kansas drilling locations last week, including one new permit in Russell County and two in Stafford County. US oil-by-rail traffic was up for the week but lagged 19% behind last year's tally. The Association of American Railroads reports 9,103 tanker carloads carrying petroleum and petroleum products across the US for the week through May 14th. That's up 167 tankers from the week before. Canadian oil-by-rail gained nearly 300 tanker carloads week-over-week, and was up 15% over last year. It could be several years before the oil patch workforce returns to pre-pandemic levels. Analyst Rystad Energy expects job numbers in the patch to jump more than 12 percent this year to 971,000. But it could take another five years to reach employment levels enjoyed as recently as 2018. Wages are expected to rise 2.9% this year. Bloomberg reports slow wage growth and rampant inflation in the patch are sending energy workers to other industries for work. Workers in the Permian Basin are now living in the number one spot for inflation in the country. Crude oil output in North Dakota increased by more than four million barrels in March. The Department of Mineral Resources in the third-biggest producing state says operators pumped 1.12 million barrels per day, an increase of 2.8% over the month before. The state's gas capture rate improved to 95%, which is the best on record.&nbsp; This is good news for a state that at one time flared 36% of its produced natural gas, a phenomenon that was visible from space. Turning a profit on offshore energy exploration in Brazil is proving both expensive and elusive. Bloomberg says Shell and Exxon have each come up dry after spending billions on offshore exploration wells there. Analysts said Shell drilled three wells without finding any commercial volumes. They spent one billion dollars doing it. Exxon Mobil spent $1.6 billion for three wells which provided the same disappointment. Operators in the nation's top seven crude-oil plays continue to take advantage of a large inventory of uncompleted wells to quickly increase production. The government reports another 70 so-called drilled but uncompleted wells were brought on line in April, with more than half of those in the Permian Basin of Texas and New Mexico.

By JOHN P. TRETBARThe benchmark crude contract for June delivery expired last week at $113.23 per barrel, up more than a dollar Friday.&nbsp; The July contract in New York was a little cheaper, fetching just over $110. London Brent rose over $113 per barrel by lunchtime Monday. The national average for a gallon of gas has not fallen for nearly a month and has set a new record price each day since May 10th. It's now up to $4.59, more than a dime higher on the week and nearly half a dollar higher than a month ago. All 50 states were over $4 for the first time ever on May 17th. At $4.04 per gallon, the average price in Kansas was half a cent lower on the day Monday, but still nearly thirty cents higher on the month. Prices reached $4.09 in Great Bend and $4.19 in Hays. The London crude-oil benchmark is once again slightly more expensive than its New York counterpart, but for two trading sessions last week West Texas Intermediate crude was selling for more than London Brent for the first time ever. Some analysts say the shrinking spread between prices for the two benchmarks is caused by reduced purchases of Russian crude due to international sanctions. US crude production is up 100,000 barrels per day from a week ago. The Energy Information Administration reports output rose during the week through May 13th to 11.947 million barrels per day.&nbsp; EIA said US crude stockpiles dropped 3.4 million barrels to just over 420 million barrels. US inventories are about 14% below the five-year average for this time of year. Gasoline inventories are down 4.8 million barrels and are eight percent below the five-year seasonal average. EIA reported average imports for the week of 6.6 million barrels per day, an increase of nearly 300,000 barrels. The four-week average is nearly five percent higher than during the same four weeks a year ago. Baker Hughes reported 728 active drilling rigs nationwide, marking an increase of 13 oil rigs. and one seeking natural gas. The count in Texas was up 12 rigs. Oklahoma was up one. The Rig Count in Kansas was unchanged in the eastern half of the state at 21 active drilling rigs. In Western Kansas there are 30 active rigs, up one for the week. Operators were about to spud new wells on two leases in Barton County. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 138 active operators in Kansas, and is scouting 376 wells in various stages of drilling and completion, up more than 95% from a year ago.&nbsp; Kansas Operators have completed 582 wells so far this year including 43 last week. Of those 24 were located east of Wichita and 19 were in Western Kansas, including one in Barton County and two in Stafford County. Regulators okayed 20 new Kansas drilling locations last week, including one new permit in Russell County and two in Stafford County. US oil-by-rail traffic was up for the week but lagged 19% behind last year's tally. The Association of American Railroads reports 9,103 tanker carloads carrying petroleum and petroleum products across the US for the week through May 14th. That's up 167 tankers from the week before. Canadian oil-by-rail gained nearly 300 tanker carloads week-over-week, and was up 15% over last year. It could be several years before the oil patch workforce returns to pre-pandemic levels. Analyst Rystad Energy expects job numbers in the patch to jump more than 12 percent this year to 971,000. But it could take another five years to reach employment levels enjoyed as recently as 2018. Wages are expected to rise 2.9% this year. Bloomberg reports slow wage growth and rampant inflation in the patch are sending energy workers to other industries for work. Workers in the Permian Basin are now living in the number one spot for inflation in the country. Crude oil output in North Dakota increased by more than four million barrels in March. The Department of Mineral Resources in the third-biggest producing state says operators pumped 1.12 million barrels per day, an increase of 2.8% over the month before. The state's gas capture rate improved to 95%, which is the best on record.&nbsp; This is good news for a state that at one time flared 36% of its produced natural gas, a phenomenon that was visible from space. Turning a profit on offshore energy exploration in Brazil is proving both expensive and elusive. Bloomberg says Shell and Exxon have each come up dry after spending billions on offshore exploration wells there. Analysts said Shell drilled three wells without finding any commercial volumes. They spent one billion dollars doing it. Exxon Mobil spent $1.6 billion for three wells which provided the same disappointment. Operators in the nation's top seven crude-oil plays continue to take advantage of a large inventory of uncompleted wells to quickly increase production. The government reports another 70 so-called drilled but uncompleted wells were brought on line in April, with more than half of those in the Permian Basin of Texas and New Mexico.

