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

Let’s go Down Under to Australia.&nbsp;

A special shipment is arriving from the United States. It is a working chute for cattle – but not just for any cattle: This is a chute designed for Texas longhorns. Now, customers are discovering the chute is excellent for handling other types of animals as well.&nbsp;

Last week we met Joe Sedlacek, owner of Lazy J Longhorns near Greenleaf, Kan. Since 2008, he has been working fulltime at raising world record-setting Texas Longhorns. One of Joe’s home-raised steers was a three-time world champion because of the steer’s long horns.&nbsp;

Joe continues to raise and market longhorn steers and breeding stock. He also uses a registered Charolais bull to cross with certain longhorns. This produces a beefy, naturally hornless calf which is excellent for the market. “It also keeps the quality higher in my registered longhorn herd,” Joe said.&nbsp;

Joe points out that there are several advantages of the longhorn breed, perhaps because they originated in the wilds of Texas more than a century ago.&nbsp;

“Their eating habits are more like a goat than a cow,” Joe said. “They will eat more types of vegetation than a typical beef cow, so I can run more longhorns per acre than straight Angus. Longhorns are really good moms and are really intelligent.”&nbsp;

As with other animals, longhorns need occasional vaccinations and other herd health procedures. Many cattleman have metal working chutes and headgates to hold the cattle still while they get their shots.&nbsp;

“No headgate is going to work with a steer with ten foot long horns,” Joe said.&nbsp;&nbsp;He sought to design a better system for handling his longhorn cattle.&nbsp;

He had a welder come out to adapt his existing working chute. “I said, `Could you change this and add this and this?’&nbsp;

The welder said, `Why don’t you build what’s in your head as a new one instead?’” Joe said. So Joe sketched out the design he had in mind and a new one was built.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I worked for five years trying to perfect it,” Joe said.&nbsp;

“Safety of the animal and the operator was my first priority,” Joe said. He ended up with a system of panels in a clamshell design that can enclose the animal, using vertical bars and a nine-grid pattern to hold in place an animal of virtually any size.&nbsp;

“I had no idea of selling these, but everybody who saw me use one wanted one,” Joe said. It became a business.&nbsp;

In order to differentiate it from chutes made by other builders, they started calling it the Joe Chute. The name stuck. In 2016, the Joe Chute was named the official working chute of the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Unlike some chutes that have clanging handles, the Joe Chute is quiet. The gates can be adjusted to fit animals of almost any size, down to a baby calf.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“When you hold them tightly in place, it can calm them down,” Joe said. “I know a guy who brands wild horses in it.” Temple Grandin, the animal welfare scientist, has even certified the Joe Chute.&nbsp;

Commercial beef producers have become interested in the chute. Uses have branched out to include exotic animals as well. “Anheuser Busch has one of these in St. Louis that they use for cattle and elk,” Joe said. “The zoo in Pueblo, Colo. uses theirs for zebras and camels and I expect other zoos will want them as well.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hundreds of the chutes have been produced and shipped as far away as Alberta, Canada and Australia. It’s an impressive record for a company based in the rural community of Greenleaf, population 331 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;

For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.lazyjlonghorns.com/Joe-Longhorn-Chute">www.lazyjlonghorns.com/Joe-Longhorn-Chute</a>.&nbsp;

It’s time to leave Australia, where a special working chute has arrived from halfway around the globe in rural Kansas. We commend Joe Sedlacek for making a difference with his innovation and entrepreneurship. With demand for these chutes coming from as far away as Down Under, it can help this business stay on top.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641391435131.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp; Let’s go Down Under to Australia.&nbsp;A special shipment is arriving from the United States. It is a working chute for cattle – but not just for any cattle: This is a chute designed for Texas longhorns. Now, customers are discovering the chute is excellent for handling other types of animals as well.&nbsp;Last week we met Joe Sedlacek, owner of Lazy J Longhorns near Greenleaf, Kan. Since 2008, he has been working fulltime at raising world record-setting Texas Longhorns. One of Joe’s home-raised steers was a three-time world champion because of the steer’s long horns.&nbsp;Joe continues to raise and market longhorn steers and breeding stock. He also uses a registered Charolais bull to cross with certain longhorns. This produces a beefy, naturally hornless calf which is excellent for the market. “It also keeps the quality higher in my registered longhorn herd,” Joe said.&nbsp;Joe points out that there are several advantages of the longhorn breed, perhaps because they originated in the wilds of Texas more than a century ago.&nbsp;“Their eating habits are more like a goat than a cow,” Joe said. “They will eat more types of vegetation than a typical beef cow, so I can run more longhorns per acre than straight Angus. Longhorns are really good moms and are really intelligent.”&nbsp;As with other animals, longhorns need occasional vaccinations and other herd health procedures. Many cattleman have metal working chutes and headgates to hold the cattle still while they get their shots.&nbsp;“No headgate is going to work with a steer with ten foot long horns,” Joe said.&nbsp;&nbsp;He sought to design a better system for handling his longhorn cattle.&nbsp;He had a welder come out to adapt his existing working chute. “I said, `Could you change this and add this and this?’&nbsp;The welder said, `Why don’t you build what’s in your head as a new one instead?’” Joe said. So Joe sketched out the design he had in mind and a new one was built.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I worked for five years trying to perfect it,” Joe said.&nbsp;“Safety of the animal and the operator was my first priority,” Joe said. He ended up with a system of panels in a clamshell design that can enclose the animal, using vertical bars and a nine-grid pattern to hold in place an animal of virtually any size.&nbsp;“I had no idea of selling these, but everybody who saw me use one wanted one,” Joe said. It became a business.&nbsp;In order to differentiate it from chutes made by other builders, they started calling it the Joe Chute. The name stuck. In 2016, the Joe Chute was named the official working chute of the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Unlike some chutes that have clanging handles, the Joe Chute is quiet. The gates can be adjusted to fit animals of almost any size, down to a baby calf.&nbsp;&nbsp;“When you hold them tightly in place, it can calm them down,” Joe said. “I know a guy who brands wild horses in it.” Temple Grandin, the animal welfare scientist, has even certified the Joe Chute.&nbsp;Commercial beef producers have become interested in the chute. Uses have branched out to include exotic animals as well. “Anheuser Busch has one of these in St. Louis that they use for cattle and elk,” Joe said. “The zoo in Pueblo, Colo. uses theirs for zebras and camels and I expect other zoos will want them as well.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Hundreds of the chutes have been produced and shipped as far away as Alberta, Canada and Australia. It’s an impressive record for a company based in the rural community of Greenleaf, population 331 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.lazyjlonghorns.com/Joe-Longhorn-Chute">www.lazyjlonghorns.com/Joe-Longhorn-Chute</a>.&nbsp;It’s time to leave Australia, where a special working chute has arrived from halfway around the globe in rural Kansas. We commend Joe Sedlacek for making a difference with his innovation and entrepreneurship. With demand for these chutes coming from as far away as Down Under, it can help this business stay on top.&nbsp;

Now That’s Rural: Joe Sedlacek, the Joe Chute 

By JACKIE MUNDT Pratt&nbsp;County farmer and rancher Social media has been full recently of the typical posts about what people are hoping to accomplish in 2022. These posts bring to mind something I read discussing how people who want to start or break habits are more likely to succeed if they start on first days — the first day of the week, month or especially the year. This is the presumed intention of a New Year’s resolutions: to tackle a goal or change that you have wanted or needed in your life. The reason people are more successful on these first days, according to the article, is the fresh start makes them more likely to hold themselves accountable. They still face the same obstacles, struggles and temptations as any other day, but it comes down choosing to change and internal determination to stick to it.&nbsp; The choice to persevere in the face of adversity is what matters when it comes to changing your life or accomplishment you will cherish. Things that come easy usually only offer a moment of enjoyment; hard-fought success brings a satisfaction that grows and sustains. A universal hope for 2022 is the pandemic ending and life returning to normalcy or predictability. Jan. 1, 2022 has come and gone but the post-pandemic life is still a dream on the horizon. Unfortunately, normalcy will not happen with the convenient motivation of a scheduled fresh-start date. So how will we know the right time to start the long lists of things we are going to change or accomplish when the pandemic is over? &nbsp; I am going to draw one last lesson from my trip to the Baltics with Kansas Farm Bureau’s Casten Fellows program last summer. Many of you have read about the inspiration I have gained from the cooperation, professionalism and pride shown by the Baltic people. However, these qualities are unremarkable if not examined in the context of the oppression and tumultuous history of occupation endured over centuries by these people. The Baltic people have a strong spirit and determination to protect their culture, traditions and language. We heard a first-hand account on the trip of the Baltic Way protest against Soviet occupation, which took place in 1989 as 2 million Baltic people joined hands in peaceful protest forming a human chain that spanned more than 400 miles across all three states. When the protests paid off and the countries gained freedom two years later, their economies collapsed without the collective contributions and infrastructure of all the Soviets states. We toured many businesses started with little or no relevant experience but plenty of understanding of fear and deprivation, which made failure seem somewhat insignificant. The most unexpected culture component was a shared national sense of humor. The style varied between countries from highly self-deprecating to too much truth to be anywhere near politically correct in others. One local described humor as the way they dealt with the realities of life saying, “at some point you can’t be sad or worried anymore, you just have to laugh about it.” &nbsp; Instead of waiting for the official end of the pandemic or New Year’s Day 2023, I think we should try to live like the Baltic people today. We can turn our dreams and beliefs into reality with our actions, not letting fear hold us back, and most importantly, having the ability to laugh at ourselves as we go.

"Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575406519723.jpeg" alt="Jackie Mundt" />
 <figcaption>Jackie Mundt</figcaption>
 </figure>By JACKIE MUNDT Pratt&nbsp;County farmer and rancher Social media has been full recently of the typical posts about what people are hoping to accomplish in 2022. These posts bring to mind something I read discussing how people who want to start or break habits are more likely to succeed if they start on first days — the first day of the week, month or especially the year. This is the presumed intention of a New Year’s resolutions: to tackle a goal or change that you have wanted or needed in your life. The reason people are more successful on these first days, according to the article, is the fresh start makes them more likely to hold themselves accountable. They still face the same obstacles, struggles and temptations as any other day, but it comes down choosing to change and internal determination to stick to it.&nbsp; The choice to persevere in the face of adversity is what matters when it comes to changing your life or accomplishment you will cherish. Things that come easy usually only offer a moment of enjoyment; hard-fought success brings a satisfaction that grows and sustains. A universal hope for 2022 is the pandemic ending and life returning to normalcy or predictability. Jan. 1, 2022 has come and gone but the post-pandemic life is still a dream on the horizon. Unfortunately, normalcy will not happen with the convenient motivation of a scheduled fresh-start date. So how will we know the right time to start the long lists of things we are going to change or accomplish when the pandemic is over? &nbsp; I am going to draw one last lesson from my trip to the Baltics with Kansas Farm Bureau’s Casten Fellows program last summer. Many of you have read about the inspiration I have gained from the cooperation, professionalism and pride shown by the Baltic people. However, these qualities are unremarkable if not examined in the context of the oppression and tumultuous history of occupation endured over centuries by these people. The Baltic people have a strong spirit and determination to protect their culture, traditions and language. We heard a first-hand account on the trip of the Baltic Way protest against Soviet occupation, which took place in 1989 as 2 million Baltic people joined hands in peaceful protest forming a human chain that spanned more than 400 miles across all three states. When the protests paid off and the countries gained freedom two years later, their economies collapsed without the collective contributions and infrastructure of all the Soviets states. We toured many businesses started with little or no relevant experience but plenty of understanding of fear and deprivation, which made failure seem somewhat insignificant. The most unexpected culture component was a shared national sense of humor. The style varied between countries from highly self-deprecating to too much truth to be anywhere near politically correct in others. One local described humor as the way they dealt with the realities of life saying, “at some point you can’t be sad or worried anymore, you just have to laugh about it.” &nbsp; Instead of waiting for the official end of the pandemic or New Year’s Day 2023, I think we should try to live like the Baltic people today. We can turn our dreams and beliefs into reality with our actions, not letting fear hold us back, and most importantly, having the ability to laugh at ourselves as we go."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: A fresh start

I am following your plan, and recently became debt-free, but I have a question. When doing a monthly budget, should I figure in a specific category for car repairs and maintenance, or just use my emergency fund?

Congratulations on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/debt/debt-calculator">becoming debt-free</a>! You know, new cars, old cars and in-between cars all have one thing in common — they’ll need repairs at some point. Fixing your car is just a basic part of car ownership, and something every car owner should be prepared for.

When life happens, to your vehicle or anything else, an emergency fund acts like an airbag. Only instead of keeping your face from hitting the dashboard, it keeps your finances from getting smashed up. When it comes to car repair costs, I advise creating a sinking fund in your budget. A&nbsp;sinking fund&nbsp;is a special place in your budget where you save up money for specific, big ticket items — like car repairs.

I know, stuffing money into a sinking fund each month sounds about as enjoyable as waiting in line at the DMV.&nbsp;But look at it this way, if you had a car loan like most people, you’d be putting hundreds toward that debt each month. Instead, you’re one of the smart ones who doesn’t have any debt and can easily create a repair fund for your car by setting aside less than the average&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/debt/the-truth-about-car-payments">car payment</a>&nbsp;each month. Even “reliable” cars need repairs&nbsp;and&nbsp;maintenance, and a sinking fund within your budget for this sort of thing means you’re ready to handle virtually any auto issues that pop up.

You&nbsp;know&nbsp;you’ll need to pay for repairs and maintenance. It’s a thing with all cars. And when you know something’s coming, that’s&nbsp;not&nbsp;an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/saving/quick-guide-to-your-emergency-fund">emergency fund</a>&nbsp;situation. Great question, Ashleigh!

*&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/">Dave Ramsey</a>&nbsp;is a seven-time #1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host ofThe Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. He&nbsp;has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635524005597.png" alt="Dave Ramsey" />
 <figcaption>Dave Ramsey</figcaption>
 </figure>Dear Dave,I am following your plan, and recently became debt-free, but I have a question. When doing a monthly budget, should I figure in a specific category for car repairs and maintenance, or just use my emergency fund?AshleighDear Ashleigh,Congratulations on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/debt/debt-calculator">becoming debt-free</a>! You know, new cars, old cars and in-between cars all have one thing in common — they’ll need repairs at some point. Fixing your car is just a basic part of car ownership, and something every car owner should be prepared for.When life happens, to your vehicle or anything else, an emergency fund acts like an airbag. Only instead of keeping your face from hitting the dashboard, it keeps your finances from getting smashed up. When it comes to car repair costs, I advise creating a sinking fund in your budget. A&nbsp;sinking fund&nbsp;is a special place in your budget where you save up money for specific, big ticket items — like car repairs.I know, stuffing money into a sinking fund each month sounds about as enjoyable as waiting in line at the DMV.&nbsp;But look at it this way, if you had a car loan like most people, you’d be putting hundreds toward that debt each month. Instead, you’re one of the smart ones who doesn’t have any debt and can easily create a repair fund for your car by setting aside less than the average&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/debt/the-truth-about-car-payments">car payment</a>&nbsp;each month. Even “reliable” cars need repairs&nbsp;and&nbsp;maintenance, and a sinking fund within your budget for this sort of thing means you’re ready to handle virtually any auto issues that pop up.You&nbsp;know&nbsp;you’ll need to pay for repairs and maintenance. It’s a thing with all cars. And when you know something’s coming, that’s&nbsp;not&nbsp;an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/saving/quick-guide-to-your-emergency-fund">emergency fund</a>&nbsp;situation. Great question, Ashleigh!— Dave*&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/">Dave Ramsey</a>&nbsp;is a seven-time #1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host ofThe Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. He&nbsp;has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.

DAVE SAYS: Budgeting for car repair costs

Each year, I like to look back and create a “Top 10 list” in David Letterman style. The list, roughly in chronological order, is certainly not all-encompassing – there are great stories and good news every day at Fort Hays State University. However, it does provide a means of looking back and recounting some of the many blessings we enjoyed in 2021. So, in keeping with tradition, here is my top 10 list for 2021.&nbsp;

March brought the exciting news that beginning fall of 2021, thanks to the generosity of the Schmidt Foundation, five students would receive full-ride scholarships to FHSU. The Schmidt Foundation Scholarship includes 30 hours of tuition and fees for fall and spring courses, books, and room and board over a period of four years. Each year, five students will be selected – so in the fall of 2024, we will have 20 Schmidt Foundation scholars on campus.&nbsp;

Speaking of outstanding students, we were enamored with the accomplishments of Brynn Wooten, a sophomore from Westminster, Colo., who was named a 2021 Barry Goldwater Scholar in May. This nationally competitive scholarship will fully fund her final two years of undergraduate study. Brynn’s passion for science, especially paleobiology, began at a very young age as a visitor to the Sternberg Museum of Natural History. During her college search process, she learned of Sternberg Museum’s affiliation with Fort Hays State and immediately decided she wanted to become a Tiger. Brynn is the first FHSU student to receive this prestigious award.

The return to in-person commencement ceremonies was definitely a highlight of 2021. The thrill of having students once again walk across the commencement stage was fantastic. Hats off to the planning committee that thoughtfully balanced honoring our students and their families with best practices for health and safety.

In June, the Kansas Board of Regents approved our new 2022 regional tuition for on-campus students. Fort Hays State doubled down on its commitment to providing quality accessible education by making the bold move to redefine the meaning of regional on-campus tuition. We now offer the equivalent of in-state tuition to students from Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. I can’t wait to welcome more students home to Hays, America!

Over the summer, we celebrated the accomplishments of two student-athletes: basketball standout Whitney Randall received the MIAA Women’s Winter Student-Athlete-of-the-Year Award, and pole vaulter Ryan Stanley earned the MIAA Men’s Spring Student-Athlete-of-the-Year Award after claiming the NCAA Division II national championship in the pole vault. Extraordinary accomplishments for both student-athletes. Tiger proud!

Fully returning to face-to-face classes and a myriad of student activities, from football to theatre, was a spectacular high point in fall 2021.

In August, we dedicated the Schmidt Foundation Center for Art and Design. I especially loved listening to the personal stories about Bob and Pat Schmidt, who enjoyed nearly 69 years of married life together before Pat passed away in 2015 and Bob in 2017. The couple was known for their love of FHSU and their philanthropic support. With a generous $2.5 million gift, the Schmidt Foundation has carried on Bob’s and Pat's legacy and their love for education, the arts, and Fort Hays State by naming a building after them – a building with which the couple would have been enamored.

Speaking of extraordinary generosity, September concluded our Journey campaign. The Journey campaign kicked off Homecoming of 2016 with a goal of raising $100 million in support of FHSU and its students over a five-year period. Those years flew by, and not only was that ambitious goal reached – it was surpassed. The Journey campaign raised a total of $112,769,457!

In October, the university hosted a ribbon-cutting event for the Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success. Similar to the Center for Art and Design, this celebration honored two extraordinary individuals, the late Richard Fischli and Dolores Wills-Fischli. Richard and Dolores began their journey with Fort Hays State as two rural Kansas kids pursuing a college education. Both earned bachelor's and master's degrees from FHSU in the 1950s, then moved to southern California. Upon retiring from their careers in education, the Fischlis moved back home to Logan, Kansas. Today, this impressive new facility has become a reality thanks to a $5 million gift from the Fischlis’ estate. Although the generous couple is no longer with us, their legacy of impacting students will continue to live on at Fort Hays State.

Given our focus on improving the lives, our Criminal Justice Department chair, Dr. Tamara Lynn – in partnership with Chief of University Police, Ed Howell – put together a de-escalation center. With the invaluable assistance of U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, FHSU began our Thanksgiving break by celebrating a $1.25 million federal grant for the training center. Fort Hays State’s regional training center will train police on how to de-escalate potentially dangerous situations using a psychological approach. The training provided by FHSU places the university at the forefront of this vital law enforcement training initiative.

And while I have mentioned 10 items, like that extra cookie in a baker’s dozen, I must add how excited I am, that at the writing of this column, both our men and women’s basketball teams were undefeated, and our women were ranked No. 1 in the NCAA Division II coaches poll. Perhaps this is a foreshadowing of what will appear in my 2022 Top 10 list.

I end 2021 and begin 2022 by expressing my deepest gratitude to our faculty and staff for their resilience and innovation, never losing sight of our enduring commitment to caring for our students. Simply put, our faculty and staff rose to the challenge in 2021 and continued to deliver robust support services and outstanding teaching and learning experiences in thoughtful, impactful, and personal ways. I also thank our students for having faith in Fort Hays State University and working together to create an environment of respect and kindness.

