By DAVID JORDAN <a href="https://healthfund.org/a/">United Methodist Health Ministry Fund</a>

A strong health system is critical to thriving rural communities and the health of rural Kansans. Even before COVID-19 began <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/10/21/nortons-covid-19-infection-rate-highest-ever-recorded-in-kansas/">surging in rural Kansas</a>,
 it was becoming more difficult to sustain health care services in a 
changing Kansas, where the rural health system is starved of resources 
with limited opportunity to innovate.

Significant shifts in 
population make maintaining health care and other important services in 
rural communities more tenuous each year. The &nbsp;2018 Kansas Health 
Foundation Report, <a href="https://kansashealth.org/2018/06/12/ks-demo-report/">“A Changing Kansas: Implications for Health and Communities</a>,”
 outlined dramatic double digit declines in population in rural Kansas 
between 1960 and 2016. Similar depopulation is projected for the state’s
 rural counties through 2066. Additionally, our rural communities are 
aging, with <a href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/KS/AGE775219">16.3% &nbsp;of the population of Kansas age 65</a> and over.

One positive trend is that
 Kansas, including its rural communities, is becoming increasingly 
diverse. The only population growth in Kansas this century came from a 
52.5% increase in the minority population (any group other than 
non-Hispanic White). This trend makes it critically important that 
Kansas addresses longstanding racial and ethnic disparities in health, 
poverty rates and educational attainment.

The <a href="https://www.khi.org/assets/uploads/news/15048/20-39_adults_county_peer_group_2.pdf">high rate of rural Kansans without health insurance</a>
 is another challenge. Fewer people with health insurance means that 
hospitals are serving a greater proportion of patients who are unable to
 pay all or part of their bill. In addition, rural hospitals’ bottom 
lines have suffered as care shifts from the inpatient to the outpatient 
setting. Since 2010, five rural hospitals have closed and 73% of the 
hospitals in the state are operating at a loss.

Longstanding health care workforce shortages throughout rural Kansas also present a challenge to delivering care.

Kansas needs strong policy
 changes to address the challenges. We must think big, aim to be bold, 
and center equity in the work to improve the health of rural Kansans.&nbsp; 
Here are three things policymakers should consider:

Kansas must expand Medicaid. <a href="http://expandkancare.com/resources/">Expanding Medicaid</a>
 will cut the number of uninsured adults in half, address disparities 
and improve health. This budget positive policy solution will bring 
hundreds of millions of our tax dollars back to Kansas annually and 
create a payment mechanism to protect rural providers’ bottom lines.&nbsp; 
Expansion will also create thousands of rural jobs and offer employment 
opportunities to some of the young people who now leave rural Kansas.

Kansas needs to reimagine the health care workforce. Recruiting
 providers — especially culturally competent ones who meet the social, 
cultural and linguistic needs of patients — to rural Kansas is 
difficult. Other rural states have addressed workforce shortages by 
changing licensing and credentialing policies to make better use of 
providers such as physician’s assistants and <a href="https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2019/06/19/dental-therapy-seen-as-a-best-practice-for-boosting-access-to-care">dental therapists</a> as part of doctor led teams. Adding culturally competent providers such as <a href="https://www.marc.org/Community/KC-Communities-for-All-Ages/PDFs/AP17-CHW-PowerPoint.aspx">community health workers</a>
 to Kansas’ workforce can help patients navigate the health system. Such
 changes will allow Kansas to grow our own workforce. Changes to 
licensing and credentialing policies will be met with resistance but 
experience from other states shows that these changes work.

Kansas, and the federal government, needs to embrace innovation in care delivery and payment.
 Current payment models are stifling innovation. Fee-for-service payment
 requires providers to see high volumes of patients in person. The 
COVID-19 pandemic has led to a loosening of these rules and an expansion
 of telehealth. Sustaining these changes post-pandemic, particularly 
expanding telehealth, is one way to embrace innovation.

In rural communities, 
hospitals are tied to a financing model that limits opportunities to 
deliver care in ways that best meet the needs of each community. 
Loosening critical access hospital rules would benefit rural Kansas by 
allowing the Kansas Hospital Association to pilot the <a href="https://kha-net.org/Advocacy/USCongress/FederalLegislation/d149655.aspx?type=view">Primary Health Center Model</a>
 they developed to offer a sustainable option to provide preventive and 
primary care, chronic disease management and emergency services.

We also know that health is more than health care. <a href="https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20190701.764626/full/">Other states are exploring using Medicaid dollars</a>
 to address the social determinants of health — hunger, housing, 
transportation and early childhood education. Piloting this approach in 
rural Kansas can improve long-term health and reduce costs.

Having healthy residents 
and a sustainable health care system is critical to the vitality and 
viability of our rural communities.

Now, more than ever, <a href="https://www.communityconversationsks.com/">we need to be working towards the future of health</a>
 in our rural communities — a future that ensures all rural Kansans have
 access to care, uses rural residents as members of culturally competent
 health care teams, and innovates based on the needs of communities.

We cannot afford to lose time or another rural hospital. The future of rural Kansas is a stake.

David Jordan is the President of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, a health philanthropy focused on improving the health of Kansans. Before joining the Health Fund, David served as the executive director of the Alliance for a Healthy Kansas, a coalition of more than 100 organizations working to improve access to health care in Kansas. He has more than 20 years of experience leading state and national efforts focused on changing policy to improve health and reduce disparities.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605394398252.png" alt="Downtown Oberlin, Kansas, where the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund held a community conversation on the future of rural health in early March. (Submitted to Kansas Reflector) " />
 <figcaption>Downtown Oberlin, Kansas, where the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund held a community conversation on the future of rural health in early March. (Submitted to Kansas Reflector) </figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVID JORDAN <a href="https://healthfund.org/a/">United Methodist Health Ministry Fund</a> A strong health system is critical to thriving rural communities and the health of rural Kansans. Even before COVID-19 began <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/10/21/nortons-covid-19-infection-rate-highest-ever-recorded-in-kansas/">surging in rural Kansas</a>,
 it was becoming more difficult to sustain health care services in a 
changing Kansas, where the rural health system is starved of resources 
with limited opportunity to innovate.Significant shifts in 
population make maintaining health care and other important services in 
rural communities more tenuous each year. The &nbsp;2018 Kansas Health 
Foundation Report, <a href="https://kansashealth.org/2018/06/12/ks-demo-report/">“A Changing Kansas: Implications for Health and Communities</a>,”
 outlined dramatic double digit declines in population in rural Kansas 
between 1960 and 2016. Similar depopulation is projected for the state’s
 rural counties through 2066. Additionally, our rural communities are 
aging, with <a href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/KS/AGE775219">16.3% &nbsp;of the population of Kansas age 65</a> and over.One positive trend is that
 Kansas, including its rural communities, is becoming increasingly 
diverse. The only population growth in Kansas this century came from a 
52.5% increase in the minority population (any group other than 
non-Hispanic White). This trend makes it critically important that 
Kansas addresses longstanding racial and ethnic disparities in health, 
poverty rates and educational attainment.The <a href="https://www.khi.org/assets/uploads/news/15048/20-39_adults_county_peer_group_2.pdf">high rate of rural Kansans without health insurance</a>
 is another challenge. Fewer people with health insurance means that 
hospitals are serving a greater proportion of patients who are unable to
 pay all or part of their bill. In addition, rural hospitals’ bottom 
lines have suffered as care shifts from the inpatient to the outpatient 
setting. Since 2010, five rural hospitals have closed and 73% of the 
hospitals in the state are operating at a loss.Longstanding health care workforce shortages throughout rural Kansas also present a challenge to delivering care.Kansas needs strong policy
 changes to address the challenges. We must think big, aim to be bold, 
and center equity in the work to improve the health of rural Kansans.&nbsp; 
Here are three things policymakers should consider:Kansas must expand Medicaid. <a href="http://expandkancare.com/resources/">Expanding Medicaid</a>
 will cut the number of uninsured adults in half, address disparities 
and improve health. This budget positive policy solution will bring 
hundreds of millions of our tax dollars back to Kansas annually and 
create a payment mechanism to protect rural providers’ bottom lines.&nbsp; 
Expansion will also create thousands of rural jobs and offer employment 
opportunities to some of the young people who now leave rural Kansas.Kansas needs to reimagine the health care workforce. Recruiting
 providers — especially culturally competent ones who meet the social, 
cultural and linguistic needs of patients — to rural Kansas is 
difficult. Other rural states have addressed workforce shortages by 
changing licensing and credentialing policies to make better use of 
providers such as physician’s assistants and <a href="https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2019/06/19/dental-therapy-seen-as-a-best-practice-for-boosting-access-to-care">dental therapists</a> as part of doctor led teams. Adding culturally competent providers such as <a href="https://www.marc.org/Community/KC-Communities-for-All-Ages/PDFs/AP17-CHW-PowerPoint.aspx">community health workers</a>
 to Kansas’ workforce can help patients navigate the health system. Such
 changes will allow Kansas to grow our own workforce. Changes to 
licensing and credentialing policies will be met with resistance but 
experience from other states shows that these changes work.Kansas, and the federal government, needs to embrace innovation in care delivery and payment.
 Current payment models are stifling innovation. Fee-for-service payment
 requires providers to see high volumes of patients in person. The 
COVID-19 pandemic has led to a loosening of these rules and an expansion
 of telehealth. Sustaining these changes post-pandemic, particularly 
expanding telehealth, is one way to embrace innovation.In rural communities, 
hospitals are tied to a financing model that limits opportunities to 
deliver care in ways that best meet the needs of each community. 
Loosening critical access hospital rules would benefit rural Kansas by 
allowing the Kansas Hospital Association to pilot the <a href="https://kha-net.org/Advocacy/USCongress/FederalLegislation/d149655.aspx?type=view">Primary Health Center Model</a>
 they developed to offer a sustainable option to provide preventive and 
primary care, chronic disease management and emergency services.We also know that health is more than health care. <a href="https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20190701.764626/full/">Other states are exploring using Medicaid dollars</a>
 to address the social determinants of health — hunger, housing, 
transportation and early childhood education. Piloting this approach in 
rural Kansas can improve long-term health and reduce costs.Having healthy residents 
and a sustainable health care system is critical to the vitality and 
viability of our rural communities.Now, more than ever, <a href="https://www.communityconversationsks.com/">we need to be working towards the future of health</a>
 in our rural communities — a future that ensures all rural Kansans have
 access to care, uses rural residents as members of culturally competent
 health care teams, and innovates based on the needs of communities.We cannot afford to lose time or another rural hospital. The future of rural Kansas is a stake.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605394525016.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>David Jordan is the President of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, a health philanthropy focused on improving the health of Kansans. Before joining the Health Fund, David served as the executive director of the Alliance for a Healthy Kansas, a coalition of more than 100 organizations working to improve access to health care in Kansas. He has more than 20 years of experience leading state and national efforts focused on changing policy to improve health and reduce disparities.

OPINION: Three things to make rural Kansas communities healthier

Covid is surging across Kansas. Over 1,200 Kansans have died. Hospitals are strained. Some Americans are experiencing second infections, threatening the herd immunity dream.

Many of us are just surviving. Knowing Covid is serious. Often wearing masks when out, whether government says to or not. Wanting schools open. Maybe attending church. Trying to see friends. But knowing the risks.

Many of us live in hopelessly divided realities. For some, Covid is an emergency and masks are required. For others, Covid is exaggerated, and masks are avoided and perhaps offensive.

Many of us fight over masks as a political symbol, pretending that government can actually force one on you. It can’t. We fight anyway.

Governor Laura Kelly issued a mask mandate in July. The Republican legislature overruled her. Power then fell on county governments, and most rejected mask requirements.

Politics elsewhere hasn’t always played out similarly.

Conservative Republican governors in Wyoming, Utah, Alabama, Ohio, and West Virginia have mandated masks, sometimes with fines.

In Georgia, Texas, and Florida, conservatives have centralized power in state government to block local control and keep counties from passing or enforcing local mask ordinances.

But generally, many of us are fighting over the idea that government can somehow make people wear masks.

One side says mask mandates are good, and can reduce infections if everyone complies.

Mandate supporters often overestimate enforcement and willingness to comply. In communities with mask mandates, police, health departments, businesses, and sometimes even schools don’t enforce them. Enforcement is often mythical.

One side says mask mandates are bad. This side is divided, however, between those who believe that masks should just be optional and those who are actually anti-mask.

