The
drought monitor report as of March 26 is showing conditions unchanged from the
previous week.&nbsp; The six to ten-day
outlook (April 2 to 6) indicates near normal temperatures and a 33 to 40%
chance of leaning below normal precipitation.&nbsp;
The eight to fourteen-day outlook (April 4 to 10) indicates a 40 to 50%
chance of leaning above normal for temperatures and a 33 to 40% chance of
leaning to above normal precipitation.&nbsp; 

Compared to the last several years, we do have
some soil moisture.&nbsp; Some of our area is
out of drought, Barton is abnormally dry, and east of Barton county we find
moderate drought and a few small areas of severe drought.&nbsp; A year ago, we were mostly in extreme and
exceptional drought.&nbsp; This drought has
been a challenge for crop producers but perhaps even more so for cattle
production.&nbsp; Hay has been scarce as well
as winter cereal pasture.&nbsp; Especially
hard hit has been our perennial pasture acreage.&nbsp; Compounding the lack of moisture and forage,
cattle producers had to leave cattle out on perennial pasture when they should
have pulled them as they had nowhere else to go.&nbsp; This compounded the drought effects.&nbsp; As of now, while not wet, perennial pastures
at least have decent chance of grass production.&nbsp; Today, let’s consider a few ideas of what to
do to optimize production and start to hopefully improve pasture conditions.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Producers
already do this, but prescribed burning is a vital tool in pasture
management.&nbsp; It eliminates excess grass
growth, recycles nutrients, eliminates certain insect, tick and disease
pressure, helps control invasive broadleaf weeds, and is a very effective tool
in eliminating Eastern Red Cedar.&nbsp; Now,
is an excellent time to burn, conditions permitting, and speeds growth.&nbsp; It doesn’t necessarily need done every year.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Depending
on weed species and pressure, consider an herbicide program.&nbsp; It’s important to read the label regarding
haying and grazing restrictions.&nbsp; But the
last few years have been a boon for weeds such as musk thistle, Sericea
Lespedeza, and other problem broadleaf weeds.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Consider
appropriate fertilization after a soil test.&nbsp;
It may or may not indicate a need but doesn’t cost much.&nbsp; Remember that proper plant nutrition improves
palatability and gain.&nbsp; One that isn’t
often considered but may help is a light nitrogen application.&nbsp; We are removing nutrients as we add weight to
cattle.&nbsp; Some it is replaced through
manure and urine but not all and cattle don’t tend to distribute it evenly
across the field. 

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Finally,
don’t overgraze.&nbsp; This can be a challenge
but overall there are fewer cattle out there which might make it a bit
easier.&nbsp; Also, if possible and practical,
rotational grazing to more intensively gaze an area, move on, and allow it time
to rest.&nbsp; 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682025352095.jpeg" alt="Barton Community College Agriculture Instructor Dr. Vic Martin" />
 <figcaption>Barton Community College Agriculture Instructor Dr. Vic Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>The
drought monitor report as of March 26 is showing conditions unchanged from the
previous week.&nbsp; The six to ten-day
outlook (April 2 to 6) indicates near normal temperatures and a 33 to 40%
chance of leaning below normal precipitation.&nbsp;
The eight to fourteen-day outlook (April 4 to 10) indicates a 40 to 50%
chance of leaning above normal for temperatures and a 33 to 40% chance of
leaning to above normal precipitation.&nbsp; Compared to the last several years, we do have
some soil moisture.&nbsp; Some of our area is
out of drought, Barton is abnormally dry, and east of Barton county we find
moderate drought and a few small areas of severe drought.&nbsp; A year ago, we were mostly in extreme and
exceptional drought.&nbsp; This drought has
been a challenge for crop producers but perhaps even more so for cattle
production.&nbsp; Hay has been scarce as well
as winter cereal pasture.&nbsp; Especially
hard hit has been our perennial pasture acreage.&nbsp; Compounding the lack of moisture and forage,
cattle producers had to leave cattle out on perennial pasture when they should
have pulled them as they had nowhere else to go.&nbsp; This compounded the drought effects.&nbsp; As of now, while not wet, perennial pastures
at least have decent chance of grass production.&nbsp; Today, let’s consider a few ideas of what to
do to optimize production and start to hopefully improve pasture conditions.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Producers
already do this, but prescribed burning is a vital tool in pasture
management.&nbsp; It eliminates excess grass
growth, recycles nutrients, eliminates certain insect, tick and disease
pressure, helps control invasive broadleaf weeds, and is a very effective tool
in eliminating Eastern Red Cedar.&nbsp; Now,
is an excellent time to burn, conditions permitting, and speeds growth.&nbsp; It doesn’t necessarily need done every year.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Depending
on weed species and pressure, consider an herbicide program.&nbsp; It’s important to read the label regarding
haying and grazing restrictions.&nbsp; But the
last few years have been a boon for weeds such as musk thistle, Sericea
Lespedeza, and other problem broadleaf weeds.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Consider
appropriate fertilization after a soil test.&nbsp;
It may or may not indicate a need but doesn’t cost much.&nbsp; Remember that proper plant nutrition improves
palatability and gain.&nbsp; One that isn’t
often considered but may help is a light nitrogen application.&nbsp; We are removing nutrients as we add weight to
cattle.&nbsp; Some it is replaced through
manure and urine but not all and cattle don’t tend to distribute it evenly
across the field. ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Finally,
don’t overgraze.&nbsp; This can be a challenge
but overall there are fewer cattle out there which might make it a bit
easier.&nbsp; Also, if possible and practical,
rotational grazing to more intensively gaze an area, move on, and allow it time
to rest.&nbsp;

Barton Ag Instructor Dr. Vic Martin - Perennial Pasture Management

A short time after a local woman asked Jack Bowman about his experiences with Parkinson’s Disease, a light bulb came on.

As program advocate at Juvenile Services, Bowman had been looking for a community-service project that he and his colleagues could organize.

“I got to wondering how many people, who are newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s, have questions about the resources available to them,” recalled Bowman, who was diagnosed in 2010. “This led to the planning of a Parkinson’s Community Walk to help raise awareness. We encourage the community to participate in this first-ever local event.”

Clients at Juvenile Services will be on hand to distribute water, and help with set-up and clean-up.

“Our staff and clients are happy to help with this and other community projects,” Bowman commented. “We are eager to share time and information with our neighbors to make our community a better place to live.”

Juvenile Services is coordinating with the Parkinson’s Foundation in planning the walk, which is set for Saturday, April 27 at Jack Kilby Square in downtown Great Bend.

Registration, which is free, opens at 9 a.m. and the walk starts a half-hour later. Donations to the Parkinson’s Foundation are optional and walkers do not need to solicit sponsors.

Two highlights will be a 10 a.m. Tai Chi class, presented by Dee Krier of Great Bend Rec, and the 11 a.m. Cardio Boxing class, presented by Christopher Flores. Equipment is provided by Central Plains Karate.

“You can walk as much or as little as you want – one lap or many laps around the square,” Bowman said. “If you only want to participate in one or both classes, that is fine with us.”

Pre-registration is highly encouraged so that organizers can get a head-count and deal with waivers that must be signed for the classes. To register visit: www.parkinson.org/events/2024/mdcw-great-bend or stop in at the Juvenile Services offices, 1800 12th, Great Bend. The number is 620-793-1930.

Classes/more information Tai Chi and Cardio Boxing entail movements that are helpful to those with Parkinson’s.

“Actually, they can benefit anyone of any age,” Bowman noted. “They involve multi-tasking, bilateral movements, focus and brain/body connections, while engaging multiple parts of the brain simultaneously.

“These are the reasons Tai Chi and Cardio Boxing are therapeutic for people with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, autoimmune disorders and issues with the central nervous system. A lot of the symptoms are the same and those with these diseases face similar challenges.”