News From the Oil Patch: All 50 states top $4/gallon for first time

The Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin work on a resurfacing project on approximately 9 miles of I-70 in northwest Kansas this week.

Project activity includes a mill and overlay on the westbound and eastbound driving lanes and eastbound shoulder starting near Edson in Sherman County and ending at Brewster in Thomas County.

During construction, I-70 traffic will be reduced to one lane through the work zone with a decreased speed limit. Minor delays not exceeding 5 minutes should be anticipated. KDOT expects work to be completed by mid-July, weather permitting.

APAC Kansas Inc., Shears Division, of Hutchinson is the primary contractor for the project with a total contract cost of approximately $4.9 million.&nbsp;

KDOTThe Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin work on a resurfacing project on approximately 9 miles of I-70 in northwest Kansas this week.Project activity includes a mill and overlay on the westbound and eastbound driving lanes and eastbound shoulder starting near Edson in Sherman County and ending at Brewster in Thomas County.During construction, I-70 traffic will be reduced to one lane through the work zone with a decreased speed limit. Minor delays not exceeding 5 minutes should be anticipated. KDOT expects work to be completed by mid-July, weather permitting.APAC Kansas Inc., Shears Division, of Hutchinson is the primary contractor for the project with a total contract cost of approximately $4.9 million.&nbsp;

Section of I-70 to be resurfaced in northwest Kansas

PFEIFER — Holy Cross Church in Pfeifer will host a memorial celebration on Saturday, May 28, beginning at 3 p.m. when Bishop Jerry Vincke will conduct a memorial service at the cemetery. &nbsp;

The Victoria VFW Honor Guard will present arms. &nbsp;Mass will be celebrated at 4:00.&nbsp;Music will be provided by Trilogy. Picnic lunch at 6:00; Tim Jacobs, musician, followed by the Adam Capps Band at 7:00; veteran’s tribute at intermission. Bring a lawn chair.