Happy New Year to you and yours – and to FHSU!&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575301942236.jpeg" alt="Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president</figcaption>
 </figure>Each year, I like to look back and create a “Top 10 list” in David Letterman style. The list, roughly in chronological order, is certainly not all-encompassing – there are great stories and good news every day at Fort Hays State University. However, it does provide a means of looking back and recounting some of the many blessings we enjoyed in 2021. So, in keeping with tradition, here is my top 10 list for 2021.&nbsp;March brought the exciting news that beginning fall of 2021, thanks to the generosity of the Schmidt Foundation, five students would receive full-ride scholarships to FHSU. The Schmidt Foundation Scholarship includes 30 hours of tuition and fees for fall and spring courses, books, and room and board over a period of four years. Each year, five students will be selected – so in the fall of 2024, we will have 20 Schmidt Foundation scholars on campus.&nbsp;Speaking of outstanding students, we were enamored with the accomplishments of Brynn Wooten, a sophomore from Westminster, Colo., who was named a 2021 Barry Goldwater Scholar in May. This nationally competitive scholarship will fully fund her final two years of undergraduate study. Brynn’s passion for science, especially paleobiology, began at a very young age as a visitor to the Sternberg Museum of Natural History. During her college search process, she learned of Sternberg Museum’s affiliation with Fort Hays State and immediately decided she wanted to become a Tiger. Brynn is the first FHSU student to receive this prestigious award.The return to in-person commencement ceremonies was definitely a highlight of 2021. The thrill of having students once again walk across the commencement stage was fantastic. Hats off to the planning committee that thoughtfully balanced honoring our students and their families with best practices for health and safety.In June, the Kansas Board of Regents approved our new 2022 regional tuition for on-campus students. Fort Hays State doubled down on its commitment to providing quality accessible education by making the bold move to redefine the meaning of regional on-campus tuition. We now offer the equivalent of in-state tuition to students from Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. I can’t wait to welcome more students home to Hays, America!Over the summer, we celebrated the accomplishments of two student-athletes: basketball standout Whitney Randall received the MIAA Women’s Winter Student-Athlete-of-the-Year Award, and pole vaulter Ryan Stanley earned the MIAA Men’s Spring Student-Athlete-of-the-Year Award after claiming the NCAA Division II national championship in the pole vault. Extraordinary accomplishments for both student-athletes. Tiger proud!Fully returning to face-to-face classes and a myriad of student activities, from football to theatre, was a spectacular high point in fall 2021.In August, we dedicated the Schmidt Foundation Center for Art and Design. I especially loved listening to the personal stories about Bob and Pat Schmidt, who enjoyed nearly 69 years of married life together before Pat passed away in 2015 and Bob in 2017. The couple was known for their love of FHSU and their philanthropic support. With a generous $2.5 million gift, the Schmidt Foundation has carried on Bob’s and Pat's legacy and their love for education, the arts, and Fort Hays State by naming a building after them – a building with which the couple would have been enamored.Speaking of extraordinary generosity, September concluded our Journey campaign. The Journey campaign kicked off Homecoming of 2016 with a goal of raising $100 million in support of FHSU and its students over a five-year period. Those years flew by, and not only was that ambitious goal reached – it was surpassed. The Journey campaign raised a total of $112,769,457!In October, the university hosted a ribbon-cutting event for the Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success. Similar to the Center for Art and Design, this celebration honored two extraordinary individuals, the late Richard Fischli and Dolores Wills-Fischli. Richard and Dolores began their journey with Fort Hays State as two rural Kansas kids pursuing a college education. Both earned bachelor's and master's degrees from FHSU in the 1950s, then moved to southern California. Upon retiring from their careers in education, the Fischlis moved back home to Logan, Kansas. Today, this impressive new facility has become a reality thanks to a $5 million gift from the Fischlis’ estate. Although the generous couple is no longer with us, their legacy of impacting students will continue to live on at Fort Hays State.Given our focus on improving the lives, our Criminal Justice Department chair, Dr. Tamara Lynn – in partnership with Chief of University Police, Ed Howell – put together a de-escalation center. With the invaluable assistance of U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, FHSU began our Thanksgiving break by celebrating a $1.25 million federal grant for the training center. Fort Hays State’s regional training center will train police on how to de-escalate potentially dangerous situations using a psychological approach. The training provided by FHSU places the university at the forefront of this vital law enforcement training initiative.And while I have mentioned 10 items, like that extra cookie in a baker’s dozen, I must add how excited I am, that at the writing of this column, both our men and women’s basketball teams were undefeated, and our women were ranked No. 1 in the NCAA Division II coaches poll. Perhaps this is a foreshadowing of what will appear in my 2022 Top 10 list.I end 2021 and begin 2022 by expressing my deepest gratitude to our faculty and staff for their resilience and innovation, never losing sight of our enduring commitment to caring for our students. Simply put, our faculty and staff rose to the challenge in 2021 and continued to deliver robust support services and outstanding teaching and learning experiences in thoughtful, impactful, and personal ways. I also thank our students for having faith in Fort Hays State University and working together to create an environment of respect and kindness.Happy New Year to you and yours – and to FHSU!&nbsp;

MASON: Top 10 list brimming with good news

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

A crew from the Guinness Book of World Records is recording a video of a new world record holder. And where do you suppose this world record holder is found? Would you believe, in rural Kansas?&nbsp;

Today we’ll meet a family which is producing longhorn cattle that are setting global records.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Joe Sedlacek is the owner of Lazy J Longhorns near Greenleaf, Kan. He was born in the nearby rural community of Frankfort, population 726 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;

Joe grew up around cattle as his father ran an Angus cowherd. But Joe became interested in another kind of cattle: Texas longhorns.&nbsp;

“I was always fascinated with longhorns,” Joe said. “I’d watch every old western just to catch a glimpse of a longhorn. If we were traveling and happened to see a longhorn, we’d have to stop and take a picture.”&nbsp;

In August, 1996 when Joe was 15, he bought three longhorns as a hobby. “By Christmas of that year, I had 50 head,” Joe said. That is definitely a hobby that grew. After graduation, Joe did accounting work to keep books for several companies while growing his longhorn herd.&nbsp;

“Those book-keeping skills would come in handy (for the longhorn business) because you have to track a lot of data and measurements,” Joe said. In 2005, he married Stephanie who had grown up in nearby Hanover. They bought ground and built a home near Greenleaf.&nbsp;

“I figured this could be a viable business if I could devote myself to it full-time,” Joe said.&nbsp;&nbsp;In 2008, he left another job to concentrate on his registered Texas Longhorn cattle breeding business. He called it Lazy J Longhorns.&nbsp;

Today, Lazy J Longhorns has approximately 150 head of longhorns. Lazy J sells longhorn bulls, cows, steers and heifers as well as a specially designed working chute.&nbsp;

The longhorn breed has rich history. After the Civil War, these hardy animals were running free in Texas, yet there was high demand for beef in the eastern markets.&nbsp;&nbsp;Entrepreneurial Texans gathered those longhorn cattle and drove them north to railroads in Kansas where they could be shipped to markets in the east. Of necessity, those animals learned to survive and raise calves in harsh wilderness conditions. Those traits of hardiness and mothering ability remain with the breed today.&nbsp;

The greatest fascination is with the huge horns that grow naturally on the heads of both males and females. Breeders are continually seeking to raise cattle with longer horns.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America even conducts an annual Horn Showcase and sale with prizes for the animals with the longest horns.&nbsp;

“Buyers want the big horns. If an animal has distinctive color and good disposition, that adds to the value even more,” Joe said.&nbsp;

One year, Joe’s herd raised a blue roan colored steer that he named Lazy J’s Bluegrass.&nbsp;&nbsp;The steer grew to have horns that were 10 feet 2 inches long, a world record at the time.&nbsp;&nbsp;In fact, Lazy J’s Bluegrass won the world record three years in a row.&nbsp;

Not only did the longhorn set the world record in the Guinness Book of World Records, he was chosen to be one of only 10 world record holders for which Guinness sent a video crew to record his story.&nbsp;

Lazy J’s Bluegrass became quite the celebrity. Joe brought him to Fort Worth for the annual longhorn sale and posted a video of Bluegrass walking into his pen on Wednesday evening. By the time of the sale on the following Friday night, the video had reached 4 million hits. On that night, Lazy J’s Bluegrass sold for a record $48,000.&nbsp;&nbsp;“The horn race is definitely on,” Joe said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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

A video crew came to Kansas and recorded footage of Lazy J’s Bluegrass, the world record-setting longhorn steer. We commend Joe and Stephanie Sedlacek for making a difference with their commitment to this unique breed. The legacy of these cattle is truly long.&nbsp;

And there’s more. Remember the specially designed working chute? We’ll learn about that next week.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640799305636.png" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;A crew from the Guinness Book of World Records is recording a video of a new world record holder. And where do you suppose this world record holder is found? Would you believe, in rural Kansas?&nbsp;Today we’ll meet a family which is producing longhorn cattle that are setting global records.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Joe Sedlacek is the owner of Lazy J Longhorns near Greenleaf, Kan. He was born in the nearby rural community of Frankfort, population 726 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;Joe grew up around cattle as his father ran an Angus cowherd. But Joe became interested in another kind of cattle: Texas longhorns.&nbsp;“I was always fascinated with longhorns,” Joe said. “I’d watch every old western just to catch a glimpse of a longhorn. If we were traveling and happened to see a longhorn, we’d have to stop and take a picture.”&nbsp;In August, 1996 when Joe was 15, he bought three longhorns as a hobby. “By Christmas of that year, I had 50 head,” Joe said. That is definitely a hobby that grew. After graduation, Joe did accounting work to keep books for several companies while growing his longhorn herd.&nbsp;“Those book-keeping skills would come in handy (for the longhorn business) because you have to track a lot of data and measurements,” Joe said. In 2005, he married Stephanie who had grown up in nearby Hanover. They bought ground and built a home near Greenleaf.&nbsp;“I figured this could be a viable business if I could devote myself to it full-time,” Joe said.&nbsp;&nbsp;In 2008, he left another job to concentrate on his registered Texas Longhorn cattle breeding business. He called it Lazy J Longhorns.&nbsp;Today, Lazy J Longhorns has approximately 150 head of longhorns. Lazy J sells longhorn bulls, cows, steers and heifers as well as a specially designed working chute.&nbsp;The longhorn breed has rich history. After the Civil War, these hardy animals were running free in Texas, yet there was high demand for beef in the eastern markets.&nbsp;&nbsp;Entrepreneurial Texans gathered those longhorn cattle and drove them north to railroads in Kansas where they could be shipped to markets in the east. Of necessity, those animals learned to survive and raise calves in harsh wilderness conditions. Those traits of hardiness and mothering ability remain with the breed today.&nbsp;The greatest fascination is with the huge horns that grow naturally on the heads of both males and females. Breeders are continually seeking to raise cattle with longer horns.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America even conducts an annual Horn Showcase and sale with prizes for the animals with the longest horns.&nbsp;“Buyers want the big horns. If an animal has distinctive color and good disposition, that adds to the value even more,” Joe said.&nbsp;One year, Joe’s herd raised a blue roan colored steer that he named Lazy J’s Bluegrass.&nbsp;&nbsp;The steer grew to have horns that were 10 feet 2 inches long, a world record at the time.&nbsp;&nbsp;In fact, Lazy J’s Bluegrass won the world record three years in a row.&nbsp;Not only did the longhorn set the world record in the Guinness Book of World Records, he was chosen to be one of only 10 world record holders for which Guinness sent a video crew to record his story.&nbsp;Lazy J’s Bluegrass became quite the celebrity. Joe brought him to Fort Worth for the annual longhorn sale and posted a video of Bluegrass walking into his pen on Wednesday evening. By the time of the sale on the following Friday night, the video had reached 4 million hits. On that night, Lazy J’s Bluegrass sold for a record $48,000.&nbsp;&nbsp;“The horn race is definitely on,” Joe said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For more information, see&nbsp;<a href="http://www.lazyjlonghorns.com/">www.lazyjlonghorns.com</a>.&nbsp;A video crew came to Kansas and recorded footage of Lazy J’s Bluegrass, the world record-setting longhorn steer. We commend Joe and Stephanie Sedlacek for making a difference with their commitment to this unique breed. The legacy of these cattle is truly long.&nbsp;And there’s more. Remember the specially designed working chute? We’ll learn about that next week.&nbsp;