Parkinson’s affects the brain and causes difficulty with movements.

Symptoms, which can vary widely, include tremors, stiffness and slowness of movement. Each affects daily activities and quality of life.

In addition, some non-motor symptoms include sleep disturbances, mood changes and cognitive challenges.

Bowman expressed gratitude to Office Products Inc., which donated printing services for the walk. He also hopes to secure a food truck for the event.

20th Judicial District Juvenile Services empowers youth in Barton, Rice, Ellsworth, Stafford and Russell counties to achieve positive outcomes by offering Juvenile Intake &amp; Assessment, Immediate Intervention, Intensive Supervised Probation, Case Management, Journey to Change, Life Skills, All Stars and Youth Crew. Parents and guardians also are offered The Parent Project. Visit 1800 12th in Great Bend or call 620-793-1930.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711735614883.jpeg" alt="Jack Bowman, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2010, is helping his colleagues at Juvenile Services organize the April 27 Parkinson’s Community Walk. The event will include Tai Chi and Cardio Boxing classes." />
 <figcaption>Jack Bowman, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2010, is helping his colleagues at Juvenile Services organize the April 27 Parkinson’s Community Walk. The event will include Tai Chi and Cardio Boxing classes.</figcaption>
 </figure>A short time after a local woman asked Jack Bowman about his experiences with Parkinson’s Disease, a light bulb came on.As program advocate at Juvenile Services, Bowman had been looking for a community-service project that he and his colleagues could organize.“I got to wondering how many people, who are newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s, have questions about the resources available to them,” recalled Bowman, who was diagnosed in 2010. “This led to the planning of a Parkinson’s Community Walk to help raise awareness. We encourage the community to participate in this first-ever local event.”Clients at Juvenile Services will be on hand to distribute water, and help with set-up and clean-up.“Our staff and clients are happy to help with this and other community projects,” Bowman commented. “We are eager to share time and information with our neighbors to make our community a better place to live.”Juvenile Services is coordinating with the Parkinson’s Foundation in planning the walk, which is set for Saturday, April 27 at Jack Kilby Square in downtown Great Bend.Registration, which is free, opens at 9 a.m. and the walk starts a half-hour later. Donations to the Parkinson’s Foundation are optional and walkers do not need to solicit sponsors.Two highlights will be a 10 a.m. Tai Chi class, presented by Dee Krier of Great Bend Rec, and the 11 a.m. Cardio Boxing class, presented by Christopher Flores. Equipment is provided by Central Plains Karate.“You can walk as much or as little as you want – one lap or many laps around the square,” Bowman said. “If you only want to participate in one or both classes, that is fine with us.”Pre-registration is highly encouraged so that organizers can get a head-count and deal with waivers that must be signed for the classes. To register visit: www.parkinson.org/events/2024/mdcw-great-bend or stop in at the Juvenile Services offices, 1800 12th, Great Bend. The number is 620-793-1930.Classes/more information Tai Chi and Cardio Boxing entail movements that are helpful to those with Parkinson’s.“Actually, they can benefit anyone of any age,” Bowman noted. “They involve multi-tasking, bilateral movements, focus and brain/body connections, while engaging multiple parts of the brain simultaneously.“These are the reasons Tai Chi and Cardio Boxing are therapeutic for people with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, autoimmune disorders and issues with the central nervous system. A lot of the symptoms are the same and those with these diseases face similar challenges.”Parkinson’s affects the brain and causes difficulty with movements.Symptoms, which can vary widely, include tremors, stiffness and slowness of movement. Each affects daily activities and quality of life.In addition, some non-motor symptoms include sleep disturbances, mood changes and cognitive challenges.Bowman expressed gratitude to Office Products Inc., which donated printing services for the walk. He also hopes to secure a food truck for the event.20th Judicial District Juvenile Services empowers youth in Barton, Rice, Ellsworth, Stafford and Russell counties to achieve positive outcomes by offering Juvenile Intake &amp; Assessment, Immediate Intervention, Intensive Supervised Probation, Case Management, Journey to Change, Life Skills, All Stars and Youth Crew. Parents and guardians also are offered The Parent Project. Visit 1800 12th in Great Bend or call 620-793-1930.

Juvenile Services organizes first-ever local Parkinson’s Community Walk

Barton Community College will host student recitals at 5 p.m. April&nbsp;4 and May 2 in the Dorothy Moses Morrison Chapel in the Fine Arts Building. The recitals are free and open to the public.

Barton instrumental and vocal students will perform a wide array of styles and genres. Some of the instruments featured in the recital include various brass and woodwind instruments, violin, guitar, piano, and organ.

For more information, please contact Keyboard Instructor Alejandro Avila at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:avilaal@bartonccc.edu">avilaal@bartonccc.edu</a>&nbsp;or (620) 792-9384.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581019274170.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Story by Joe VinduskaBarton Community College will host student recitals at 5 p.m. April&nbsp;4 and May 2 in the Dorothy Moses Morrison Chapel in the Fine Arts Building. The recitals are free and open to the public.Barton instrumental and vocal students will perform a wide array of styles and genres. Some of the instruments featured in the recital include various brass and woodwind instruments, violin, guitar, piano, and organ.For more information, please contact Keyboard Instructor Alejandro Avila at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:avilaal@bartonccc.edu">avilaal@bartonccc.edu</a>&nbsp;or (620) 792-9384.

Barton music students to present spring recitals April 4

PAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly shooting in Pawnee County have made an arrest.

 Just after 5:00 p.m. Saturday, emergency dispatch was notified of a shooting that had just occurred at a property on K19 Highway South near Larned, Kansas, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett

The Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department, Larned Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol and Pawnee County EMS responded to the scene where they discovered one male gunshot victim. The individual was transported to the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital where he late died from his injuries.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is assisting in the investigation at the request of the Pawnee County Sheriff. Special agents from the KBI processed the crime scene. A formal autopsy has been ordered.

Michael Reynolds, 67 of Larned, was taken into custody at the scene without incident, on requested charges of Intentional Murder in the Second Degree and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. He is being held at the Pawnee County Jail.

PAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly shooting in Pawnee County have made an arrest. Just after 5:00 p.m. Saturday, emergency dispatch was notified of a shooting that had just occurred at a property on K19 Highway South near Larned, Kansas, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNettThe Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department, Larned Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol and Pawnee County EMS responded to the scene where they discovered one male gunshot victim. The individual was transported to the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital where he late died from his injuries.The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is assisting in the investigation at the request of the Pawnee County Sheriff. Special agents from the KBI processed the crime scene. A formal autopsy has been ordered.Michael Reynolds, 67 of Larned, was taken into custody at the scene without incident, on requested charges of Intentional Murder in the Second Degree and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. He is being held at the Pawnee County Jail.

67-year-old accused in fatal Pawnee Co. shooting

Youth Crew members recently made a trip to the Kansas Legislature to learn more about how to prevent tobacco use, as part of their affiliation with Resist Tobacco.

Take Down Tobacco Day of Advocacy was a two-day event in Topeka.

“Since students in Youth Crew have a passion for tobacco prevention, we wanted to give them the opportunity to make positive changes in their schools and communities,” said Tyler Morton, Juvenile Services prevention advocate. “We want to accommodate students on issues they care about, while supporting their efforts.

“This trip also afforded the young people the opportunity to talk with local legislators and see how the process works in Topeka. We appreciate Rep. Tory Blew taking the time to visit with us; she is a great partner for our tobacco-awareness efforts.”

Katelyn Sigler, public health educator at the Barton County Health Department, joined Morton and the students at the Topeka event.