There will be a 50/50 raffle and an auction. All funds raised go towards maintenance of Holy Cross Church.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584006647697.jpeg" alt="Vincke" />
 <figcaption>Vincke</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedPFEIFER — Holy Cross Church in Pfeifer will host a memorial celebration on Saturday, May 28, beginning at 3 p.m. when Bishop Jerry Vincke will conduct a memorial service at the cemetery. &nbsp;The Victoria VFW Honor Guard will present arms. &nbsp;Mass will be celebrated at 4:00.&nbsp;Music will be provided by Trilogy. Picnic lunch at 6:00; Tim Jacobs, musician, followed by the Adam Capps Band at 7:00; veteran’s tribute at intermission. Bring a lawn chair.There will be a 50/50 raffle and an auction. All funds raised go towards maintenance of Holy Cross Church.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Bishop will lead Pfeifer memorial celebration

Renowned artist Kim Casebeer is offering an oil/pastel landscape painting workshop in Hays on June 2-4, 2022. The workshop will be at the Sternberg Museum. At the end of the second day of the workshop, there will be a public open house on Friday, June 3, from 4-6pm. This will be an opportunity for the public to come see fine art in the making by viewing the works in progress. Visitors can visit with the workshop participants and enjoy refreshments. There will also be more information about the Western Plains Painters,&nbsp;sponsors of the workshop.

See details about the workshop:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kimcasebeer.com/workshop/24059/taking-work-from-ok-to-wow-studio">https://www.kimcasebeer.com/workshop/24059/taking-work-from-ok-to-wow-studio</a> See more about the artist:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kimcasebeer.com/about">https://www.kimcasebeer.com/about</a> WPP is off-setting a portion of the workshop fee through the use of our club funds.

To register for the workshop, artists may contact the club president Cindy Balthazor at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cindybalthazor@gmail.com">cindybalthazor@gmail.com</a>. Or call or text her at 785-737-3510.

The Western Plains Painters, formerly known as the Palco Art Club, has a mission to support, inspire and enhance the skills of artistic painters. They encourage continued growth of painters by providing painting venues, mentorship, quality art instruction, inspirational workshops and other creative events and activities. The club has been in existence for well over 40 years, helping oil, acrylic, pastel and watercolor painters grow in their skills. Over those years, they have painted together, helped critique, mentor and inspire each other, hosted workshops, and individually grown as fine artists.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652907445427.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Renowned artist Kim Casebeer is offering an oil/pastel landscape painting workshop in Hays on June 2-4, 2022. The workshop will be at the Sternberg Museum. At the end of the second day of the workshop, there will be a public open house on Friday, June 3, from 4-6pm. This will be an opportunity for the public to come see fine art in the making by viewing the works in progress. Visitors can visit with the workshop participants and enjoy refreshments. There will also be more information about the Western Plains Painters,&nbsp;sponsors of the workshop.See details about the workshop:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kimcasebeer.com/workshop/24059/taking-work-from-ok-to-wow-studio">https://www.kimcasebeer.com/workshop/24059/taking-work-from-ok-to-wow-studio</a> See more about the artist:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kimcasebeer.com/about">https://www.kimcasebeer.com/about</a> WPP is off-setting a portion of the workshop fee through the use of our club funds.To register for the workshop, artists may contact the club president Cindy Balthazor at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cindybalthazor@gmail.com">cindybalthazor@gmail.com</a>. Or call or text her at 785-737-3510.The Western Plains Painters, formerly known as the Palco Art Club, has a mission to support, inspire and enhance the skills of artistic painters. They encourage continued growth of painters by providing painting venues, mentorship, quality art instruction, inspirational workshops and other creative events and activities. The club has been in existence for well over 40 years, helping oil, acrylic, pastel and watercolor painters grow in their skills. Over those years, they have painted together, helped critique, mentor and inspire each other, hosted workshops, and individually grown as fine artists. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652907478971.png" alt="Oil painting by Kim Casebeer" />
 <figcaption>Oil painting by Kim Casebeer</figcaption>
 </figure>

Oil/pastel painting workshop scheduled in Hays

<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/2022/5/1653331691323.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

Don't let your athlete miss out on a great week of volleyball camp at Hays Middle School Clinic Times: Middle School: 1 :00-3 :00 pm (open to Hays Middle School athletes only) Elementary: 3-4 grade -9:00-10:00 am (open to anyone) 5-6 grade 10:30-12:00 pm (open to anyone) Deadline: Please register by June 15th to receive a camp T-shirt. You may register up until the day of camp but will not receive a shirt after June 15th.&nbsp; See the flyer below for more information and registration information.