Mandate opponents exaggerate the power of government to force compliance. As if Governor Kelly will ticket you herself for going maskless and tape one on your face. As if real enforcement exists.

Both stories are oversimplified talking points.

First, a statewide mask mandate isn’t realistically happening in Kansas. The debate is politically moot.

Second, short of vaccines or better treatments, stopping Covid is on us as citizens. Sure, government can factor into that—school and bar closures, testing availability, encouraging masks.

But government isn’t going to put a mask on you. Realistically, government isn’t going to punish you for going maskless. Government isn’t going to stop you from partying, eating out, or attending church.

Government cannot control you, despite scary arguments from politicians or paid political operatives. No matter what government says in any “mandate,” wearing a mask is your choice. Choosing businesses based on their mask enforcement is your choice. Your health is your choice. It always was.

The mandate isn’t the point. Your choices are the point.

Of course, that freedom means that we will continue to live in our separate, alienated realities.

Kansans who religiously wear masks and avoid businesses that don’t require them are free to continue. Mask opponents can’t control them.

Kansans who avoid masks and businesses that require them are free to continue. Mask supporters can’t control them.

Kansans who are just trying to survive this mess while politics fights over symbolism—you get to keep it up. Hopefully avoiding Covid. Hopefully not seeing masks as political statements. Hopefully rising above distorted political fantasies. Hopefully finding social support to thrive and be healthy, even if you’re ultimately on your own to protect yourself.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593101597372.png" alt="Patrick R. Miller is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas." />
 <figcaption>Patrick R. Miller is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.</figcaption>
 </figure>Covid is surging across Kansas. Over 1,200 Kansans have died. Hospitals are strained. Some Americans are experiencing second infections, threatening the herd immunity dream.Many of us are just surviving. Knowing Covid is serious. Often wearing masks when out, whether government says to or not. Wanting schools open. Maybe attending church. Trying to see friends. But knowing the risks.Many of us live in hopelessly divided realities. For some, Covid is an emergency and masks are required. For others, Covid is exaggerated, and masks are avoided and perhaps offensive.Many of us fight over masks as a political symbol, pretending that government can actually force one on you. It can’t. We fight anyway.Governor Laura Kelly issued a mask mandate in July. The Republican legislature overruled her. Power then fell on county governments, and most rejected mask requirements.Politics elsewhere hasn’t always played out similarly.Conservative Republican governors in Wyoming, Utah, Alabama, Ohio, and West Virginia have mandated masks, sometimes with fines.In Georgia, Texas, and Florida, conservatives have centralized power in state government to block local control and keep counties from passing or enforcing local mask ordinances.But generally, many of us are fighting over the idea that government can somehow make people wear masks.One side says mask mandates are good, and can reduce infections if everyone complies.Mandate supporters often overestimate enforcement and willingness to comply. In communities with mask mandates, police, health departments, businesses, and sometimes even schools don’t enforce them. Enforcement is often mythical.One side says mask mandates are bad. This side is divided, however, between those who believe that masks should just be optional and those who are actually anti-mask.Mandate opponents exaggerate the power of government to force compliance. As if Governor Kelly will ticket you herself for going maskless and tape one on your face. As if real enforcement exists.Both stories are oversimplified talking points.First, a statewide mask mandate isn’t realistically happening in Kansas. The debate is politically moot.Second, short of vaccines or better treatments, stopping Covid is on us as citizens. Sure, government can factor into that—school and bar closures, testing availability, encouraging masks.But government isn’t going to put a mask on you. Realistically, government isn’t going to punish you for going maskless. Government isn’t going to stop you from partying, eating out, or attending church.Government cannot control you, despite scary arguments from politicians or paid political operatives. No matter what government says in any “mandate,” wearing a mask is your choice. Choosing businesses based on their mask enforcement is your choice. Your health is your choice. It always was.The mandate isn’t the point. Your choices are the point.Of course, that freedom means that we will continue to live in our separate, alienated realities.Kansans who religiously wear masks and avoid businesses that don’t require them are free to continue. Mask opponents can’t control them.Kansans who avoid masks and businesses that require them are free to continue. Mask supporters can’t control them.Kansans who are just trying to survive this mess while politics fights over symbolism—you get to keep it up. Hopefully avoiding Covid. Hopefully not seeing masks as political statements. Hopefully rising above distorted political fantasies. Hopefully finding social support to thrive and be healthy, even if you’re ultimately on your own to protect yourself.Patrick R. Miller is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Symbolic political fights over masks miss the point

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

Bingo! That’s a fun game that many people love to play. Today, we’ll meet a creative community foundation that used bingo and other projects to support its community during the pandemic.&nbsp;

Tara Vance is executive director of the Norton County Community Foundation. A Stockton native and Fort Hays State grad, she became director of the Norton Chamber of Commerce. In 2012, she was asked to serve as part-time director of the community foundation as well.&nbsp;

The more she learned about the importance of local philanthropy, the more committed she became to the community foundation. “I’ve developed a passion for it,” she said.&nbsp;

Scott Sproul, director of the Northwest Kansas Economic Innovation Center Inc., was Norton County economic development director at the time. “He was a great mentor to me,” Tara said. “We saw that the private donor world would be essential (for our community) if tax dollars aren’t there someday.”&nbsp;

Today, Tara is the full-time director of the Norton County Community Foundation which has grown to $2 million in assets. The Dane G. Hansen Foundation in Logan has been strong partner of Norton and other community foundations in northwest Kansas.&nbsp;

One major asset is the Heaton Building in downtown Norton. This historic, remodeled building is owned by the community foundation and houses 16 different tenants.&nbsp;

Another key foundation project is called Secure Sebelius Lake. This lake provides water recreation opportunities but was at risk from drawdown. The community foundation raised funds to match the state’s spending to compensate irrigators for maintaining a certain water level in the lake. “This arrangement has been good for the community, good for the irrigators, and good for the state,” Tara said.&nbsp;

The Norton County Community Foundation annually offers various scholarships and grants for local projects.&nbsp;

Then the pandemic hit. Shutdown orders occurred. Tara looked for a positive community activity and found a business in another county that was doing a bingo game. She decided to adapt the idea for Norton County. “One of our donors sent in $10,000 and said, ‘Do something good with it,’” Tara said.&nbsp;

With help from a graphic designer at Nex-Tech, the rural broadband company, they developed an online game called NorCoBingo to support Norton County businesses.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Nex-Tech is an amazing community partner,” Tara said. They designed a bingo card with various activities that could be done in the county.&nbsp;

These included a range of things from “Plant Flowers or Vegetables” and “Buy a Gift Card from a Business closed to the Public” to “Take a Selfie in Front of Your Favorite Building” and “Make Cards for Nursing Home Residents.”&nbsp;

Other options included “Drive Around Town and Wave at 3 People,” “Perform a Random Act of Kindness,” “Use an Online Service at Norton Public Library,” and “Send a Card or Note to an Essential Worker.”&nbsp;

Outdoor activities in the county were another option, such as “Go Fishing at Prairie Dog State Park” and “Go Explore Lenora Lake,” which is near the rural community of Lenora, population 250 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;

People were encouraged to fill out the bingo cards and turn them in, complete with pictures of them doing the activities. A daily drawing was held among those who submitted completed bingo cards. Three winners each day got gift certificates of $100 in chamber bucks. This project got people involved in doing good deeds as well as enjoying elements of the community.&nbsp;

In the end, more than 135 bingo submissions were received and more than $9,000 was spent at 26 businesses in Norton. When Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas made a statewide request for examples of positive responses to the pandemic, the Norton County Community Foundation was awarded another $10,000.&nbsp;

For more information on the foundation, see&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nortonccf.org/">www.nortonccf.org</a>.&nbsp;

When a former Commerce Deputy Secretary was told of the varied activities in which the Norton County Community Foundation was involved, she was surprised. “But you’re making a difference,” she said.&nbsp;

So where, across the state of Kansas, could I find a community foundation which is doing exceptionally creative things for its community? I look at Norton County and I say, “Bingo!”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605103419261.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;Bingo! That’s a fun game that many people love to play. Today, we’ll meet a creative community foundation that used bingo and other projects to support its community during the pandemic.&nbsp;Tara Vance is executive director of the Norton County Community Foundation. A Stockton native and Fort Hays State grad, she became director of the Norton Chamber of Commerce. In 2012, she was asked to serve as part-time director of the community foundation as well.&nbsp;The more she learned about the importance of local philanthropy, the more committed she became to the community foundation. “I’ve developed a passion for it,” she said.&nbsp;Scott Sproul, director of the Northwest Kansas Economic Innovation Center Inc., was Norton County economic development director at the time. “He was a great mentor to me,” Tara said. “We saw that the private donor world would be essential (for our community) if tax dollars aren’t there someday.”&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605107143728.png" alt="Tara Vance / Norton County Community Foundation" />
 <figcaption>Tara Vance / Norton County Community Foundation</figcaption>
 </figure>Today, Tara is the full-time director of the Norton County Community Foundation which has grown to $2 million in assets. The Dane G. Hansen Foundation in Logan has been strong partner of Norton and other community foundations in northwest Kansas.&nbsp;One major asset is the Heaton Building in downtown Norton. This historic, remodeled building is owned by the community foundation and houses 16 different tenants.&nbsp;Another key foundation project is called Secure Sebelius Lake. This lake provides water recreation opportunities but was at risk from drawdown. The community foundation raised funds to match the state’s spending to compensate irrigators for maintaining a certain water level in the lake. “This arrangement has been good for the community, good for the irrigators, and good for the state,” Tara said.&nbsp;The Norton County Community Foundation annually offers various scholarships and grants for local projects.&nbsp;Then the pandemic hit. Shutdown orders occurred. Tara looked for a positive community activity and found a business in another county that was doing a bingo game. She decided to adapt the idea for Norton County. “One of our donors sent in $10,000 and said, ‘Do something good with it,’” Tara said.&nbsp;With help from a graphic designer at Nex-Tech, the rural broadband company, they developed an online game called NorCoBingo to support Norton County businesses.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Nex-Tech is an amazing community partner,” Tara said. They designed a bingo card with various activities that could be done in the county.&nbsp;These included a range of things from “Plant Flowers or Vegetables” and “Buy a Gift Card from a Business closed to the Public” to “Take a Selfie in Front of Your Favorite Building” and “Make Cards for Nursing Home Residents.”&nbsp;Other options included “Drive Around Town and Wave at 3 People,” “Perform a Random Act of Kindness,” “Use an Online Service at Norton Public Library,” and “Send a Card or Note to an Essential Worker.”&nbsp;Outdoor activities in the county were another option, such as “Go Fishing at Prairie Dog State Park” and “Go Explore Lenora Lake,” which is near the rural community of Lenora, population 250 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;People were encouraged to fill out the bingo cards and turn them in, complete with pictures of them doing the activities. A daily drawing was held among those who submitted completed bingo cards. Three winners each day got gift certificates of $100 in chamber bucks. This project got people involved in doing good deeds as well as enjoying elements of the community.&nbsp;In the end, more than 135 bingo submissions were received and more than $9,000 was spent at 26 businesses in Norton. When Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas made a statewide request for examples of positive responses to the pandemic, the Norton County Community Foundation was awarded another $10,000.&nbsp;For more information on the foundation, see&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nortonccf.org/">www.nortonccf.org</a>.&nbsp;When a former Commerce Deputy Secretary was told of the varied activities in which the Norton County Community Foundation was involved, she was surprised. “But you’re making a difference,” she said.&nbsp;So where, across the state of Kansas, could I find a community foundation which is doing exceptionally creative things for its community? I look at Norton County and I say, “Bingo!”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Now That’s Rural: Tara Vance, Norton County Community Foundation

