CHICAGO — Amtrak is canceling the Southwest Chief that travels across Kansas and many other long-distance routes as the rail carrier continues to assess the ongoing freight rail management - labor contract negotiations, according to a media release.

Railroad workers are prepared to go on strike later this week, which would cripple the nation's movement of freight and goods. The strike would also cause the disruption of long-distance trains, including the Southwest Chief.

Amtrak canceled Tuesday departures for its Western U.S.-focused Empire Builder, California Zephyr and the Southwest Chief routes. That means the train coming into Hutchinson on Thursday is canceled. On Tuesday afternoon, the railroad said it was suspending all service for the Chief.

If your train is canceled, Amtrak&nbsp; will attempt to notify you at least 24 hours in advance. If you need information, contact 1-800-USA-Rail.

On Tuesday afternoon, Amtrak released this statement:

Amtrak will be pre-emptively canceling trips over an additional seven Long Distance routes&nbsp;to avoid possible passenger disruptions while enroute&nbsp;on Wednesday, September 14, 2022. &nbsp;

Amtrak is closely monitoring the ongoing freight rail – rail labor contract negotiations. The negotiations do not involve Amtrak or the Amtrak workforce. While we are hopeful that parties will reach a resolution, Amtrak has now begun phased adjustments to our service in preparation for a possible freight rail service interruption later this week. Such an interruption could significantly impact intercity passenger rail service, as Amtrak operates almost all of our 21,000 route miles outside the Northeast Corridor (NEC) on track owned, maintained, and dispatched by freight railroads. These initial adjustments include canceling some Long Distance routes starting on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, and could be followed by impacts to all Long Distance and most State-Supported routes.&nbsp; These adjustments are necessary to ensure trains can reach their terminals before freight railroad service interruption if a resolution in negotiations is not reached.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Most travel within the Amtrak-owned Northeast Corridor (Boston - New York - Washington) and related branch lines to Albany, NY, Harrisburg, PA, and Springfield, MA would not be affected:&nbsp;Acela&nbsp;would operate a full schedule, and only a small number of&nbsp;Northeast Regional&nbsp;departures would be impacted. Amtrak will reach out to impacted and potentially impacted customers, informing them of the potential situation, offering to change their reservation to another travel date, waiving any difference in fare for departures through October 31, or receiving a full refund without cancelation fees.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609263248923.png" alt="The Chief runs from Chicago to Los Angeles and serves Lawrence, Topeka, Newton, Dodge City and Garden City in Kansas." />
 <figcaption>The Chief runs from Chicago to Los Angeles and serves Lawrence, Topeka, Newton, Dodge City and Garden City in Kansas.</figcaption>
 </figure>CHICAGO — Amtrak is canceling the Southwest Chief that travels across Kansas and many other long-distance routes as the rail carrier continues to assess the ongoing freight rail management - labor contract negotiations, according to a media release.Railroad workers are prepared to go on strike later this week, which would cripple the nation's movement of freight and goods. The strike would also cause the disruption of long-distance trains, including the Southwest Chief.Amtrak canceled Tuesday departures for its Western U.S.-focused Empire Builder, California Zephyr and the Southwest Chief routes. That means the train coming into Hutchinson on Thursday is canceled. On Tuesday afternoon, the railroad said it was suspending all service for the Chief.If your train is canceled, Amtrak&nbsp; will attempt to notify you at least 24 hours in advance. If you need information, contact 1-800-USA-Rail.On Tuesday afternoon, Amtrak released this statement:Amtrak will be pre-emptively canceling trips over an additional seven Long Distance routes&nbsp;to avoid possible passenger disruptions while enroute&nbsp;on Wednesday, September 14, 2022. &nbsp;Information:Amtrak is closely monitoring the ongoing freight rail – rail labor contract negotiations. The negotiations do not involve Amtrak or the Amtrak workforce. While we are hopeful that parties will reach a resolution, Amtrak has now begun phased adjustments to our service in preparation for a possible freight rail service interruption later this week. Such an interruption could significantly impact intercity passenger rail service, as Amtrak operates almost all of our 21,000 route miles outside the Northeast Corridor (NEC) on track owned, maintained, and dispatched by freight railroads. These initial adjustments include canceling some Long Distance routes starting on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, and could be followed by impacts to all Long Distance and most State-Supported routes.&nbsp; These adjustments are necessary to ensure trains can reach their terminals before freight railroad service interruption if a resolution in negotiations is not reached.&nbsp;&nbsp;Most travel within the Amtrak-owned Northeast Corridor (Boston - New York - Washington) and related branch lines to Albany, NY, Harrisburg, PA, and Springfield, MA would not be affected:&nbsp;Acela&nbsp;would operate a full schedule, and only a small number of&nbsp;Northeast Regional&nbsp;departures would be impacted. Amtrak will reach out to impacted and potentially impacted customers, informing them of the potential situation, offering to change their reservation to another travel date, waiving any difference in fare for departures through October 31, or receiving a full refund without cancelation fees.&nbsp;&nbsp;Customer Impact:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Amtrak will only operate trains this week that we can ensure will have enough time to reach their final destinations by 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 16.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Suspended services starting Tuesday, Sept. 13:</li><li><a href="https://www.amtrak.com/routes/southwest-chief-train.html" target="_blank">Southwest Chief</a></li><li><a href="https://www.amtrak.com/routes/empire-builder-train.html" target="_blank">Empire Builder</a></li><li><a href="https://www.amtrak.com/routes/california-zephyr-train.html" target="_blank">California Zephyr</a></li><li>Train #421 portion of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amtrak.com/routes/texas-eagle-train.html" target="_blank">Texas Eagle</a>&nbsp;(Los Angeles-San Antonio)</li><li>Suspended services starting Wednesday, Sept. 14:</li><li><a href="https://www.amtrak.com/routes/city-of-new-orleans-train.html" target="_blank">City of New Orleans</a></li><li><a href="https://www.amtrak.com/routes/coast-starlight-train.html" target="_blank">Coast Starlight</a></li><li><a href="https://www.amtrak.com/routes/crescent-train.html" target="_blank">Crescent</a></li><li><a href="https://www.amtrak.com/routes/lake-shore-limited-train.html" target="_blank">Lake Shore Limited</a></li><li><a href="https://www.amtrak.com/routes/silver-service-palmetto-train.html" target="_blank">Silver Star</a></li><li><a href="https://www.amtrak.com/routes/sunset-limited-train.html" target="_blank">Sunset Limited</a></li><li><a href="https://www.amtrak.com/routes/texas-eagle-train.html" target="_blank">Texas Eagle</a></li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Amtrak will notify additional customers scheduled to be on upcoming trains about the possibility of disruptions.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>

Amtrak cancels Southwest Chief due to pending rail strike

Bethel Goltl, age 88, passed away on September 11, 2022, in McDonald, Kansas. 
Bethel Louise was born on the farm in Goodland, KS to Edwin and 
Catherine Ochsner on June 3, 1934. She attended country schools and 
graduated from Goodland High. Bethel attended Midland Lutheran College, 
and then nursing training at Trinity Lutheran Hospital, Kansas City. 
After graduation, RN licensure and saving money, Bethel and a good 
friend took a 5-month round-the-world trip to Europe, Africa and Asia. 
While working as a nurse at the Goodland Hospital, she met Lavern Goltl 
through Luther League. They married on June 10, 1961 and settled on the 
Goltl family farm in McDonald. Bethel was an active member of St. John 
Lutheran Church, ELCA Women, quilting and Bible study groups. 
In addition to gardening and farm chores, Bethel guided her children 
through 4-H projects, was gifted at planning illustrated /demonstration 
talks, and was a dedicated group leader for sewing, cooking, baking and 
crafts. She helped sew several of the square-dancing outfits for 4-H. 
Bethel hosted many family gatherings and holiday meals and was a favorite aunt of many beloved nieces and nephews. 
Bethel was preceded in death by her parents; sister Barbara Rieb; 
husband Lavern; traveling companion and significant other, Don Bruder; 
sisters-in law, Helen, Irene, Edith, Esther and several nieces and 
nephews. 
Bethel is survived by children Matt Goltl, of Wichita, KS, David Goltl, 
of New York City, NY, Alan Goltl, of Wichita, Amy Waters and Mike, of 
Cimarron, KS; grandchildren Ellen McCloskey and Andrew, Owen Waters, 
Brynn Waters, Jack Goltl, Sophie Goltl and Brayan Mendoza. 
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 22, at 
St. John Lutheran Church in Bird City. Memorials may be made to St. John
 Lutheran Church, Bird City, or House of Hope Haiti, Oberlin, KS 
(https://houseofhopehaiti.com/donate/). For information or condolences 
visit www.baalmannmortuary.com 
The family of Bethel wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Wheat Haven 
employees of McDonald, KS for their personalized and dedicated care.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663087004612.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Bethel Goltl, age 88, passed away on September 11, 2022, in McDonald, Kansas. 
Bethel Louise was born on the farm in Goodland, KS to Edwin and 
Catherine Ochsner on June 3, 1934. She attended country schools and 
graduated from Goodland High. Bethel attended Midland Lutheran College, 
and then nursing training at Trinity Lutheran Hospital, Kansas City. 
After graduation, RN licensure and saving money, Bethel and a good 
friend took a 5-month round-the-world trip to Europe, Africa and Asia. 
While working as a nurse at the Goodland Hospital, she met Lavern Goltl 
through Luther League. They married on June 10, 1961 and settled on the 
Goltl family farm in McDonald. Bethel was an active member of St. John 
Lutheran Church, ELCA Women, quilting and Bible study groups. 
In addition to gardening and farm chores, Bethel guided her children 
through 4-H projects, was gifted at planning illustrated /demonstration 
talks, and was a dedicated group leader for sewing, cooking, baking and 
crafts. She helped sew several of the square-dancing outfits for 4-H. 
Bethel hosted many family gatherings and holiday meals and was a favorite aunt of many beloved nieces and nephews. 
Bethel was preceded in death by her parents; sister Barbara Rieb; 
husband Lavern; traveling companion and significant other, Don Bruder; 
sisters-in law, Helen, Irene, Edith, Esther and several nieces and 
nephews. 
Bethel is survived by children Matt Goltl, of Wichita, KS, David Goltl, 
of New York City, NY, Alan Goltl, of Wichita, Amy Waters and Mike, of 
Cimarron, KS; grandchildren Ellen McCloskey and Andrew, Owen Waters, 
Brynn Waters, Jack Goltl, Sophie Goltl and Brayan Mendoza. 
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 22, at 
St. John Lutheran Church in Bird City. Memorials may be made to St. John
 Lutheran Church, Bird City, or House of Hope Haiti, Oberlin, KS 
(https://houseofhopehaiti.com/donate/). For information or condolences 
visit www.baalmannmortuary.com 
The family of Bethel wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Wheat Haven 
employees of McDonald, KS for their personalized and dedicated care.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Bethel Goltl

One of the fall traditions in Hays is the Haunted Hays City Tours produced by the Hays Community Theatre. The local acting group is planning a great tour again in 2022, but is in need of local teenagers and adults to help act in the production.&nbsp;

“The Haunted Hays City Tours are very popular each year and we really enjoy bringing the history of Hays to life, along with some ghost stories and general Halloween creepiness - but we are still in need of people to help in various acting roles,” Sharona Fondable, Hays Community Theatre moard member, said.&nbsp;

Acting participants are not required to have previous acting experience and the time required is minimal. “This is really a great opportunity for community members age 14 and above to get involved with the theatre. The lines for each role are minimal, along with the time requirement,” Fondable added.

Participants are asked to be able to participate in the two nights the tours are offered, Friday, October 21 and Saturday, October 22, and also be available one night during that week for a tour walk-through.&nbsp;

“This really is a fun event. It’s a chance to put on a costume, some scary makeup, and transform into a haunted character from the late 1800s,” said Andy Stanton, HCT moard member and Haunted Tours actor.