Don't let your athlete miss out on a great week of volleyball camp at Hays Middle School Clinic Times: Middle School: 1 :00-3 :00 pm (open to Hays Middle School athletes only) Elementary: 3-4 grade -9:00-10:00 am (open to anyone) 5-6 grade 10:30-12:00 pm (open to anyone) Deadline: Please register by June 15th to receive a camp T-shirt. You may register up until the day of camp but will not receive a shirt after June 15th.&nbsp; See the flyer below for more information and registration information.<figure>
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Retirement reception set for Ann Leiker Thursday

After a chilly, damp day to start the workweek, the National Weather Service in Dodge City is calling for rain to continue into Wednesday afternoon in the Hays area.

There is a 50 percent chance of continued showers and thunderstorms through Monday, increasing to 70 percent to 80 percent Tuesday. The chance of continued precipitation falls to 30 percent Wednesday, mainly before 1 p.m., the NWS said.

Temperatures will remain cool, with highs in the mid- to upper-50s Tuesday and Wednesday. Skies will clear into the weekend, with the mercury rising to daytime highs in mid-70s to mid-80s.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653334425813.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>After a chilly, damp day to start the workweek, the National Weather Service in Dodge City is calling for rain to continue into Wednesday afternoon in the Hays area.There is a 50 percent chance of continued showers and thunderstorms through Monday, increasing to 70 percent to 80 percent Tuesday. The chance of continued precipitation falls to 30 percent Wednesday, mainly before 1 p.m., the NWS said.Temperatures will remain cool, with highs in the mid- to upper-50s Tuesday and Wednesday. Skies will clear into the weekend, with the mercury rising to daytime highs in mid-70s to mid-80s.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We are still expecting widespread rain Monday night and Tuesday. Some of the rain will be heavy at times, especially south and east of Dodge City. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/LBqIwhpDLs">pic.twitter.com/LBqIwhpDLs</a>&mdash; NWS Dodge City (@NWSDodgeCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSDodgeCity/status/1528699520946565121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>

NWS: Showers expected to continue into Wednesday

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with Gardener's Supply president and CEO Cindy Turcot.

<div><iframe title="Forward Ever: Gardener’s Supply CEO Cindy Turcot" 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=c2c2c-12328db-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 Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with Gardener's Supply president and CEO Cindy Turcot.

🎤Forward Ever: Gardener’s Supply president and CEO Cindy Turcot

Sea monsters are coming to the Sternberg Museum of Natural History. 

The museum's summer exhibit features the biggest, the strangest and the most fearsome creatures to ever swim in the sea.

"Sahara Sea Monsters" is an immersive exhibition transporting visitors through the prehistoric oceans of what is now Morocco.

Discover massive mosasaurs, terrifying trilobites and other outlandish invertebrates. These creatures defy imagination and make up the basis of myth and legends.

"Sahara Sea Monsters" takes visitors on a journey through the Moroccan fossil record starting at the formation of life through modern day.

Stamp your passport along the way at extinction events, swim like a mosasaur and vote for your favorite monster in an exhibition that is fun and educational for the whole family.

"Sahara Sea Monsters" will be making a splash on May 28 at the museum.

"Sahara Sea Monsters" was created by Silver Plume Exhibitions LLC and features original artwork by Julius T. Csotonyi and animation by Julian Johnson Mortimer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652990025849.jpeg" alt="Image courtesy of Sternberg Museum " />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Sternberg Museum </figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedSea monsters are coming to the Sternberg Museum of Natural History. The museum's summer exhibit features the biggest, the strangest and the most fearsome creatures to ever swim in the sea."Sahara Sea Monsters" is an immersive exhibition transporting visitors through the prehistoric oceans of what is now Morocco.Discover massive mosasaurs, terrifying trilobites and other outlandish invertebrates. These creatures defy imagination and make up the basis of myth and legends. "Sahara Sea Monsters" takes visitors on a journey through the Moroccan fossil record starting at the formation of life through modern day.Stamp your passport along the way at extinction events, swim like a mosasaur and vote for your favorite monster in an exhibition that is fun and educational for the whole family."Sahara Sea Monsters" will be making a splash on May 28 at the museum. "Sahara Sea Monsters" was created by Silver Plume Exhibitions LLC and features original artwork by Julius T. Csotonyi and animation by Julian Johnson Mortimer.