“We want to do all we can to educate young people, as well as their parents,” Sigler commented. “We believe that once students and parents have accurate information, they often make better choices. Students educating students also makes a big impact.”

Sigler facilitates the Chronic Disease Risk Reduction grant as part of her work at the health department.

Jasmine Figueroa, Great Bend High School junior, said she “appreciated that we are beginning to talk about third-hand smoke. Most people don’t know about this and are unaware of the danger it can cause.”

Third-hand smoke occurs when tobacco smoke leaves residual chemicals on indoor surfaces and skin.

Figueroa also noted the health-equity presentation “was really moving. To be able to undo the damage caused by Big Tobacco, we have to work on the inequities they caused.”

MaKiah Webber, Hoisington Middle School eighth grader, “really enjoyed the learning experience and the interaction with other youth advocates. It also was helpful to hear about action plans and ideas from other coalitions. I appreciate all the information the speakers provided.”

The Feb. 27-28 event was sponsored by the Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition and Kansas Department of Health &amp; Environment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711734009934.jpeg" alt="Members of Youth Crew stand on the steps of the State Capitol, while advocating for tobacco-use cessation. From left to right are: Maryssa Menges and Ceira Franson, both of Central Plains High School; MaKiah Webber, Hoisington Middle School; Jasmine Figueroa, Great Bend High School; Branson Holinde, Great Bend Middle School; and Alvin Bowyer, Ellinwood High School." />
 <figcaption>Members of Youth Crew stand on the steps of the State Capitol, while advocating for tobacco-use cessation. From left to right are: Maryssa Menges and Ceira Franson, both of Central Plains High School; MaKiah Webber, Hoisington Middle School; Jasmine Figueroa, Great Bend High School; Branson Holinde, Great Bend Middle School; and Alvin Bowyer, Ellinwood High School.</figcaption>
 </figure>Youth Crew members recently made a trip to the Kansas Legislature to learn more about how to prevent tobacco use, as part of their affiliation with Resist Tobacco.Take Down Tobacco Day of Advocacy was a two-day event in Topeka.“Since students in Youth Crew have a passion for tobacco prevention, we wanted to give them the opportunity to make positive changes in their schools and communities,” said Tyler Morton, Juvenile Services prevention advocate. “We want to accommodate students on issues they care about, while supporting their efforts.“This trip also afforded the young people the opportunity to talk with local legislators and see how the process works in Topeka. We appreciate Rep. Tory Blew taking the time to visit with us; she is a great partner for our tobacco-awareness efforts.”Katelyn Sigler, public health educator at the Barton County Health Department, joined Morton and the students at the Topeka event.“We want to do all we can to educate young people, as well as their parents,” Sigler commented. “We believe that once students and parents have accurate information, they often make better choices. Students educating students also makes a big impact.”Sigler facilitates the Chronic Disease Risk Reduction grant as part of her work at the health department.Jasmine Figueroa, Great Bend High School junior, said she “appreciated that we are beginning to talk about third-hand smoke. Most people don’t know about this and are unaware of the danger it can cause.”Third-hand smoke occurs when tobacco smoke leaves residual chemicals on indoor surfaces and skin.Figueroa also noted the health-equity presentation “was really moving. To be able to undo the damage caused by Big Tobacco, we have to work on the inequities they caused.”MaKiah Webber, Hoisington Middle School eighth grader, “really enjoyed the learning experience and the interaction with other youth advocates. It also was helpful to hear about action plans and ideas from other coalitions. I appreciate all the information the speakers provided.”The Feb. 27-28 event was sponsored by the Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition and Kansas Department of Health &amp; Environment.20th Judicial District Juvenile Services empowers youth in Barton, Rice, Ellsworth, Stafford and Russell counties to achieve positive outcomes by offering Juvenile Intake &amp; Assessment, Immediate Intervention, Intensive Supervised Probation, Case Management, Journey to Change, Life Skills, All Stars and Youth Crew. Parents and guardians also are offered The Parent Project. Visit 1800 12th in Great Bend or call 620-793-1930.

Barton Co. youth attend Take Down Tobacco Day of Advocacy

Even though most people know that the early detection of colon cancer is crucial to a patient’s prognosis, Brandon Cunningham, MD, also realizes it is important to give the community a reminder every March, which is Colon Cancer Awareness Month.

Dr. Cunningham is a general surgeon who visits Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH), 923 Carroll in Larned, every other week to perform colonoscopies.

“The staff here at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital is great to work with,” Dr. Cunningham said. “They are professionals who genuinely care for their patients. It’s nice to travel to Larned to make life a little easier for those who are scheduled for colonoscopies.”

His main office is at Southwind Surgical at HaysMed.

“A colonoscopy is not only diagnostic it can also prevent colon cancer,” Dr. Cunningham noted. “If polyps are detected during this screening, they are removed before they have a chance to turn into cancer.”

The surgeon understands that patients may be a bit apprehensive about a colonoscopy but assures them “it is a very safe procedure. And since patients are sedated, they do not experience any pain.”

The day before the colonoscopy, the patient consumes prescribed amounts of MiraLAX, Gatorade and magnesium citrate.

“It is important to note that colon cancer often doesn’t result in symptoms,” Dr. Cunningham said. “Nevertheless, in some cases there can be bleeding and/or an obstruction.”

According to the American Cancer Society website, the estimated number of new colon cancer diagnoses in the United States this year will be 106,180. New cases of rectal cancer are estimated at 44,850.

“With this in mind, we encourage people who have a family history of colon cancer to talk with their physician about when to have their first screening,” Dr. Cunningham advised. “Other risk factors are smoking and inflammatory bowel disease.”

In addition to colonoscopies, he performs endoscopies and procedures associated with skin lesions at PVCH.

Dr. Cunningham graduated from The University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City where he also completed his residency. He is board certified by the American Board of Surgery.

Melanie Urban, PVCH administrator, said “it is important to provide preventive surgical services in our community and we are pleased to have such an experienced and talented surgeon as Dr. Cunningham.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711731204320.jpeg" alt="Brandon Cunningham, MD" />
 <figcaption>Brandon Cunningham, MD</figcaption>
 </figure>BUSINESS NEWSEven though most people know that the early detection of colon cancer is crucial to a patient’s prognosis, Brandon Cunningham, MD, also realizes it is important to give the community a reminder every March, which is Colon Cancer Awareness Month.Dr. Cunningham is a general surgeon who visits Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH), 923 Carroll in Larned, every other week to perform colonoscopies.“The staff here at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital is great to work with,” Dr. Cunningham said. “They are professionals who genuinely care for their patients. It’s nice to travel to Larned to make life a little easier for those who are scheduled for colonoscopies.”His main office is at Southwind Surgical at HaysMed.“A colonoscopy is not only diagnostic it can also prevent colon cancer,” Dr. Cunningham noted. “If polyps are detected during this screening, they are removed before they have a chance to turn into cancer.”The surgeon understands that patients may be a bit apprehensive about a colonoscopy but assures them “it is a very safe procedure. And since patients are sedated, they do not experience any pain.”The day before the colonoscopy, the patient consumes prescribed amounts of MiraLAX, Gatorade and magnesium citrate.“It is important to note that colon cancer often doesn’t result in symptoms,” Dr. Cunningham said. “Nevertheless, in some cases there can be bleeding and/or an obstruction.”According to the American Cancer Society website, the estimated number of new colon cancer diagnoses in the United States this year will be 106,180. New cases of rectal cancer are estimated at 44,850.“With this in mind, we encourage people who have a family history of colon cancer to talk with their physician about when to have their first screening,” Dr. Cunningham advised. “Other risk factors are smoking and inflammatory bowel disease.”In addition to colonoscopies, he performs endoscopies and procedures associated with skin lesions at PVCH.Dr. Cunningham graduated from The University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City where he also completed his residency. He is board certified by the American Board of Surgery.Melanie Urban, PVCH administrator, said “it is important to provide preventive surgical services in our community and we are pleased to have such an experienced and talented surgeon as Dr. Cunningham.”