Interested teens and adults should e-mail the group at <a href="mailto:hauntedtours@hctks.com" target="_blank">hauntedtours@hctks.com</a> or message the Hays Community Theatre on their Facebook page, <a href="http://facebook.com/hayscommunitytheatre" target="_blank">facebook.com/hayscommunitytheatre</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600702752021.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedOne of the fall traditions in Hays is the Haunted Hays City Tours produced by the Hays Community Theatre. The local acting group is planning a great tour again in 2022, but is in need of local teenagers and adults to help act in the production.&nbsp;“The Haunted Hays City Tours are very popular each year and we really enjoy bringing the history of Hays to life, along with some ghost stories and general Halloween creepiness - but we are still in need of people to help in various acting roles,” Sharona Fondable, Hays Community Theatre moard member, said.&nbsp;Acting participants are not required to have previous acting experience and the time required is minimal. “This is really a great opportunity for community members age 14 and above to get involved with the theatre. The lines for each role are minimal, along with the time requirement,” Fondable added.Participants are asked to be able to participate in the two nights the tours are offered, Friday, October 21 and Saturday, October 22, and also be available one night during that week for a tour walk-through.&nbsp;“This really is a fun event. It’s a chance to put on a costume, some scary makeup, and transform into a haunted character from the late 1800s,” said Andy Stanton, HCT moard member and Haunted Tours actor. Interested teens and adults should e-mail the group at <a href="mailto:hauntedtours@hctks.com" target="_blank">hauntedtours@hctks.com</a> or message the Hays Community Theatre on their Facebook page, <a href="http://facebook.com/hayscommunitytheatre" target="_blank">facebook.com/hayscommunitytheatre</a>.

Haunted Hays City tours looking for more volunteer actors

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration hopes to make getting a COVID-19 booster as routine as going in for the yearly flu shot.

That’s at the heart of its campaign&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccine-omicron-booster-shot-227514678d25a99b65b7ee092735fb03?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_2">to sell the newly authorized shot</a>&nbsp;to an American public that has widely rejected COVID-19 boosters since they first became available last fall.

Shots of the updated boosters, specifically designed by Pfizer and Moderna to respond to the omicron strain, are available. The U.S. government has purchased 170 million doses and is emphasizing that everyone will have free access to the booster.

White House COVID-19 coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha said this latest round of shots offer protection during the busy cold and flu season, with the hope of transitioning people to get the vaccine yearly. Typically,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/dashboard/vaccination-dashboard.html">at least half of U.S. adults get a flu shot</a>.

“We expect them to provide more durable protection over time,” Jha said in an interview with The Associated Press. “The goal very much is to get to a point where people get their COVID shot on a regular basis, the way they do their flu shot.”

Community health workers in North Carolina, home to the country’s lowest COVID-19 booster rate, like the strategy, especially because of confusion among some people about vaccine schedules.

“I believe in keeping things simple,” said Marty Stamey, an outreach coordinator for the Mountain Area Health Education Center in western North Carolina. “I’ve heard a lot of people say, ‘I think I’ll just wait and try to do it like the flu shots.’”

The White House plan also relies in part of on local health departments, providers and community groups to reach out and encourage people to get the updated booster. Pharmacies, health providers and state or local health departments are preparing to send text messages to millions of people that will encourage them to get a booster this fall, White House officials said.

Jha said he recommends most Americans get the booster by the end of October.

Still, this latest vaccination campaign faces several challenges.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations_vacc-people-additional-dose-totalpop">majority of Americans got their first and second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine</a>&nbsp;when it was released last year but they’ve been more reluctant to get a booster jab, with less than half getting their first booster since it became available late last year.

Congress also has not moved forward on President Joe Biden’s $22.5 billion request&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-business-health-congress-e5b411a879b2becf3e342fea3b0df981">earlier this year for the COVID-19 response</a>. Republicans criticized the request, pointing to the $1.9 trillion already spent on responding to the pandemic. Running short on funds, the government announced it would stop shipping COVID-19 tests to people’s homes after Friday.

And COVID-19 funding is drying up for many of the community groups that received millions of federal tax dollars to hire workers who spent months reaching deep into neighborhoods with door knocks, mobile vaccine clinics and posters encouraging people to inoculate against COVID-19.

White House officials say those local leaders deserve a lot of credit for stamping out misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine and convincing many around the country that the shot will protect them.

“Those are the really critical messengers,” Jha said.

That on-the-ground work has been crucial to getting people vaccinated in the rural, Spanish- and Haitian-speaking communities that the Migrant Clinicians Network has reached throughout Texas, California and Maryland with its $8.5 million federal grant.

“Simply having the vaccines available is one thing, but getting the shots in the arms is another,” said Amy Liebman, a chief program officer for the nonprofit group.

Some of those local health organizations, too, are now stretched as they work to get low&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-pfizer-covid-vaccines-kids-1423b2ab0a51bc9c36dbe86964777c07">vaccination rates among children under 12 up</a>. Only a third of 5- to 11-year-olds received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine since becoming eligible late last year. Meanwhile, just&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/children-and-covid-19-vaccination-trends/">7% of children under 5</a>&nbsp;have gotten a first dose since it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-politics-health-us-news-368ca7b4ab393dc48ffa04b5a3171d5b">was made available this summer</a>.

Dr. Niharika Khanna at the University of Maryland School of Medicine has just started making progress on convincing new mothers that the vaccine is safe and effective for their babies.

Her program, which has hired more than 269 health workers and administered more than 12,000 vaccinations and boosters across Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, isn’t quite ready to transition back to pushing COVID-19 boosters.

“All of these people, all of these relationships we’ve carefully cultivated are at risk for falling apart,” Khanna said. “Today if you were to say to me switch to booster, I’d say no. I need another two to three weeks to really get these people going.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648688148561.png" alt="The latest vaccination campaign faces challenges-photo White House" />
 <figcaption>The latest vaccination campaign faces challenges-photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration hopes to make getting a COVID-19 booster as routine as going in for the yearly flu shot.That’s at the heart of its campaign&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccine-omicron-booster-shot-227514678d25a99b65b7ee092735fb03?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_2">to sell the newly authorized shot</a>&nbsp;to an American public that has widely rejected COVID-19 boosters since they first became available last fall.Shots of the updated boosters, specifically designed by Pfizer and Moderna to respond to the omicron strain, are available. The U.S. government has purchased 170 million doses and is emphasizing that everyone will have free access to the booster.White House COVID-19 coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha said this latest round of shots offer protection during the busy cold and flu season, with the hope of transitioning people to get the vaccine yearly. Typically,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/dashboard/vaccination-dashboard.html">at least half of U.S. adults get a flu shot</a>.“We expect them to provide more durable protection over time,” Jha said in an interview with The Associated Press. “The goal very much is to get to a point where people get their COVID shot on a regular basis, the way they do their flu shot.”Community health workers in North Carolina, home to the country’s lowest COVID-19 booster rate, like the strategy, especially because of confusion among some people about vaccine schedules.“I believe in keeping things simple,” said Marty Stamey, an outreach coordinator for the Mountain Area Health Education Center in western North Carolina. “I’ve heard a lot of people say, ‘I think I’ll just wait and try to do it like the flu shots.’”The White House plan also relies in part of on local health departments, providers and community groups to reach out and encourage people to get the updated booster. Pharmacies, health providers and state or local health departments are preparing to send text messages to millions of people that will encourage them to get a booster this fall, White House officials said.Jha said he recommends most Americans get the booster by the end of October.Still, this latest vaccination campaign faces several challenges.A&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations_vacc-people-additional-dose-totalpop">majority of Americans got their first and second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine</a>&nbsp;when it was released last year but they’ve been more reluctant to get a booster jab, with less than half getting their first booster since it became available late last year.Congress also has not moved forward on President Joe Biden’s $22.5 billion request&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-business-health-congress-e5b411a879b2becf3e342fea3b0df981">earlier this year for the COVID-19 response</a>. Republicans criticized the request, pointing to the $1.9 trillion already spent on responding to the pandemic. Running short on funds, the government announced it would stop shipping COVID-19 tests to people’s homes after Friday.And COVID-19 funding is drying up for many of the community groups that received millions of federal tax dollars to hire workers who spent months reaching deep into neighborhoods with door knocks, mobile vaccine clinics and posters encouraging people to inoculate against COVID-19.White House officials say those local leaders deserve a lot of credit for stamping out misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine and convincing many around the country that the shot will protect them.“Those are the really critical messengers,” Jha said.That on-the-ground work has been crucial to getting people vaccinated in the rural, Spanish- and Haitian-speaking communities that the Migrant Clinicians Network has reached throughout Texas, California and Maryland with its $8.5 million federal grant.“Simply having the vaccines available is one thing, but getting the shots in the arms is another,” said Amy Liebman, a chief program officer for the nonprofit group.Some of those local health organizations, too, are now stretched as they work to get low&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-pfizer-covid-vaccines-kids-1423b2ab0a51bc9c36dbe86964777c07">vaccination rates among children under 12 up</a>. Only a third of 5- to 11-year-olds received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine since becoming eligible late last year. Meanwhile, just&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/children-and-covid-19-vaccination-trends/">7% of children under 5</a>&nbsp;have gotten a first dose since it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-politics-health-us-news-368ca7b4ab393dc48ffa04b5a3171d5b">was made available this summer</a>.Dr. Niharika Khanna at the University of Maryland School of Medicine has just started making progress on convincing new mothers that the vaccine is safe and effective for their babies.Her program, which has hired more than 269 health workers and administered more than 12,000 vaccinations and boosters across Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, isn’t quite ready to transition back to pushing COVID-19 boosters.“All of these people, all of these relationships we’ve carefully cultivated are at risk for falling apart,” Khanna said. “Today if you were to say to me switch to booster, I’d say no. I need another two to three weeks to really get these people going.”

Fall COVID vaccination campaign faces many challenges

I must admit when I arrived back at my air-conditioned office last Wednesday after spending the day at Kid’s Ag Day, it&nbsp;felt good to sit down. The&nbsp;cool&nbsp;early morning temperatures gave way to a hot day, but that did not take away from the fun learning experienced by 4th&nbsp;graders in&nbsp;Barton County. 

Fourth grade is the perfect age for kids to learn about where their food and other products they use daily come from. The station&nbsp;that&nbsp;my team member, Monique, and I manned for the day emphasized the importance of adding whole grains and other nutritious foods to the diet.&nbsp;We also provided a snack of animal crackers and a serving of 100% fruit juice.

Fourth graders are old enough to learn about reading a nutrition fact label, found on food products. During our short session we talked about looking for whole wheat or another whole grain as the first ingredient and making sure that the food had very little added sugar. I know when we had young kids at home, our rule was that they could choose cereal that had seven grams or less of sugar in a serving. That is a harder assignment than you might think. Many of the popular cereals advertised today have upwards of fifteen or more grams of sugar per serving. And then what about the&nbsp;person who fills an enormous cereal bowl with two cups of cereal? You will need to double the amount of sugar that is consumed. Yikes!

Another benefit of eating whole grains is the amount of fiber that contributes to healthier bodies. A feeling of fullness and healthy elimination are achieved when we consume&nbsp;around 30 grams of fiber each day. Our demonstration showed how fast a slice of white bread disintegrates when dipped in water and how the 100% whole wheat slice held together.&nbsp;

Besides talking about eating whole grains, we had Kassie Linsner, from Hoisington, visit with the 4th&nbsp;graders about joining 4-H.&nbsp;It’s always good to see our young people sharing what they are passionate about.

Hats off to our Great Bend Chamber for putting together such a well-planned event.&nbsp;In it’s 28thyear, many of the volunteers have helped lead a session or demonstration every year.&nbsp;I know I appreciated the help of June, Imogene, Aleta, Marilyn, and Kay who served the snacks.

Short after the calendar turns to October the Hays area 4th&nbsp;graders will be treated to a similar event. Their Kid’s Ag Day is sponsored by Farm Bureau on October 5th. Stacy Campbell, a Cottonwood District Ag and Natural Resources Agent, will have a station teaching young people about corn and the many by products they&nbsp;use daily.&nbsp;

I’m so glad we live in communities that value and promote the&nbsp;farming community and want our young people to develop an appreciation as well!