This is the second year in a row where portions of Kansas suffered a quick drop in temperature after a warm fall. &nbsp;Unfortunately, some trees were not hardened off before this happened. Some trees will very likely be affected by this sharp drop in temperature. &nbsp;The first sign that a tree has been affected is marcescence in which trees that normally drop their leaves in the fall, don’t. &nbsp;Leaves don’t drop because they didn’t have enough time to develop an abscission layer at the base of each leaf that allowed it to fall. Though marcescence itself does not harm the tree, it is a clue that further damage may have occurred. &nbsp;Notice I said “may.” &nbsp;Trees that exhibit marcescence may be perfectly fine. Also, portions of the state that did not suffer this extreme drop in temperature should be good. &nbsp; It is possible that trees that show evidence of marcescence, may also have suffered damage to the living tissue under the bark. The sharp drop in temperature may damage at least a portion of the phloem and the cambium. Remember the phloem carries food made in the leaves to all parts of the plants including the roots. The cambium produces new phloem. &nbsp;If the phloem and cambium are killed, the cambium cannot produce new, living phloem, and, therefore, the roots don’t receive the food needed to survive and eventually starve to death. Trees so affected will not die immediately. &nbsp;First, a healthy root system has stored energy reserves that it can use to keep the tree alive. When those reserves are depleted, the tree will die very quickly. &nbsp;Usually, this occurs during the summer following the year the damage occurred. However, there is more to the story. &nbsp;Doesn’t a tree also need water? Since the living portion of the trunk was killed, wouldn’t this stop water flow? It would not. &nbsp;Xylem is the structure in the tree that carries water from the soil throughout the plant. &nbsp;

The reason the tree can still distribute water to the top portion of the tree is due to how a tree grows and, specifically, how xylem works. &nbsp;Even in perfectly healthy trees, most of the xylem is dead. Portions of this dead xylem form hollow tubes that carry most of the water and nutrients throughout the plant. Though there are living xylem cells, the contents of those cells make them inefficient in moving water. Therefore, the functional portion of the xylem wasn’t hurt by the freeze because it was already dead. Since this xylem system still works and provides water for the tree, the tree can live for quite a period until the roots starve. Remember, as stated before, trees with marcescence may be fine. &nbsp;Even if there was also damage to tree tissues, it all depends on how much of the living tissue under the bark was killed. If only a small portion is killed, then the tree may recover. If the entire circumference is killed, the tree is done for and there isn’t anything you can do to save it. Any portion of the trunk where the bark comes off and the underlying layer is brown is dead.​So, is there anything we can do now to help the trees? &nbsp;Since we don’t know the extent of the damage, if any, we need to ensure there is no further stress. &nbsp;Primarily, that means to water the tree as needed. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged until freezing temperatures are here to stay. Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions, she can be contacted by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lfick@k-state.edu">lfick@k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580750915301.jpeg" alt="Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>This is the second year in a row where portions of Kansas suffered a quick drop in temperature after a warm fall. &nbsp;Unfortunately, some trees were not hardened off before this happened. Some trees will very likely be affected by this sharp drop in temperature. &nbsp;The first sign that a tree has been affected is marcescence in which trees that normally drop their leaves in the fall, don’t. &nbsp;Leaves don’t drop because they didn’t have enough time to develop an abscission layer at the base of each leaf that allowed it to fall. Though marcescence itself does not harm the tree, it is a clue that further damage may have occurred. &nbsp;Notice I said “may.” &nbsp;Trees that exhibit marcescence may be perfectly fine. Also, portions of the state that did not suffer this extreme drop in temperature should be good. &nbsp; It is possible that trees that show evidence of marcescence, may also have suffered damage to the living tissue under the bark. The sharp drop in temperature may damage at least a portion of the phloem and the cambium. Remember the phloem carries food made in the leaves to all parts of the plants including the roots. The cambium produces new phloem. &nbsp;If the phloem and cambium are killed, the cambium cannot produce new, living phloem, and, therefore, the roots don’t receive the food needed to survive and eventually starve to death. Trees so affected will not die immediately. &nbsp;First, a healthy root system has stored energy reserves that it can use to keep the tree alive. When those reserves are depleted, the tree will die very quickly. &nbsp;Usually, this occurs during the summer following the year the damage occurred. However, there is more to the story. &nbsp;Doesn’t a tree also need water? Since the living portion of the trunk was killed, wouldn’t this stop water flow? It would not. &nbsp;Xylem is the structure in the tree that carries water from the soil throughout the plant. &nbsp;The reason the tree can still distribute water to the top portion of the tree is due to how a tree grows and, specifically, how xylem works. &nbsp;Even in perfectly healthy trees, most of the xylem is dead. Portions of this dead xylem form hollow tubes that carry most of the water and nutrients throughout the plant. Though there are living xylem cells, the contents of those cells make them inefficient in moving water. Therefore, the functional portion of the xylem wasn’t hurt by the freeze because it was already dead. Since this xylem system still works and provides water for the tree, the tree can live for quite a period until the roots starve. Remember, as stated before, trees with marcescence may be fine. &nbsp;Even if there was also damage to tree tissues, it all depends on how much of the living tissue under the bark was killed. If only a small portion is killed, then the tree may recover. If the entire circumference is killed, the tree is done for and there isn’t anything you can do to save it. Any portion of the trunk where the bark comes off and the underlying layer is brown is dead.​So, is there anything we can do now to help the trees? &nbsp;Since we don’t know the extent of the damage, if any, we need to ensure there is no further stress. &nbsp;Primarily, that means to water the tree as needed. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged until freezing temperatures are here to stay. Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions, she can be contacted by e-mail at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lfick@k-state.edu">lfick@k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.

FICK: Sharp temperature drop a cause for concern for trees

By U.S. Sen. PAT ROBERTS <a href="https://eisenhowermemorial.gov/commission/commissioners">Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission</a>

As the son of Wes Roberts,
 a World War II Marine veteran who fought at Iwo Jima, and a Marine 
veteran myself, I say with certainty and pride that there is no greater 
duty than one’s duty to country and to stand with those who have put 
country before self.

On this Veterans Day, it 
is of the utmost importance to recognize and thank veterans everywhere 
for their service and defense of our nation, from threats both overseas 
and here at home.

Before the pandemic, we were set to dedicate the <a href="https://eisenhowermemorial.gov/">Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial</a>
 on May 8, the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, an anniversary
 with worldwide significance. Due to the ongoing pandemic, we <a href="https://www.roberts.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=BBD58F05-F2DE-4F83-B82B-C259FFABB360">dedicated the memorial in September</a>.
 And now, after decades of work, the memorial dedicated to President, 
Supreme Allied Commander, and Kansas’ favorite son, Dwight. D. 
Eisenhower, is attracting generations of visitors on the National Mall.

The memorial encourages 
all visitors to learn more about the critical role Ike played in not 
only shaping our nation and defining the United States of America on the
 world stage, but also leading our country through eight years of peace 
and prosperity. Ike recognized the promise of America and the reciprocal
 responsibility of its people to serve the nation that serves them. As 
he said in his first inaugural address, “It is the firm duty of each of 
our free citizens … to place the cause of his country before the 
comfort, the convenience of himself.”

It was Eisenhower’s 
decision to launch the D-Day invasion that helped turn the tide of the 
war in Europe and save Western democracy. And while the memorial pays 
tribute to his valiant leadership, it also pays tribute to the Greatest 
Generation. Without their bravery and sacrifice during World War II, the
 world would no doubt be a very different place.

From the earliest days of 
struggle for our republic, to today’s unrest around the world, the 
principles set forth by our founding fathers have continuously been 
defended by our brave men and women in uniform.

This day is the day when a
 grateful nation recognizes those who have given so much out of love for
 their country, their family and their fellow citizens. Across Kansas 
and the nation, the memory of our service members who made the ultimate 
sacrifice for our freedoms lives on.

Throughout my <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/09/07/u-s-sen-pat-roberts-offers-personal-perspectives-on-half-century-of-politics/">40 years of service</a>
 in both the House and Senate, I have said many times that the No. 1 
priority of our federal government is to provide for the safety and 
security of Americans. It has been my absolute privilege to support and 
encourage those who protect us. It has also been an honor to serve as a 
Marine and to serve in Washington.

Our nation is forever 
indebted to the acts of bravery and sacrifice of the servicemen and 
women who repeatedly answer the call of duty and step forward to defend 
the freedoms we all hold dear. Each and every one of you have the thanks
 of a grateful nation.

The senior U.S. Senator from Kansas, Pat Roberts has represented Eisenhower’s home state for 40 years in the Congress. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1980 from Dodge City, and served eight terms before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1996. Senator Roberts currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, which makes him the first member of Congress in history to have chaired both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. Roberts is also a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, the Senate Rules Committee and the Senate Ethics Committee. He previously served as Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Prior to public service, he served in the United States Marine Corps for four years. Today, he is the most senior Marine in the Congress.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605105265814.png" alt="General Dwight D. Eisenhower tells American paratroopers in England "full victory — nothing else" on the evening of June 5, 1944, as they prepare for the Battle of Normandy. (Library of Congress) " />
 <figcaption>General Dwight D. Eisenhower tells American paratroopers in England "full victory — nothing else" on the evening of June 5, 1944, as they prepare for the Battle of Normandy. (Library of Congress) </figcaption>
 </figure>By U.S. Sen. PAT ROBERTS <a href="https://eisenhowermemorial.gov/commission/commissioners">Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission</a> As the son of Wes Roberts,
 a World War II Marine veteran who fought at Iwo Jima, and a Marine 
veteran myself, I say with certainty and pride that there is no greater 
duty than one’s duty to country and to stand with those who have put 
country before self.On this Veterans Day, it 
is of the utmost importance to recognize and thank veterans everywhere 
for their service and defense of our nation, from threats both overseas 
and here at home.Before the pandemic, we were set to dedicate the <a href="https://eisenhowermemorial.gov/">Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial</a>
 on May 8, the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, an anniversary
 with worldwide significance. Due to the ongoing pandemic, we <a href="https://www.roberts.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=BBD58F05-F2DE-4F83-B82B-C259FFABB360">dedicated the memorial in September</a>.
 And now, after decades of work, the memorial dedicated to President, 
Supreme Allied Commander, and Kansas’ favorite son, Dwight. D. 
Eisenhower, is attracting generations of visitors on the National Mall.The memorial encourages 
all visitors to learn more about the critical role Ike played in not 
only shaping our nation and defining the United States of America on the
 world stage, but also leading our country through eight years of peace 
and prosperity. Ike recognized the promise of America and the reciprocal
 responsibility of its people to serve the nation that serves them. As 
he said in his first inaugural address, “It is the firm duty of each of 
our free citizens … to place the cause of his country before the 
comfort, the convenience of himself.”It was Eisenhower’s 
decision to launch the D-Day invasion that helped turn the tide of the 
war in Europe and save Western democracy. And while the memorial pays 
tribute to his valiant leadership, it also pays tribute to the Greatest 
Generation. Without their bravery and sacrifice during World War II, the
 world would no doubt be a very different place.From the earliest days of 
struggle for our republic, to today’s unrest around the world, the 
principles set forth by our founding fathers have continuously been 
defended by our brave men and women in uniform.This day is the day when a
 grateful nation recognizes those who have given so much out of love for
 their country, their family and their fellow citizens. Across Kansas 
and the nation, the memory of our service members who made the ultimate 
sacrifice for our freedoms lives on.Throughout my <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/09/07/u-s-sen-pat-roberts-offers-personal-perspectives-on-half-century-of-politics/">40 years of service</a>
 in both the House and Senate, I have said many times that the No. 1 
priority of our federal government is to provide for the safety and 
security of Americans. It has been my absolute privilege to support and 
encourage those who protect us. It has also been an honor to serve as a 
Marine and to serve in Washington.Our nation is forever 
indebted to the acts of bravery and sacrifice of the servicemen and 
women who repeatedly answer the call of duty and step forward to defend 
the freedoms we all hold dear. Each and every one of you have the thanks
 of a grateful nation.Semper Fi.The senior U.S. Senator from Kansas, Pat Roberts has represented Eisenhower’s home state for 40 years in the Congress. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1980 from Dodge City, and served eight terms before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1996. Senator Roberts currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, which makes him the first member of Congress in history to have chaired both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. Roberts is also a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, the Senate Rules Committee and the Senate Ethics Committee. He previously served as Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Prior to public service, he served in the United States Marine Corps for four years. Today, he is the most senior Marine in the Congress.

ROBERTS: Thank you to America’s finest — our veterans

OK, now that we’ve all grown accustomed to bad news in this glorious year 2020, this year’s upland game bird hunting forecast for Kansas appears to be a bright spot on the horizon. 

Opening day of pheasant and quail season is November 14, followed by the greater prairie chicken opener on November 21. Both seasons run through January 31, 2021. Data from the annual spring count surveys done by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) shows bird numbers for pheasants, quail and greater prairie chickens appear to be faring well, and opportunities for harvesting birds look promising. 