Now That’s Rural: Joe Sedlacek, Lazy J Longhorns 

December brought Kansas its first comprehensive look at its housing needs in nearly three decades. This report is a bonanza for policy geeks and anyone who cares about housing issues.&nbsp;

The Office of Rural Prosperity, created by Governor Laura Kelly, partnered with the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation, Kansas’s housing finance agency, to sponsor the report. It provides localized data on housing needs, population trends, and market dynamics.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If you want to address housing challenges facing average Kansans, the data in this report are the start.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For renters, finding quality and affordable housing is hard in many communities. That leaves many Kansans paying inflated prices for under-maintained properties or paying significantly more than mortgages might otherwise cost.&nbsp;

For buyers, a limited supply of affordable, modest-sized homes is pushing many into renting or more expensive homes than desired. And many buyers can’t compete when sellers in some Kansas markets expect perks like thousands in cash over asking or waived inspections.&nbsp;

But in some Kansas communities, especially shrinking rural communities, reality is often different—too few buyers and difficulty obtaining funds to bring properties up to buyer expectations.&nbsp;

From the report, two problems define most Kansas markets.&nbsp;

First, there is a gap in middle class housing, typically more affordable, smaller sized, and smaller lot homes. This is the critical shortage that turns buyers into renters or encourages larger mortgages just to have a house. In the Kansas City metro, it can also be the deciding factor between living in Kansas versus Missouri.&nbsp;

Second, there is a shortage of rental and smaller home stock suitable for our aging population. In Kansas, only the Kansas City metro saw its share of 0-19-year-olds grow in the last decade.&nbsp;

You can sense from local politics that these trends clash with how some communities see themselves. In 2021 local elections in Kansas, some communities saw real controversy over new rental housing and whether policies should favor larger or smaller single family homes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If city halls in Kansas make growth decisions based on image over needs and trends, they might make easy political decisions that actually make the housing situation in their communities more challenging.&nbsp;

For the frustrated, asking how to improve this situation is natural. The answers may not be easy.&nbsp;

Housing is an inherently local issue. The easiest solutions may be found in local government—growth policies and zoning. But participation in local elections in Kansas is pretty low. How many of us know who serves on our city councils, let alone what growth decisions they make that ultimately frustrate us?&nbsp;

Politicians in Topeka can still promote solutions. It might require innovate policy and local partnerships. This is truly an issue where there is no one simple solution, and where brainstorming effective policy innovation is needed.&nbsp;

Finding these solutions, though, requires our political machinery to actually care. Some in the politics industry care more about talking about housing problems for political point-scoring than actually finding hard solutions. Or they would rather carnival bark about sideshows like critical race theory or outrage-of-the-day headlines than engage you on hard issues.&nbsp;

You can read the “Kansas Statewide Housing Needs Assessment 2021” at&nbsp;<a href="https://kshousingcorp.org/">https://kshousingcorp.org/</a>. Kansas doesn’t need to wallow helplessly in its housing challenges, but we do need citizens and policymakers who know the real problems and seek the hard solutions.&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>December brought Kansas its first comprehensive look at its housing needs in nearly three decades. This report is a bonanza for policy geeks and anyone who cares about housing issues.&nbsp;The Office of Rural Prosperity, created by Governor Laura Kelly, partnered with the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation, Kansas’s housing finance agency, to sponsor the report. It provides localized data on housing needs, population trends, and market dynamics.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you want to address housing challenges facing average Kansans, the data in this report are the start.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>For renters, finding quality and affordable housing is hard in many communities. That leaves many Kansans paying inflated prices for under-maintained properties or paying significantly more than mortgages might otherwise cost.&nbsp;For buyers, a limited supply of affordable, modest-sized homes is pushing many into renting or more expensive homes than desired. And many buyers can’t compete when sellers in some Kansas markets expect perks like thousands in cash over asking or waived inspections.&nbsp;But in some Kansas communities, especially shrinking rural communities, reality is often different—too few buyers and difficulty obtaining funds to bring properties up to buyer expectations.&nbsp;From the report, two problems define most Kansas markets.&nbsp;First, there is a gap in middle class housing, typically more affordable, smaller sized, and smaller lot homes. This is the critical shortage that turns buyers into renters or encourages larger mortgages just to have a house. In the Kansas City metro, it can also be the deciding factor between living in Kansas versus Missouri.&nbsp;Second, there is a shortage of rental and smaller home stock suitable for our aging population. In Kansas, only the Kansas City metro saw its share of 0-19-year-olds grow in the last decade.&nbsp;You can sense from local politics that these trends clash with how some communities see themselves. In 2021 local elections in Kansas, some communities saw real controversy over new rental housing and whether policies should favor larger or smaller single family homes.&nbsp;&nbsp;If city halls in Kansas make growth decisions based on image over needs and trends, they might make easy political decisions that actually make the housing situation in their communities more challenging.&nbsp;For the frustrated, asking how to improve this situation is natural. The answers may not be easy.&nbsp;Housing is an inherently local issue. The easiest solutions may be found in local government—growth policies and zoning. But participation in local elections in Kansas is pretty low. How many of us know who serves on our city councils, let alone what growth decisions they make that ultimately frustrate us?&nbsp;Politicians in Topeka can still promote solutions. It might require innovate policy and local partnerships. This is truly an issue where there is no one simple solution, and where brainstorming effective policy innovation is needed.&nbsp;Finding these solutions, though, requires our political machinery to actually care. Some in the politics industry care more about talking about housing problems for political point-scoring than actually finding hard solutions. Or they would rather carnival bark about sideshows like critical race theory or outrage-of-the-day headlines than engage you on hard issues.&nbsp;You can read the “Kansas Statewide Housing Needs Assessment 2021” at&nbsp;<a href="https://kshousingcorp.org/">https://kshousingcorp.org/</a>. Kansas doesn’t need to wallow helplessly in its housing challenges, but we do need citizens and policymakers who know the real problems and seek the hard solutions.&nbsp;Patrick R. Miller is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.&nbsp;

INSIGHT KANSAS: Housing data sheds light on tough political problem 

Somewhere on my lengthy list of unanswered questions is the query that asks “Just how far will we go to protect ourselves from ourselves?” Don’t get me wrong, there are some very necessary warnings out there, like huge letters on a tank of gasoline that read “FLAMMABLE,” or flags that tell us “Road Work Ahead.” But for every good and reasonable warning are a dozen other absolutely wacky warnings that leave us shaking our head.&nbsp;

The thing to remember about wacky warnings is that they got there because someone, somewhere actually did what the warnings tell you not to do. So, someone somewhere tried eating that deodorant stick before the warning “Do Not Ingest” was put there, and so on and so forth. I’m convinced the need for most wacky warnings come about as dares, and are preceded by those four infamous little words, “Here, Hold My Beer.”&nbsp;

The outdoor industry is not immune to wacky warnings and offers plenty of products that bear them. The owner’s manual for a new gun I bought says “Appropriate use for this firearm means using your firearm for legal purposes.” So evidently criminals using guns to commit crimes haven’t read the owner’s manual first? “Always keep fingers and other body parts away from the muzzle” is another firearm warning. I already know there’s a hole in the end of the barrel where that thing comes out, oh now what’s it called … oh yeah, the bullet, so I shouldn’t have to feel around there with my finger to find it, and I can’t imagine what other body parts the warning means. The manual for my crossbow tells me “Always THINK before you shoot.” Now why’d they have to go and open that can-a-worms?&nbsp;

And speaking of worms, I found “Not for human consumption” on all fish bait, whether artificially made from who-knows-what, or catfish stink bait made from blood, liver and other organic stuff. Now I may have had this fishin’ thing wrong all along. I’ve always thought the goal was to use the bait to catch fish to take home and eat, not to sit in the boat and eat the bait. Part of the fun of fishing for me has always been takin’ along a nice picnic lunch or at least snacks. I really can’ t picture myself taking a loaf of bread and making sandwiches by spreading slices of bread with stinky catfish bait. On one brand of catfish stink bait, I found the warning “Beware, dogs love this stuff.” Not sure I’d have put that on the jar if my goal was to sell that bait to fishermen to actually catch fish. And I’m not sure why I should “Beware” that my dog might love it. Should I “Beware” because all my expensive bait might disappear, and show up later that night as chunks all over the couch that now smell worse than the bait, or because the dog could grow fins and swim away down the river? One particular artificial bait made by the Berkley Company looks like crayfish packed in a pouch of liquid of some sort. It’s called “Gulp Alive” and the warning reads “Looks alive, Feels alive, Tastes alive; not for human consumption.” Now, to a good-ole’-boy out for a relaxing day on the water, that’s like dealing him all four aces and asking him not to play them!&nbsp;

On canisters of black powder used for muzzle loading guns I found this odd warning “Caution, do not eat, drink or smoke around this product.” Now, a warning against smoking anywhere near gun powder is one of those things that should never have to be said, but why not eat or drink around black powder? I have to remind myself again that these warnings usually come about because of some actual event. Maybe someone somewhere was once enjoying a sandwich while loading their muzzleloader, unknowingly ingested some black powder from the air along with the sandwich, and the next morning while completing their morning constitutional, blew the outhouse into the next county.

Perhaps the product I was most surprised to find warnings on were the little hand, foot and toe warmers that you stick inside your gloves or boots. The warning read “Caution, for external use only. Do not allow contents to contact eyes or mouth.” OK, not quite sure what to say about the “external use only” part of the warning, but I must say how disappointed I am that I can’t eat hand warmers! Yes, there have been a few times while sitting in a deer blind when I’ve neglected to pack a snack and wished I had just a little something to nibble on, but I can honestly say I’ve never considered chomping on my hand or foot warmers. As for the rest of the warning, I can’t remember the last time my mouth or eyes got cold and I considered putting a hand or foot warmer on them.&nbsp;

Warnings; you gotta’ love em.’ Did you ever think you’d see the day that society would heed a warning so profoundly that a shortage of .22 rifle shells would turn into a shortage of toilet paper? By the way, I feel the need to warn you that “Reading this column will either make you pee your pants with laughter or put you to sleep, and persons needing that much toilet paper right now might want to forego reading it altogether.”&nbsp;&nbsp; Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.

Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:stevenrgilliland@gmail.com">stevenrgilliland@gmail.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve&nbsp;Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve&nbsp;Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>Somewhere on my lengthy list of unanswered questions is the query that asks “Just how far will we go to protect ourselves from ourselves?” Don’t get me wrong, there are some very necessary warnings out there, like huge letters on a tank of gasoline that read “FLAMMABLE,” or flags that tell us “Road Work Ahead.” But for every good and reasonable warning are a dozen other absolutely wacky warnings that leave us shaking our head.&nbsp;The thing to remember about wacky warnings is that they got there because someone, somewhere actually did what the warnings tell you not to do. So, someone somewhere tried eating that deodorant stick before the warning “Do Not Ingest” was put there, and so on and so forth. I’m convinced the need for most wacky warnings come about as dares, and are preceded by those four infamous little words, “Here, Hold My Beer.”&nbsp;The outdoor industry is not immune to wacky warnings and offers plenty of products that bear them. The owner’s manual for a new gun I bought says “Appropriate use for this firearm means using your firearm for legal purposes.” So evidently criminals using guns to commit crimes haven’t read the owner’s manual first? “Always keep fingers and other body parts away from the muzzle” is another firearm warning. I already know there’s a hole in the end of the barrel where that thing comes out, oh now what’s it called … oh yeah, the bullet, so I shouldn’t have to feel around there with my finger to find it, and I can’t imagine what other body parts the warning means. The manual for my crossbow tells me “Always THINK before you shoot.” Now why’d they have to go and open that can-a-worms?&nbsp;And speaking of worms, I found “Not for human consumption” on all fish bait, whether artificially made from who-knows-what, or catfish stink bait made from blood, liver and other organic stuff. Now I may have had this fishin’ thing wrong all along. I’ve always thought the goal was to use the bait to catch fish to take home and eat, not to sit in the boat and eat the bait. Part of the fun of fishing for me has always been takin’ along a nice picnic lunch or at least snacks. I really can’ t picture myself taking a loaf of bread and making sandwiches by spreading slices of bread with stinky catfish bait. On one brand of catfish stink bait, I found the warning “Beware, dogs love this stuff.” Not sure I’d have put that on the jar if my goal was to sell that bait to fishermen to actually catch fish. And I’m not sure why I should “Beware” that my dog might love it. Should I “Beware” because all my expensive bait might disappear, and show up later that night as chunks all over the couch that now smell worse than the bait, or because the dog could grow fins and swim away down the river? One particular artificial bait made by the Berkley Company looks like crayfish packed in a pouch of liquid of some sort. It’s called “Gulp Alive” and the warning reads “Looks alive, Feels alive, Tastes alive; not for human consumption.” Now, to a good-ole’-boy out for a relaxing day on the water, that’s like dealing him all four aces and asking him not to play them!&nbsp;On canisters of black powder used for muzzle loading guns I found this odd warning “Caution, do not eat, drink or smoke around this product.” Now, a warning against smoking anywhere near gun powder is one of those things that should never have to be said, but why not eat or drink around black powder? I have to remind myself again that these warnings usually come about because of some actual event. Maybe someone somewhere was once enjoying a sandwich while loading their muzzleloader, unknowingly ingested some black powder from the air along with the sandwich, and the next morning while completing their morning constitutional, blew the outhouse into the next county.Perhaps the product I was most surprised to find warnings on were the little hand, foot and toe warmers that you stick inside your gloves or boots. The warning read “Caution, for external use only. Do not allow contents to contact eyes or mouth.” OK, not quite sure what to say about the “external use only” part of the warning, but I must say how disappointed I am that I can’t eat hand warmers! Yes, there have been a few times while sitting in a deer blind when I’ve neglected to pack a snack and wished I had just a little something to nibble on, but I can honestly say I’ve never considered chomping on my hand or foot warmers. As for the rest of the warning, I can’t remember the last time my mouth or eyes got cold and I considered putting a hand or foot warmer on them.&nbsp;Warnings; you gotta’ love em.’ Did you ever think you’d see the day that society would heed a warning so profoundly that a shortage of .22 rifle shells would turn into a shortage of toilet paper? By the way, I feel the need to warn you that “Reading this column will either make you pee your pants with laughter or put you to sleep, and persons needing that much toilet paper right now might want to forego reading it altogether.”&nbsp;&nbsp; Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:stevenrgilliland@gmail.com">stevenrgilliland@gmail.com</a>.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: Wacky warnings

By JOHN BAETZ <a href="https://www.kansaspregame.com/">Kansas Pregame Publisher</a>

Parents and student-athletes, football fan or not, please give this a read — it’s filled with valuable advice for aspiring college student-athletes.

I knew I wanted to be a football player at an early age. My brother’s high school team won a state championship in 1982, and even though I was just eight-years-old at the moment, he and his teammates hoisting that trophy in celebration was burned into my memory and played like a newsreel on repeat in my mind throughout my teenage years.

The singular goal of team success permeated my being throughout junior high and high school, but was always underscored by the dream of playing college football. As much as I wanted to win high school football games, I also wanted to be a scholarship college football player at the highest level possible.

Unfortunately, because of that focus, I was left unprepared for college in many ways.

Academically, I did just enough to survive in high school. In courses that came more naturally to me, such as English and history, I was generally above average. In classes that were more challenging, such as math and science, I did just enough to stay eligible to play football.

I’m embarrassed to admit my lack of focus on academics, not just because it left me unprepared for some college level courses, but also because I missed out on so many scholarship opportunities tied to academic performance. I was, frankly, too confident that a college football scholarship would pay for my college education.

While I was a barely above average high school player who filled my role on my team well, my own estimation of my football skill was likely a bit inflated. While I enjoyed the recruiting process…I completely mishandled it. But, that’s a story for another time.

I was fortunate to earn a handful of scholarship offers at the NAIA and junior college level, and even a DII offer, along with several DII walk-on invites. I chose the JUCO option, and it quickly became clear that junior college was not the right fit. My size and speed&nbsp;&nbsp;– or lack thereof&nbsp;&nbsp;–&nbsp;&nbsp;left me as a kind of&nbsp;“tweener” for my ideal position. I knew after just a couple weeks of practice that I probably should’ve gone to a four-year school where I could’ve developed in a red-shirt year and grown into my position.

Ultimately, I transferred to a four-year school, left football behind, and focused on academics.

Let me be clear – this is not a criticism of junior college football! In fact, three of my high school teammates found immediate playing time and success in the junior college ranks. Many, many Kansas athletes have used junior college as a jumping off point for eventual four-year success. It simply was not the best fit for me.

But, that’s not what I want you to take from this. What is more important is how wholly unprepared I was left for college because of my singular focus on football.

I love football, and even with its risks I still believe it’s a great game that provides a great physical outlet for young people across the country. I was fortunate to parlay my passion for football, and all athletics, into a successful small business, and I couldn’t love my work more.

All that said, I mismanaged preparation for college, and I would love to help young student-athletes and their families avoid making similar mistakes. As a result, I’ve developed a kind of checklist of considerations for aspiring college athletes. Check them out below:

Certainly there are many other considerations for successful navigation of the college selection process, but financial preparedness provides a sense of security and reduces the challenges and overall stress load related to receiving a college education.

There’s no time like the present to put saving for college at the top of your list.

John Baetz is the owner of Sixteen 60 Publishing Co. in Lincoln, publisher of Kansas Pregame Magazines and past publisher of the Lincoln Sentinel-Republican and Chapman News-Times newspapers and other specialty publications.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640628266608.jpeg" alt="John Baetz" />
 <figcaption>John Baetz</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN BAETZ <a href="https://www.kansaspregame.com/">Kansas Pregame Publisher</a>Parents and student-athletes, football fan or not, please give this a read — it’s filled with valuable advice for aspiring college student-athletes.I knew I wanted to be a football player at an early age. My brother’s high school team won a state championship in 1982, and even though I was just eight-years-old at the moment, he and his teammates hoisting that trophy in celebration was burned into my memory and played like a newsreel on repeat in my mind throughout my teenage years.The singular goal of team success permeated my being throughout junior high and high school, but was always underscored by the dream of playing college football. As much as I wanted to win high school football games, I also wanted to be a scholarship college football player at the highest level possible.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Unfortunately, because of that focus, I was left unprepared for college in many ways.Academically, I did just enough to survive in high school. In courses that came more naturally to me, such as English and history, I was generally above average. In classes that were more challenging, such as math and science, I did just enough to stay eligible to play football.I’m embarrassed to admit my lack of focus on academics, not just because it left me unprepared for some college level courses, but also because I missed out on so many scholarship opportunities tied to academic performance. I was, frankly, too confident that a college football scholarship would pay for my college education.While I was a barely above average high school player who filled my role on my team well, my own estimation of my football skill was likely a bit inflated. While I enjoyed the recruiting process…I completely mishandled it. But, that’s a story for another time.I was fortunate to earn a handful of scholarship offers at the NAIA and junior college level, and even a DII offer, along with several DII walk-on invites. I chose the JUCO option, and it quickly became clear that junior college was not the right fit. My size and speed&nbsp;&nbsp;– or lack thereof&nbsp;&nbsp;–&nbsp;&nbsp;left me as a kind of&nbsp;“tweener” for my ideal position. I knew after just a couple weeks of practice that I probably should’ve gone to a four-year school where I could’ve developed in a red-shirt year and grown into my position.Ultimately, I transferred to a four-year school, left football behind, and focused on academics.Let me be clear – this is not a criticism of junior college football! In fact, three of my high school teammates found immediate playing time and success in the junior college ranks. Many, many Kansas athletes have used junior college as a jumping off point for eventual four-year success. It simply was not the best fit for me.But, that’s not what I want you to take from this. What is more important is how wholly unprepared I was left for college because of my singular focus on football.I love football, and even with its risks I still believe it’s a great game that provides a great physical outlet for young people across the country. I was fortunate to parlay my passion for football, and all athletics, into a successful small business, and I couldn’t love my work more.All that said, I mismanaged preparation for college, and I would love to help young student-athletes and their families avoid making similar mistakes. As a result, I’ve developed a kind of checklist of considerations for aspiring college athletes. Check them out below:<ol>
 <li>Athletic assessment – Every year hundreds, if not thousands of high school athletes, and their parents, claim they are&nbsp;“slept on” by top level athletic programs. The reality is that participating in college athletics is incredibly difficult at any level and properly assessing your own skill level early in high school is imperative in choosing the right opportunity. Remember, it’s not just about being on a team. It's about having a legitimate opportunity to earn playing time and not only get, but keep that scholarship.</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Academic success – I think kids who hear me speak probably get tired of this message, but PLEASE put the student in student-athlete first. Do this not just because the opportunities to make a living as a professional athlete are ultra-rare, but also because academic performance can provide scholarship opportunities. If you are not a full-ride DI athlete – and very, very few of you are – then your athletic scholarship will not cover the complete cost of your education. Thousands of college graduates leave school with loads of student loan debt every year, and if your family cannot afford to cover the complete cost of your education, then you’ll want to find any and all resources to pay for those expenses. Academic scholarships are key, but so is my next point.&nbsp;</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Saving for college – This should likely be the number one consideration, but it’s probably the one people least like to talk about. Even a small investment monthly at an early age can result in a windfall that can help cover costs not covered by an athletic scholarship. My family was left unprepared in this regard. But where do you start, right? Well one place to start is at the Kansas State Treasurer Lynn Rogers’&nbsp;529 Learning Quest Website (<a href="https://www.learningquest.com/home.html">https://www.learningquest.com/home.html</a>). Learning Quest provides tips on how to pay for college, including the Learning Quest 529 Savings Plan. It’s a tax-advantaged investment option to help cover the ever-increasing costs of college, while potentially reducing reliance on student loans.</li>
 </ol>Certainly there are many other considerations for successful navigation of the college selection process, but financial preparedness provides a sense of security and reduces the challenges and overall stress load related to receiving a college education.There’s no time like the present to put saving for college at the top of your list.John Baetz is the owner of Sixteen 60 Publishing Co. in Lincoln, publisher of Kansas Pregame Magazines and past publisher of the Lincoln Sentinel-Republican and Chapman News-Times newspapers and other specialty publications.