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141404420.png" alt="Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District. " />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District. </figcaption>
 </figure>I must admit when I arrived back at my air-conditioned office last Wednesday after spending the day at Kid’s Ag Day, it&nbsp;felt good to sit down. The&nbsp;cool&nbsp;early morning temperatures gave way to a hot day, but that did not take away from the fun learning experienced by 4th&nbsp;graders in&nbsp;Barton County. Fourth grade is the perfect age for kids to learn about where their food and other products they use daily come from. The station&nbsp;that&nbsp;my team member, Monique, and I manned for the day emphasized the importance of adding whole grains and other nutritious foods to the diet.&nbsp;We also provided a snack of animal crackers and a serving of 100% fruit juice.Fourth graders are old enough to learn about reading a nutrition fact label, found on food products. During our short session we talked about looking for whole wheat or another whole grain as the first ingredient and making sure that the food had very little added sugar. I know when we had young kids at home, our rule was that they could choose cereal that had seven grams or less of sugar in a serving. That is a harder assignment than you might think. Many of the popular cereals advertised today have upwards of fifteen or more grams of sugar per serving. And then what about the&nbsp;person who fills an enormous cereal bowl with two cups of cereal? You will need to double the amount of sugar that is consumed. Yikes!Another benefit of eating whole grains is the amount of fiber that contributes to healthier bodies. A feeling of fullness and healthy elimination are achieved when we consume&nbsp;around 30 grams of fiber each day. Our demonstration showed how fast a slice of white bread disintegrates when dipped in water and how the 100% whole wheat slice held together.&nbsp;Besides talking about eating whole grains, we had Kassie Linsner, from Hoisington, visit with the 4th&nbsp;graders about joining 4-H.&nbsp;It’s always good to see our young people sharing what they are passionate about.Hats off to our Great Bend Chamber for putting together such a well-planned event.&nbsp;In it’s 28thyear, many of the volunteers have helped lead a session or demonstration every year.&nbsp;I know I appreciated the help of June, Imogene, Aleta, Marilyn, and Kay who served the snacks.Short after the calendar turns to October the Hays area 4th&nbsp;graders will be treated to a similar event. Their Kid’s Ag Day is sponsored by Farm Bureau on October 5th. Stacy Campbell, a Cottonwood District Ag and Natural Resources Agent, will have a station teaching young people about corn and the many by products they&nbsp;use daily.&nbsp;I’m so glad we live in communities that value and promote the&nbsp;farming community and want our young people to develop an appreciation as well!Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620) 793-1910 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

KRUG: 4th graders learn where their food comes from

Grow Hays Inc., a nonprofit organization aimed at advancing the economic health and vitality of
Ellis County, has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Patterson Family Foundation. These
funds will go toward the building of the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/6db85997-dab7-4b6a-b1fb-733d747fd944">Grow Hays MicroFactory, which will be breaking ground
this October in the Heart of America Development on Commerce Parkway.
</a>

“In essence, the microfactory is an incubator for
manufacturing companies. It will be a 30,000-square-foot structure divided into four to six areas," said Grow Hays Executive Director Doug Williams." Once complete, it will house small manufacturers that have an idea or a product they're trying to
bring to the market. Space will be offered at a reduced rental rate to help tenants maximize their
growth potential.”


The Patterson Family Foundation is a family-led foundation extending the legacy of Neal and
Jeanne Patterson. The foundation strives to help lift rural communities through health care,
education, economic opportunity and beyond.


“On behalf of the Patterson Family Foundation, I am pleased to award this funding for the Grow
Hays Microfactory,” said Adam Erickson, program officer for the Patterson Family Foundation. “
The Patterson Family Foundation looks forward to seeing how the microfactory concept will
drive progress and future growth.”


“We are very grateful for the Patterson Family Foundations' financial
support. We see the microfactory as a unique resource where small manufacturers can grow
their businesses," Williams said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574881377018.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Grow HaysGrow Hays Inc., a nonprofit organization aimed at advancing the economic health and vitality of
Ellis County, has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Patterson Family Foundation. These
funds will go toward the building of the <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/6db85997-dab7-4b6a-b1fb-733d747fd944">Grow Hays MicroFactory, which will be breaking ground
this October in the Heart of America Development on Commerce Parkway.
</a>“In essence, the microfactory is an incubator for
manufacturing companies. It will be a 30,000-square-foot structure divided into four to six areas," said Grow Hays Executive Director Doug Williams." Once complete, it will house small manufacturers that have an idea or a product they're trying to
bring to the market. Space will be offered at a reduced rental rate to help tenants maximize their
growth potential.”
The Patterson Family Foundation is a family-led foundation extending the legacy of Neal and
Jeanne Patterson. The foundation strives to help lift rural communities through health care,
education, economic opportunity and beyond.
“On behalf of the Patterson Family Foundation, I am pleased to award this funding for the Grow
Hays Microfactory,” said Adam Erickson, program officer for the Patterson Family Foundation. “
The Patterson Family Foundation looks forward to seeing how the microfactory concept will
drive progress and future growth.”
“We are very grateful for the Patterson Family Foundations' financial
support. We see the microfactory as a unique resource where small manufacturers can grow
their businesses," Williams said.

Grow Hays awarded Patterson Family Foundation grant

Allan Cecil Newkirk, 90, passed away September 7, 2022, at the 
University of Kansas Health System - Great Bend Campus. He was born 
January 26, 1932, at Elk City, Kan., to Archibald &amp; Virginia 
(Conkright) Newkirk. He married Dolores Annette Wyman on July 31, 1955. 
She died on October 29, 2014. He then married Connie (Dodd) Banion on 
June 18, 2015. She died July 19, 2021.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Formerly of Havana, Independence, Elk City and Kinsley, Allan was a 
recent Great Bend resident. He was a heavy equipment operator for the 
Kansas Department of Transportation for over 30 years, retiring in 1992.
 Allan was a lifelong active member of the Assembly of God Church, 
currently attending Encounter Church (formerly First Assembly of God), 
Great Bend. He was also a long time member of the First Assembly of God 
Church, Independence. Allan loved to hunt, fish and camp, especially 
traveling to Estes Park, Colo. He was a veteran of the United States 
Navy having served during the Korean Conflict.

Survivors include, two sons, Delane Newkirk and his wife Teressa of 
Lyons and Bruce Newkirk and his wife Sharla of Orange Park, Fla.; a 
daughter, Stephannie Zorn and her husband Gary of Ellinwood; a sister, 
Maryanne Broyles of El Dorado; thirteen grandchildren; and twenty-two 
great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives,
 Dolores Wyman Newkirk and Connie Banion Newkirk; a brother, James 
Newkirk; and a sister, Sarah Ross.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place.&nbsp; Memorial 
services will be Thursday, September 15, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., at First 
Assembly of God, Independence, with Pastor Robert “Bo” Bryant and Pastor
 Dwight Dozier presiding.&nbsp; A private family inurnment will be held at 
Oak Hill Cemetery in Elk City.&nbsp; 

Memorials have been designated to First 
Assembly of God in Independence, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 
Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS&nbsp; 67530.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662741477267.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Allan Cecil Newkirk, 90, passed away September 7, 2022, at the 
University of Kansas Health System - Great Bend Campus. He was born 
January 26, 1932, at Elk City, Kan., to Archibald &amp; Virginia 
(Conkright) Newkirk. He married Dolores Annette Wyman on July 31, 1955. 
She died on October 29, 2014. He then married Connie (Dodd) Banion on 
June 18, 2015. She died July 19, 2021.&nbsp;&nbsp;Formerly of Havana, Independence, Elk City and Kinsley, Allan was a 
recent Great Bend resident. He was a heavy equipment operator for the 
Kansas Department of Transportation for over 30 years, retiring in 1992.
 Allan was a lifelong active member of the Assembly of God Church, 
currently attending Encounter Church (formerly First Assembly of God), 
Great Bend. He was also a long time member of the First Assembly of God 
Church, Independence. Allan loved to hunt, fish and camp, especially 
traveling to Estes Park, Colo. He was a veteran of the United States 
Navy having served during the Korean Conflict.Survivors include, two sons, Delane Newkirk and his wife Teressa of 
Lyons and Bruce Newkirk and his wife Sharla of Orange Park, Fla.; a 
daughter, Stephannie Zorn and her husband Gary of Ellinwood; a sister, 
Maryanne Broyles of El Dorado; thirteen grandchildren; and twenty-two 
great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives,
 Dolores Wyman Newkirk and Connie Banion Newkirk; a brother, James 
Newkirk; and a sister, Sarah Ross.There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place.&nbsp; Memorial 
services will be Thursday, September 15, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., at First 
Assembly of God, Independence, with Pastor Robert “Bo” Bryant and Pastor
 Dwight Dozier presiding.&nbsp; A private family inurnment will be held at 
Oak Hill Cemetery in Elk City.&nbsp; Memorials have been designated to First 
Assembly of God in Independence, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 
Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS&nbsp; 67530.

Allan Cecil Newkirk

Michael Joseph Thayer, 64, died on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at Spring Hill Care &amp; Rehabilitation Center in Spring Hill. He was born on October 19, 1957, at Atlantic, Iowa, the son of Jerry E. &amp; Peg (Degan) Thayer.

Michael graduated from Liberal High School with the Class of 1976. He moved to Lakin and worked at Lakin Automotive Supply until 2004 when he became a self employed IT and computer person. In 2015, he became a jailer for the Kearny County Sheriff Department. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, shooting and his gun collection.

He is survived by his 3 Sons- Jeff Thayer of Dodge City, Andy &amp; Brittney Thayer of Hays and Gilbert &amp; Heather Thayer of Spring Hill, Brother- Sean &amp; Ronell Thayer of Garden City, Sister- Nan &amp; Steve Kartsonis of Tuscson, Arizona, 5 Grandchildren-Jocelyn, Myles, Bowen, Easton &amp; Scottie. He was preceded in death by his Parents, Step-Father- Gilbert Phlieger and 2 Brothers- Jeffrey Thayer and David Thayer.

Funeral Service will be at 10:00 AM Monday at First Presbyterian Church in Lakin with Rev Rita Stockton officiating. Burial will be in Lakin Cemetery. 

Memorials are suggested to Sand &amp; Sage Rifle &amp; Pistol Club in care of Garnand Funeral Home. Friends may call from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM Sunday at Garnand Funeral Home in Lakin. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662736966239.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Michael Joseph Thayer, 64, died on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at Spring Hill Care &amp; Rehabilitation Center in Spring Hill. He was born on October 19, 1957, at Atlantic, Iowa, the son of Jerry E. &amp; Peg (Degan) Thayer.Michael graduated from Liberal High School with the Class of 1976. He moved to Lakin and worked at Lakin Automotive Supply until 2004 when he became a self employed IT and computer person. In 2015, he became a jailer for the Kearny County Sheriff Department. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, shooting and his gun collection.He is survived by his 3 Sons- Jeff Thayer of Dodge City, Andy &amp; Brittney Thayer of Hays and Gilbert &amp; Heather Thayer of Spring Hill, Brother- Sean &amp; Ronell Thayer of Garden City, Sister- Nan &amp; Steve Kartsonis of Tuscson, Arizona, 5 Grandchildren-Jocelyn, Myles, Bowen, Easton &amp; Scottie. He was preceded in death by his Parents, Step-Father- Gilbert Phlieger and 2 Brothers- Jeffrey Thayer and David Thayer.Funeral Service will be at 10:00 AM Monday at First Presbyterian Church in Lakin with Rev Rita Stockton officiating. Burial will be in Lakin Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Sand &amp; Sage Rifle &amp; Pistol Club in care of Garnand Funeral Home. Friends may call from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM Sunday at Garnand Funeral Home in Lakin. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com

Michael Joseph Thayer

Herman F. Fischer, 93, passed away September 6, 2022, at Azria 
Health, Great Bend, Kansas.&nbsp; He was born November 20, 1928, in rural 
Stafford County to Herman F. and Flora M. (Bunselmeyer) Fischer.&nbsp; He 
married Norma J. LeRoy on October 17, 1948, at Peace Evangelical and 
Reformed United Church of Christ, Hudson, Kansas.&nbsp; She survives.&nbsp;

Herman was a current resident of Great Bend, coming from the Seward, 
Kansas, area.&nbsp; He was a long-time farmer and cattleman, raising 
registered Shorthorn cattle.&nbsp; He was a member of First Congregational 
United Church of Christ, Kansas Shorthorn Association, and Great Bend 
Masonic Lodge.&nbsp; He served on the Board of Directors of Midwest Energy 
for 38 years.