Larned surgeon shares colon-cancer facts during special month

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Kansas State Director Christy Davis announced $1,809,677 in investments in renewable energy and efficiency projects to lower costs, generate new income and create jobs for Kansas farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses.

“USDA is committed to&nbsp;ensuring rural Kansas is benefitting from the clean energy economy,” Davis said. “These investments will expand access to renewable energy while creating good-paying jobs and saving Kansas communities and businesses money.”

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Kansas State Director Christy Davis announced $1,809,677 in investments in renewable energy and efficiency projects to lower costs, generate new income and create jobs for Kansas farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses.“USDA is committed to&nbsp;ensuring rural Kansas is benefitting from the clean energy economy,” Davis said. “These investments will expand access to renewable energy while creating good-paying jobs and saving Kansas communities and businesses money.”The details of the Kansas projects are:<ul>
 <li>A&nbsp;$189,554 grant&nbsp;will help purchase and install 45.6 kW and 107.5 kW solar arrays for Concrete Service Co. Inc. in&nbsp;Barton and Ellis counties.&nbsp;This project will generate 225,623 kWh per year, enough to power 20 homes and save&nbsp;$19,628 per year.</li><li>A&nbsp;$39,532 grant&nbsp;will help purchase and install energy efficient improvements including new HVAC systems, resized ducting, heaters, and a waste oil heater for Niece Products of Kansas Inc in&nbsp;Fort Scott. The project is expected to save 1,943,100 cubic feet of natural gas, 1,160 gallons of diesel, and 85,293 kWh of electricity, the energy equivalent of powering 65 homes. The project is expected to save the company $41,037 per year in fuel, gas, and electricity costs.</li><li>A&nbsp;$62,027 grant&nbsp;will help purchase and install a 34 kW solar photovoltaic renewable energy system for Route 66 Hardware of&nbsp;Baxter Springs. The project is expected to generate 45,594 kWh per year, enough to power four homes and save the company $6,233 per year in electrical costs.</li><li>A&nbsp;$181,925 grant&nbsp;will help purchase and install three rooftop solar photovoltaic renewable energy systems, an 83 kW and two 17 kW systems, for American Bank at their&nbsp;Baxter Springs&nbsp;and&nbsp;Galena&nbsp;locations. The project is expected to replace 174,829 kWh per year, enough to power 16 homes and save the company $28,369 per year in electrical costs.</li><li>A&nbsp;$219,284 grant&nbsp;will help purchase and install two solar photovoltaic renewable energy systems, a 72.80 kW system and an 84.24 kW system, for US Assets Recovery LLC of&nbsp;Galena. The project is expected to generate 216,915 kWh per year, enough to power 20 homes. The project is expected to save the company $35,220 per year in electrical costs.</li><li>A&nbsp;$9,360 grant&nbsp;will help purchase and install a 6.24 kW solar photovoltaic renewable energy system for Brian Jordan's commercial property management business in&nbsp;Galena. The project is expected to replace 8,395 kWh per year and save the company $1,352 per year in electrical costs.</li><li>A&nbsp;$16,380 grant&nbsp;will help purchase and install a 10.92 kW solar photovoltaic renewable energy system for Liberty Hall LLC of&nbsp;Galena. The project is expected to replace 17,009 kWh per year and save the company $2,450 per year in electrical costs.</li><li>A&nbsp;$20,659 grant&nbsp;will help purchase and install a 14.08 kW solar photovoltaic renewable energy system for Clark Repair of&nbsp;Baldwin City. The project is expected to replace 20,697 kWh per year, enough to power two homes and save the company $2,621 per year in electrical costs.</li><li>A&nbsp;$51,250 grant&nbsp;will help purchase and install a 41 kW solar array for&nbsp;Hi-Plain Farm Equipment Inc. of&nbsp;Dodge City. This project will generate 55,068 kWh per year, enough to power five homes and save&nbsp;$3,870 per year.</li><li>A&nbsp;$156,183 grant&nbsp;will help purchase and install a 137.16 kW solar array for Blake Koehn, an ag producer in&nbsp;Grant County. This project will produce 250,279 kWh per year, enough electricity to power 23 homes.</li><li>A&nbsp;$21,734 grant&nbsp;will help purchase and install a 15.96 kW solar array for Rick's Auto Repair LLC in&nbsp;Gray County. This project will generate 27,415 kWh per year, enough electricity to power two homes.</li><li>A&nbsp;$22,028 grant&nbsp;will help purchase and install a 114.72 kW solar array for Country Feeds Co. in&nbsp;Gray County. This project will produce 184,860 kWh per year, enough electricity to power 17 homes.</li><li>A&nbsp;$70,565 grant&nbsp;will help purchase and install a 60.48 kW solar array for&nbsp;Nichols Ironworks LLC in&nbsp;Haskell County. This project will produce 89,498 kWh per year, enough electricity to power eight homes.</li><li>A&nbsp;$46,966 grant&nbsp;will help purchase and install three solar photovoltaic renewable energy system rated at 6.32 kW, 10.66 kW, and 15.40 kW for RVH Properties LLC of&nbsp;Dennis. The project is expected to replace 71,585 kWh per year, enough to power seven homes and save the company $5,599 per year in electrical costs.</li><li>A&nbsp;$60,494 grant&nbsp;will help purchase and install a 34.1 kW solar photovoltaic renewable energy system for Summit Center LLC&nbsp;of&nbsp;Emporia. The project is expected to replace 54,287 kWh per year, enough to power five homes and save the company $7,744 per year in electrical costs.</li><li>A&nbsp;$68,957 grant&nbsp;will help purchase and install a 59.2 kW solar array for Rusty Feather LLC of&nbsp;Canton. The project is estimated to replace 74,896 kWh per year, enough energy to power seven homes.&nbsp;</li><li>A&nbsp;$12,187 grant&nbsp;will help purchase and install a 7.5 kW solar photovoltaic renewable energy system&nbsp;for&nbsp;Ports Farms LLC of&nbsp;Chanute. The project is expected to replace 10,030 kWh per year, enough to power one home. The project is expected to save the company $1,522 per year in electrical costs.</li><li>A&nbsp;$106,850 grant&nbsp;will help purchase and install an 81 kW and 40 kW solar arrays for Fusion Bank of&nbsp;Pratt&nbsp;and&nbsp;Larned. The project is estimated to replace 180,047 kWh per year, enough energy to power 16 homes.&nbsp;</li><li>A&nbsp;$110,625 grant&nbsp;help purchase and install an 80 kW and 31 kW solar arrays for Mix-America Redi-Mix Inc. of&nbsp;Hutchinson&nbsp;and&nbsp;Lyons. The project is estimated to replace 65,060 kWh per year, enough energy to power six homes.</li><li>A&nbsp;$61,745 grant&nbsp;will help purchase and install a 40 kW solar array for Hutchinson Transportation Company Inc. of&nbsp;Hutchinson. The project is estimated to replace 65,060 kWh per year, enough energy to power six homes.</li><li>A&nbsp;$56,540 grant&nbsp;will help purchase and install a 47 kW solar array for&nbsp;Custer County Concrete Inc. of&nbsp;Great Bend. The project is estimated to replace 54,199 kWh per year, enough energy to power five homes.</li><li>A&nbsp;$67,717 grant&nbsp;will help purchase and install a 75 kW solar array for Doug Bradley Trucking Inc. of&nbsp;Salina. The project is estimated to replace 97,201 kWh per year, enough energy to power nine homes.</li><li>A&nbsp;$78,250 grant&nbsp;will help purchase and install a 25 kW wind turbine for St. Francis Feed Yard LLC in&nbsp;Sherman County. This project will generate 123,965 kWh per year, enough electricity to power 11 homes and save&nbsp;$8,895 per year.</li><li>A&nbsp;$34,750 grant&nbsp;will help purchase and install a 21.4 kW solar array for&nbsp;Ricky Totten, an agricultural producer in&nbsp;Oxford. The project is estimated to replace 29,494 kWh per year, enough energy to power two homes.</li>
 </ul>

$189K grant for solar arrays in Barton & Ellis counties

March is Women’s History Month. There have been articles highlighting the historical achievements of women on the national, state, and local levels. This annual celebration has been observed since 1987. The theme for 2024 is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.” I have researched some of the lesser-known or forgotten names of remarkable women who actively worked toward eliminating bias and discrimination in various fields and institutions. Here are some exceptional women to honor and remember.