LETTER: I wish I would’ve saved for college …

By KIM BALDWIN McPherson&nbsp;County farmer Amid the hustle and bustle of this season, I have recently been reminded that, contrary to the temperatures outside, it is winter. As if the short daylight hours, the Christmas stockings and kids being out for winter break haven’t clued me in on this time of the year, a tiny reminder has made it abundantly clear it is indeed winter. The reminder began last week when I was sitting and enjoying my breakfast tea at the kitchen table in silence. It’s a rare occurrence during this time of the year when I am able to sit in solitude and enjoy my warm morning drink. However, on this particular day while everyone was out of the house and I was writing down my list of to-dos, I realized I was not alone. As I’d scribble another item on my list, a little rustling sound would follow. I stopped a couple of times to determine where the sound was coming from.&nbsp; Perhaps a branch was scratching a window, or a toy had not been turned off. When I stopped my list-making and got up to investigate, the noise stopped. I returned to my list and warm cup of tea to continue my task, and the noise began again. Perhaps the caffeine finally kicked in and I was fully aware of the situation because it was then I realized the rustling was in the cabinet under my kitchen sink. I sprang up from my chair to open the cabinet door just in time to catch a little gray mouse scurrying away. Yes, this is my annual reminder winter is truly here. Over the next few days, I began my attempt to rid my house of this tiny mouse. Peanut butter cups were purchased and traps were strategically placed. I wanted to get this creature “taken care of” sooner rather than later as I firmly believe that even if you see only one, there are definitely more. My senses have become acutely more aware of the presence of this little creature in my house. The sounds at midnight of tiny feet skittering across a wooden floor under the cover of darkness, an empty snapped trap minus its appealing bait, and the discovery of a collection of individually wrapped dishwasher tablets relocated from their proper place are all evidence of a mouse. As I discover more proof of this animal in my home, I have become obsessively determined to catch it. This determination has become an annual event for me in our farmhouse. Every year at this time I try to outwit pests that have opted to move into my home instead of claiming the many outbuildings and barns as their winter retreats.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Every year at this time I declare I will catch that mouse! Every year at this time I wake up and immediately wonder if I have caught anything overnight. And every year, I am caught off guard by the determined actions of a tiny creature who, like clockwork, knows when winter is here. Yes, even if it doesn't seem like winter to us yet, my tiny reminder assures me that winter has most definitely arrived.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573617414005.jpeg" alt="Kim Baldwin" />
 <figcaption>Kim Baldwin</figcaption>
 </figure>By KIM BALDWIN McPherson&nbsp;County farmer Amid the hustle and bustle of this season, I have recently been reminded that, contrary to the temperatures outside, it is winter. As if the short daylight hours, the Christmas stockings and kids being out for winter break haven’t clued me in on this time of the year, a tiny reminder has made it abundantly clear it is indeed winter. The reminder began last week when I was sitting and enjoying my breakfast tea at the kitchen table in silence. It’s a rare occurrence during this time of the year when I am able to sit in solitude and enjoy my warm morning drink. However, on this particular day while everyone was out of the house and I was writing down my list of to-dos, I realized I was not alone. As I’d scribble another item on my list, a little rustling sound would follow. I stopped a couple of times to determine where the sound was coming from.&nbsp; Perhaps a branch was scratching a window, or a toy had not been turned off. When I stopped my list-making and got up to investigate, the noise stopped. I returned to my list and warm cup of tea to continue my task, and the noise began again. Perhaps the caffeine finally kicked in and I was fully aware of the situation because it was then I realized the rustling was in the cabinet under my kitchen sink. I sprang up from my chair to open the cabinet door just in time to catch a little gray mouse scurrying away. Yes, this is my annual reminder winter is truly here. Over the next few days, I began my attempt to rid my house of this tiny mouse. Peanut butter cups were purchased and traps were strategically placed. I wanted to get this creature “taken care of” sooner rather than later as I firmly believe that even if you see only one, there are definitely more. My senses have become acutely more aware of the presence of this little creature in my house. The sounds at midnight of tiny feet skittering across a wooden floor under the cover of darkness, an empty snapped trap minus its appealing bait, and the discovery of a collection of individually wrapped dishwasher tablets relocated from their proper place are all evidence of a mouse. As I discover more proof of this animal in my home, I have become obsessively determined to catch it. This determination has become an annual event for me in our farmhouse. Every year at this time I try to outwit pests that have opted to move into my home instead of claiming the many outbuildings and barns as their winter retreats.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Every year at this time I declare I will catch that mouse! Every year at this time I wake up and immediately wonder if I have caught anything overnight. And every year, I am caught off guard by the determined actions of a tiny creature who, like clockwork, knows when winter is here. Yes, even if it doesn't seem like winter to us yet, my tiny reminder assures me that winter has most definitely arrived."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: Winter assurance

Throughout the days of December 15 – 17, the Ellis County Fire Department spent approximately 1,711 working hours between 77 firefighters on scene, extinguishing the wildfires in Ellis County. 

During those days approximately 55,424 acres of grasslands burned, and unfortunately, 10 homes, 17 other structures, and a business burned down which has impacted many families and their livelihoods. 

During those days, so many people showed their support not just to those who had lost everything, but also to the firefighters of the Ellis County Fire Department. 

We have tried to create a list to thank everyone who helped in so many ways. Some have asked to not be mentioned but thank you as well as you know who you are.&nbsp;

Our deepest thank you for your support to the Ellis County Fire Department to the following:

• Emergency dispatchers who did the best they could between radio traffic and phone calls • The Russell, Rooks, Ness, Osborne, and Phillips County fire departments for mutual aid&nbsp; • Sheriff’s deputies assisting in evacuations • All the employers who let the firefighters leave work to assist in the firefighting efforts&nbsp; • American Red Cross • Dillons &nbsp; • Midwest Energy • Western Cooperative • Ellis County Public Works (water and fuel) &nbsp; • Midland Marking – water trucks • Jimmy John’s • McDonalds • All those who dropped off drinking water throughout the fires • Monti and Kylee Honas &nbsp; • FHSU • CG Oil, Inc. • Kansas Highway Patrol for traffic control, and providing updates from the air • Kansas Forestry Service for personnel and coordinating water drops from planes • Sunflower Bank in Victoria for lasagna &nbsp; • Gari Herdt for breakfast • Victoria High students and staff for sack lunches • Fork That Bakery for sandwiches and snacks • Peggy Wohler for sandwiches • Jason Kippes for water • Kori Braun for helping to organize the food deliveries • Total for water, ice, and Gatorade • The Library for food and drinks • Alejandro Robles for food and water &nbsp; • Brian Staff for the use of a tractor • Jayme Zimmerman for the use of a tractor • All the farmers bringing equipment to cut in fire lines • To everyone else we may have missed or asked not to be listed&nbsp;

Darin Myers CPM, EFO, MPA Fire Chief and County Administrator Ellis County, Kansas

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640621945297.png" alt="(Pixabay)" />
 <figcaption>(Pixabay)</figcaption>
 </figure>Throughout the days of December 15 – 17, the Ellis County Fire Department spent approximately 1,711 working hours between 77 firefighters on scene, extinguishing the wildfires in Ellis County. During those days approximately 55,424 acres of grasslands burned, and unfortunately, 10 homes, 17 other structures, and a business burned down which has impacted many families and their livelihoods. During those days, so many people showed their support not just to those who had lost everything, but also to the firefighters of the Ellis County Fire Department. We have tried to create a list to thank everyone who helped in so many ways. Some have asked to not be mentioned but thank you as well as you know who you are.&nbsp; Our deepest thank you for your support to the Ellis County Fire Department to the following:• Emergency dispatchers who did the best they could between radio traffic and phone calls • The Russell, Rooks, Ness, Osborne, and Phillips County fire departments for mutual aid&nbsp; • Sheriff’s deputies assisting in evacuations • All the employers who let the firefighters leave work to assist in the firefighting efforts&nbsp; • American Red Cross • Dillons &nbsp; • Midwest Energy • Western Cooperative • Ellis County Public Works (water and fuel) &nbsp; • Midland Marking – water trucks • Jimmy John’s • McDonalds • All those who dropped off drinking water throughout the fires • Monti and Kylee Honas &nbsp; • FHSU • CG Oil, Inc. • Kansas Highway Patrol for traffic control, and providing updates from the air • Kansas Forestry Service for personnel and coordinating water drops from planes • Sunflower Bank in Victoria for lasagna &nbsp; • Gari Herdt for breakfast • Victoria High students and staff for sack lunches • Fork That Bakery for sandwiches and snacks • Peggy Wohler for sandwiches • Jason Kippes for water • Kori Braun for helping to organize the food deliveries • Total for water, ice, and Gatorade • The Library for food and drinks • Alejandro Robles for food and water &nbsp; • Brian Staff for the use of a tractor • Jayme Zimmerman for the use of a tractor • All the farmers bringing equipment to cut in fire lines • To everyone else we may have missed or asked not to be listed&nbsp;Darin Myers CPM, EFO, MPA Fire Chief and County Administrator Ellis County, Kansas

LETTER: Ellis Co. Fire Chief thanks community for support during recent wildfires

Twas the night before Christmas and except for that mouse Not a creature was stirring cause’ we were locked in the house.

The villain called COVID had come here to reign It’s imprisoned our senses and numbed all our brains.

But deer season was here and my freezer was bare So, I snuck out the back so no one was aware.

It was just before dark as I climbed into my seat Overlooking a woodlot and a field of new wheat.

Then out in the wheatfield there arose such a clatter I sprang from my seat and I fell down the ladder.

I guess I clobbered my head when I fell to the ground Cause what looked like reindeer were roaming around.

“Merry Christmas to me” I though in my mind Reindeer meat in my freezer will suit me just fine.