Sternberg's 'Sahara Sea Monsters' tells tale of Moroccan prehistoric oceans

Grow Hays, Inc., KANSASWORKS and Big Creek Crossing will host a job fair Monday, June 13, from 3pm to 6pm in Big Creek Crossing.&nbsp;

Interested employers need to submit the sign-up form to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:ernee@growhays.com">ernee@growhays.com</a>&nbsp;no later than June 3. Employers in Ellis, Rooks, Russell, Rush and Trego counties are invited to attend. There is a charge of $25 for booth rental.

If you have any questions, call Ernee Sly at Grow Hays, Inc. 785.628.3102 or the local KANSASWORKS office at 785.625.5654.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579031298910.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Grow Hays, Inc., KANSASWORKS and Big Creek Crossing will host a job fair Monday, June 13, from 3pm to 6pm in Big Creek Crossing.&nbsp;Interested employers need to submit the sign-up form to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:ernee@growhays.com">ernee@growhays.com</a>&nbsp;no later than June 3. Employers in Ellis, Rooks, Russell, Rush and Trego counties are invited to attend. There is a charge of $25 for booth rental.If you have any questions, call Ernee Sly at Grow Hays, Inc. 785.628.3102 or the local KANSASWORKS office at 785.625.5654.

Local job fair scheduled for June 13 in Hays

Smoky Hills PBS Share a Story hits local libraries this summer

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653078242690.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>

Premier Business Management is hiring! If you are tired of doing the same thing every day, we have a position for you. PBM is looking for a full-time bookkeeping position. This position will work on different accounts every day.

Premier Business Management works for many different companies, and each has different needs. Flexibility is the key. The right candidate will be able to move between tasks (clients) and keep in tune with what each needs/wants. 

Nearly all of your work will be completed on a computer. 

This position is 30 - 40 hours per week with Friday afternoons off. The starting wage is $12.50 per hour, but potentially more based on your experience. 

Tasks of the job include but are not limited to:

Answering Phone Calls Payroll Sales Tax Reconciling Accounts Bill Paying Invoicing

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653054333341.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Premier Business Management is hiring! If you are tired of doing the same thing every day, we have a position for you. PBM is looking for a full-time bookkeeping position. This position will work on different accounts every day.Premier Business Management works for many different companies, and each has different needs. Flexibility is the key. The right candidate will be able to move between tasks (clients) and keep in tune with what each needs/wants. Nearly all of your work will be completed on a computer. This position is 30 - 40 hours per week with Friday afternoons off. The starting wage is $12.50 per hour, but potentially more based on your experience. Tasks of the job include but are not limited to:Answering Phone Calls Payroll Sales Tax Reconciling Accounts Bill Paying Invoicing

Wheat Scoop: Wheat Tour estimates crop at 261 million bushels

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

<div><iframe title="Grow Hays hires director of business development" 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=w7na9-122f54f-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: Grow Hays hires director of business development

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Five students nominated the May Hays Post Teacher of the Month for the award, but it was what she offered beyond academics that made the difference to her students.

Kate Ozores, seventh-grade science teacher at Hays Middle School, is only in her second year as a teacher.

Student Avery Arias said of Ozores in her nomination, "Mrs. O is a favorite at our school. She is so kind and is always willing to talk. 

"My good friend has some mental health issues, and Mrs. O has been there for her and allows her to come in and talk in the mornings. I have learned so much from her, not only the subject but also how to be a role model and how to treat others."

Student Raylee Brungardt also sang Ozores praises saying, "She is a good teacher, she is always there to help, always kind, and if she can tell something is wrong, she will do something about it. I hope you nominate Mrs. Ozores for best teacher!!!"