Jeannette Pickering Rankin from Montana was the first woman elected to Congress in 1916. When she returned to school in 1910 in Seattle, she joined the state suffrage association and lobbied for women’s right to vote. As a legislator, maternal and child healthcare was important to her, and the regulation of hours and wages of women workers.

Mildred Didrikson Zaharias or “Babe” was from Texas and was the first woman to play in an all-male PGA Tour event in 1934. Two years earlier she entered the U.S. women’s track and field championship as the sole team member winning five events and the overall championship. Babe and other female golfers formed the Ladies Professional Golf Association in 1950.

While Hedy Lamar was a successful actress in Hollywood, she was also dubbed ‘the mother of Wi-Fi.” She developed a technological concept of frequency hopping during WWII along with composer Geroge Antheil. This was the forerunner to what we now call Bluetooth. She was eager to defeat the Nazis after the sinking of a British passenger ship in 1940.

Fifteen-year-old Claudette Colvin was too tired to give up her seat on the bus ride home in Montgomery to a white passenger in 1955, nine months before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat. Claudette was arrested, pled guilty, and received probation. She was one of the four plaintiffs in a court case that ruled against the unconstitutionality of the Montgomery segregated bus system.

Rosalind Franklin led a research team in England to study DNA structure at the same time when women were not allowed to eat in her college’s cafeteria. Her groundbreaking x-ray image of DNA, called Photo 51, revealed the spiral shape of the DNA molecule. Her work was barely mentioned when other researchers, James Watson, and Francis Crick, went on to win the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for proposing the double helix structure of the DNA molecule.

American physician, Dr. Mae Jemison, is the first African American female astronaut. She began her career at NASA in 1987. Five years later she became the first African American woman in space as a science mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Before NASA she worked in a refugee camp in Thailand and the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone and Liberia.

There is a Chinese quote by Mao Zedong that ‘Women hold up half the sky.” Women make up just a little over 50% of the population in the United States. It is a little less worldwide. According to usafacts.org 63% of women voted in the 2020 presidential election, compared to 59.5% of men. Women have voted at a higher rate than men in presidential elections since the 1980s. Let us continue to make our voices heard in the 2024 elections.

Janice Walker Great Bend

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682693187287.jpeg" alt="written by: Janice Walker, president of League of Women Voters Great Bend - Barton County" />
 <figcaption>written by: Janice Walker, president of League of Women Voters Great Bend - Barton County</figcaption>
 </figure>March is Women’s History Month. There have been articles highlighting the historical achievements of women on the national, state, and local levels. This annual celebration has been observed since 1987. The theme for 2024 is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.” I have researched some of the lesser-known or forgotten names of remarkable women who actively worked toward eliminating bias and discrimination in various fields and institutions. Here are some exceptional women to honor and remember.Jeannette Pickering Rankin from Montana was the first woman elected to Congress in 1916. When she returned to school in 1910 in Seattle, she joined the state suffrage association and lobbied for women’s right to vote. As a legislator, maternal and child healthcare was important to her, and the regulation of hours and wages of women workers.Mildred Didrikson Zaharias or “Babe” was from Texas and was the first woman to play in an all-male PGA Tour event in 1934. Two years earlier she entered the U.S. women’s track and field championship as the sole team member winning five events and the overall championship. Babe and other female golfers formed the Ladies Professional Golf Association in 1950.While Hedy Lamar was a successful actress in Hollywood, she was also dubbed ‘the mother of Wi-Fi.” She developed a technological concept of frequency hopping during WWII along with composer Geroge Antheil. This was the forerunner to what we now call Bluetooth. She was eager to defeat the Nazis after the sinking of a British passenger ship in 1940.Fifteen-year-old Claudette Colvin was too tired to give up her seat on the bus ride home in Montgomery to a white passenger in 1955, nine months before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat. Claudette was arrested, pled guilty, and received probation. She was one of the four plaintiffs in a court case that ruled against the unconstitutionality of the Montgomery segregated bus system.Rosalind Franklin led a research team in England to study DNA structure at the same time when women were not allowed to eat in her college’s cafeteria. Her groundbreaking x-ray image of DNA, called Photo 51, revealed the spiral shape of the DNA molecule. Her work was barely mentioned when other researchers, James Watson, and Francis Crick, went on to win the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for proposing the double helix structure of the DNA molecule.American physician, Dr. Mae Jemison, is the first African American female astronaut. She began her career at NASA in 1987. Five years later she became the first African American woman in space as a science mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Before NASA she worked in a refugee camp in Thailand and the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone and Liberia.There is a Chinese quote by Mao Zedong that ‘Women hold up half the sky.” Women make up just a little over 50% of the population in the United States. It is a little less worldwide. According to usafacts.org 63% of women voted in the 2020 presidential election, compared to 59.5% of men. Women have voted at a higher rate than men in presidential elections since the 1980s. Let us continue to make our voices heard in the 2024 elections.Janice Walker Great Bend

League of Women Voters Great Bend - Women hold up half the sky

Cougars National Champions! Barton 88, Triton College 73 

Hoisington Public Library, 169 S. Walnut, will host “Last Stand at Rebel Creek: The Osage as Union Allies in Civil War Kansas,” a presentation and discussion by Dr. Isaias McCaffery at 10 a.m. April 20. Members of the community are invited to attend the free program. Refreshments will be served.

As conflicts between states increased during the Civil War, both the Union and the Confederacy tried to use the Osage to achieve their own aims. Initially divided over how their people should respond, the Osage eventually emerged as important allies of the Union forces, thwarting an 1863 Confederate expedition tasked with reviving Southern resistance in Colorado and New Mexico territories. This presentation explores these contributions.

Dr. McCaffery, a history professor at Independence Community College, is past president of the Kansas Association of Historians. He authored “Wi Leahre Plautdietsch: An Beginner’s Guide to Mennonite Low German,” published in 2009.

“Last Stand at Rebel Creek: The Osage as Union Allies in Civil War Kansas” is part of Humanities Kansas's Speakers Bureau and “21st Century Civics,” a collection of resources that invite Kansans to participate in community discussions and learn more about the history of American democracy and the shared responsibilities of citizenship. “21st Century Civics” is made possible with support from “A More Perfect Union: America at 250,” an initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

This program is made possible by Humanities Kansas. Contact the library at 620-653-4128 for more information.

For more information about “Last Stand at Rebel Creek: The Osage as Union Allies in Civil War Kansas” in [Community] contact the [Host Organization] at [Phone Number] or visit [Website].