The complete “2020 Kansas Upland Bird Forecast” is available online at <a href="http://www.ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/Upland-Birds">www.ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/Upland-Birds</a>. Here are some highlights from the forecast:

Jeff Prendergast, small game specialist for KDWPT says data suggests Kansas may have one of the nations best opportunities to harvest quail this season. Prendergast says “Our quail did amazing things again this year, especially in the north-central part of the state. I’ve had landowners tell me in the 40 or 50 years they’ve been farming they have never seen populations like this.” Quail numbers look promising in south-central KS too, and southwestern &amp; northeastern portions of the state saw significant population increases also. “Hunters who want to focus on quail and take pheasants as they come should be pretty happy this year, Prendergast said.”

Prendergast says in short, pheasant populations this year in Kansas were greatly affected by the summer rains, making good hunting spots more fragmented than usual. Hunters may find great numbers in one spot, then move only a couple miles and hardly find birds. Northwestern and north-central KS should have the best populations this year with numbers similar to last season, while pheasant numbers in the south-central portion of the state may be slightly down from last season.

Greater prairie chicken numbers have declined in eastern regions of the state, but populations appear to have expanded in northwestern KS, so this fall, the best prairie chicken hunting will be in the Northern High Plains and the Smokey Hill Regions where numbers have increased or remained stable and where public access is more abundant. As a reminder, prairie chicken hunters must purchase a special $2.50 Prairie Chicken Permit.

Kansas has 1.7 million acres of public access land scattered throughout the state, much of it enrolled in KDWPT’s popular Walk-In Hunting Access program, commonly known as WIHA. New this year is access to WIHA on your mobile devise using the app iWIHA, where WIHA areas can actually be reserved in advance. For more info on iWIHA and to find WIHA maps, check out the department’s website at <a href="http://www.ksoutdoors.com">www.ksoutdoors.com</a>.

Calling the year 2020 tumultuous is being kind, so I can think of no better way of leaving 2020 behind for a few hours than to get everyone out of the house and into the field to experience some of Kansas’ extensive fall hunting opportunities. Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.

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>OK, now that we’ve all grown accustomed to bad news in this glorious year 2020, this year’s upland game bird hunting forecast for Kansas appears to be a bright spot on the horizon. Opening day of pheasant and quail season is November 14, followed by the greater prairie chicken opener on November 21. Both seasons run through January 31, 2021. Data from the annual spring count surveys done by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) shows bird numbers for pheasants, quail and greater prairie chickens appear to be faring well, and opportunities for harvesting birds look promising. The complete “2020 Kansas Upland Bird Forecast” is available online at <a href="http://www.ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/Upland-Birds">www.ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/Upland-Birds</a>. Here are some highlights from the forecast:<h2>Quail</h2>Jeff Prendergast, small game specialist for KDWPT says data suggests Kansas may have one of the nations best opportunities to harvest quail this season. Prendergast says “Our quail did amazing things again this year, especially in the north-central part of the state. I’ve had landowners tell me in the 40 or 50 years they’ve been farming they have never seen populations like this.” Quail numbers look promising in south-central KS too, and southwestern &amp; northeastern portions of the state saw significant population increases also. “Hunters who want to focus on quail and take pheasants as they come should be pretty happy this year, Prendergast said.”<h2>Pheasants</h2>Prendergast says in short, pheasant populations this year in Kansas were greatly affected by the summer rains, making good hunting spots more fragmented than usual. Hunters may find great numbers in one spot, then move only a couple miles and hardly find birds. Northwestern and north-central KS should have the best populations this year with numbers similar to last season, while pheasant numbers in the south-central portion of the state may be slightly down from last season.<h2>Prairie Chickens</h2>Greater prairie chicken numbers have declined in eastern regions of the state, but populations appear to have expanded in northwestern KS, so this fall, the best prairie chicken hunting will be in the Northern High Plains and the Smokey Hill Regions where numbers have increased or remained stable and where public access is more abundant. As a reminder, prairie chicken hunters must purchase a special $2.50 Prairie Chicken Permit.Kansas has 1.7 million acres of public access land scattered throughout the state, much of it enrolled in KDWPT’s popular Walk-In Hunting Access program, commonly known as WIHA. New this year is access to WIHA on your mobile devise using the app iWIHA, where WIHA areas can actually be reserved in advance. For more info on iWIHA and to find WIHA maps, check out the department’s website at <a href="http://www.ksoutdoors.com">www.ksoutdoors.com</a>. Calling the year 2020 tumultuous is being kind, so I can think of no better way of leaving 2020 behind for a few hours than to get everyone out of the house and into the field to experience some of Kansas’ extensive fall hunting opportunities. Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: Game bird season a bright spot to 2020?

Veterans Day is today, November 11th.&nbsp; We celebrate the sacrifices that our veterans faced on behalf of our country.&nbsp; Please allow me to share the story of a veteran in my life.

December 7th is a solemn reminder of the day Pearl Harbor was bombed.&nbsp; While most of us were not yet born in 1941, stories have passed down from our parents and grandparents about the events of that day, as well as the subsequent changes in the world. But December 8th has great meaning to me, as well.

My grandmother, Thelma, had three brothers.&nbsp; One, Billy Tom Wafer, was a new pilot excited about taking to the skies.&nbsp; Just prior to December 7th, he arrived in the Philippine Islands as part of the 24th Pursuit Squadron.&nbsp; On December 8th, the Philippine Islands were attacked by the Japanese (10 hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor), and many of the airplanes were destroyed.&nbsp; As a consequence, Billy Tom was never able to fly as a pilot during World War II. &nbsp;

While I had learned some of the story of my great uncle, Billy Tom, it was not until about a couple of years ago that I learned much more. &nbsp;

I discovered a book that covers the 24th Pursuit Squadron and the events in the Philippines from December 1941 through April 1942. I learned that after Manila was bomb on December 8th, 1941, Billy Tom, and the other American soldiers took to the jungles of the Philippines, converting from pilots to foot soldiers.&nbsp; They fought for the next five months against the Japanese invasion of the Philippines.&nbsp; I learned of the many hardships the soldiers endured—starvation; infections; extraordinary heat; sleeping in craters created by bombs that exploded so close to them. I learned of their eventual capture and their experiences on the Bataan Death March—and many did not survive.

The book ends there.&nbsp; From that point forward, the story is recounted by my grandmother. I was also able to find some historical background by following military records.&nbsp;

After the Bataan Death March, Billy Tom spent time in various prison camps.&nbsp; His family thought he was dead (they thought that for over three years).&nbsp; On three different ships, Billy Tom was shipped from the Philippines to Japan.&nbsp; On the first ship, there were approximately 1,600 prisoners. When that ship was sunk (by the U.S.), the U.S. prisoners were recaptured and put on another ship (I found a U.S.A. military photograph showing the men swimming from the sinking ship to the shore). It too was sunk (again by the U.S.). The soldiers were again recaptured. By the time Billy Tom arrived in Japan in January 1945, out of the 1,600 prisoners, less than 400 had survived.&nbsp; Billy Tom eventually ended up in a prison camp in Korea. &nbsp;

It was only after being placed in Korea, and near the very end of the war, did my grandmother learn that her brother was still alive.&nbsp; His pre-war fiancé, Betty, had already given him up as dead, and had married.&nbsp; Upon learning that he was still alive, Betty, who had only been married a short time, promptly divorced her husband and waited for Billy Tom’s arrival back home.

I share this story with you because I hear many stories like it in my office.&nbsp; While practicing elder law for over 16 years, I began working with World War II veterans, like my granduncle.&nbsp; Eventually, the numbers of those World War II veterans became less and less.&nbsp; And then, we transitioned to the Korean War veterans.&nbsp; Again, more and more of those heroes are no longer with us.&nbsp; And now, it’s Vietnam veterans.&nbsp; But, I don’t want to forget all of those veterans that served even during non-wartime.&nbsp;

I want to comment about all those veterans and about Billy Tom.&nbsp; Many of the veterans are reluctant to share their stores, but when they do, or when I learned about what all my great-uncle had been through, I’m amazed that they were able to come back and be productive and involved in society.&nbsp; Though experiencing great hardship, and great sacrifices for our country, they came back and became integral to the fabric of our society. Despite hardships, they jumped right in and contributed.&nbsp; In many ways, they are the backbone of our country.

Those veterans returning from those foreign wars did not let it change who they were and how productive they would be.&nbsp; They joined back into society.

Let me finish my story about Billy Tom. &nbsp;

In September, 1945, Billy Tom was liberated from the prisoner of war camp. Because of his emaciated state, he was shipped to Cuba, along with many other freed prisoners of war. He spent time there on the beach recuperating and as he said, “fattening himself up”.&nbsp;

He was finally united with my grandmother, his mother, and his brothers. &nbsp;

About six months after returning home, the relationship with Betty was rekindled and Billy Tom and Betty were married.&nbsp; Billy Tom remained in the military and they moved to Langley, Virginia.&nbsp;

Billy Tom died about a year and a half after being freed, doing what he always wanted to do – flying an airplane. Unfortunately, while testing a new “jet”, it exploded in midair during an airshow.&nbsp; My grandmother gave me Billy Tom’s metals, including his Purple Heart.

When Veterans Day or December 8th comes around each year, I will always think of Billy Tom, and the tribulations he began to endure on that day in December, 1941, and for the next almost four years. Yet, he never gave up, either as a prisoner of war, or after gaining his freedom. He married his childhood sweetheart and he flew again. He did not let his past stop him from enjoying life and becoming what he wanted to become.

Veterans, thank you for your service. Thank you for coming home.&nbsp; So many didn’t. &nbsp;

Randy Clinkscales of Clinkscales Elder Law Practice, PA, Hays, 
Kansas, is an elder care attorney, practicing in western Kansas. To 
contact him, please send an email to randy@clinkscaleslaw.com. 
Disclaimer: The information in the column is for general information 
purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is different 
and outcomes depend on the fact of each case and the then applicable 
law. For specific questions, you should contact a qualified attorney.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578498921842.png" alt="Randy Clinkscales" />
 <figcaption>Randy Clinkscales</figcaption>
 </figure>Veterans Day is today, November 11th.&nbsp; We celebrate the sacrifices that our veterans faced on behalf of our country.&nbsp; Please allow me to share the story of a veteran in my life.December 7th is a solemn reminder of the day Pearl Harbor was bombed.&nbsp; While most of us were not yet born in 1941, stories have passed down from our parents and grandparents about the events of that day, as well as the subsequent changes in the world. But December 8th has great meaning to me, as well.My grandmother, Thelma, had three brothers.&nbsp; One, Billy Tom Wafer, was a new pilot excited about taking to the skies.&nbsp; Just prior to December 7th, he arrived in the Philippine Islands as part of the 24th Pursuit Squadron.&nbsp; On December 8th, the Philippine Islands were attacked by the Japanese (10 hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor), and many of the airplanes were destroyed.&nbsp; As a consequence, Billy Tom was never able to fly as a pilot during World War II. &nbsp;While I had learned some of the story of my great uncle, Billy Tom, it was not until about a couple of years ago that I learned much more. &nbsp;I discovered a book that covers the 24th Pursuit Squadron and the events in the Philippines from December 1941 through April 1942. I learned that after Manila was bomb on December 8th, 1941, Billy Tom, and the other American soldiers took to the jungles of the Philippines, converting from pilots to foot soldiers.&nbsp; They fought for the next five months against the Japanese invasion of the Philippines.&nbsp; I learned of the many hardships the soldiers endured—starvation; infections; extraordinary heat; sleeping in craters created by bombs that exploded so close to them. I learned of their eventual capture and their experiences on the Bataan Death March—and many did not survive.The book ends there.&nbsp; From that point forward, the story is recounted by my grandmother. I was also able to find some historical background by following military records.&nbsp;After the Bataan Death March, Billy Tom spent time in various prison camps.&nbsp; His family thought he was dead (they thought that for over three years).&nbsp; On three different ships, Billy Tom was shipped from the Philippines to Japan.&nbsp; On the first ship, there were approximately 1,600 prisoners. When that ship was sunk (by the U.S.), the U.S. prisoners were recaptured and put on another ship (I found a U.S.A. military photograph showing the men swimming from the sinking ship to the shore). It too was sunk (again by the U.S.). The soldiers were again recaptured. By the time Billy Tom arrived in Japan in January 1945, out of the 1,600 prisoners, less than 400 had survived.&nbsp; Billy Tom eventually ended up in a prison camp in Korea. &nbsp;It was only after being placed in Korea, and near the very end of the war, did my grandmother learn that her brother was still alive.&nbsp; His pre-war fiancé, Betty, had already given him up as dead, and had married.&nbsp; Upon learning that he was still alive, Betty, who had only been married a short time, promptly divorced her husband and waited for Billy Tom’s arrival back home.I share this story with you because I hear many stories like it in my office.&nbsp; While practicing elder law for over 16 years, I began working with World War II veterans, like my granduncle.&nbsp; Eventually, the numbers of those World War II veterans became less and less.&nbsp; And then, we transitioned to the Korean War veterans.&nbsp; Again, more and more of those heroes are no longer with us.&nbsp; And now, it’s Vietnam veterans.&nbsp; But, I don’t want to forget all of those veterans that served even during non-wartime.&nbsp;I want to comment about all those veterans and about Billy Tom.&nbsp; Many of the veterans are reluctant to share their stores, but when they do, or when I learned about what all my great-uncle had been through, I’m amazed that they were able to come back and be productive and involved in society.&nbsp; Though experiencing great hardship, and great sacrifices for our country, they came back and became integral to the fabric of our society. Despite hardships, they jumped right in and contributed.&nbsp; In many ways, they are the backbone of our country.Those veterans returning from those foreign wars did not let it change who they were and how productive they would be.&nbsp; They joined back into society.Let me finish my story about Billy Tom. &nbsp;In September, 1945, Billy Tom was liberated from the prisoner of war camp. Because of his emaciated state, he was shipped to Cuba, along with many other freed prisoners of war. He spent time there on the beach recuperating and as he said, “fattening himself up”.&nbsp;He was finally united with my grandmother, his mother, and his brothers. &nbsp;About six months after returning home, the relationship with Betty was rekindled and Billy Tom and Betty were married.&nbsp; Billy Tom remained in the military and they moved to Langley, Virginia.&nbsp;Billy Tom died about a year and a half after being freed, doing what he always wanted to do – flying an airplane. Unfortunately, while testing a new “jet”, it exploded in midair during an airshow.&nbsp; My grandmother gave me Billy Tom’s metals, including his Purple Heart.When Veterans Day or December 8th comes around each year, I will always think of Billy Tom, and the tribulations he began to endure on that day in December, 1941, and for the next almost four years. Yet, he never gave up, either as a prisoner of war, or after gaining his freedom. He married his childhood sweetheart and he flew again. He did not let his past stop him from enjoying life and becoming what he wanted to become.Veterans, thank you for your service. Thank you for coming home.&nbsp; So many didn’t. &nbsp;Randy Clinkscales of Clinkscales Elder Law Practice, PA, Hays, 
Kansas, is an elder care attorney, practicing in western Kansas. To 
contact him, please send an email to randy@clinkscaleslaw.com. 
Disclaimer: The information in the column is for general information 
purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is different 
and outcomes depend on the fact of each case and the then applicable 
law. For specific questions, you should contact a qualified attorney.