Survivors include his wife, Norma, of the home and three children, 
Rhonda Wineinger and husband Pat of Great Bend, Gregg Fischer of Great 
Bend and Debra Fischer of Houston, Texas and a sister, Donna Overholt 
Clausing and husband Larry of Tiffin, Ohio.&nbsp; Also surviving are three 
granddaughters: Ann Heine (Jeff) of Great Bend, Nikki Deeds (Zach) of 
Pratt, and Stacey Stump (Jeff) of St. John and seven 
great-grandchildren: Kiley, Trae, Branden, Rylee, August, Archer and 
Clara.&nbsp; He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, 
Cheryl Jean Fischer; a daughter-in-law, Leann Fischer; and 
brother-in-law, Robert Overholt.&nbsp;

Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, September 11,
 2022 at Bryant Funeral Home, with family to receive friends from 5:00 
to 7:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m.., Monday, 
September 12, 2022, at First Congregational United Church of Christ in 
Great Bend, with Pastor Mike Munz presiding. Interment will be in the 
Great Bend Cemetery. 

Memorials have been designated to First 
Congregational United Church of Christ or the Shorthorn Foundation which
 builds shorthorn opportunities for youth through research and 
education, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662726845243.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Herman F. Fischer, 93, passed away September 6, 2022, at Azria 
Health, Great Bend, Kansas.&nbsp; He was born November 20, 1928, in rural 
Stafford County to Herman F. and Flora M. (Bunselmeyer) Fischer.&nbsp; He 
married Norma J. LeRoy on October 17, 1948, at Peace Evangelical and 
Reformed United Church of Christ, Hudson, Kansas.&nbsp; She survives.&nbsp;Herman was a current resident of Great Bend, coming from the Seward, 
Kansas, area.&nbsp; He was a long-time farmer and cattleman, raising 
registered Shorthorn cattle.&nbsp; He was a member of First Congregational 
United Church of Christ, Kansas Shorthorn Association, and Great Bend 
Masonic Lodge.&nbsp; He served on the Board of Directors of Midwest Energy 
for 38 years.Survivors include his wife, Norma, of the home and three children, 
Rhonda Wineinger and husband Pat of Great Bend, Gregg Fischer of Great 
Bend and Debra Fischer of Houston, Texas and a sister, Donna Overholt 
Clausing and husband Larry of Tiffin, Ohio.&nbsp; Also surviving are three 
granddaughters: Ann Heine (Jeff) of Great Bend, Nikki Deeds (Zach) of 
Pratt, and Stacey Stump (Jeff) of St. John and seven 
great-grandchildren: Kiley, Trae, Branden, Rylee, August, Archer and 
Clara.&nbsp; He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, 
Cheryl Jean Fischer; a daughter-in-law, Leann Fischer; and 
brother-in-law, Robert Overholt.&nbsp;Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, September 11,
 2022 at Bryant Funeral Home, with family to receive friends from 5:00 
to 7:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m.., Monday, 
September 12, 2022, at First Congregational United Church of Christ in 
Great Bend, with Pastor Mike Munz presiding. Interment will be in the 
Great Bend Cemetery. Memorials have been designated to First 
Congregational United Church of Christ or the Shorthorn Foundation which
 builds shorthorn opportunities for youth through research and 
education, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Herman F. Fischer

In an effort to promote shopping local this holiday season, the Hays Chamber is preparing a 2022 Holiday Coupon book featuring area businesses and specials.

“It’s just a fun way to remind our local population to shop and dine local for the holidays,” said Rhonda Meyerhoff, vice president of membership.

The book will be 6-by4 inches and sell for $10 each. They are expected to be available for purchase in late October.

But now is the time for businesses to purchase space in the book. Spaces run from interior spots for $40 to the back cover for $250, according to&nbsp;Mariah Legleiter, vice president of marketing and communications.&nbsp;

While the effort has just begun to create the book, she said spots have already been sold.

“You need to let us know as soon as possible if you would like to have a space in the book,” Legleiter said. “And we ask that your artwork and payment be delivered to the chamber no later than Sept. 30 by the end of the day ... because we're going to really have to hit the ground running and work with our other business partners to kind of get those printed and distributed.”

Following the deadline, Meyerhoff said they should be able to let people know the value of the savings in the listings.

While those details are yet to be determined, she said using the book helps those local businesses that support the community.

“Something that we really just hope, again, to remind people is to keep money in the community,” Meyerhoff said. “Who pays for your kids' sporting shirts, or who helps to sponsor the yearbook or all those different things that we ask our locals to sponsor? It's really important for us to remember to buy from them locally so they can do those things. They like to do those things, but they can only do what they can do. So that'll help keep some money in the community.”

“And oftentimes, you can find stuff that's unique to our community,” Legleiter said. “You find really community-specific items, and I think that is something super cool that we sometimes forget about is that going into that store, they're going to have all kinds of stuff that you can find that you might not be able to find somewhere else.”

<a href="https://hayschamber.com/sites/default/files/shophaysadflyer.pdf">For more information about the Shop Hays for the Holidays coupon book, visit the Chamber website, hayschamber.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646435925841.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostIn an effort to promote shopping local this holiday season, the Hays Chamber is preparing a 2022 Holiday Coupon book featuring area businesses and specials.“It’s just a fun way to remind our local population to shop and dine local for the holidays,” said Rhonda Meyerhoff, vice president of membership.The book will be 6-by4 inches and sell for $10 each. They are expected to be available for purchase in late October.But now is the time for businesses to purchase space in the book. Spaces run from interior spots for $40 to the back cover for $250, according to&nbsp;Mariah Legleiter, vice president of marketing and communications.&nbsp;While the effort has just begun to create the book, she said spots have already been sold.“You need to let us know as soon as possible if you would like to have a space in the book,” Legleiter said. “And we ask that your artwork and payment be delivered to the chamber no later than Sept. 30 by the end of the day ... because we're going to really have to hit the ground running and work with our other business partners to kind of get those printed and distributed.”Following the deadline, Meyerhoff said they should be able to let people know the value of the savings in the listings.While those details are yet to be determined, she said using the book helps those local businesses that support the community.“Something that we really just hope, again, to remind people is to keep money in the community,” Meyerhoff said. “Who pays for your kids' sporting shirts, or who helps to sponsor the yearbook or all those different things that we ask our locals to sponsor? It's really important for us to remember to buy from them locally so they can do those things. They like to do those things, but they can only do what they can do. So that'll help keep some money in the community.”“And oftentimes, you can find stuff that's unique to our community,” Legleiter said. “You find really community-specific items, and I think that is something super cool that we sometimes forget about is that going into that store, they're going to have all kinds of stuff that you can find that you might not be able to find somewhere else.”<a href="https://hayschamber.com/sites/default/files/shophaysadflyer.pdf">For more information about the Shop Hays for the Holidays coupon book, visit the Chamber website, hayschamber.com</a>

Chamber coupon books promote local business during holiday season

Fall&nbsp;seems terribly slow in arriving this year, but when it does, it becomes my favorite time of the year.&nbsp;The weather&nbsp;FINALLY&nbsp;cools, the&nbsp;Kansas State Fair&nbsp;is held, fall farm crops are harvested and fall mountain man retreats and&nbsp;rendezvous&nbsp;begin.&nbsp;A&nbsp;couple years ago,&nbsp;we&nbsp;attended the annual fall mountain man&nbsp;get-together&nbsp;known as&nbsp;a&nbsp;PrairieRendezvous&nbsp;at the Maxwell Wildlife&nbsp;Refuge, near Canton.

The pungent smell of campfire smoke teased my nostrils as we sauntered into camp. It hung like a faint blue haze beneath the trees in the crisp October air. Teepees pointed skyward like white canvas steeples against the blue morning sky. Camp was tucked into and around a small grove of trees, and bordered behind by a creek. It crouched like&nbsp;an oasis amidst miles of rolling hills carpeted in prairie grass.&nbsp;

During the 1800s, the hub and headquarters of most fur and trading companies was St.&nbsp;Louis. Since mountain men and trappers were the main source of fur and revenue&nbsp;for these companies,&nbsp;annual meetings were organized all across this part of the country to more easily bring both groups together. Known as “rendezvous,” they also became the social event of the year for most mountain men. Here they would exchange their&nbsp;hard-earned&nbsp;collection of furs for rifles, ammo, traps and another&nbsp;year’s&nbsp;worth of supplies and equipment. Here also they met old friends, found temporary female companionship and hot baths, and were offered liquid refreshments to wash a&nbsp;year’s&nbsp;worth of mountain dust from their throats.&nbsp;

As we&nbsp;walked into camp, we met “Lone Wolf.” He was a towering man weighing all of 300 pounds with beautiful long white hair tied&nbsp;behind his head.&nbsp;He wore&nbsp;full length&nbsp;leather leggings&nbsp;and was bare chested with a strand of bear claws around his neck. On&nbsp;a&nbsp;leather&nbsp;belt around his waist was a bear hide pouch with&nbsp;a flap made from a real&nbsp;bear paw, claws intact. The handle of his knife was the lower jaw bone of a bear. He said his ancestry&nbsp;was Lakota, Sac Fox and Cherokee on his mother’s side, and German on his father’s. I asked his English name, and he replied that&nbsp;his Wa Che Chu&nbsp;(Lakota for “white name”) was Ken Feudner. Ken lived&nbsp;in Newton,&nbsp;where he&nbsp;worked 30 years as a postal employee.&nbsp;Lone Wolf’s rendezvous specialty&nbsp;was&nbsp;flint knapping — making tools&nbsp;and weapons from flint — which he did&nbsp;from a leather tarp spread in front of his gray and red teepee home.

Farther into camp, we met “Spoon Thrower,” aka Debby Stoddard, from Halstead.&nbsp;She made her traditional Native American tunic herself from Elk skin&nbsp;purchased in Utah.Around her waist hung a small leather pouch, plus a knife and a sewing awl, representative of what Indian women would have carried. When asked about the name Spoon Thrower, she explained that each rendezvous&nbsp;regular is eventually given&nbsp;a “rendezvous&nbsp;name,”&nbsp;usually according to some specific incident. It seems that she had a bad habit of forgetting about the silverware in the basin when washing dishes, and was constantly throwing it&nbsp;out onto the ground with the dishwater.&nbsp;Debby said&nbsp;that&nbsp;the gathering at Maxwell&nbsp;was&nbsp;an annual getaway for her, where she would set&nbsp;up her little pop-up tent and camp&nbsp;for the weekend, using it as time for herself where she could&nbsp;enjoy the get-together with no responsibilities for a change. &nbsp;

This event was billed as a&nbsp;“Prairie Retreat,” so we&nbsp;saw people garbed in a variety&nbsp;of period costumes.&nbsp;Talking Bear, however, was the real deal!&nbsp;His thick, bushy beard complimented the authentic wolf hat that spilled down his back and across his shoulders, with its face centered over&nbsp;his forehead. Tall leather moccasins completed the buckskin outfit, complete with fringe, making it completely authentic&nbsp;mountain man garb.&nbsp;AKA Gordon Welch, he&nbsp;was&nbsp;a computer tech. with Honeywell Aircraft in Wichita, and spenthis rendezvous time telling stories about Beaver trapping and other mountain man survival skills to anyone who would&nbsp;listen.&nbsp;His rendezvous name came from an incident in which the wolf hat scared a little girl. The girl’s mother told her to think of him as a “big ole’ fuzzy teddy bear,” to which the little girl questioned, “A talking bear?” Gordon sponsors a web page at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.talking-bear.com/">www.talking-bear.com</a>.&nbsp;Where&nbsp;he lists and updates mountain man get-togethers all around the country.