About Humanities Kansas Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit leading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696440106933.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hoisington Public Library, 169 S. Walnut, will host “Last Stand at Rebel Creek: The Osage as Union Allies in Civil War Kansas,” a presentation and discussion by Dr. Isaias McCaffery at 10 a.m. April 20. Members of the community are invited to attend the free program. Refreshments will be served.As conflicts between states increased during the Civil War, both the Union and the Confederacy tried to use the Osage to achieve their own aims. Initially divided over how their people should respond, the Osage eventually emerged as important allies of the Union forces, thwarting an 1863 Confederate expedition tasked with reviving Southern resistance in Colorado and New Mexico territories. This presentation explores these contributions.Dr. McCaffery, a history professor at Independence Community College, is past president of the Kansas Association of Historians. He authored “Wi Leahre Plautdietsch: An Beginner’s Guide to Mennonite Low German,” published in 2009.“Last Stand at Rebel Creek: The Osage as Union Allies in Civil War Kansas” is part of Humanities Kansas's Speakers Bureau and “21st Century Civics,” a collection of resources that invite Kansans to participate in community discussions and learn more about the history of American democracy and the shared responsibilities of citizenship. “21st Century Civics” is made possible with support from “A More Perfect Union: America at 250,” an initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities.This program is made possible by Humanities Kansas. Contact the library at 620-653-4128 for more information.For more information about “Last Stand at Rebel Creek: The Osage as Union Allies in Civil War Kansas” in [Community] contact the [Host Organization] at [Phone Number] or visit [Website].About Humanities Kansas Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit leading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.

Hoisington library to host Civil War presentation

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with new Barton Community College President Marcus Garstecki.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eWEFnvTX8pw?si=nBsAhPwpTGtLnc8V" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with new Barton Community College President Marcus Garstecki.

🎤Forward Ever: New Barton Community College President Marcus Garstecki

Story by Joe Vinduska, courtesy photos submitted

The Shafer Gallery will host an opening reception for its “Terra Et Intus” exhibit from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 12 in the Gallery and will feature light refreshments and a talk by artist and Barton Art Instructor Mark Freeman.

Shafer Gallery Director Alyssa Bliven said the exhibit features captivating 3D pieces.

“Mark Freeman is a truly talented artist, and we at Barton Community College are fortunate to have him as both an instructor and coworker,” she said. “It is with great excitement that I present his Fort Hays MFA thesis work, 'Terra Et Intus,' at the Shafer Gallery. Mark primarily works in clay and glaze but also explores other mediums such as wood, paint, foam, and organic materials. To quote Mark, he is 'deeply rooted in all aspects of the ceramic process.' As a viewer, I find his glazes captivating and unique within the world of ceramics. Mark diligently strives to replicate the textures found in nature, sometimes creating pieces that seem as though they're covered with microscopic biomes teeming with life. In Mark's own words, he 'will continue this body of work, hoping to raise awareness of the microscopic beauty of the earth and within ourselves that we often take for granted.'"

The exhibit will run through April 20. The Shafer Gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is always free.&nbsp;For more information, contact Bliven at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:shafergallery@bartonccc.edu">shafergallery@bartonccc.edu</a>&nbsp;or (620) 792-9342.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711650919600.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Story by Joe Vinduska, courtesy photos submittedThe Shafer Gallery will host an opening reception for its “Terra Et Intus” exhibit from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 12 in the Gallery and will feature light refreshments and a talk by artist and Barton Art Instructor Mark Freeman.Shafer Gallery Director Alyssa Bliven said the exhibit features captivating 3D pieces.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711650943384.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“Mark Freeman is a truly talented artist, and we at Barton Community College are fortunate to have him as both an instructor and coworker,” she said. “It is with great excitement that I present his Fort Hays MFA thesis work, 'Terra Et Intus,' at the Shafer Gallery. Mark primarily works in clay and glaze but also explores other mediums such as wood, paint, foam, and organic materials. To quote Mark, he is 'deeply rooted in all aspects of the ceramic process.' As a viewer, I find his glazes captivating and unique within the world of ceramics. Mark diligently strives to replicate the textures found in nature, sometimes creating pieces that seem as though they're covered with microscopic biomes teeming with life. In Mark's own words, he 'will continue this body of work, hoping to raise awareness of the microscopic beauty of the earth and within ourselves that we often take for granted.'"The exhibit will run through April 20. The Shafer Gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is always free.&nbsp;For more information, contact Bliven at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:shafergallery@bartonccc.edu">shafergallery@bartonccc.edu</a>&nbsp;or (620) 792-9342.

Shafer Gallery to host opening reception for 'Terra Et Intus' exhibit

The Barton Community College men's basketball team will compete in the NJCAA National Championship game on Saturday, March 30 against Triton College (Illinois).

You can follow all the action by listening on 104.3 FM or online by clicking <a href="https://b1043.net/">HERE</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604702295823.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Barton Community College men's basketball team will compete in the NJCAA National Championship game on Saturday, March 30 against Triton College (Illinois).You can follow all the action by listening on 104.3 FM or online by clicking <a href="https://b1043.net/">HERE</a>.Tip-off from Hutchinson is at 1 p.m.

🎧Listen LIVE: Barton 🏀 at the National Tournament 

It’s a two-minute recap of the headlines that broke this past week in the Golden Belt. For the full stories, click the links below.

<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/4c5c87f3-0481-48e1-b2e1-33fe73e550e1">US WarDogs military baseball program to play in Great Bend</a>

<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/bb97a86b-d456-43e9-b37f-2ce1d907cc73">Barton Co. first responders busy with weather accidents</a>

<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/6df46ce4-7313-41df-b901-e39114788a89">Logistics of using Great Bend's new kayak rentals</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711487961844.jpeg" alt="The U.S. Military WarDogs baseball team will play in Great Bend on July 8 against the Great Bend Bat Cats." />
 <figcaption>The U.S. Military WarDogs baseball team will play in Great Bend on July 8 against the Great Bend Bat Cats.</figcaption>
 </figure>It’s a two-minute recap of the headlines that broke this past week in the Golden Belt. For the full stories, click the links below.<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/grhfgdhj/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/4c5c87f3-0481-48e1-b2e1-33fe73e550e1">US WarDogs military baseball program to play in Great Bend</a><a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/bb97a86b-d456-43e9-b37f-2ce1d907cc73">Barton Co. first responders busy with weather accidents</a><a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/6df46ce4-7313-41df-b901-e39114788a89">Logistics of using Great Bend's new kayak rentals</a>

Eagle Radio's news week in review

By MIKE COURSON&nbsp; Great Bend Post

Smiles, energy, and enthusiasm. As it turns out, those are the ingredients for "Wheel of Fortune" fans to become contestants. Doing just that has been a longtime dream for Great Bend native Kiley Klug, now an English teacher at Hoisington Middle School. Those dreams came true after one of Klug's many attempts to get on the show finally panned out. Her show will air on Friday, April 5 on NBC.

"I have been a 'Wheel of Fortune' nerd as far back as I can remember," she said. "I applied online in my 20s and never heard anything. Probably between a year and a half to two years ago, they started with post-COVID and they weren't traveling anymore, and they had video applications."

Then the waiting game began. One day, Klug was teaching her class when an email from the show popped up. Unable to wait, Klug had her paraprofessional, Cassie Morales, check it out.

"I told her, 'I just got an email from "Wheel of Fortune,"' Klug said. "'There's no way. It has to be spam. It has to be a prank or a hoax.'"

Morales reported that everything seemed legitimate. Klug confirmed that she was moving on to the next stage of the audition process, which would be a meeting via Zoom.

"I was devastated the first time around," said Klug. "I was stalking my email and they never sent me the Zoom look. I thought that was it. My name would get lost and nothing would ever come of it. I tried to forget about it."

But a month later, another email popped up. "I tried not to get my hopes up," Klug said. "I had told everybody. I told my boss. I told everybody in the school, then nothing came of it. I looked kind of foolish."