CLINKSCALES: Veterans did not let life’s events stop them

By GLENN BRUNKOW Pottawatomie County farmer and rancher

Thanksgiving is just a couple of weeks away, and in 2020 it may not seem like we have a lot to be thankful for. I admit that the last six months or so have been tough, and if you are watching the news it is hard to be very optimistic. However, I am really excited about this Thanksgiving, and all of us in agriculture should be, too.

Sure, we may not be able to have the large family reunions and dinners we are all used to. Let us not focus on the negative, instead we need to be reminded of all that we have and just how great our nation is. Never forget that we live in the greatest nation and our freedoms and rights are the envy of the rest of the world. That, my friends, all starts with us as farmers and ranchers, and we should be proud of that fact. More importantly, we need to celebrate it this Thanksgiving.

As farmers and ranchers, we are part of the foundation of our United States of America. The Pilgrims recognized that. Without an abundant, safe, wholesome food supply it is hard to build a nation, much less one as great as ours. In the middle of the worst pandemic most of us have ever seen, our grocery store shelves remained stocked. There might have been a few things that were harder to find, but consumers could still go into the store and find food to sustain themselves and their families. I would dare even say they had plenty of variety.

Those of us in agriculture are so good at what we do we can function with less than 2 percent of the population involved in growing the food and fiber. That allows the other 98 percent of the population to grow our economy and provide services to give us the lifestyle we are all accustomed to. We do not just feed our people; we grow enough to share with the rest of the world by utilizing technology we have developed.

This Thanksgiving all of us in the United States need to look at all we have been given and be thankful. Without a doubt that includes our great system of agricultural production. We must also not take all these blessings for granted. I hope this Thanksgiving will be a time the rest of the population realizes just how good they have it, and that is due in large part to all of us who farm and ranch.

We may have seen some dark days, and there probably are more ahead of us. However, we can all rest assured that the store shelves will be stocked and there will be plenty of food for Thanksgiving, no matter how many are gathered around our table. We all have so much to be thankful for and that is something we should not forget.

"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.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576508626397.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By GLENN BRUNKOW Pottawatomie County farmer and rancherThanksgiving is just a couple of weeks away, and in 2020 it may not seem like we have a lot to be thankful for. I admit that the last six months or so have been tough, and if you are watching the news it is hard to be very optimistic. However, I am really excited about this Thanksgiving, and all of us in agriculture should be, too.Sure, we may not be able to have the large family reunions and dinners we are all used to. Let us not focus on the negative, instead we need to be reminded of all that we have and just how great our nation is. Never forget that we live in the greatest nation and our freedoms and rights are the envy of the rest of the world. That, my friends, all starts with us as farmers and ranchers, and we should be proud of that fact. More importantly, we need to celebrate it this Thanksgiving.As farmers and ranchers, we are part of the foundation of our United States of America. The Pilgrims recognized that. Without an abundant, safe, wholesome food supply it is hard to build a nation, much less one as great as ours. In the middle of the worst pandemic most of us have ever seen, our grocery store shelves remained stocked. There might have been a few things that were harder to find, but consumers could still go into the store and find food to sustain themselves and their families. I would dare even say they had plenty of variety.Those of us in agriculture are so good at what we do we can function with less than 2 percent of the population involved in growing the food and fiber. That allows the other 98 percent of the population to grow our economy and provide services to give us the lifestyle we are all accustomed to. We do not just feed our people; we grow enough to share with the rest of the world by utilizing technology we have developed.This Thanksgiving all of us in the United States need to look at all we have been given and be thankful. Without a doubt that includes our great system of agricultural production. We must also not take all these blessings for granted. I hope this Thanksgiving will be a time the rest of the population realizes just how good they have it, and that is due in large part to all of us who farm and ranch.We may have seen some dark days, and there probably are more ahead of us. However, we can all rest assured that the store shelves will be stocked and there will be plenty of food for Thanksgiving, no matter how many are gathered around our table. We all have so much to be thankful for and that is something we should not forget."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.

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: Giving thanks

By DAN GLICKMAN Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

I am no expert on recent 
Kansas politics — it’s been 25 years since I represented the state’s 4th
 Congressional District. But I watched the election results from Kansas 
with enormous interest, always considering the state where I was born 
and served in Congress for 18 years to be my home. Having some time and 
geographical distance gives one a certain perspective.

Though Kansas reflected the national trends in many respects, it is also unique in its political history and demography.

From my vantage point, here are the good, the bad and the ugly realities of the 2020 election in Kansas.

Both parties worked diligently to communicate with their voters and <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/03/kansas-voters-champion-civic-duty-having-their-voice-heard-in-record-breaking-election/">increase turnout</a>.
 We had record voter turnout in Kansas and most other places in the 
country. The election process in the state by and large went smoothly 
and without incident, whether one voted in person or absentee, which is 
remarkable given that COVID-19 has infected nearly 100,000 Kansans and 
has killed more than 1,000.

Election officials and 
voters actively participated in our political process, without incident,
 at a time of a cruel public health pandemic. It appears that large 
numbers of younger voters participated, which is healthy for the future 
of our democracy.

Further, the election of 
Joe Biden will likely be helpful to Gov. Laura Kelly as the state deals 
with public health, economic and budget issues. Both are Democrats, but 
each has a long history of bipartisanship and working across the aisle 
to be true problem solvers.

Notwithstanding <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/05/as-gop-cements-supermajority-in-legislature-democrats-realize-they-can-just-really-walk-over-us/">Republican victories in the state Legislature</a>, a strong relationship with the White House will be helpful to our state and to Kelly personally.

Pre-election polling in 
both state and federal races was incredibly inaccurate. Political 
scientists should drill down on the reasons for the inconsistencies and 
inaccuracies, but I suspect the failure of candidates to campaign person
 to person because of the pandemic, the lack of sufficient independent 
media coverage of local and state elections and the sometimes insidious 
role of social media all had a lot to do with this.

In addition, there was a 
huge amount of inaccurate information being disseminated on both sides, 
but particularly on the political right, whose candidates <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/10/28/laturner-renews-suspect-claim-democratic-opponent-strives-to-defund-police/">labeled Democrats as being in favor</a> of defunding the police and portrayed them as socialists.

The <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/03/u-s-senate-the-marshall-and-bollier-showdown-in-kansas/">incredible amount of campaign money</a>,
 some of it “dark” and not easily transparent, facilitated the spread of
 falsehoods much more easily than in years past. That money often 
exacerbated a vicious toxic political tone that does not encourage 
collaboration.

It is disappointing that 
so many Republican leaders, in Kansas and elsewhere, have yet to 
acknowledge that Biden has won the Presidency — something they likely 
would be heralding if the electoral numbers were reversed.

What disturbs me the most 
is the tribalism that afflicts Kansas and American politics. Republicans
 rarely cross over and support Democrats and vice versa. A review of 
voting in Kansas counties reflects this trend.

That missing streak of historic Kansas political independence is so harmful in making compromises for the common good.

One positive exception is 
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, who was re-elected to Congress from the one 
Kansas congressional district that currently trends middle of the road. 
But her victory was also due to her working across the aisle on so many 
issues affecting her district.

During the prehistoric era
 when I served in Congress, Kansas voters elected people of both parties
 to federal and statewide and legislative offices, which I think made 
Kansas a stronger state, and a more relevant one as well.

Let’s hope the election of
 Joe Biden will inspire us to an era of less toxic political rhetoric, 
less partisan infighting and more collaboration to actually get things 
done. Encouraging the media to better cover local and state politics and
 policy and continuing to encourage civic education for the increasing 
number of younger voters participating in the political process would 
help to bring about positive change in Kansas and elsewhere.

As Biden recently said, 
“The purpose of our politics, the work of our nation, isn’t to fan the 
flames of conflict, but to solve problems. We may be opponents but we 
are not enemies. We are Americans.”