I love mountain man lore. Yes, there were some disparities&nbsp;there, like the row of blue and green “porta- potties,” or the&nbsp;DeWalt&nbsp;battery drill in Lone Wolfs teepee, or the fact that Talking Bear had never set a Beaver trap in his life. I’ll bet Spoon Thrower even ate lunch with plastic ware just so she could&nbsp;purposely&nbsp;throw it out! Even so, you have to admire these people’s devotion&nbsp;to keeping alive the spirit of a time that helped to shape this country.&nbsp;

Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be reached by email&nbsp;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>Fall&nbsp;seems terribly slow in arriving this year, but when it does, it becomes my favorite time of the year.&nbsp;The weather&nbsp;FINALLY&nbsp;cools, the&nbsp;Kansas State Fair&nbsp;is held, fall farm crops are harvested and fall mountain man retreats and&nbsp;rendezvous&nbsp;begin.&nbsp;A&nbsp;couple years ago,&nbsp;we&nbsp;attended the annual fall mountain man&nbsp;get-together&nbsp;known as&nbsp;a&nbsp;PrairieRendezvous&nbsp;at the Maxwell Wildlife&nbsp;Refuge, near Canton.The pungent smell of campfire smoke teased my nostrils as we sauntered into camp. It hung like a faint blue haze beneath the trees in the crisp October air. Teepees pointed skyward like white canvas steeples against the blue morning sky. Camp was tucked into and around a small grove of trees, and bordered behind by a creek. It crouched like&nbsp;an oasis amidst miles of rolling hills carpeted in prairie grass.&nbsp;During the 1800s, the hub and headquarters of most fur and trading companies was St.&nbsp;Louis. Since mountain men and trappers were the main source of fur and revenue&nbsp;for these companies,&nbsp;annual meetings were organized all across this part of the country to more easily bring both groups together. Known as “rendezvous,” they also became the social event of the year for most mountain men. Here they would exchange their&nbsp;hard-earned&nbsp;collection of furs for rifles, ammo, traps and another&nbsp;year’s&nbsp;worth of supplies and equipment. Here also they met old friends, found temporary female companionship and hot baths, and were offered liquid refreshments to wash a&nbsp;year’s&nbsp;worth of mountain dust from their throats.&nbsp;As we&nbsp;walked into camp, we met “Lone Wolf.” He was a towering man weighing all of 300 pounds with beautiful long white hair tied&nbsp;behind his head.&nbsp;He wore&nbsp;full length&nbsp;leather leggings&nbsp;and was bare chested with a strand of bear claws around his neck. On&nbsp;a&nbsp;leather&nbsp;belt around his waist was a bear hide pouch with&nbsp;a flap made from a real&nbsp;bear paw, claws intact. The handle of his knife was the lower jaw bone of a bear. He said his ancestry&nbsp;was Lakota, Sac Fox and Cherokee on his mother’s side, and German on his father’s. I asked his English name, and he replied that&nbsp;his Wa Che Chu&nbsp;(Lakota for “white name”) was Ken Feudner. Ken lived&nbsp;in Newton,&nbsp;where he&nbsp;worked 30 years as a postal employee.&nbsp;Lone Wolf’s rendezvous specialty&nbsp;was&nbsp;flint knapping — making tools&nbsp;and weapons from flint — which he did&nbsp;from a leather tarp spread in front of his gray and red teepee home.Farther into camp, we met “Spoon Thrower,” aka Debby Stoddard, from Halstead.&nbsp;She made her traditional Native American tunic herself from Elk skin&nbsp;purchased in Utah.Around her waist hung a small leather pouch, plus a knife and a sewing awl, representative of what Indian women would have carried. When asked about the name Spoon Thrower, she explained that each rendezvous&nbsp;regular is eventually given&nbsp;a “rendezvous&nbsp;name,”&nbsp;usually according to some specific incident. It seems that she had a bad habit of forgetting about the silverware in the basin when washing dishes, and was constantly throwing it&nbsp;out onto the ground with the dishwater.&nbsp;Debby said&nbsp;that&nbsp;the gathering at Maxwell&nbsp;was&nbsp;an annual getaway for her, where she would set&nbsp;up her little pop-up tent and camp&nbsp;for the weekend, using it as time for herself where she could&nbsp;enjoy the get-together with no responsibilities for a change. &nbsp;This event was billed as a&nbsp;“Prairie Retreat,” so we&nbsp;saw people garbed in a variety&nbsp;of period costumes.&nbsp;Talking Bear, however, was the real deal!&nbsp;His thick, bushy beard complimented the authentic wolf hat that spilled down his back and across his shoulders, with its face centered over&nbsp;his forehead. Tall leather moccasins completed the buckskin outfit, complete with fringe, making it completely authentic&nbsp;mountain man garb.&nbsp;AKA Gordon Welch, he&nbsp;was&nbsp;a computer tech. with Honeywell Aircraft in Wichita, and spenthis rendezvous time telling stories about Beaver trapping and other mountain man survival skills to anyone who would&nbsp;listen.&nbsp;His rendezvous name came from an incident in which the wolf hat scared a little girl. The girl’s mother told her to think of him as a “big ole’ fuzzy teddy bear,” to which the little girl questioned, “A talking bear?” Gordon sponsors a web page at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.talking-bear.com/">www.talking-bear.com</a>.&nbsp;Where&nbsp;he lists and updates mountain man get-togethers all around the country.I love mountain man lore. Yes, there were some disparities&nbsp;there, like the row of blue and green “porta- potties,” or the&nbsp;DeWalt&nbsp;battery drill in Lone Wolfs teepee, or the fact that Talking Bear had never set a Beaver trap in his life. I’ll bet Spoon Thrower even ate lunch with plastic ware just so she could&nbsp;purposely&nbsp;throw it out! Even so, you have to admire these people’s devotion&nbsp;to keeping alive the spirit of a time that helped to shape this country.&nbsp;Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be reached by email&nbsp;at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: A step back in time

Sylvester W. “Bud” Habiger, 90, passed away September 4, 2022, at 
Brookdale Senior Living in Great Bend. He was born December 10, 1931, at
 Beaver, to Francis “Frank” &amp; Sophia (Meyeres) Habiger. He married 
Sandra Lue Brougher October 5, 1957, at Great Bend, Kansas.&nbsp; She died 
September 30, 1998.

A longtime Great Bend resident, Bud moved from the family farm out in
 Western Kansas. He was the shop manager for various fishing tool 
companies in the oilfield, retiring as the Kansas Area Manager for N.L. 
Acme Tool. He was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima
 Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Post #862 and VFW Post #3111. He 
was a veteran of the United States Army having served during the Korean 
Conflict.

Survivors include, three sons, Kerry Habiger and wife Julie of 
Stilwell, Kan., Kenyon Habiger and wife Kelley and Karl Habiger and wife
 Theresa all of Great Bend; a brother, Walter Habiger of Kalvesta; a 
sister, Alice Cohoon of Jetmore; four grandchildren, Marcus Habiger 
(Rebekah), Andrew Habiger (Giovana), Colby Habiger (Katie) and Caitlyn 
Lott (Michael); a step granddaughter, Conor Bird; and four great 
grandchildren, Evey and Zelie Habiger and Rowan and Weylyn Lott. He was 
preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sandra Habiger; a son, Kevin
 Habiger; a brother, Edwin Habiger; and two sisters, Pauline Radke and 
Leona Dome.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, 
September 8, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Vigil service and 
Knights of Columbus Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be
 held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 9, 2022, St. Rose of Lima 
Catholic Church in Great Bend, with Father Aneesh Parappanattu 
presiding. Interment will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Great Bend, 
with Military Rites conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. 

Memorials 
have been designated to Prince of Peace Parish, in care of Bryant 
Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662488411383.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Sylvester W. “Bud” Habiger, 90, passed away September 4, 2022, at 
Brookdale Senior Living in Great Bend. He was born December 10, 1931, at
 Beaver, to Francis “Frank” &amp; Sophia (Meyeres) Habiger. He married 
Sandra Lue Brougher October 5, 1957, at Great Bend, Kansas.&nbsp; She died 
September 30, 1998.A longtime Great Bend resident, Bud moved from the family farm out in
 Western Kansas. He was the shop manager for various fishing tool 
companies in the oilfield, retiring as the Kansas Area Manager for N.L. 
Acme Tool. He was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima
 Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Post #862 and VFW Post #3111. He 
was a veteran of the United States Army having served during the Korean 
Conflict.Survivors include, three sons, Kerry Habiger and wife Julie of 
Stilwell, Kan., Kenyon Habiger and wife Kelley and Karl Habiger and wife
 Theresa all of Great Bend; a brother, Walter Habiger of Kalvesta; a 
sister, Alice Cohoon of Jetmore; four grandchildren, Marcus Habiger 
(Rebekah), Andrew Habiger (Giovana), Colby Habiger (Katie) and Caitlyn 
Lott (Michael); a step granddaughter, Conor Bird; and four great 
grandchildren, Evey and Zelie Habiger and Rowan and Weylyn Lott. He was 
preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sandra Habiger; a son, Kevin
 Habiger; a brother, Edwin Habiger; and two sisters, Pauline Radke and 
Leona Dome.Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, 
September 8, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Vigil service and 
Knights of Columbus Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be
 held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 9, 2022, St. Rose of Lima 
Catholic Church in Great Bend, with Father Aneesh Parappanattu 
presiding. Interment will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Great Bend, 
with Military Rites conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. Memorials 
have been designated to Prince of Peace Parish, in care of Bryant 
Funeral Home.

Sylvester W. 'Bud' Habiger

Norma Lee Deyoe-Swart, 94, of Oakley, KS, died Saturday, September 3, 
2022. She was born October 30, 1927, in Garden City, KS, to Chet and 
Marie (Dufrin) Beatty. 

On February 7, 1946, Norma married Robert Deyoe. 
The couple lived in Ulysses, KS, where Norma worked as an artist, and 
they attended the Episcopal Church of Ulysses. Norma was also a 4-H 
leader, board member on the Kansas Arts Commission, and a founding 
member of the Wheat Hearts. Norma made many lifelong friends through 
her work with these organizations, including Lloyd Swart, who was a 
fellow leader on the Kansas Wheat Commission board. 

After the passing of
 both of their spouses, Norma and Lloyd began dating in 1991, and were 
married on December 22, 1994, in Ulysses. They spent 27 years together 
in Oakley, where they were active in the Oakley Shrine Club, K-State 
Alumni tour group, and were members of the Oakley Country Club. Norma 
was active with Logan County 4-H, a board member of the Logan County 
Extension. She enjoyed participating in the Oakley Chapter EX PEO, 
"Sing-a-Longs", doing Aqua-sizes at the Oakley city pool and was devoted
 to the Oakley United Methodist Church. Norma was full of love, life and
 laughter...which she shared with everyone around her. 
Norma was preceded in death by her parents; brother Alayne Beatty and husband Robert Deyoe. 
She is survived by her husband Lloyd; children, Eddie (Sheila) Deyoe, 
Dennis (Sheryl) Deyoe, Diana Lightcap and Bev (Dennis) Ragland; 
stepchildren, Linda (Brent) Logan, Lori (Troy) Sporer and Ryan (Karen) 
Swart; grandchildren, Velvet Randolph, Nikki Siler, Cherry Hale, Dylan 
Gill, Dimitra Becker, Matt Deyoe, Wade Deyoe, Kelsey Jones, Spencer 
Childress, Savanah Sporer, Abbey Elliott, Madison Swart and Marlie 
Swart, along with her many great grandchildren. 
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at the United 
Methodist Church, Oakley. The funeral will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, 
September 7, 2022, also at the church. Interment will take place at 
Grant County Cemetery, Ulysses, KS.