Other students followed suit, describing Ozores as bubbly, happy and an amazing teacher. 

"She is a great teacher and makes everyone feel welcome. Even on your bad days, she makes it a good day," student Tehlyn Baalman said.

Ozores took the paper on which the students' comments were printed.

"Seeing your students say those things, that's what I work so hard for is to make them feel loved and cared for," Ozores said. "I want them to realize I care for them as a person and not just as a student. As a teacher, there is no better feeling."

Ozores, 23, is originally from Junction City and earned a bachelor's degree in education from Fort Hays State University and a master's degree in curriculum design and instructional coaching from Emporia State University.

Ozores comes from a family of educators. Both her mom and dad were teachers. Her mom taught first and second grades, and her dad was a PE teacher.

Ozores said she spent hours in her mom's classroom, writing on her smart board and playing school.

Despite her fantasy of being a teacher like her parents, Ozores struggled in school until she had Brandi Lundgren as a teacher in middle school.

"Growing up through elementary school, I was never the kid that understood things right away. I always needed extra help" Ozores said. "I would say that had a negative impact on me and made me not believe in myself as much. 

"I had this math teacher in middle school, and she showed me that I could be successful. She cared about me being successful."

Ozores said from that point on she loved school and knew she wanted to be a teacher. She said seeing her own students' academic success is one of her favorite aspects of being a teacher.

"Also seeing their mental growth and seeing them believe in themselves more throughout the school year," she said.

Ozores likes to use a lot of hands-on learning techniques in her classes.

One of her favorite activities, as well as her students', is an egg car challenge. The students design a vehicle to protect an egg on impact. The activity simulates car accidents and encourages students to wear seat belts, Ozores said. This year, only three eggs did not survive out of 150 students.

"They did an incredible job using scientific principles to design their cars," Ozores said.

She tries to relate scientific principles to aspects of daily life. When her classes discuss inertia, Ozores explains that is why we lean to one side or the other in a car when we go around the roundabouts.

&nbsp;"They love seeing how science applies to the world around them," she said.

Ozores said she believes girls need female role models in science. A female science teacher Ozores had in high school sparked her interest in the field. Growing up she said most of her science teachers were men.

During the school year, she asks her students to draw pictures of scientists. Most students still draw pictures of old white men with crazy hair. 

Ozores teaches them about scientists from various backgrounds and races, both men and women.

She said more girls are seeing they too can have STEM careers.

Ozores said her greatest challenge as a teacher is the mental load of caring for her students.

"You want them to be successful. You want them to be cared for and loved," Ozores said. "You realize so many of the students aren't getting those things — the care and the love at home or getting their basic needs met.

"I want them to have that experience that an adult cares for them," she said. "Just knowing that they aren't getting that is heartbreaking. I never had an experience like that, and it's really not fair what these kids are having to go through."

You need to have respect from kids, but they also need to know you have respect for them, Ozores said.

"I can't solve all of their problems, I wish I could, but just listening to them, you feel the weight lift off their shoulders," she said.

Ozores said having her daughter, Avery, last summer inspired her even more to be the best teacher she can be.

"I realized that one day I'm going to be sending my daughter off to school," she said, "and I want to know she is in the hands of a teacher who is going to push her to work hard, help her become successful and just care about her every single day ...

"I just want the parents of my [students] out there to know that I will be that person for their kids," Ozores said. "I will always support them. I will always push them to be their best. I will always be there to care for them and support them in anything they choose to do."