Dan Glickman is the Executive Director of the Aspen Institute Congressional Program, a nongovernmental, nonpartisan educational program for members of the United States Congress. He was U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from 1995 until January 2001.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605037521150.png" alt="Voters lined up in cars to deliver mail ballots at a Shawnee County drop box in Topeka. As voters become skittish about the status of their mail ballots, some voted in-person via provisional ballot. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Voters lined up in cars to deliver mail ballots at a Shawnee County drop box in Topeka. As voters become skittish about the status of their mail ballots, some voted in-person via provisional ballot. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAN GLICKMAN Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture I am no expert on recent 
Kansas politics — it’s been 25 years since I represented the state’s 4th
 Congressional District. But I watched the election results from Kansas 
with enormous interest, always considering the state where I was born 
and served in Congress for 18 years to be my home. Having some time and 
geographical distance gives one a certain perspective.Though Kansas reflected the national trends in many respects, it is also unique in its political history and demography.From my vantage point, here are the good, the bad and the ugly realities of the 2020 election in Kansas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599830697632.png" alt="Dan Glickman is the Executive Director of the Aspen Institute Congressional Program, a nongovernmental, nonpartisan educational program for members of the United States Congress. He was U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from 1995 until January 2001." />
 <figcaption>Dan Glickman is the Executive Director of the Aspen Institute Congressional Program, a nongovernmental, nonpartisan educational program for members of the United States Congress. He was U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from 1995 until January 2001.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The good</h2>Both parties worked diligently to communicate with their voters and <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/03/kansas-voters-champion-civic-duty-having-their-voice-heard-in-record-breaking-election/">increase turnout</a>.
 We had record voter turnout in Kansas and most other places in the 
country. The election process in the state by and large went smoothly 
and without incident, whether one voted in person or absentee, which is 
remarkable given that COVID-19 has infected nearly 100,000 Kansans and 
has killed more than 1,000.Election officials and 
voters actively participated in our political process, without incident,
 at a time of a cruel public health pandemic. It appears that large 
numbers of younger voters participated, which is healthy for the future 
of our democracy.Further, the election of 
Joe Biden will likely be helpful to Gov. Laura Kelly as the state deals 
with public health, economic and budget issues. Both are Democrats, but 
each has a long history of bipartisanship and working across the aisle 
to be true problem solvers.Notwithstanding <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/05/as-gop-cements-supermajority-in-legislature-democrats-realize-they-can-just-really-walk-over-us/">Republican victories in the state Legislature</a>, a strong relationship with the White House will be helpful to our state and to Kelly personally.<h2>The bad</h2>Pre-election polling in 
both state and federal races was incredibly inaccurate. Political 
scientists should drill down on the reasons for the inconsistencies and 
inaccuracies, but I suspect the failure of candidates to campaign person
 to person because of the pandemic, the lack of sufficient independent 
media coverage of local and state elections and the sometimes insidious 
role of social media all had a lot to do with this.In addition, there was a 
huge amount of inaccurate information being disseminated on both sides, 
but particularly on the political right, whose candidates <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/10/28/laturner-renews-suspect-claim-democratic-opponent-strives-to-defund-police/">labeled Democrats as being in favor</a> of defunding the police and portrayed them as socialists.The <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/11/03/u-s-senate-the-marshall-and-bollier-showdown-in-kansas/">incredible amount of campaign money</a>,
 some of it “dark” and not easily transparent, facilitated the spread of
 falsehoods much more easily than in years past. That money often 
exacerbated a vicious toxic political tone that does not encourage 
collaboration.<h2>The ugly</h2>It is disappointing that 
so many Republican leaders, in Kansas and elsewhere, have yet to 
acknowledge that Biden has won the Presidency — something they likely 
would be heralding if the electoral numbers were reversed.What disturbs me the most 
is the tribalism that afflicts Kansas and American politics. Republicans
 rarely cross over and support Democrats and vice versa. A review of 
voting in Kansas counties reflects this trend.That missing streak of historic Kansas political independence is so harmful in making compromises for the common good.One positive exception is 
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, who was re-elected to Congress from the one 
Kansas congressional district that currently trends middle of the road. 
But her victory was also due to her working across the aisle on so many 
issues affecting her district.During the prehistoric era
 when I served in Congress, Kansas voters elected people of both parties
 to federal and statewide and legislative offices, which I think made 
Kansas a stronger state, and a more relevant one as well.Let’s hope the election of
 Joe Biden will inspire us to an era of less toxic political rhetoric, 
less partisan infighting and more collaboration to actually get things 
done. Encouraging the media to better cover local and state politics and
 policy and continuing to encourage civic education for the increasing 
number of younger voters participating in the political process would 
help to bring about positive change in Kansas and elsewhere.As Biden recently said, 
“The purpose of our politics, the work of our nation, isn’t to fan the 
flames of conflict, but to solve problems. We may be opponents but we 
are not enemies. We are Americans.”Dan Glickman is the Executive Director of the Aspen Institute Congressional Program, a nongovernmental, nonpartisan educational program for members of the United States Congress. He was U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from 1995 until January 2001.

OPINION: The good, the bad and the ugly of 2020 election in Kansas

Holiday celebrations are just around the corner. This year will be different, considering the uptick in COVID19 numbers. While large family gatherings may be replaced by smaller family affairs there are many ways to make the celebration special. We’re planning to do a family Zoom on Thanksgiving Day with those who would normally be seated around our dining room table. I’m certain that our four grandkids, ages 6-12 will help make us make some fun memories.

Most celebrations include special foods and beverages. This would be a good year to try some new recipes, that are chock full of the nutrients needed to stay healthy. The more colorful the plate is, the better. When I’m teaching kids about healthy eating I encourage them to eat the rainbow. That is great advice for everyone.&nbsp;

Consider making this recipe for “Baked Winter Squash with Apples” for your upcoming holiday:

1½ pounds uncooked winter squash, peeled and cut into cubes 1/2 pound fresh cranberries (optional) 2-3 apples, chopped ¼ cup raisins Juice and grated peel of 1small orange 1¼ tablespoons maple syrup (or honey) Dash each of salt and cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine squash, cranberries, apples, and raisins in a small buttered casserole dish. Mix juice, orange peel, maple syrup and salt together. Pour over squash mixture. Lightly dust with cinnamon, cover and bake until squash is tender, approximately 30-45 minutes. Serves four.

Nutritional information per serving: Calories 199. Protein: 2 g. Total fat: &lt;1 gram, Carbohydrates: 47 grams. Cholesterol: 0 mg. sodium: 76 mg. Vitamin A: 120% daily value. Vitamin C: 78% daily value.

Source: Rolling Prairie Cookbook by Nancy O’Connor.

You may want to rethink the type of beverages you serve at celebrations. They can be colorful and festive, without lots of sugar and calories. Use a punch bowl for serving fruit-infused flavored water. Make fun ice cubes with 100 percent juice or add frozen berries or citrus zest.

I’ll focus on other ways to prepare for the holidays in the weeks to come. In the meantime stay safe and stay healthy!

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593016082485.png" alt="Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with the Cottonwood Extension District." />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with the Cottonwood Extension District.</figcaption>
 </figure>Holiday celebrations are just around the corner. This year will be different, considering the uptick in COVID19 numbers. While large family gatherings may be replaced by smaller family affairs there are many ways to make the celebration special. We’re planning to do a family Zoom on Thanksgiving Day with those who would normally be seated around our dining room table. I’m certain that our four grandkids, ages 6-12 will help make us make some fun memories.Most celebrations include special foods and beverages. This would be a good year to try some new recipes, that are chock full of the nutrients needed to stay healthy. The more colorful the plate is, the better. When I’m teaching kids about healthy eating I encourage them to eat the rainbow. That is great advice for everyone.&nbsp;Consider making this recipe for “Baked Winter Squash with Apples” for your upcoming holiday:1½ pounds uncooked winter squash, peeled and cut into cubes 1/2 pound fresh cranberries (optional) 2-3 apples, chopped ¼ cup raisins Juice and grated peel of 1small orange 1¼ tablespoons maple syrup (or honey) Dash each of salt and cinnamonPreheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine squash, cranberries, apples, and raisins in a small buttered casserole dish. Mix juice, orange peel, maple syrup and salt together. Pour over squash mixture. Lightly dust with cinnamon, cover and bake until squash is tender, approximately 30-45 minutes. Serves four.Nutritional information per serving: Calories 199. Protein: 2 g. Total fat: &lt;1 gram, Carbohydrates: 47 grams. Cholesterol: 0 mg. sodium: 76 mg. Vitamin A: 120% daily value. Vitamin C: 78% daily value.Source: Rolling Prairie Cookbook by Nancy O’Connor.You may want to rethink the type of beverages you serve at celebrations. They can be colorful and festive, without lots of sugar and calories. Use a punch bowl for serving fruit-infused flavored water. Make fun ice cubes with 100 percent juice or add frozen berries or citrus zest.I’ll focus on other ways to prepare for the holidays in the weeks to come. In the meantime stay safe and stay healthy!Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with the Cottonwood Extension District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

KRUG: Make celebrations fun and healthy

Crude prices rebounded from last week's huge selloff, in what appears to be a reaction to news about a possible COVID vaccine. After posting ten dollar per barrel losses last week, midday prices Monday were up nearly nine percent. The near-month Nymex contract for light sweet crude was up $3.29 to $40.43 per barrel. London Brent jumped $3.13 to $42.58 per barrel. Prices at CHS in McPherson on Monday reflected the selloff last week with Kansas Common crude fetching $27.50 per barrel. Analysts expect that to increase alongside the national and international benchmarks. The government released its formal monthly tally of crude oil production through August, noting a slight increase in Kansas production, the third monthly increase in a row. Kansas output reached 2.32 million barrels in August, or nearly 75,000 barrels per day. Total U.S. production was down about 12 million barrels from July to just over 10.5 million barrels per day. That's down nearly 4 percent. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports a pair of operators are about to spud new wells in Barton and Stafford counties. There are seven active drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, unchanged from last week, and eleven west of Wichita, up two. Baker Hughes reported a net increase of five active oil drilling rigs last week. Many states saw declines but the count in Texas was up six and New Mexico was up three. Regulators approved six new drilling permits across Kansas last week, including four in Barton County. There are five new permits in Western Kansas and one east of Wichita, for a year-to-date total of 392. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 15 new well completions for the week, ten of them east of Wichita and five in Western Kansas, including a pair of dry holes in Barton and Ellis counties and a producing development well in Russell County. Operators statewide have completed 719 wells so far this year. U.S. crude-oil inventories last week dropped eight million barrels from a week earlier. The Energy Information Administration reports total U.S. stockpiles dropped to just over 484 million barrels for the week ending October 30. EIA said Inventories currently stand about seven percent above the five-year seasonal average. The government reported a slight decrease in U.S. crude production last week. The Energy Information Administration reports average output of nearly 10.5 million barrels per day. That's down more than 600,000 barrels per day from the week before, and is down more than two million barrels per day from a year ago. Crude storage usage is at its highest level since spring. The EIA on Wednesday reported net stockpiles reached 76% of the storage capacity at Cushing, Oklahoma. That's the highest percentage since May 8. EIA reports U.S. crude imports were down 600,000 barrels to five million barrels per day. Over the last four weeks, average imports were down more than 15% from the same period a year ago. Weekly oil-by-rail numbers increased slightly last week, but continue to lag well behind last year at this time. The Association of American Railroads reports 10,202 tanker cars hauling petroleum or petroleum products for the week ending October 31. That's up 35 rail cars from the week before, but is nearly 20% behind the same weekly total last year. Total freight-train usage was up last month, posting a two percent increase over October of last year. The State of New Mexico is considering some tough new emissions rules for the oil-patch. Regulators will hold a public meeting with about a week's worth of testimony beginning January 4. The new regulations would require the capture of 98-percent of natural gas emissions by the year 2026. Shell announced last week that it is closing one of its refineries in Louisiana, after failed attempts to sell the facility. The refinery between Baton Rouge and New Orleans can process 240,000 barrels of crude oil per day. It employs nearly 700 employees and 400 contract workers, with layoffs starting later this month. President Donald Trump surprised many last week with the removal of the chairman of the agency that regulates oil and gas pipelines and other energy infrastructure. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Chatterjee's term was set to expire next June. Axios reported his departure might have been hastened by a policy statement involving climate change issued in October. The world's largest oil exporter is cutting prices. Saudi Arabia reduced most of its oil pricing amid a cloudy energy demand outlook. State-run Saudi Aramco cut prices for all U.S. grades by 20 cents per barrel, and cut Asian pricing by ten cents. Aramco raised prices by up to a dollar a barrel for customers in the northwest Europe and Mediterranean regions. Libya's National Oil Corp, NOC, has now ended restrictions on the last crude-oil production facilities closed by an eight-month blockade. The country's output has skyrocketed since the settlement in its civil war. Reuters reported total production reached 800,000 barrels per day last week, up from just 100,000 barrels per day as recently as September. In a sign of the times, oil major BP is in talks to sell its London headquarters. The Wall Street Journal reports the company needs cash to help cover debts. Cascading oil prices may be about to get some relief from China. Bloomberg reports the world's biggest oil buyer has raised by 20% its quota for use of crude from overseas. That signals increased imports of about 823,000 barrels per day. Net profit at the world's largest crude exporter fell more than 44% in the third quarter compared to a year earlier. Saudi Aramco saw quarterly earnings drop from over $21 billion to $11.8 billion dollars, due to the continued collapse of demand and prices.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592847975802.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBARCrude prices rebounded from last week's huge selloff, in what appears to be a reaction to news about a possible COVID vaccine. After posting ten dollar per barrel losses last week, midday prices Monday were up nearly nine percent. The near-month Nymex contract for light sweet crude was up $3.29 to $40.43 per barrel. London Brent jumped $3.13 to $42.58 per barrel. Prices at CHS in McPherson on Monday reflected the selloff last week with Kansas Common crude fetching $27.50 per barrel. Analysts expect that to increase alongside the national and international benchmarks. The government released its formal monthly tally of crude oil production through August, noting a slight increase in Kansas production, the third monthly increase in a row. Kansas output reached 2.32 million barrels in August, or nearly 75,000 barrels per day. Total U.S. production was down about 12 million barrels from July to just over 10.5 million barrels per day. That's down nearly 4 percent. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports a pair of operators are about to spud new wells in Barton and Stafford counties. There are seven active drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, unchanged from last week, and eleven west of Wichita, up two. Baker Hughes reported a net increase of five active oil drilling rigs last week. Many states saw declines but the count in Texas was up six and New Mexico was up three. Regulators approved six new drilling permits across Kansas last week, including four in Barton County. There are five new permits in Western Kansas and one east of Wichita, for a year-to-date total of 392. Independent Oil &amp; Gas Service reports 15 new well completions for the week, ten of them east of Wichita and five in Western Kansas, including a pair of dry holes in Barton and Ellis counties and a producing development well in Russell County. Operators statewide have completed 719 wells so far this year. U.S. crude-oil inventories last week dropped eight million barrels from a week earlier. The Energy Information Administration reports total U.S. stockpiles dropped to just over 484 million barrels for the week ending October 30. EIA said Inventories currently stand about seven percent above the five-year seasonal average. The government reported a slight decrease in U.S. crude production last week. The Energy Information Administration reports average output of nearly 10.5 million barrels per day. That's down more than 600,000 barrels per day from the week before, and is down more than two million barrels per day from a year ago. Crude storage usage is at its highest level since spring. The EIA on Wednesday reported net stockpiles reached 76% of the storage capacity at Cushing, Oklahoma. That's the highest percentage since May 8. EIA reports U.S. crude imports were down 600,000 barrels to five million barrels per day. Over the last four weeks, average imports were down more than 15% from the same period a year ago. Weekly oil-by-rail numbers increased slightly last week, but continue to lag well behind last year at this time. The Association of American Railroads reports 10,202 tanker cars hauling petroleum or petroleum products for the week ending October 31. That's up 35 rail cars from the week before, but is nearly 20% behind the same weekly total last year. Total freight-train usage was up last month, posting a two percent increase over October of last year. The State of New Mexico is considering some tough new emissions rules for the oil-patch. Regulators will hold a public meeting with about a week's worth of testimony beginning January 4. The new regulations would require the capture of 98-percent of natural gas emissions by the year 2026. Shell announced last week that it is closing one of its refineries in Louisiana, after failed attempts to sell the facility. The refinery between Baton Rouge and New Orleans can process 240,000 barrels of crude oil per day. It employs nearly 700 employees and 400 contract workers, with layoffs starting later this month. President Donald Trump surprised many last week with the removal of the chairman of the agency that regulates oil and gas pipelines and other energy infrastructure. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Chatterjee's term was set to expire next June. Axios reported his departure might have been hastened by a policy statement involving climate change issued in October. The world's largest oil exporter is cutting prices. Saudi Arabia reduced most of its oil pricing amid a cloudy energy demand outlook. State-run Saudi Aramco cut prices for all U.S. grades by 20 cents per barrel, and cut Asian pricing by ten cents. Aramco raised prices by up to a dollar a barrel for customers in the northwest Europe and Mediterranean regions. Libya's National Oil Corp, NOC, has now ended restrictions on the last crude-oil production facilities closed by an eight-month blockade. The country's output has skyrocketed since the settlement in its civil war. Reuters reported total production reached 800,000 barrels per day last week, up from just 100,000 barrels per day as recently as September. In a sign of the times, oil major BP is in talks to sell its London headquarters. The Wall Street Journal reports the company needs cash to help cover debts. Cascading oil prices may be about to get some relief from China. Bloomberg reports the world's biggest oil buyer has raised by 20% its quota for use of crude from overseas. That signals increased imports of about 823,000 barrels per day. Net profit at the world's largest crude exporter fell more than 44% in the third quarter compared to a year earlier. Saudi Aramco saw quarterly earnings drop from over $21 billion to $11.8 billion dollars, due to the continued collapse of demand and prices.