This time, everything worked out. Klug was provided a link for a Zoom meeting the next day. She got permission from her principal to leave the classroom for a few minutes. In the five-minute meeting, a producer reminded Klug to bring her smile, energy, and enthusiasm. She immediately qualified for a second audition, but only if she promised to bring more of that personality.

"I'm telling you, 'Wheel of Fortune,' yes there's a bit of puzzle solving and strategy, but No. 1, they are looking for smile, energy, enthusiasm, and they tell you that at every turn. They want somebody fun to watch."

The second audition included another potential contestant from Illinois. They solved three toss-up puzzles, with Klug winning two of the games. In a breakout session that followed, Klug was less confident after solving about half of the 16 puzzles presented.

"At the end, the producer comes on and says, 'Okay, we're done. Bye!'" Klug said. "That was it. I didn't get a good vibe from that at all."

The waiting game began anew. Klug Google searched information from others who have auditioned. She was checking her email two dozen times a day for good news or bad. Finally, five weeks later, a last-minute check of the email before going to bed revealed the best of news.

"I briefly saw my taping date was two weeks from that day," she said. "I started screaming. The second I started screaming, my husband knew exactly what happened."

The email informed Klug her taping date would be Feb. 22 at the Sony Picture Studios in Culver City, Calif., a suburb of Los Angeles. She had to pay for her own accommodations to get there but if she was selected for a taping, the show would provide a $1,000 stipend.

There was a caveat: 21 potential contestants were invited to record six shows that day. With just three contestants on each show, that meant three would remain as alternates. Out-of-state alternates were given just a $750 travel stipend.

Klug traveled with her husband, Gavin, her sister, Rachel, and two of her three sons. She arrived at the studio at 6:15 a.m., 30 minutes early to demonstrate some enthusiasm. The contestants were ushered into the "Jeopardy" studio where Vanna White stopped in to introduce herself.

"She came in and told us all good morning and tried to hype us up a little bit," said Klug. "She's everything she is on TV. She's super-sweet and so kind."

While in the "Jeopardy" studio, the potential contestants watched a video on possible strategies and categories that may be included in a taping. All morning long, producers reminded the group to keep up their smiles, energy, and enthusiasm.

In a strange bit of fate, Klug had posted about her upcoming trip to Los Angeles on social media. One of her husband's friends sent her a message: one of his friends from Holton would also be making the trip. Klug was able to meet that contestant who also made the show.

From the "Jeopardy" set, the contestants moved to the "Wheel of Fortune" set where they practiced spinning the wheel. They were grouped and played a single round of the game. Contestants were then named three at a time and a ping pong ball was drawn to determine which taping those contestants would attend. Klug was one of the final contestants named and her group drew the fourth taping.

Klug had to give up her phone when she arrived at the studio. Her family was allowed into the "Wheel of Fortune" studio at 11 a.m., but contestants were sat on the opposite side of the studio and the two sides were to have no contact.

"My husband, my sister, my kids, they're all trying to get my attention," Klug said. "I had to straight-up ignore them."

Just days before the group departed Kansas, Klug's husband had overheard a conversation with producers that three alternates would be selected. They anxiously awaited Klug to make her appearance on the stage with no knowledge she would be in the fourth taping. They sat through three tapings with no sign of Kiley, then had to break for lunch.

"They leave and they are beside themselves," Klug said. "They are down. They are depressed. They are thinking this isn't going to happen. She's going to be an alternate and we're going to stay here all day until 7 p.m. for nothing. They were so upset."

With everyone back in the studio after lunch, the family no longer saw Klug in her bright pink blazer sitting on the other side of the room. Sure enough, they exploded with excitement as she made her way onto the stage.

Then it was introduction time. Klug graduated from Great Bend High School but lives in Odin. "They were very, very interested in the fact that I was from a town with 100 people," she said.

Klug had promised her students she would give them a shoutout during the introduction. A producer told her she would have to leave that bit behind.

"It ended up being too confusing to include that I was both from a town of 100 people and that I had around 100 students at Hoisington Middle School," Klug said. "We had to nix the part of my introduction where I gave my school and kids a shoutout. I was really bummed about that."

Then it was showtime. "Wheel of Fortune" is 22 minutes of actual airtime on NBC. Klug estimated the average taping took approximately 40 minutes.

"On my show, for some reason or another, a puzzle was compromised and we were in the middle of a round," she said. "We all had to turn around and it took a while for them to get it all figured out."

Klug said the taping of the show otherwise resembled exactly what viewers see on TV. She never had the stage fright many gameshow players often describe.

"I was 100 percent shocked at how calm and collected I felt up there," she said. "It was so bizarre. I've always been so nervous; nervous about public speaking. Obviously, after so long, I've gotten better about it. I was not nervous at all. It was so surreal and bizarre. I really felt like I was solving puzzles at home. I know not a lot of people wouldn't agree with me on that. I know some other contestants were very nervous and froze."

Klug has proven she can keep a secret. Strict rules prohibit her from releasing any details about the outcome of the game prior to its air date. She thinks that actually adds to the fun.

"My mother is not very excited that I can't tell her anything," she said. "But I don't want to cheat them out of seeing all this for the first time. I feel like it's just so entertaining. Whether I win or lose, I want them to experience this the first time when they watch it for the first time. I feel like it would ruin the whole experience if they learned anything about it."

Klug will make her big television debut at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 5.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710422086057.jpeg" alt="

Watch for the pink blazer on the April 5 airing of 'Wheel of Fortune.' Great Bend native Kiley Klug (right) will fulfill a longtime dream as a contestant on the show after taping in February. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>

Watch for the pink blazer on the April 5 airing of 'Wheel of Fortune.' Great Bend native Kiley Klug (right) will fulfill a longtime dream as a contestant on the show after taping in February. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON&nbsp; Great Bend PostSmiles, energy, and enthusiasm. As it turns out, those are the ingredients for "Wheel of Fortune" fans to become contestants. Doing just that has been a longtime dream for Great Bend native Kiley Klug, now an English teacher at Hoisington Middle School. Those dreams came true after one of Klug's many attempts to get on the show finally panned out. Her show will air on Friday, April 5 on NBC."I have been a 'Wheel of Fortune' nerd as far back as I can remember," she said. "I applied online in my 20s and never heard anything. Probably between a year and a half to two years ago, they started with post-COVID and they weren't traveling anymore, and they had video applications."Then the waiting game began. One day, Klug was teaching her class when an email from the show popped up. Unable to wait, Klug had her paraprofessional, Cassie Morales, check it out."I told her, 'I just got an email from "Wheel of Fortune,"' Klug said. "'There's no way. It has to be spam. It has to be a prank or a hoax.'"Morales reported that everything seemed legitimate. Klug confirmed that she was moving on to the next stage of the audition process, which would be a meeting via Zoom.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710422249917.jpeg" alt="

-Klug made the trip to California with her husband, Gavin, and two sons. Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>