Ozores said she wants to continue teaching middle school science for some time. However, her long-term goals include becoming an instructional coach and eventually teaching education at the college level.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652974406633.jpeg" alt="Kate Ozores, seventh-grade science teacher at Hays Middle School, was selected as the Hays Post Teacher of the Month for May. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post " />
 <figcaption>Kate Ozores, seventh-grade science teacher at Hays Middle School, was selected as the Hays Post Teacher of the Month for May. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post </figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostFive students nominated the May Hays Post Teacher of the Month for the award, but it was what she offered beyond academics that made the difference to her students. Kate Ozores, seventh-grade science teacher at Hays Middle School, is only in her second year as a teacher. Student Avery Arias said of Ozores in her nomination, "Mrs. O is a favorite at our school. She is so kind and is always willing to talk. "My good friend has some mental health issues, and Mrs. O has been there for her and allows her to come in and talk in the mornings. I have learned so much from her, not only the subject but also how to be a role model and how to treat others."Student Raylee Brungardt also sang Ozores praises saying, "She is a good teacher, she is always there to help, always kind, and if she can tell something is wrong, she will do something about it. I hope you nominate Mrs. Ozores for best teacher!!!"Other students followed suit, describing Ozores as bubbly, happy and an amazing teacher. "She is a great teacher and makes everyone feel welcome. Even on your bad days, she makes it a good day," student Tehlyn Baalman said. Ozores took the paper on which the students' comments were printed."I want to keep this forever," she said."Seeing your students say those things, that's what I work so hard for is to make them feel loved and cared for," Ozores said. "I want them to realize I care for them as a person and not just as a student. As a teacher, there is no better feeling." Ozores, 23, is originally from Junction City and earned a bachelor's degree in education from Fort Hays State University and a master's degree in curriculum design and instructional coaching from Emporia State University.Ozores comes from a family of educators. Both her mom and dad were teachers. Her mom taught first and second grades, and her dad was a PE teacher.Ozores said she spent hours in her mom's classroom, writing on her smart board and playing school.Despite her fantasy of being a teacher like her parents, Ozores struggled in school until she had Brandi Lundgren as a teacher in middle school."Growing up through elementary school, I was never the kid that understood things right away. I always needed extra help" Ozores said. "I would say that had a negative impact on me and made me not believe in myself as much. "I had this math teacher in middle school, and she showed me that I could be successful. She cared about me being successful."Ozores said from that point on she loved school and knew she wanted to be a teacher. She said seeing her own students' academic success is one of her favorite aspects of being a teacher."Also seeing their mental growth and seeing them believe in themselves more throughout the school year," she said. Ozores likes to use a lot of hands-on learning techniques in her classes.One of her favorite activities, as well as her students', is an egg car challenge. The students design a vehicle to protect an egg on impact. The activity simulates car accidents and encourages students to wear seat belts, Ozores said. This year, only three eggs did not survive out of 150 students."They did an incredible job using scientific principles to design their cars," Ozores said.She tries to relate scientific principles to aspects of daily life. When her classes discuss inertia, Ozores explains that is why we lean to one side or the other in a car when we go around the roundabouts.&nbsp;"They love seeing how science applies to the world around them," she said.Ozores said she believes girls need female role models in science. A female science teacher Ozores had in high school sparked her interest in the field. Growing up she said most of her science teachers were men. During the school year, she asks her students to draw pictures of scientists. Most students still draw pictures of old white men with crazy hair. Ozores teaches them about scientists from various backgrounds and races, both men and women.She said more girls are seeing they too can have STEM careers.Ozores said her greatest challenge as a teacher is the mental load of caring for her students."You want them to be successful. You want them to be cared for and loved," Ozores said. "You realize so many of the students aren't getting those things — the care and the love at home or getting their basic needs met."I want them to have that experience that an adult cares for them," she said. "Just knowing that they aren't getting that is heartbreaking. I never had an experience like that, and it's really not fair what these kids are having to go through."You need to have respect from kids, but they also need to know you have respect for them, Ozores said."I can't solve all of their problems, I wish I could, but just listening to them, you feel the weight lift off their shoulders," she said.Ozores said having her daughter, Avery, last summer inspired her even more to be the best teacher she can be."I realized that one day I'm going to be sending my daughter off to school," she said, "and I want to know she is in the hands of a teacher who is going to push her to work hard, help her become successful and just care about her every single day ..."I just want the parents of my [students] out there to know that I will be that person for their kids," Ozores said. "I will always support them. I will always push them to be their best. I will always be there to care for them and support them in anything they choose to do." Ozores said she wants to continue teaching middle school science for some time. However, her long-term goals include becoming an instructional coach and eventually teaching education at the college level. <figure>
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