News From the Oil Patch: Crude prices skyrocket on vaccine news

Imagine it is early Wednesday morning, right after Election Day. And imagine you are a Democrat in Kansas. Or if you can’t, try to at least imagine what many might have gone through over the past several weeks.

Having spent years organizing and raising money and fighting hard against the influence of Brownback and Trump in Kansas, Democrats aren’t stupid. They know this is a state where Republican voters outnumber Democratic voters by more than 2 to 1 in many counties. They know that victories like Governor Laura Kelly’s or Representative Sharice Davids’s in the 3rd&nbsp;District don’t come easily. Democrats are realists; they don’t let their imagination run away with them.

Except maybe sometimes they let their guard down, and it does run away with them, just a little bit.

Maybe the talk of a Biden landside was just too appealing to resist. Maybe the enormous fundraising totals for Barbara Bollier that everyone was talking about was a little too seductive. Maybe the talk of ending the 88-year reign the Republicans have had over Kansas’s U.S. senate seats was just so historic that some Democrats found themselves going over from wanting it to happen, to believing that it would.

Kansas Democrats surely weren’t alone in experiencing all those muddled, exhausted, yet still weirdly excited feelings on Election Night night. No doubt some Democrats in Texas, Georgia, and North Carolina thought so to. All were disappointed.

Or maybe better, they were just reminded. Given a shock to help them recollect just what the electoral landscape actually looks like, and shake themselves out of their temporary reverie.

The failure of Bollier to generate sufficient excitement among the supposedly huge numbers of moderate Republicans willing to vote for a Democrat in northeast Kansas, enough to offset Republican votes for Marshall everywhere else, was certainly one such shock. So was watching the Republican party whittle down the Democrats’ presence in the state legislature even further, ensuring that the Republicans’ veto-proof majorities remained intact.

Looking across the state, the instances of heartbreaking losses and nail-biting results for Democrats multiply. In Hutchinson, a by-all-accounts popular Democratic legislator holds on to his seat by a margin of only five votes. In Wichita, a scandal-plagued Republican county commissioner, caught on tape scheming to shift blame to his own county party chairperson, seems likely to have saved his seat against a charismatic Democratic challenger solely by promising to resign as soon as re-elected--because that way, he said to his voters, the local Republicans can choose his successor.

Lots of explanations can be provided–the nationalization of state politics, and the fact that President Trump re-election campaign was energizing to Republicans being an obvious one. But even more fundamental than that is simply this: Kansas is, and remains, a very Republican state. That’s just what the counting of votes show. Maybe some Democrats forget that, sometimes, in their hopes and excitement. When that happens, they get reminders, like this past week.

I don’t mean that Democrats can’t ever succeed in Kansas; obviously they can. But as Governor Kathleen Sebelius once observed, when that happens, it’s generally not because the Democrats have the votes to win. Rather, it’s usually because the Republicans sometimes divide or antagonize or alienate their superior number of voters, and hence lose. This week, they didn’t.

Dr. Russell Arben Fox runs the History &amp; Politics major and the Honors program at Friends University in Wichita.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586443443315.jpeg" alt="Professor Russell Arben Fox directs the History &amp; Politics major and the Honors program at Friends University in Wichita, KS." />
 <figcaption>Professor Russell Arben Fox directs the History &amp; Politics major and the Honors program at Friends University in Wichita, KS.</figcaption>
 </figure>Imagine it is early Wednesday morning, right after Election Day. And imagine you are a Democrat in Kansas. Or if you can’t, try to at least imagine what many might have gone through over the past several weeks.Having spent years organizing and raising money and fighting hard against the influence of Brownback and Trump in Kansas, Democrats aren’t stupid. They know this is a state where Republican voters outnumber Democratic voters by more than 2 to 1 in many counties. They know that victories like Governor Laura Kelly’s or Representative Sharice Davids’s in the 3rd&nbsp;District don’t come easily. Democrats are realists; they don’t let their imagination run away with them.Except maybe sometimes they let their guard down, and it does run away with them, just a little bit.Maybe the talk of a Biden landside was just too appealing to resist. Maybe the enormous fundraising totals for Barbara Bollier that everyone was talking about was a little too seductive. Maybe the talk of ending the 88-year reign the Republicans have had over Kansas’s U.S. senate seats was just so historic that some Democrats found themselves going over from wanting it to happen, to believing that it would.Kansas Democrats surely weren’t alone in experiencing all those muddled, exhausted, yet still weirdly excited feelings on Election Night night. No doubt some Democrats in Texas, Georgia, and North Carolina thought so to. All were disappointed.Or maybe better, they were just reminded. Given a shock to help them recollect just what the electoral landscape actually looks like, and shake themselves out of their temporary reverie.The failure of Bollier to generate sufficient excitement among the supposedly huge numbers of moderate Republicans willing to vote for a Democrat in northeast Kansas, enough to offset Republican votes for Marshall everywhere else, was certainly one such shock. So was watching the Republican party whittle down the Democrats’ presence in the state legislature even further, ensuring that the Republicans’ veto-proof majorities remained intact.Looking across the state, the instances of heartbreaking losses and nail-biting results for Democrats multiply. In Hutchinson, a by-all-accounts popular Democratic legislator holds on to his seat by a margin of only five votes. In Wichita, a scandal-plagued Republican county commissioner, caught on tape scheming to shift blame to his own county party chairperson, seems likely to have saved his seat against a charismatic Democratic challenger solely by promising to resign as soon as re-elected--because that way, he said to his voters, the local Republicans can choose his successor.Lots of explanations can be provided–the nationalization of state politics, and the fact that President Trump re-election campaign was energizing to Republicans being an obvious one. But even more fundamental than that is simply this: Kansas is, and remains, a very Republican state. That’s just what the counting of votes show. Maybe some Democrats forget that, sometimes, in their hopes and excitement. When that happens, they get reminders, like this past week.I don’t mean that Democrats can’t ever succeed in Kansas; obviously they can. But as Governor Kathleen Sebelius once observed, when that happens, it’s generally not because the Democrats have the votes to win. Rather, it’s usually because the Republicans sometimes divide or antagonize or alienate their superior number of voters, and hence lose. This week, they didn’t.Dr. Russell Arben Fox runs the History &amp; Politics major and the Honors program at Friends University in Wichita.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Still a very Republican state

Dear Mr. President: Congratulations on your election victory.

That’s a non-partisan congratulations. The First Amendment, with its 
45 words encompassing our core freedoms of religion, speech, press, 
assembly and petition, doesn’t take political sides.

The year 2020 has seen a dramatic increase in the ways our fellow 
citizens are using the First Amendment. There’s every reason to believe 
2021 will be more of the same.

By this Election Day, a record number of us exercised our right to 
vote, the ultimate expression of our rights to petition the government.

Years of simmering injury, insult and resentment over blatant and 
hidden racism have boiled over into a wave of public protests, prompted 
by the repeated deaths of Black men and women at the hands of police 
officers, and rooted in economic and social systems that people of color
 see as tilted against them

The national crisis that is COVID-19 is tearing at the very fabric of
 daily life — and even as it hammers everything from employment numbers 
to how we sometimes can say farewell to the dying, the pandemic is 
sparking street demonstrations for and against health measures like 
masks and business shutdowns.

I write to ask that as you consider your election victory, you keep 
these First Amendment considerations in mind — using the order of the 
five freedoms, to help organize your thoughts.

Religion in the U.S. today covers a remarkably diverse form of 
beliefs and practices, unique in the world. Understandably, that creates
 ongoing conflict as overall social values and individual matters of 
conscience collide. Some call this a culture war. I hope you will think 
of it as does my Freedom Forum colleague, Dr. Charles Haynes:
 An opportunity to find common ground — focusing on those places where 
we do agree, even as we recognize and celebrate our differences.

What of free speech? For nearly a century, most battles around this 
freedom focused on whether or not government could restrict or punish 
individuals for their speech. In this next presidential term, the focus 
will be on relatively new ideas: There are ideas, words or symbolic 
actions that are too dangerous to be heard, or that the right to speak 
includes a right not to listen — or to be protected from even hearing.

Please keep in mind that ideas are not eliminated by silencing those 
who give voice to them. More speech, in more ways, is the better path. 
It is a proper government role to find ways to encourage diversity of 
thought, but not to become a “national nanny” or worse, an autocratic 
censor deciding what we should see, read and hear.

The next generation will be ill-served to face an assuredly 
contentious world if they aren’t aware of a range of ideas, concepts and
 creeds. A need to reinforce the key positive ideals of our society for 
the future must include free discussion of where we have fallen short in
 word, actions or law in the past.

A free press is being challenged by the triple tag team of economic 
loss, public mistrust and new competition. An attendant casualty has 
been our collective belief in “truth” — or at least accepted facts based
 on solid journalism, not punditry across a myriad of new information 
sources.