But as the fog in my head cleared, I thought “What’s the chances” A field full of reindeer in the middle of Kansas?

I shouldered my rifle but the target I chose Appeared to have bells on and strange looking nose.

It looked funny and shiny and about to explode In fact, if you’d seen it, you might even say it glowed.

Then out from behind them stepped a man dressed in red And he fell to his knees in what looked like a sled.

He was visibly shaken and a tear wet his cheek As he turned around towards me and he started to speak.

“This once was my favorite night of the year I looked forward to spreading good will and good cheer.

But now all seems muddled, nothing is clear And the world has gone crazy and seems helpless with fear.

The naughty and nice list is just an offender Cause’ some kids today even question their gender.

Aunt Jemima got canceled and Dr Suess had to flee Some schools can’t call kids a “he” or a “she.”

And reindeer gas causes more grief Than the homeless among us that live on the street.

We’ve had to invent a new name for the elves Now I must call them “small workers with bells.”

Wood for the workshop and new paint for the sleigh Are all on some big ship out in some bay.

And costs have gone up and continue to soar To the point we can hardly make toys anymore.

He suddenly grew quiet and looked toward the sky Then with pain in his voice he said with a sigh

But the saddest illusion that some people utter Is that Christmas can’t happen because of this clutter.

Now you know I am Santa he said with a sniffle But Christmas is Jesus, that plain and that simple.

He climbed into his sleigh and to his team gave a whistle And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

And I heard him exclaim as they flew out of sight “Keep Christ in Christmas and to all a good night.”

So, in the absence of reindeer meat in my dish Guess I’ll just have a salad and a nice piece of fish.

Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve&nbsp;Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve&nbsp;Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="opinion" />
 <figcaption>opinion</figcaption>
 </figure>Twas the night before Christmas and except for that mouse Not a creature was stirring cause’ we were locked in the house.The villain called COVID had come here to reign It’s imprisoned our senses and numbed all our brains.But deer season was here and my freezer was bare So, I snuck out the back so no one was aware.It was just before dark as I climbed into my seat Overlooking a woodlot and a field of new wheat.Then out in the wheatfield there arose such a clatter I sprang from my seat and I fell down the ladder.I guess I clobbered my head when I fell to the ground Cause what looked like reindeer were roaming around.“Merry Christmas to me” I though in my mind Reindeer meat in my freezer will suit me just fine.But as the fog in my head cleared, I thought “What’s the chances” A field full of reindeer in the middle of Kansas?I shouldered my rifle but the target I chose Appeared to have bells on and strange looking nose.It looked funny and shiny and about to explode In fact, if you’d seen it, you might even say it glowed.Then out from behind them stepped a man dressed in red And he fell to his knees in what looked like a sled.He was visibly shaken and a tear wet his cheek As he turned around towards me and he started to speak.“This once was my favorite night of the year I looked forward to spreading good will and good cheer.But now all seems muddled, nothing is clear And the world has gone crazy and seems helpless with fear.The naughty and nice list is just an offender Cause’ some kids today even question their gender.Aunt Jemima got canceled and Dr Suess had to flee Some schools can’t call kids a “he” or a “she.”And reindeer gas causes more grief Than the homeless among us that live on the street.We’ve had to invent a new name for the elves Now I must call them “small workers with bells.”Wood for the workshop and new paint for the sleigh Are all on some big ship out in some bay.And costs have gone up and continue to soar To the point we can hardly make toys anymore.He suddenly grew quiet and looked toward the sky Then with pain in his voice he said with a sighBut the saddest illusion that some people utter Is that Christmas can’t happen because of this clutter.Now you know I am Santa he said with a sniffle But Christmas is Jesus, that plain and that simple.He climbed into his sleigh and to his team gave a whistle And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.And I heard him exclaim as they flew out of sight “Keep Christ in Christmas and to all a good night.”So, in the absence of reindeer meat in my dish Guess I’ll just have a salad and a nice piece of fish.Merry Christmas!Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, 2021

Would you like to buy a four-door truck for $180?&nbsp;&nbsp;How about a semi truck for $225?&nbsp;&nbsp;Maybe a stock trailer for $150?&nbsp;&nbsp;Those prices can’t be real, so you must know that I’m just toying with you.&nbsp;

Today we’ll meet an innovative Kansas company that has diversified its product line to include miniature-sized trucks and farm equipment -- toys that are being shipped coast to coast and beyond.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Larry and Teresa Goodwin are owners of Goodwin Industries in Burns. One of the company’s product lines is Goodwin Miniatures.&nbsp;

Larry grew up near Burns. He worked with his father, Ron Goodwin, who we previously profiled years ago. Ron produced a line of smokers for cooking meat.&nbsp;

“I learned the skill of welding from my dad,” Larry said. While in high school, he attended tech school in Emporia. Larry opened his own welding shop in Burns and did the manufacturing of the smokers that his father was selling.&nbsp;

In 2006, Ron retired and sold the smoker line. Larry’s business is now known as Goodwin Industries.&nbsp;

Goodwin Industries produces several products in addition to doing custom metal work.&nbsp;&nbsp;They now build another model of the family smoker. The company makes a corn header sweep to go on a combine to help with corn harvest. “We do custom work for individuals and other companies,” Larry said.&nbsp;

Larry and his wife have two sons and two daughters. Their boys, Dustin and Zac, are working in the business.&nbsp;

In 2012, Zac was in college at Pratt and was home for the holidays. With time on his hands, he went to the shop and built some miniature replicas of cattle pens and corrals.&nbsp;

“We were doing farm shows where we were displaying the smokers,” Larry said. “We brought some of the miniatures along and they sold really well,” he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Goodwins eventually added Goodwin Miniatures to their product line.&nbsp;

These miniatures are 1/16 scale handcrafted steel replicas of semi trucks, pickup trucks, trailers, and cattle working equipment. These are not cheap Made in China products.&nbsp;&nbsp;They are handbuilt in the shop and powder coated to last.&nbsp;

These miniature models include the types of products one might find on a working Kansas farm. In addition to the trucks, there is a grain bin, a flat bed trailer, a ground load trailer, a goose neck trailer, a stock trailer, a hay trailer, a mixer bed, a high loader, a cube box and a bale loader.&nbsp;

For the livestock operator, there are livestock panels, feed bunk, water tank, gate frame, alley, loading chute, squeeze chute, four way connector and a bale feeder. Items are sold individually or in sets. The panels actually connect so they can be arranged in countless ways.&nbsp;

These are considered generational toys. They are built to last and can literally be handed down from generation to generation.&nbsp;

“A customer told us they were at a wedding in Montana and the kids there were playing with our toys from the previous three generations,” Larry said. “They are built to last.”&nbsp;

In fact, he has his own built-in testing crew. “I have three grandboys so we let them play with the toys first,” Larry said. “They are my R&amp;D department – that’s wreck and destroy,” he said with a smile.&nbsp;

Goodwin Miniatures have been shipped across the U.S. including Alaska, from coast to coast and as far away as Alberta, Canada.&nbsp;&nbsp;“It’s nice to do something that brings people joy,” Larry said.&nbsp;

Their high demand period is from September through December when Larry and his wife take these products to farm and craft shows before the holidays. “We get a really nice response from the people who get them,” Larry said.&nbsp;

It’s great to find this business in a rural community such as&nbsp;Burns, population 228 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;

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

We commend Larry and Teresa and Ron Goodwin and Dustin and Zac of Goodwin Industries for making a difference with their creativity and craftsmanship. It’s good to see that miniature toys can produce giant-sized smiles.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638974403712.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;Would you like to buy a four-door truck for $180?&nbsp;&nbsp;How about a semi truck for $225?&nbsp;&nbsp;Maybe a stock trailer for $150?&nbsp;&nbsp;Those prices can’t be real, so you must know that I’m just toying with you.&nbsp;Today we’ll meet an innovative Kansas company that has diversified its product line to include miniature-sized trucks and farm equipment -- toys that are being shipped coast to coast and beyond.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Larry and Teresa Goodwin are owners of Goodwin Industries in Burns. One of the company’s product lines is Goodwin Miniatures.&nbsp;Larry grew up near Burns. He worked with his father, Ron Goodwin, who we previously profiled years ago. Ron produced a line of smokers for cooking meat.&nbsp;“I learned the skill of welding from my dad,” Larry said. While in high school, he attended tech school in Emporia. Larry opened his own welding shop in Burns and did the manufacturing of the smokers that his father was selling.&nbsp;In 2006, Ron retired and sold the smoker line. Larry’s business is now known as Goodwin Industries.&nbsp;Goodwin Industries produces several products in addition to doing custom metal work.&nbsp;&nbsp;They now build another model of the family smoker. The company makes a corn header sweep to go on a combine to help with corn harvest. “We do custom work for individuals and other companies,” Larry said.&nbsp;Larry and his wife have two sons and two daughters. Their boys, Dustin and Zac, are working in the business.&nbsp;In 2012, Zac was in college at Pratt and was home for the holidays. With time on his hands, he went to the shop and built some miniature replicas of cattle pens and corrals.&nbsp;“We were doing farm shows where we were displaying the smokers,” Larry said. “We brought some of the miniatures along and they sold really well,” he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Goodwins eventually added Goodwin Miniatures to their product line.&nbsp;These miniatures are 1/16 scale handcrafted steel replicas of semi trucks, pickup trucks, trailers, and cattle working equipment. These are not cheap Made in China products.&nbsp;&nbsp;They are handbuilt in the shop and powder coated to last.&nbsp;These miniature models include the types of products one might find on a working Kansas farm. In addition to the trucks, there is a grain bin, a flat bed trailer, a ground load trailer, a goose neck trailer, a stock trailer, a hay trailer, a mixer bed, a high loader, a cube box and a bale loader.&nbsp;For the livestock operator, there are livestock panels, feed bunk, water tank, gate frame, alley, loading chute, squeeze chute, four way connector and a bale feeder. Items are sold individually or in sets. The panels actually connect so they can be arranged in countless ways.&nbsp;These are considered generational toys. They are built to last and can literally be handed down from generation to generation.&nbsp;“A customer told us they were at a wedding in Montana and the kids there were playing with our toys from the previous three generations,” Larry said. “They are built to last.”&nbsp;In fact, he has his own built-in testing crew. “I have three grandboys so we let them play with the toys first,” Larry said. “They are my R&amp;D department – that’s wreck and destroy,” he said with a smile.&nbsp;Goodwin Miniatures have been shipped across the U.S. including Alaska, from coast to coast and as far away as Alberta, Canada.&nbsp;&nbsp;“It’s nice to do something that brings people joy,” Larry said.&nbsp;Their high demand period is from September through December when Larry and his wife take these products to farm and craft shows before the holidays. “We get a really nice response from the people who get them,” Larry said.&nbsp;It’s great to find this business in a rural community such as&nbsp;Burns, population 228 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;For more information, see&nbsp;<a href="http://www.goodwinindustries.net/">www.goodwinindustries.net</a><a href="http://www.heartlandsoilservices.com/"></a>.&nbsp;We commend Larry and Teresa and Ron Goodwin and Dustin and Zac of Goodwin Industries for making a difference with their creativity and craftsmanship. It’s good to see that miniature toys can produce giant-sized smiles.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Now That’s Rural: Larry Goodwin, Goodwin Industries 