Memorials are suggested to the 
Kansas Arts Commission and may be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO 
Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit 
www.baalmannmortuary.com&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662466298435.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Norma Lee Deyoe-Swart, 94, of Oakley, KS, died Saturday, September 3, 
2022. She was born October 30, 1927, in Garden City, KS, to Chet and 
Marie (Dufrin) Beatty. On February 7, 1946, Norma married Robert Deyoe. 
The couple lived in Ulysses, KS, where Norma worked as an artist, and 
they attended the Episcopal Church of Ulysses. Norma was also a 4-H 
leader, board member on the Kansas Arts Commission, and a founding 
member of the Wheat Hearts. Norma made many lifelong friends through 
her work with these organizations, including Lloyd Swart, who was a 
fellow leader on the Kansas Wheat Commission board. After the passing of
 both of their spouses, Norma and Lloyd began dating in 1991, and were 
married on December 22, 1994, in Ulysses. They spent 27 years together 
in Oakley, where they were active in the Oakley Shrine Club, K-State 
Alumni tour group, and were members of the Oakley Country Club. Norma 
was active with Logan County 4-H, a board member of the Logan County 
Extension. She enjoyed participating in the Oakley Chapter EX PEO, 
"Sing-a-Longs", doing Aqua-sizes at the Oakley city pool and was devoted
 to the Oakley United Methodist Church. Norma was full of love, life and
 laughter...which she shared with everyone around her. 
Norma was preceded in death by her parents; brother Alayne Beatty and husband Robert Deyoe. 
She is survived by her husband Lloyd; children, Eddie (Sheila) Deyoe, 
Dennis (Sheryl) Deyoe, Diana Lightcap and Bev (Dennis) Ragland; 
stepchildren, Linda (Brent) Logan, Lori (Troy) Sporer and Ryan (Karen) 
Swart; grandchildren, Velvet Randolph, Nikki Siler, Cherry Hale, Dylan 
Gill, Dimitra Becker, Matt Deyoe, Wade Deyoe, Kelsey Jones, Spencer 
Childress, Savanah Sporer, Abbey Elliott, Madison Swart and Marlie 
Swart, along with her many great grandchildren. 
Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at the United 
Methodist Church, Oakley. The funeral will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, 
September 7, 2022, also at the church. Interment will take place at 
Grant County Cemetery, Ulysses, KS. Memorials are suggested to the 
Kansas Arts Commission and may be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO 
Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit 
www.baalmannmortuary.com&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Norma Lee Deyoe-Swart

Sunday, October 30th, 1927-Saturday, September 3rd, 2022

An obituary is pending with Baalmann Mortuary.

Click <a href="https://memorials.baalmannmortuary.com/norma-deyoe-swart/5016603/index.php">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662392942669.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Sunday, October 30th, 1927-Saturday, September 3rd, 2022An obituary is pending with Baalmann Mortuary.Click <a href="https://memorials.baalmannmortuary.com/norma-deyoe-swart/5016603/index.php">HERE</a> for service details.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nikiesha Thomas was on her way to work one day when she told her sister that she was thinking about getting involved with domestic violence prevention.

The idea gave Keeda Simpson pause. Her younger sister had never mentioned anything like that before, and she was bringing it up in a phone call just days after filing for a protective order against her ex-boyfriend.

Less than an hour later, Thomas' ex-boyfriend walked up to her parked car in a southeastern neighborhood of the nation's capital and shot through her passenger window, killing the 33-year-old.

It's cases like hers, where warning signs and legal paperwork weren't enough to save a life, that lawmakers had in mind this summer when they crafted the first major&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-gun-violence-bill-live-updates-20f7c9738fee4eba1d7fed155301ee25">bipartisan law</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-mental-gun-violence-government-and-politics-1cf62afca004ec613ad76e8808cbfb50">gun violence</a>&nbsp;in decades.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-signs-gun-violence-bill-c21249287f976c2c164d8753205c2e6d">The measure signed by President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;in June was part of a response to a harrowing string of shootings over the summer, including the slaying of 19 children at an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-texas-education-violence-school-31aa135678f8118ed96d893ea77cf8ea">elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.</a>

The package included tougher background checks for the youngest gun buyers and help for states to put in place “red flag” laws that make it easier for authorities to take weapons from people adjudged dangerous.

Also tucked into the bill was a proposal that will make it more difficult for a convicted domestic abuser to obtain firearms even when the abuser is not married to or doesn’t have a child with the victim.

Nearly a decade in the making, lawmakers' move to close the “boyfriend loophole” received far less attention than other aspects of the legislation. But advocates and lawmakers are hopeful this provision will save lives and become a major part of the law's legacy.

“We have so many women killed — one every 14 hours, from domestic partners with guns in this country,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., a longtime advocate for the proposal, said before passage of the bill in June. “Sadly, half of those involve dating partners, people who aren’t married to someone, but they are in a romantic relationship with them in some way.”

Federal law has long barred people convicted of domestic violence or subject to a domestic violence restraining order from being able to buy a gun. But that restriction had only applied to an individual who is married to the victim, lived with the victim or had a child with the victim. As a result, it missed a whole group of perpetrators — current and former boyfriends or intimate partners — sometimes with fatal consequences.

At least 19 states and the District of Columbia have taken action on this issue, according to data compiled by Everytown for Gun Safety. Klobuchar and domestic violence advocates have worked for years to do the same on the federal level, with little success.

The struggle over defining a boyfriend in the law remained difficult to the end. Negotiations in Congress nearly broke down over the provision. The same thing happened in March when a similar bipartisan effort to reauthorize a 1990s-era law that extended protections to victims of domestic and sexual violence&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-congress-gun-politics-violence-edc7fb5f3bc0261cdbe7a29c50ec7c8e">passed only after Democratic lawmakers took out the loophole provision</a>&nbsp;to ensure Republican support.

“That was the toughest issue in our negotiations,” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., a lead negotiator of the gun package, said of the loophole proposal. “The biggest discussion that took us a long time at the end was around the question of how you would get your rights back after you had been prohibited."

Murphy and other Democratic negotiators were able to persuade Republicans by including a narrow path to restoring access to firearms for first-time offenders after five years, only if they are not convicted of another misdemeanor for violent crime. For married couples, and those who have had a child together, the firearm ban is permanent.

To some advocates, more change is still needed. The legislation only partially closes the loophole because dating partners subject to a domestic violence restraining order, as in Thomas' case, are still able to buy and maintain access to firearms.

“It will for sure save lives. But also to be clear, this is a partial closure of what’s known as the boyfriend loophole. There’s still a lot of work to be done,” Jennifer Becker, the legal director and senior attorney for Legal Momentum, a legal defense and education fund for women, told The Associated Press.

Federal crime data for 2020 showed that out of all murder victims among intimate partners — including divorced and gay couples — girlfriends accounted for 37%, while wives accounted for 34%. Only 13% of the victims were boyfriends, and 7% were husbands.

In 2018, a group of researchers who looked at intimate partner homicides in 45 states from 1980 to 2013 found that when firearm prohibitions linked to domestic restraining orders included people who were dating, deaths dropped by 13%.

“It suggests that when you cast that wider net, by covering boyfriends, you are able to cover people who are more dangerous and potentially save more lives,” April Zeoli, a researcher at the University of Michigan who was part of that study, told the AP.

Thomas' family hopes the changes in the law will save lives and ensure their daughter's death wasn't in vain. They say Thomas was doing everything she could to protect herself when she left her yearslong relationship with 36-year-old Antoine Oliver in late September 2021.

It was only after her death in October that her family members found out that the protective order Thomas had filed three days earlier, detailing how her former partner had access to firearms and she felt unsafe, was never served. Sheriff’s deputies in Prince George’s County, Maryland, where Oliver lived, had been trying to reach him by phone.

When law enforcement finally reached Oliver, he told them he would come to accept service of the judicial order the following day. Instead, authorities said, he killed Thomas that day before fatally shooting himself.

“Some days I just sit and review the paper she had filed with the court just a few days prior and just think, what else could she have done to protect herself?" said Nadine Thomas, her mother. Gilbert Thomas, her father, said his daughter did everything she was supposed to do, but it was the system that failed her.

“She feared for her life and what did the police do? They called him and made arrangements for him to come to pick up the order,” he said. "There was no urgency placed on it."

But now the family is bracing for the anniversary of Thomas' killing. The weight of grief is heavy, particularly for her 11-year-old daughter, Kylei, whom Thomas had from a relationship before she met Oliver.

In the months before her death, Thomas had been making plans to buy a home for her and her daughter. She was saving up from her job with the D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education, where she was assigned to an intervention program to help some of the district's most challenged students.

“We really were starting to map out some things and it just got taken away,” her sister, Keeda Simpson, said. “One of the last things we talked about was her wanting to evoke change for other women."

"I’m going to do whatever it takes — even if it’s a small thing — to help someone else that’s in her situation, not to lose their life," she added.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656165369360.png" alt="<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-signs-gun-violence-bill-c21249287f976c2c164d8753205c2e6d">The measure signed by President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;in June was part of a response to a harrowing string of shootings over the summer, including the slaying of 19 children at an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-texas-education-violence-school-31aa135678f8118ed96d893ea77cf8ea">elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-signs-gun-violence-bill-c21249287f976c2c164d8753205c2e6d">The measure signed by President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;in June was part of a response to a harrowing string of shootings over the summer, including the slaying of 19 children at an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-texas-education-violence-school-31aa135678f8118ed96d893ea77cf8ea">elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.</a></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Nikiesha Thomas was on her way to work one day when she told her sister that she was thinking about getting involved with domestic violence prevention.The idea gave Keeda Simpson pause. Her younger sister had never mentioned anything like that before, and she was bringing it up in a phone call just days after filing for a protective order against her ex-boyfriend.It was their last conversation.Less than an hour later, Thomas' ex-boyfriend walked up to her parked car in a southeastern neighborhood of the nation's capital and shot through her passenger window, killing the 33-year-old.It's cases like hers, where warning signs and legal paperwork weren't enough to save a life, that lawmakers had in mind this summer when they crafted the first major&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-gun-violence-bill-live-updates-20f7c9738fee4eba1d7fed155301ee25">bipartisan law</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-mental-gun-violence-government-and-politics-1cf62afca004ec613ad76e8808cbfb50">gun violence</a>&nbsp;in decades.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-signs-gun-violence-bill-c21249287f976c2c164d8753205c2e6d">The measure signed by President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;in June was part of a response to a harrowing string of shootings over the summer, including the slaying of 19 children at an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-texas-education-violence-school-31aa135678f8118ed96d893ea77cf8ea">elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.</a>The package included tougher background checks for the youngest gun buyers and help for states to put in place “red flag” laws that make it easier for authorities to take weapons from people adjudged dangerous.Also tucked into the bill was a proposal that will make it more difficult for a convicted domestic abuser to obtain firearms even when the abuser is not married to or doesn’t have a child with the victim.Nearly a decade in the making, lawmakers' move to close the “boyfriend loophole” received far less attention than other aspects of the legislation. But advocates and lawmakers are hopeful this provision will save lives and become a major part of the law's legacy.“We have so many women killed — one every 14 hours, from domestic partners with guns in this country,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., a longtime advocate for the proposal, said before passage of the bill in June. “Sadly, half of those involve dating partners, people who aren’t married to someone, but they are in a romantic relationship with them in some way.”Federal law has long barred people convicted of domestic violence or subject to a domestic violence restraining order from being able to buy a gun. But that restriction had only applied to an individual who is married to the victim, lived with the victim or had a child with the victim. As a result, it missed a whole group of perpetrators — current and former boyfriends or intimate partners — sometimes with fatal consequences.At least 19 states and the District of Columbia have taken action on this issue, according to data compiled by Everytown for Gun Safety. Klobuchar and domestic violence advocates have worked for years to do the same on the federal level, with little success.The struggle over defining a boyfriend in the law remained difficult to the end. Negotiations in Congress nearly broke down over the provision. The same thing happened in March when a similar bipartisan effort to reauthorize a 1990s-era law that extended protections to victims of domestic and sexual violence&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-congress-gun-politics-violence-edc7fb5f3bc0261cdbe7a29c50ec7c8e">passed only after Democratic lawmakers took out the loophole provision</a>&nbsp;to ensure Republican support.“That was the toughest issue in our negotiations,” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., a lead negotiator of the gun package, said of the loophole proposal. “The biggest discussion that took us a long time at the end was around the question of how you would get your rights back after you had been prohibited."Murphy and other Democratic negotiators were able to persuade Republicans by including a narrow path to restoring access to firearms for first-time offenders after five years, only if they are not convicted of another misdemeanor for violent crime. For married couples, and those who have had a child together, the firearm ban is permanent.To some advocates, more change is still needed. The legislation only partially closes the loophole because dating partners subject to a domestic violence restraining order, as in Thomas' case, are still able to buy and maintain access to firearms.“It will for sure save lives. But also to be clear, this is a partial closure of what’s known as the boyfriend loophole. There’s still a lot of work to be done,” Jennifer Becker, the legal director and senior attorney for Legal Momentum, a legal defense and education fund for women, told The Associated Press.Federal crime data for 2020 showed that out of all murder victims among intimate partners — including divorced and gay couples — girlfriends accounted for 37%, while wives accounted for 34%. Only 13% of the victims were boyfriends, and 7% were husbands.In 2018, a group of researchers who looked at intimate partner homicides in 45 states from 1980 to 2013 found that when firearm prohibitions linked to domestic restraining orders included people who were dating, deaths dropped by 13%.“It suggests that when you cast that wider net, by covering boyfriends, you are able to cover people who are more dangerous and potentially save more lives,” April Zeoli, a researcher at the University of Michigan who was part of that study, told the AP.Thomas' family hopes the changes in the law will save lives and ensure their daughter's death wasn't in vain. They say Thomas was doing everything she could to protect herself when she left her yearslong relationship with 36-year-old Antoine Oliver in late September 2021.It was only after her death in October that her family members found out that the protective order Thomas had filed three days earlier, detailing how her former partner had access to firearms and she felt unsafe, was never served. Sheriff’s deputies in Prince George’s County, Maryland, where Oliver lived, had been trying to reach him by phone.When law enforcement finally reached Oliver, he told them he would come to accept service of the judicial order the following day. Instead, authorities said, he killed Thomas that day before fatally shooting himself.“Some days I just sit and review the paper she had filed with the court just a few days prior and just think, what else could she have done to protect herself?" said Nadine Thomas, her mother. Gilbert Thomas, her father, said his daughter did everything she was supposed to do, but it was the system that failed her.“She feared for her life and what did the police do? They called him and made arrangements for him to come to pick up the order,” he said. "There was no urgency placed on it."But now the family is bracing for the anniversary of Thomas' killing. The weight of grief is heavy, particularly for her 11-year-old daughter, Kylei, whom Thomas had from a relationship before she met Oliver.In the months before her death, Thomas had been making plans to buy a home for her and her daughter. She was saving up from her job with the D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education, where she was assigned to an intervention program to help some of the district's most challenged students.“We really were starting to map out some things and it just got taken away,” her sister, Keeda Simpson, said. “One of the last things we talked about was her wanting to evoke change for other women.""I’m going to do whatever it takes — even if it’s a small thing — to help someone else that’s in her situation, not to lose their life," she added.___