You don’t have direct responsibility to make journalism better, but 
things are so dire you and Congress may be needed to help ensure we have
 any effective journalism at all.

The number of local news outlets is plunging — and “news deserts” in 
which no local news media exists — are growing. The 
watchdog-on-government role of a free press — so vital to the informed 
citizenry needed by a democracy — cannot be allowed to simply evaporate.

The unthinkable for free press advocates of not long ago — tax 
breaks, operating subsidies, support for “public” journalism as we have 
seen for public television and radio — may well become over the next 
four years unavoidable.

What we do know, based on annual surveys the Freedom Forum has done 
since 1997, is that most of us support that watchdog duty. Work with 
that consensus.

Assembly and petition have had rebirths. When frustrated, Americans 
always protested, on our streets and now online. Your responsibility 
here starts with listening — even when others are shouting.

Yes, you must respond to those who go outside First Amendment 
protections into violence. But those responses must be tempered by the 
recognition that peaceful dissent is democracy, not disloyalty.

I write knowing you and the nation face many challenges. But I also 
write with the profound hope that this letter will be a reminder that 
these core freedoms empower all of us to freely talk with each other in 
many different ways, with a goal of determining the best possible 
solutions for the greatest number of people, in the shortest amount of 
time. The First Amendment doesn’t require — or provide for — perfection,
 but it fuels democracy.

With that spirit in mind, good fortune in the next four years.

Gene Policinski is a senior fellow for the First Amendment at the
 Freedom Forum, and president and chief operating officer of the Freedom
 Forum Institute. He can be reached at <a href="mailto:gpolicinski@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">gpolicinski@freedomforum.org</a>, or follow him on Twitter at&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/@genefac" target="_blank">@genefac</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593729871227.png" alt="Gene Policinski is a senior fellow for the First Amendment at the Freedom Forum, and president and chief operating officer of the Freedom Forum Institute. " />
 <figcaption>Gene Policinski is a senior fellow for the First Amendment at the Freedom Forum, and president and chief operating officer of the Freedom Forum Institute. </figcaption>
 </figure>Dear Mr. President: Congratulations on your election victory.That’s a non-partisan congratulations. The First Amendment, with its 
45 words encompassing our core freedoms of religion, speech, press, 
assembly and petition, doesn’t take political sides.The year 2020 has seen a dramatic increase in the ways our fellow 
citizens are using the First Amendment. There’s every reason to believe 
2021 will be more of the same.By this Election Day, a record number of us exercised our right to 
vote, the ultimate expression of our rights to petition the government.Years of simmering injury, insult and resentment over blatant and 
hidden racism have boiled over into a wave of public protests, prompted 
by the repeated deaths of Black men and women at the hands of police 
officers, and rooted in economic and social systems that people of color
 see as tilted against themThe national crisis that is COVID-19 is tearing at the very fabric of
 daily life — and even as it hammers everything from employment numbers 
to how we sometimes can say farewell to the dying, the pandemic is 
sparking street demonstrations for and against health measures like 
masks and business shutdowns.I write to ask that as you consider your election victory, you keep 
these First Amendment considerations in mind — using the order of the 
five freedoms, to help organize your thoughts.Religion in the U.S. today covers a remarkably diverse form of 
beliefs and practices, unique in the world. Understandably, that creates
 ongoing conflict as overall social values and individual matters of 
conscience collide. Some call this a culture war. I hope you will think 
of it as does my Freedom Forum colleague, Dr. Charles Haynes:
 An opportunity to find common ground — focusing on those places where 
we do agree, even as we recognize and celebrate our differences.What of free speech? For nearly a century, most battles around this 
freedom focused on whether or not government could restrict or punish 
individuals for their speech. In this next presidential term, the focus 
will be on relatively new ideas: There are ideas, words or symbolic 
actions that are too dangerous to be heard, or that the right to speak 
includes a right not to listen — or to be protected from even hearing.Please keep in mind that ideas are not eliminated by silencing those 
who give voice to them. More speech, in more ways, is the better path. 
It is a proper government role to find ways to encourage diversity of 
thought, but not to become a “national nanny” or worse, an autocratic 
censor deciding what we should see, read and hear.The next generation will be ill-served to face an assuredly 
contentious world if they aren’t aware of a range of ideas, concepts and
 creeds. A need to reinforce the key positive ideals of our society for 
the future must include free discussion of where we have fallen short in
 word, actions or law in the past.A free press is being challenged by the triple tag team of economic 
loss, public mistrust and new competition. An attendant casualty has 
been our collective belief in “truth” — or at least accepted facts based
 on solid journalism, not punditry across a myriad of new information 
sources.You don’t have direct responsibility to make journalism better, but 
things are so dire you and Congress may be needed to help ensure we have
 any effective journalism at all.The number of local news outlets is plunging — and “news deserts” in 
which no local news media exists — are growing. The 
watchdog-on-government role of a free press — so vital to the informed 
citizenry needed by a democracy — cannot be allowed to simply evaporate.The unthinkable for free press advocates of not long ago — tax 
breaks, operating subsidies, support for “public” journalism as we have 
seen for public television and radio — may well become over the next 
four years unavoidable.What we do know, based on annual surveys the Freedom Forum has done 
since 1997, is that most of us support that watchdog duty. Work with 
that consensus.Assembly and petition have had rebirths. When frustrated, Americans 
always protested, on our streets and now online. Your responsibility 
here starts with listening — even when others are shouting.Yes, you must respond to those who go outside First Amendment 
protections into violence. But those responses must be tempered by the 
recognition that peaceful dissent is democracy, not disloyalty.I write knowing you and the nation face many challenges. But I also 
write with the profound hope that this letter will be a reminder that 
these core freedoms empower all of us to freely talk with each other in 
many different ways, with a goal of determining the best possible 
solutions for the greatest number of people, in the shortest amount of 
time. The First Amendment doesn’t require — or provide for — perfection,
 but it fuels democracy.With that spirit in mind, good fortune in the next four years.Gene Policinski is a senior fellow for the First Amendment at the
 Freedom Forum, and president and chief operating officer of the Freedom
 Forum Institute. He can be reached at <a href="mailto:gpolicinski@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">gpolicinski@freedomforum.org</a>, or follow him on Twitter at&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/@genefac" target="_blank">@genefac</a>.

FIRST FIVE: On behalf of the First Amendment — ‘Dear Mr. President’

There are many unsung heroes on our Fort Hays State University campus. One group that fits this description is our admissions staff. On the surface, their jobs look like a lot of fun – meeting prospective Tigers and their families, sharing their love of FHSU, helping them complete all the right paperwork, and then welcoming each student to campus with great joy and enthusiasm. They get to dress in Fort Hays State gear EVERY day and connect with so many people in meaningful ways. They inspire and encourage the hearts of many who feel college is a big scary step. In a way, they are the big sisters and brothers of every on-campus student.

What we often fail to think about is exactly how complex, critical, and time-demanding their jobs are. Our staff really need to “be on” – and authentically on – all of the time. The position demands the ability to relate to diverse student populations and their family members while exhibiting a high level of enthusiasm and creativity.&nbsp;

However, they also need more than finely honed people skills. They manage a lot of paperwork and need to understand university policies and processes, not to mention how to navigate often overwhelming federal financial aid forms. They prioritize complex travel and event schedules, which often require extensive overnight, evening, and weekend work. After a long day of meeting students and their families, the administrative work begins. There are records to update, telephone calls to make, social media posts to draft, and relentless follow-up as each counselor continues to check-in with every student to ensure questions are answered and enthusiasm is built.

Two jobs on a college campus have built-in areas of accountability that are both data-driven and demanding. While it’s not only about the numbers for coaches and admissions staffers, coaches are evaluated on winning and admissions professionals must get students to become Tigers. At the end of the day, I know the desire to win is in the DNA of all of our coaches, and I know how much our admissions team cares about meeting institutional enrollment goals; it is, indeed, a heavy weight to bear for both.

Of course, student recruitment work requires a lot of support from the faculty who will teach and advise the new students, as well as from professional staff who will process financial aid and housing requests, help our new Tigers get acclimated to campus, and fulfill many other support service roles. These village-like efforts reinforce and supplement the work of the admissions staff. Our strong university-wide ethic of care also helps – a lot.&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>There are many unsung heroes on our Fort Hays State University campus. One group that fits this description is our admissions staff. On the surface, their jobs look like a lot of fun – meeting prospective Tigers and their families, sharing their love of FHSU, helping them complete all the right paperwork, and then welcoming each student to campus with great joy and enthusiasm. They get to dress in Fort Hays State gear EVERY day and connect with so many people in meaningful ways. They inspire and encourage the hearts of many who feel college is a big scary step. In a way, they are the big sisters and brothers of every on-campus student.What we often fail to think about is exactly how complex, critical, and time-demanding their jobs are. Our staff really need to “be on” – and authentically on – all of the time. The position demands the ability to relate to diverse student populations and their family members while exhibiting a high level of enthusiasm and creativity.&nbsp;However, they also need more than finely honed people skills. They manage a lot of paperwork and need to understand university policies and processes, not to mention how to navigate often overwhelming federal financial aid forms. They prioritize complex travel and event schedules, which often require extensive overnight, evening, and weekend work. After a long day of meeting students and their families, the administrative work begins. There are records to update, telephone calls to make, social media posts to draft, and relentless follow-up as each counselor continues to check-in with every student to ensure questions are answered and enthusiasm is built.Two jobs on a college campus have built-in areas of accountability that are both data-driven and demanding. While it’s not only about the numbers for coaches and admissions staffers, coaches are evaluated on winning and admissions professionals must get students to become Tigers. At the end of the day, I know the desire to win is in the DNA of all of our coaches, and I know how much our admissions team cares about meeting institutional enrollment goals; it is, indeed, a heavy weight to bear for both.Of course, student recruitment work requires a lot of support from the faculty who will teach and advise the new students, as well as from professional staff who will process financial aid and housing requests, help our new Tigers get acclimated to campus, and fulfill many other support service roles. These village-like efforts reinforce and supplement the work of the admissions staff. Our strong university-wide ethic of care also helps – a lot.&nbsp;The pandemic has significantly changed how we interact with one another, and I got to wondering about its impact on the daily routines of our admissions staff. Like many of us, our admissions colleagues took to the Internet to communicate and develop strong personal relationships. Personal zoom sessions are becoming standard. Our admissions staff also attends virtual college fairs where they deliver short, powerful presentations to hundreds of students across the state simultaneously. To stand out in this media requires a whole different skill set.Although some recruiters have placed their cars in park, the FHSU Tiger team is still making high school visits whenever they can. Our admissions staff don masks when visiting the schools and, not surprisingly, are thoughtful in adhering to social distancing measures, personal wellness checks, and sometimes temperature checks. In some cases, the in-class meetings have been replaced with socially distanced presentations in the high school gym – which demands our team to be even more creative and personable.According to our admissions team, so far, we are experiencing larger crowds and more interest in FHSU. One creative high school counselor found our visit to be the perfect opportunity to gather the entire school, from freshmen to seniors, to listen to our presentation.&nbsp;Jon Armstrong, director of admissions, shared that we have received great feedback from high school counselors. They are truly grateful that FHSU is willing to travel to them. It is a great time to demonstrate our resilience by doing everything we can to show up – even when it is difficult.Another great example of that “can-do” attitude is how we have been able to accommodate students who are not able to visit campus. For example, when one student was unable to come to campus, our team created a virtual visit. This particular prospective Tiger was so impressed by everything FHSU had to offer that shortly after she participated in the virtual visit, her completed application arrived in our registrar’s office. The high school counselor also followed up, requesting an FHSU pennant and swag.Other pandemic-related adjustments we’ve made include converting our larger Tiger Day and Tiger Mania fall and spring events into Tiger Days – which feature multiple campus events with a maximum of 45 guests. This will be more work for our admissions staff, but I know the moment one person steps on this campus, the staff will become so energized, and they will feel the extra effort was worth it. They are always so genuinely happy when parents and students share how thrilled they are to be able to visit the campus. And of course, positive energy feeds positive energy. So, I know the quality, personal attention each student and family receives will be exemplary.&nbsp;Fall 2021 recruitment is even more challenging than fall 2020. I am so grateful for our hard-working admissions staff who always go the extra mile to make our prospective students and campus visitors always feel welcomed. Thank you, unsung heroes, for your positive, restless spirit. I know you love to promote the power of an FHSU education – no matter what it takes!

Opinion