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

The businesses downtown are active. The brick streets are quiet. Two schoolboys are walking home with their bookbags. To the south, pickup trucks and livestock trailers are clustered around the sale barn. Downtown, a large 4-H clover is painted on the intersection of Main Street and Wisconsin Street.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This is Russell, Kansas: Quintessential small town America. The flags in this community are flying half-staff today, because the citizens of this rural community are mourning their favorite son who served his country his entire life.&nbsp;

Robert J. Dole was born in Russell in 1923. His parents had modest means, operating an egg and cream business. Young Bob was a bright and athletic kid who went to the University of Kansas to play basketball. His studies were interrupted when World War II hit and he enlisted in the U.S. Army.&nbsp;

In 1945, as a second lieutenant, Bob Dole was leading his troops into battle in the mountains of Italy when he was struck by an enemy shell. When his fellow soldiers saw the extent of his injuries, they gave him a shot of morphine and used his own blood to write the letter M on his forehead so a medic would know that he had already been administered the drug and would not give him another shot which would prove fatal.&nbsp;

In the military hospital, his fever soared to nearly 109 degrees. It looked like he would not survive, but his life was saved by a new medicine, streptomycin, which was an experimental drug at the time. He pulled through but was despondent about losing the use of his right hand and arm.&nbsp;

Bob Dole was sent to a specialist in Chicago. This was a turning point. Dole later wrote, “(The specialist) inspired me to focus on what I had left and what I could do with it, rather than complaining about what I had lost.” That doctor would perform seven surgeries on Bob Dole. In Russell, his friends and neighbors gathered money in a cigar box to help with expenses.&nbsp;

Dole went on to earn a law degree from Washburn University and came back to Russell to serve as county attorney. Here he encountered Huck Boyd, a small town weekly newspaper editor and Republican National Committee member from Kansas.&nbsp;

According to legend, Huck was returning home to Phillipsburg after a function late one night and was driving through Russell when he spotted one light on in the county courthouse. Curious about who was working at that hour, Huck went in and found young county attorney Bob Dole.&nbsp;

Huck was impressed by the hard-working young war hero and encouraged him to run for office, which he did. Huck went on to manage the successful Dole campaigns that followed. He saw his protégé rise to become Senate Majority Leader and to win the Republican nomination for president.&nbsp;

Huck Boyd and Senator Dole maintained a lifelong bond. When Senator Dole was asked to speak at Huck’s funeral, he was so emotionally moved that he couldn’t steel himself to do so.&nbsp;

Senator Dole always maintained a bond with the people of Kansas. Tad Felts is a long-time radio broadcaster who also led the annual Phillipsburg High School senior tour to Washington DC. In his forthcoming book, Tad wrote of a time before cell phones when Senator Dole invited the 60 visiting students to come into his office and call home to their parents and grandparents. “It was a madhouse,” Tad wrote.&nbsp;

The Senator would walk through, ask who the students were talking to, pick up the phone and say hello to the folks back home. “I’m sure he earned a lot of votes that day,” Tad wrote. Tad was highly complimentary of Senator Dole’s accessibility to the students from Kansas.&nbsp;

Ninety-eight years have passed since Bob Dole’s birth in this rural community of Russell, population 4,401 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;

The brick streets of Russell are quiet today. Folks in Bob Dole’s hometown are fondly remembering their native son who succeeded on a national stage, yet never forgot that he came from rural Kansas.&nbsp;

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 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;The businesses downtown are active. The brick streets are quiet. Two schoolboys are walking home with their bookbags. To the south, pickup trucks and livestock trailers are clustered around the sale barn. Downtown, a large 4-H clover is painted on the intersection of Main Street and Wisconsin Street.&nbsp;&nbsp;This is Russell, Kansas: Quintessential small town America. The flags in this community are flying half-staff today, because the citizens of this rural community are mourning their favorite son who served his country his entire life.&nbsp;Robert J. Dole was born in Russell in 1923. His parents had modest means, operating an egg and cream business. Young Bob was a bright and athletic kid who went to the University of Kansas to play basketball. His studies were interrupted when World War II hit and he enlisted in the U.S. Army.&nbsp;In 1945, as a second lieutenant, Bob Dole was leading his troops into battle in the mountains of Italy when he was struck by an enemy shell. When his fellow soldiers saw the extent of his injuries, they gave him a shot of morphine and used his own blood to write the letter M on his forehead so a medic would know that he had already been administered the drug and would not give him another shot which would prove fatal.&nbsp;In the military hospital, his fever soared to nearly 109 degrees. It looked like he would not survive, but his life was saved by a new medicine, streptomycin, which was an experimental drug at the time. He pulled through but was despondent about losing the use of his right hand and arm.&nbsp;Bob Dole was sent to a specialist in Chicago. This was a turning point. Dole later wrote, “(The specialist) inspired me to focus on what I had left and what I could do with it, rather than complaining about what I had lost.” That doctor would perform seven surgeries on Bob Dole. In Russell, his friends and neighbors gathered money in a cigar box to help with expenses.&nbsp;Dole went on to earn a law degree from Washburn University and came back to Russell to serve as county attorney. Here he encountered Huck Boyd, a small town weekly newspaper editor and Republican National Committee member from Kansas.&nbsp;According to legend, Huck was returning home to Phillipsburg after a function late one night and was driving through Russell when he spotted one light on in the county courthouse. Curious about who was working at that hour, Huck went in and found young county attorney Bob Dole.&nbsp;Huck was impressed by the hard-working young war hero and encouraged him to run for office, which he did. Huck went on to manage the successful Dole campaigns that followed. He saw his protégé rise to become Senate Majority Leader and to win the Republican nomination for president.&nbsp;Huck Boyd and Senator Dole maintained a lifelong bond. When Senator Dole was asked to speak at Huck’s funeral, he was so emotionally moved that he couldn’t steel himself to do so.&nbsp;Senator Dole always maintained a bond with the people of Kansas. Tad Felts is a long-time radio broadcaster who also led the annual Phillipsburg High School senior tour to Washington DC. In his forthcoming book, Tad wrote of a time before cell phones when Senator Dole invited the 60 visiting students to come into his office and call home to their parents and grandparents. “It was a madhouse,” Tad wrote.&nbsp;The Senator would walk through, ask who the students were talking to, pick up the phone and say hello to the folks back home. “I’m sure he earned a lot of votes that day,” Tad wrote. Tad was highly complimentary of Senator Dole’s accessibility to the students from Kansas.&nbsp;Ninety-eight years have passed since Bob Dole’s birth in this rural community of Russell, population 4,401 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;The brick streets of Russell are quiet today. Folks in Bob Dole’s hometown are fondly remembering their native son who succeeded on a national stage, yet never forgot that he came from rural Kansas.&nbsp;

Now That’s Rural: Senator Bob Dole 

Now is the time for tributes and reflections on the life of Senator Bob Dole, who died on Dec. 5 at age 98.&nbsp; Yet, it is important not to romanticize the former Senate Majority Leader from Kansas.&nbsp; Dole certainly did great things, like spearheading the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act and co-sponsoring a landmark expansion of Food Stamps (now called SNAP) with Democratic Senator George McGovern, whom he considered a friend.&nbsp; He also loved humor and showed he could take a joke with his multiple Saturday Night Live appearances, alongside actors that satirized him.

Now is the time for tributes and reflections on the life of Senator Bob Dole, who died on Dec. 5 at age 98.&nbsp; Yet, it is important not to romanticize the former Senate Majority Leader from Kansas.&nbsp; Dole certainly did great things, like spearheading the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act and co-sponsoring a landmark expansion of Food Stamps (now called SNAP) with Democratic Senator George McGovern, whom he considered a friend.&nbsp; He also loved humor and showed he could take a joke with his multiple Saturday Night Live appearances, alongside actors that satirized him.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639601062071.jpeg" alt="Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University." />
 <figcaption>Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.</figcaption>
 </figure>That said, Dole was also a ruthless partisan.&nbsp; He defended the Nixon Administration during the Watergate hearings and for the rest of Nixon’s life.&nbsp; In the 1976 vice-presidential debate, Dole accused Democrats of starting every U.S.-involved war in the 20th century, including World Wars I and II—an absurd statement.&nbsp; In between, Dole introduced the nation to abortion as a wedge issue, using it to eke out a victory over Dr. Bill Roy in the 1974 midterm election. Dole was a tough politico who knew how to play the game and win, which he often did.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
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 </figure>Politics back then were hardly kind, gentle, fair, bipartisan, or politically correct.&nbsp; Yet they were different.&nbsp; Dole could attack a rival on the Senate floor, then socialize with them afterward, as a friend.&nbsp; He could go the extra mile to kill legislation sponsored by another senator, then team up with that same senator to pass a different bill.&nbsp; Perhaps most importantly, Dole did not attack American democracy itself.&nbsp; He did not promote insurrections or conspiracy theories, nor did he tear away at the separation of powers in the U.S. Constitution.&nbsp; With the notable exception of Roy, Dole did not generally try to win by making personal attacks against his opponents.&nbsp; He kept the focus on their voting records and issue stances—and on that, he could be quite the attack dog.&nbsp; Still, certain aspects of his opponents’ personal lives remained off-limits.&nbsp; An excellent example was the 1996 Presidential campaign.&nbsp; Pressured by consultants to raise the “character issue” against President Clinton, Dole refused to gossip about his opponent’s tumultuous personal life.&nbsp; When Dole did raise the character issue, it was based upon Clinton’s issue stands and the Whitewater land deal.&nbsp;In Dole’s time, American politics were hardly perfect.&nbsp; Still, there was at least one difference from today—most people seeking power wanted to use that power to do things, either for the country as a whole or for their constituents back home.&nbsp; Election and re-election were means to those ends.&nbsp; To get that done, they had to keep the U.S. system of checks and balances functioning at least reasonably well.&nbsp; The political climate of Dole’s day was complicated, partisan, frustrating, difficult, and sometimes disappointing—but in the end, things did get done.&nbsp; Politics were hardball, and Dole was a master of the game.&nbsp;&nbsp;Politics today are toxic.&nbsp; Many people seeking office now promise to tear down the constitutional system that allowed them to get there in the first place.&nbsp; Some political speeches by elected officials are completely indistinguishable from the deranged conspiracy theories promoted by crackpots and foreign agents on social media.By contrast, Bob Dole was a tough and controversial leader who made the difficult choices that kept an imperfect political system working.&nbsp; Even as current officeholders eulogize Dole himself, some of them appear intent on tearing down that system, and his legacy along with it.Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

Opinion