In new gun law, a quiet breakthrough for victims of abuse

G. Patrick Wanker was born August 16, 1939, to Gernald Mertis and Pauline Gladys (Close) Wanker. He passed away on September 2, 2022, at the Trego Lemke Memorial Hospital at the age of 83 years.

Patrick attended the WaKeeney Grade School and graduated from the Trego Community High School.

He attended the Bethlehem Lutheran Church and was a member of ATA, KTA, NRA, and Hays Sportsman Club. He married Charlotte R. Schneider on October 19, 1967, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Upon graduation, Patrick worked for a seismograph company from Texas. After working for several years, he decided he would open a grocery store.&nbsp; It was opened on June 26, 1961. It later became known as Pat’s Grocery and Sporting Goods, selling beer, ice, fishing, and hunting supplies and guns. The store was probably the first “convenience store” in Kansas. He sold the store in 1981.

In 1984, Pat, and two partners began Wes-Kan Towers, LLC. which constructed and erected two-way radio communication towers. When cell phones were introduced, the towers were also used to house cell phone equipment which provided coverage for a large area. The company was sold in 2000.

Being interested in the oil industry, Pat and a partner started Nor-West Kansas Oil, LLC in 1985.&nbsp; They began leasing ground, drilling oil wells, and operating them in Northwest Kansas. When Pat’s health began to fail, it was decided to sell the company, which was sold in July 2022.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife (Charlotte) of the home and one sister, Carely (James) Yaeger of Branson West, MO. He also leaves to mourn many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Those preceding him in death are his parents, Gernald and Pauline Wanker; his brother, David A. Wanker, his grandparents Patrick and Gladys Close, Frank and Mary Wanker, and a great nephew Tyler Lotz.

Pat enjoyed hunting, fishing, and shooting trap competitively, attending NASCAR races and NFL football. Pat will be greatly missed by his family, business associates, and friends.

Services will be on September 6, 2022, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be on September 5, 2022, from 5:00 to 7:00 at Schmitt Funeral Home. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Prairie Faith Shared Ministry Nursing Program, Trego Lemke Memorial Hospital Endowment Association, or Hays, Kansas Sportsman Club.

Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.schmittfuneral.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662309682149.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>G. Patrick Wanker was born August 16, 1939, to Gernald Mertis and Pauline Gladys (Close) Wanker. He passed away on September 2, 2022, at the Trego Lemke Memorial Hospital at the age of 83 years.Patrick attended the WaKeeney Grade School and graduated from the Trego Community High School.He attended the Bethlehem Lutheran Church and was a member of ATA, KTA, NRA, and Hays Sportsman Club. He married Charlotte R. Schneider on October 19, 1967, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church.Upon graduation, Patrick worked for a seismograph company from Texas. After working for several years, he decided he would open a grocery store.&nbsp; It was opened on June 26, 1961. It later became known as Pat’s Grocery and Sporting Goods, selling beer, ice, fishing, and hunting supplies and guns. The store was probably the first “convenience store” in Kansas. He sold the store in 1981.In 1984, Pat, and two partners began Wes-Kan Towers, LLC. which constructed and erected two-way radio communication towers. When cell phones were introduced, the towers were also used to house cell phone equipment which provided coverage for a large area. The company was sold in 2000.Being interested in the oil industry, Pat and a partner started Nor-West Kansas Oil, LLC in 1985.&nbsp; They began leasing ground, drilling oil wells, and operating them in Northwest Kansas. When Pat’s health began to fail, it was decided to sell the company, which was sold in July 2022.He leaves to mourn his passing his wife (Charlotte) of the home and one sister, Carely (James) Yaeger of Branson West, MO. He also leaves to mourn many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.Those preceding him in death are his parents, Gernald and Pauline Wanker; his brother, David A. Wanker, his grandparents Patrick and Gladys Close, Frank and Mary Wanker, and a great nephew Tyler Lotz.Pat enjoyed hunting, fishing, and shooting trap competitively, attending NASCAR races and NFL football. Pat will be greatly missed by his family, business associates, and friends.Services will be on September 6, 2022, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be on September 5, 2022, from 5:00 to 7:00 at Schmitt Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Prairie Faith Shared Ministry Nursing Program, Trego Lemke Memorial Hospital Endowment Association, or Hays, Kansas Sportsman Club.Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.schmittfuneral.com

G. Patrick Wanker

Jarold "Jerry" William Boettcher of Manhattan, age 82, formerly of 
Beloit, died surrounded by family on Sunday, August 21, 2022, at Stormont
 Vail Hospital in Topeka, Kansas.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Barbara; children Chris 
Boettcher (Lynne) of Benton, Melinda Grafel (Dan) of Oberlin, Andy 
Boettcher (Wendy) of Dayton, Ohio, and Miranda Grummon (David) of 
Shawnee; grandchildren Kade, Brittan, Isabel, Aidan, Drew, Dylan, Ella, 
Josh, Addyson, and Isaiah; and sisters Janet Wesselowski of Wichita and 
Kathy Aros (Richard) of Tucson, Arizona.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Zelma 
Boettcher, and one sister, Sylvia Wolf of Quinter. Jerry was born on May
 19, 1940, in Beloit. After graduating from Beloit High School in 1958, 
he continued his education at Kansas State University.

He married the love of his life, Barbara, on December 30, 1961, 
and graduated with a degree in Nuclear Engineering in 1963. He began 
considering graduate school, and was admitted to MIT's Sloan School of 
Management where he earned a Master's Degree in Industrial Management in
 1966. He worked in finance in New York City, then in Kansas City, 
Missouri. In 1979, he switched gears and moved his family to Beloit to 
help his father with the management of Boettcher Supply. He worked as
 President and CEO of Boettcher Enterprises until his retirement in 
2007. He and Barbara then moved to Manhattan.

Jerry loved many things - education, his K-State Wildcats, dogs, 
working on and racing cars, and traveling, but what he loved most was 
his family. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, and 
will be missed terribly.

In memory of Jerry, contributions may be made to a few 
institutions that were close to Jerry's heart: Purple Paws 2nd Chance 
Rescue in Manhattan, First Presbyterian Church of Beloit, or towards a 
Beloit High School scholarship for graduates attending Kansas State 
University. The family will host a Celebration of Life service on 
Saturday, October 15 at 11 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church, 321 E. 
Main St., Beloit, followed by a gathering to enjoy food, laughs and 
memories at the Municipal Building, 2nd and Hersey, Beloit. Guests are 
invited to dress casually and wear K-State purple.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662304522196.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Jarold "Jerry" William Boettcher of Manhattan, age 82, formerly of 
Beloit, died surrounded by family on Sunday, August 21, 2022, at Stormont
 Vail Hospital in Topeka, Kansas.Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Barbara; children Chris 
Boettcher (Lynne) of Benton, Melinda Grafel (Dan) of Oberlin, Andy 
Boettcher (Wendy) of Dayton, Ohio, and Miranda Grummon (David) of 
Shawnee; grandchildren Kade, Brittan, Isabel, Aidan, Drew, Dylan, Ella, 
Josh, Addyson, and Isaiah; and sisters Janet Wesselowski of Wichita and 
Kathy Aros (Richard) of Tucson, Arizona.He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Zelma 
Boettcher, and one sister, Sylvia Wolf of Quinter. Jerry was born on May
 19, 1940, in Beloit. After graduating from Beloit High School in 1958, 
he continued his education at Kansas State University.He married the love of his life, Barbara, on December 30, 1961, 
and graduated with a degree in Nuclear Engineering in 1963. He began 
considering graduate school, and was admitted to MIT's Sloan School of 
Management where he earned a Master's Degree in Industrial Management in
 1966. He worked in finance in New York City, then in Kansas City, 
Missouri. In 1979, he switched gears and moved his family to Beloit to 
help his father with the management of Boettcher Supply. He worked as
 President and CEO of Boettcher Enterprises until his retirement in 
2007. He and Barbara then moved to Manhattan.Jerry loved many things - education, his K-State Wildcats, dogs, 
working on and racing cars, and traveling, but what he loved most was 
his family. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, and 
will be missed terribly.In memory of Jerry, contributions may be made to a few 
institutions that were close to Jerry's heart: Purple Paws 2nd Chance 
Rescue in Manhattan, First Presbyterian Church of Beloit, or towards a 
Beloit High School scholarship for graduates attending Kansas State 
University. The family will host a Celebration of Life service on 
Saturday, October 15 at 11 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church, 321 E. 
Main St., Beloit, followed by a gathering to enjoy food, laughs and 
memories at the Municipal Building, 2nd and Hersey, Beloit. Guests are 
invited to dress casually and wear K-State purple.

Jarold 'Jerry' William Boettcher

Kathern M. “Blondie” Barry, 78, passed away September 2, 2022, at 
Hays Medical Center. She was born on October 26, 1943, at Great Bend, to
 Harvey &amp; Albertia (Blair) Barry.

Blondie was a lifetime Great Bend resident, having worked for Barry 
Tree Service and the Salvation Army. She loved bright colors and enjoyed
 sharing gifts with family and friends. Blondie had a heart of gold and 
especially loved spending time with her family, pets and nature.

Survivors include, a sister, Evon Gallant of Great Bend; a brother, 
David M. Blair, Sr., of Leonardville, Kan.; and numerous nieces and 
nephews, including, Shawnda Gallant, Tony Morgan and Barry Gallant; She 
was preceded in death by her parents; an infant brother, Nathine Barry; a
 brother, Howard Barry; and two half-sisters, Una Helmric and Diane 
Kirkham.

Visitation will be held from Noon to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 
7, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home, with family to receive friends from 
6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, 
September 8, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Reverend Dick Ogle 
presiding. Interment will be in the Hoisington Cemetery. 

Memorials have 
been designated to Golden Belt Humane Society, in care of Bryant Funeral
 Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662304448932.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Kathern M. “Blondie” Barry, 78, passed away September 2, 2022, at 
Hays Medical Center. She was born on October 26, 1943, at Great Bend, to
 Harvey &amp; Albertia (Blair) Barry.Blondie was a lifetime Great Bend resident, having worked for Barry 
Tree Service and the Salvation Army. She loved bright colors and enjoyed
 sharing gifts with family and friends. Blondie had a heart of gold and 
especially loved spending time with her family, pets and nature.Survivors include, a sister, Evon Gallant of Great Bend; a brother, 
David M. Blair, Sr., of Leonardville, Kan.; and numerous nieces and 
nephews, including, Shawnda Gallant, Tony Morgan and Barry Gallant; She 
was preceded in death by her parents; an infant brother, Nathine Barry; a
 brother, Howard Barry; and two half-sisters, Una Helmric and Diane 
Kirkham.Visitation will be held from Noon to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 
7, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home, with family to receive friends from 
6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, 
September 8, 2022, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Reverend Dick Ogle 
presiding. Interment will be in the Hoisington Cemetery. Memorials have 
been designated to Golden Belt Humane Society, in care of Bryant Funeral
 Home.

Kathern M. 'Blondie' Barry

Marvin J. Kaiser, 81, Hays, died Thursday, September 1, 2022, at HaysMed.

He was born October 12, 1940, in Great 
Bend the son of Joe L. and Regina (Debes) Kaiser.&nbsp; In 1958, he graduated
 from Odin High School and later served in the U.S. Army Reserves during
 the Cuban Missile Crisis.&nbsp; He worked as a manufactured housing 
executive, and for the majority of his career worked for Marlette Homes,
 now Clayton Homes.&nbsp; He had a love for farming and working cattle.&nbsp; On 
December 30, 1961, he was united in marriage to Bernice M. Rziha in Odin,
 and they were married nearly 61 years.&nbsp; 

He served on the Claflin School
 Board of Education, Kansas State Special Olympics Board, coached 
Claflin Recreation softball and baseball, McPherson American Legion 
Baseball, and Catholic school basketball.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Marvin’s memberships 
included St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, St. Nicholas Third Degree
 Knights of Columbus Council # 10044, and the Bishop Cunningham Fourth 
Degree Assembly #282.&nbsp; During his 65 years in the Knights of Columbus, 
Marvin held many offices including:&nbsp; Faithful Navigator, Grand Knight, 
District Deputy, State Officer, Former State Advocate, and as Membership
 Director, started 16 new councils.&nbsp; He loved his grandchildren, enjoyed
 spoiling them, and was proud to be called Great Papa.&nbsp;

Survivors include his wife Bernice of 
Hays, a son: Brian Kaiser and wife Lynne of Wichita, a daughter: Paula 
Beck and husband Andy of Hays, a brother: Gilbert Kaiser and wife Kathy 
of Kingman, two sisters: Jolene Rziha and husband Jim of Great Bend, 
Marilyn Ricke of Hoisington, a sister-in-law: Lucille Kaiser of 
Hoisington, three grandchildren: Shawn Kaiser of Wichita, Jenna 
Barnthson and husband Beau of Olathe, and Brandon Beck of New York City,
 NY, a great granddaughter: Aleena Barnthson, and numerous nieces and 
nephews.

He was preceded in death by his 
parents, a brother: Ronald Kaiser, a sister: Corrine Finger and husband 
Larry, and a brother-in-law: Ted Ricke.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 
10:30 am on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic 
Church with Fr. Damian Richards Officiating.&nbsp; Burial will follow in St. 
Joseph Cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Monday 
and from 9:30 am until 10:15 on Tuesday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel 
Funeral Home.&nbsp; The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor 
guard from 5:30 pm until 6:30, a vigil service will be at 6:30, followed
 by a combined Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus rosary, all 
on Monday at the funeral home.&nbsp; 

Memorials are suggested to Holy Family 
Elementary School or to TMP-Marian High School.&nbsp; Condolences and 
memories of Marvin may be shared with his family at <a href="http://www.haysmemorial.com">www.haysmemorial.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662222335513.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Marvin J. Kaiser, 81, Hays, died Thursday, September 1, 2022, at HaysMed.He was born October 12, 1940, in Great 
Bend the son of Joe L. and Regina (Debes) Kaiser.&nbsp; In 1958, he graduated
 from Odin High School and later served in the U.S. Army Reserves during
 the Cuban Missile Crisis.&nbsp; He worked as a manufactured housing 
executive, and for the majority of his career worked for Marlette Homes,
 now Clayton Homes.&nbsp; He had a love for farming and working cattle.&nbsp; On 
December 30, 1961, he was united in marriage to Bernice M. Rziha in Odin,
 and they were married nearly 61 years.&nbsp; He served on the Claflin School
 Board of Education, Kansas State Special Olympics Board, coached 
Claflin Recreation softball and baseball, McPherson American Legion 
Baseball, and Catholic school basketball.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Marvin’s memberships 
included St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, St. Nicholas Third Degree
 Knights of Columbus Council # 10044, and the Bishop Cunningham Fourth 
Degree Assembly #282.&nbsp; During his 65 years in the Knights of Columbus, 
Marvin held many offices including:&nbsp; Faithful Navigator, Grand Knight, 
District Deputy, State Officer, Former State Advocate, and as Membership
 Director, started 16 new councils.&nbsp; He loved his grandchildren, enjoyed
 spoiling them, and was proud to be called Great Papa.&nbsp;Survivors include his wife Bernice of 
Hays, a son: Brian Kaiser and wife Lynne of Wichita, a daughter: Paula 
Beck and husband Andy of Hays, a brother: Gilbert Kaiser and wife Kathy 
of Kingman, two sisters: Jolene Rziha and husband Jim of Great Bend, 
Marilyn Ricke of Hoisington, a sister-in-law: Lucille Kaiser of 
Hoisington, three grandchildren: Shawn Kaiser of Wichita, Jenna 
Barnthson and husband Beau of Olathe, and Brandon Beck of New York City,
 NY, a great granddaughter: Aleena Barnthson, and numerous nieces and 
nephews.He was preceded in death by his 
parents, a brother: Ronald Kaiser, a sister: Corrine Finger and husband 
Larry, and a brother-in-law: Ted Ricke.Mass of Christian Burial will be at 
10:30 am on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic 
Church with Fr. Damian Richards Officiating.&nbsp; Burial will follow in St. 
Joseph Cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Monday 
and from 9:30 am until 10:15 on Tuesday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel 
Funeral Home.&nbsp; The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor 
guard from 5:30 pm until 6:30, a vigil service will be at 6:30, followed
 by a combined Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus rosary, all 
on Monday at the funeral home.&nbsp; Memorials are suggested to Holy Family 
Elementary School or to TMP-Marian High School.&nbsp; Condolences and 
memories of Marvin may be shared with his family at <a href="http://www.haysmemorial.com">www.haysmemorial.com</a>

Marvin J. Kaiser

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA’s new moon rocket sprang another dangerous fuel leak Saturday, forcing launch controllers to call off their second attempt to send a crew capsule into lunar orbit with test dummies.

The first attempt earlier in the week was also marred by escaping hydrogen, but those leaks were elsewhere on the 322-foot (98-meter) rocket, the most powerful ever built by NASA.

There was no immediate word on when NASA might try again. After Tuesday, a two-week launch blackout period kicks in. Extensive fuel leak repairs could require that the rocket be hauled off the pad and back into its hangar, possibly pushing the flight into October.

Launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson and her team tried to plug Saturday’s leak the way they did the last time: stopping and restarting the flow of super-cold liquid hydrogen in hopes of removing the gap around a seal in the supply line. They tried that twice, in fact, and also flushed helium through the line. But the leak persisted.

Blackwell-Thompson finally halted the countdown after three to four hours of futile effort.

“We have a scrub for the day,” announced NASA's launch commentator, Derrol Nail.

NASA wants to send the crew capsule atop the rocket around the moon, pushing it to the limit before astronauts get on the next flight. If the five-week demo with test dummies succeeds, astronauts could fly around the moon in 2024 and land on it in 2025. People last walked on the moon 50 years ago.

After days of stormy weather, the weather cooperated early Saturday as the launch team began loading nearly 1 million gallons of fuel into the Space Launch System&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/astronomy-space-launches-spacex-exploration-technology-5db3523e917b5a4e612b0aef158286b8">rocket</a>.

But minutes into the operation, hydrogen fuel began seeping from the engine section at the bottom of the rocket, violating safety rules.

During Monday's launch attempt, hydrogen fuel escaped from elsewhere in the rocket. Technicians tightened up the fittings over the past week, but Blackwell-Thompson cautioned that she wouldn't know whether everything was tight until Saturday's fueling.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA’s new moon rocket sprang another dangerous fuel leak Saturday, forcing launch controllers to call off their second attempt to send a crew capsule into lunar orbit with test dummies.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/21X5lGlDOfg" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The first attempt earlier in the week was also marred by escaping hydrogen, but those leaks were elsewhere on the 322-foot (98-meter) rocket, the most powerful ever built by NASA.There was no immediate word on when NASA might try again. After Tuesday, a two-week launch blackout period kicks in. Extensive fuel leak repairs could require that the rocket be hauled off the pad and back into its hangar, possibly pushing the flight into October.Launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson and her team tried to plug Saturday’s leak the way they did the last time: stopping and restarting the flow of super-cold liquid hydrogen in hopes of removing the gap around a seal in the supply line. They tried that twice, in fact, and also flushed helium through the line. But the leak persisted.Blackwell-Thompson finally halted the countdown after three to four hours of futile effort.“We have a scrub for the day,” announced NASA's launch commentator, Derrol Nail.NASA wants to send the crew capsule atop the rocket around the moon, pushing it to the limit before astronauts get on the next flight. If the five-week demo with test dummies succeeds, astronauts could fly around the moon in 2024 and land on it in 2025. People last walked on the moon 50 years ago.After days of stormy weather, the weather cooperated early Saturday as the launch team began loading nearly 1 million gallons of fuel into the Space Launch System&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/astronomy-space-launches-spacex-exploration-technology-5db3523e917b5a4e612b0aef158286b8">rocket</a>.But minutes into the operation, hydrogen fuel began seeping from the engine section at the bottom of the rocket, violating safety rules.During Monday's launch attempt, hydrogen fuel escaped from elsewhere in the rocket. Technicians tightened up the fittings over the past week, but Blackwell-Thompson cautioned that she wouldn't know whether everything was tight until Saturday's fueling.Even more of a problem on Monday, a sensor indicated one of the rocket's four engines was too warm, but engineers later verified it actually was cold enough. The launch team planned to ignore the faulty sensor this time around and rely on other instruments to ensure each main engine was properly chilled.Mission managers accepted the additional risk posed by the engine issue as well as a separate problem: cracks in the rocket's insulating foam. But they acknowledged other problems — like fuel leaks — could prompt yet another delay.That didn't stop thousands from jamming the coast to see the Space Launch System rocket soar. Local authorities expected massive crowds because of the long Labor Day holiday weekend.The $4.1 billion test flight is the first step in NASA's Artemis program of renewed lunar exploration, named after the twin sister of Apollo in Greek mythology.Twelve astronauts walked on the moon during NASA’s Apollo program, the last time in 1972.Artemis — years behind schedule and billions over budget — aims to establish a sustained human presence on the moon, with crews eventually spending weeks at a time there. It's considered a training ground for Mars.