-Klug made the trip to California with her husband, Gavin, and two sons. Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>"I was devastated the first time around," said Klug. "I was stalking my email and they never sent me the Zoom look. I thought that was it. My name would get lost and nothing would ever come of it. I tried to forget about it."But a month later, another email popped up. "I tried not to get my hopes up," Klug said. "I had told everybody. I told my boss. I told everybody in the school, then nothing came of it. I looked kind of foolish."This time, everything worked out. Klug was provided a link for a Zoom meeting the next day. She got permission from her principal to leave the classroom for a few minutes. In the five-minute meeting, a producer reminded Klug to bring her smile, energy, and enthusiasm. She immediately qualified for a second audition, but only if she promised to bring more of that personality."I'm telling you, 'Wheel of Fortune,' yes there's a bit of puzzle solving and strategy, but No. 1, they are looking for smile, energy, enthusiasm, and they tell you that at every turn. They want somebody fun to watch."The second audition included another potential contestant from Illinois. They solved three toss-up puzzles, with Klug winning two of the games. In a breakout session that followed, Klug was less confident after solving about half of the 16 puzzles presented."At the end, the producer comes on and says, 'Okay, we're done. Bye!'" Klug said. "That was it. I didn't get a good vibe from that at all."The waiting game began anew. Klug Google searched information from others who have auditioned. She was checking her email two dozen times a day for good news or bad. Finally, five weeks later, a last-minute check of the email before going to bed revealed the best of news."I briefly saw my taping date was two weeks from that day," she said. "I started screaming. The second I started screaming, my husband knew exactly what happened."The email informed Klug her taping date would be Feb. 22 at the Sony Picture Studios in Culver City, Calif., a suburb of Los Angeles. She had to pay for her own accommodations to get there but if she was selected for a taping, the show would provide a $1,000 stipend.There was a caveat: 21 potential contestants were invited to record six shows that day. With just three contestants on each show, that meant three would remain as alternates. Out-of-state alternates were given just a $750 travel stipend.Klug traveled with her husband, Gavin, her sister, Rachel, and two of her three sons. She arrived at the studio at 6:15 a.m., 30 minutes early to demonstrate some enthusiasm. The contestants were ushered into the "Jeopardy" studio where Vanna White stopped in to introduce herself."She came in and told us all good morning and tried to hype us up a little bit," said Klug. "She's everything she is on TV. She's super-sweet and so kind."While in the "Jeopardy" studio, the potential contestants watched a video on possible strategies and categories that may be included in a taping. All morning long, producers reminded the group to keep up their smiles, energy, and enthusiasm.In a strange bit of fate, Klug had posted about her upcoming trip to Los Angeles on social media. One of her husband's friends sent her a message: one of his friends from Holton would also be making the trip. Klug was able to meet that contestant who also made the show.From the "Jeopardy" set, the contestants moved to the "Wheel of Fortune" set where they practiced spinning the wheel. They were grouped and played a single round of the game. Contestants were then named three at a time and a ping pong ball was drawn to determine which taping those contestants would attend. Klug was one of the final contestants named and her group drew the fourth taping.Klug had to give up her phone when she arrived at the studio. Her family was allowed into the "Wheel of Fortune" studio at 11 a.m., but contestants were sat on the opposite side of the studio and the two sides were to have no contact."My husband, my sister, my kids, they're all trying to get my attention," Klug said. "I had to straight-up ignore them."Just days before the group departed Kansas, Klug's husband had overheard a conversation with producers that three alternates would be selected. They anxiously awaited Klug to make her appearance on the stage with no knowledge she would be in the fourth taping. They sat through three tapings with no sign of Kiley, then had to break for lunch."They leave and they are beside themselves," Klug said. "They are down. They are depressed. They are thinking this isn't going to happen. She's going to be an alternate and we're going to stay here all day until 7 p.m. for nothing. They were so upset."With everyone back in the studio after lunch, the family no longer saw Klug in her bright pink blazer sitting on the other side of the room. Sure enough, they exploded with excitement as she made her way onto the stage.Then it was introduction time. Klug graduated from Great Bend High School but lives in Odin. "They were very, very interested in the fact that I was from a town with 100 people," she said.Klug had promised her students she would give them a shoutout during the introduction. A producer told her she would have to leave that bit behind."It ended up being too confusing to include that I was both from a town of 100 people and that I had around 100 students at Hoisington Middle School," Klug said. "We had to nix the part of my introduction where I gave my school and kids a shoutout. I was really bummed about that."Then it was showtime. "Wheel of Fortune" is 22 minutes of actual airtime on NBC. Klug estimated the average taping took approximately 40 minutes."On my show, for some reason or another, a puzzle was compromised and we were in the middle of a round," she said. "We all had to turn around and it took a while for them to get it all figured out."Klug said the taping of the show otherwise resembled exactly what viewers see on TV. She never had the stage fright many gameshow players often describe."I was 100 percent shocked at how calm and collected I felt up there," she said. "It was so bizarre. I've always been so nervous; nervous about public speaking. Obviously, after so long, I've gotten better about it. I was not nervous at all. It was so surreal and bizarre. I really felt like I was solving puzzles at home. I know not a lot of people wouldn't agree with me on that. I know some other contestants were very nervous and froze."Klug has proven she can keep a secret. Strict rules prohibit her from releasing any details about the outcome of the game prior to its air date. She thinks that actually adds to the fun."My mother is not very excited that I can't tell her anything," she said. "But I don't want to cheat them out of seeing all this for the first time. I feel like it's just so entertaining. Whether I win or lose, I want them to experience this the first time when they watch it for the first time. I feel like it would ruin the whole experience if they learned anything about it."Klug will make her big television debut at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 5.

Great Bend native appearing on Wheel of Fortune on April 5

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

Greystone was the big winner at the inaugural Ignite Rural Business Competition put on by Great Bend Economic Development and Network Kansas last October. The future event space in downtown Great Bend won the $50,000 grand prize in the contest. Andrea Bauer, one of the partners of the business, said renovations must come first.

"We'd looked at it multiple times, but being a historic building, renovations are not for the faint of heart," she said. "It takes more time and more resources, to be honest. We looked for stained-glass vendors and in about a four-state region, Hoefer's Stained Glass in Hutchinson is the expert."

Finding an expert was merely step one. Bauer, along with co-partners Rob Bauer, and Matt and Dena Hiss, had to wait until Hoefer's could find supplies and fit them into an already busy schedule. Work has been ongoing since the fall, and Greystone is ready to debut its renovated windows this weekend.

"It was a very in-depth process," Bauer said. "There were boom lifts and heavy equipment on site for multiple days at a time. We appreciate the patience of Yours Truly and Great Bend Coffee and their working with us. Now that they're back in place, we're hoping to actually leave the lights on upstairs this Easter weekend so people can drive by and appreciate the beauty of the stained-glass windows. Once we do have an up-and-running venue on the second floor, there will be a lot more life and activity in those windows on a regular basis."

The Greystone Building, located at 2015 Lakin in downtown Great Bend, was formerly known as the Great Bend Masonic Lodge. The building was set in 1928 at the site of the Elite Theatre, with the structure that exists today being built on top of the theatre, adding second and third floors to the former building.

One hundred years ago, street-level storefronts housed several businesses, service providers, and religious groups. The upper floors of the Masonic Lodge served as a meeting space for the Free Masons and Easter Star. The Masons sold the building in 2005, and it was resold again in 2014 to the Bauers and Hisses. In 2021, renovations began on the outside, thanks in part, to the Barton County Façade Improvement Program.

"We are grateful to the Barton County Commission for their assistance through the Façade Grant Program," said Bauer. "Our grant was primarily dedicated to the window restoration and an awning for Great Bend Coffee. In all, we've invested over $44,000 in improvements to our façade. In the face of supply chain issues and our vendor's schedule, the county has been flexible and supportive of us in allowing several extensions."&nbsp;

While renovations continue inside, the stained-glass windows have been a visible component of the renovation. Nineteen windows have been fully restored.

"This is full restoration, not just replacement," Bauer said. "We didn't want to come back with a store-bought window. We really wanted to use the original pieces from 1928 when the cornerstone was set."

Broken pieces of the original glass have been repaired, and all the windows have been reglazed. The metal frames around the windows have been primed and painted.

"They're enclosed in a metal frame, so they're actually operational," Bauer said. "We can open those windows and close them. I think, really by the work that was done to repair and reglaze, they will be good for the next 50 years."

The crown jewels of the façade are two crowned stained-glass windows that depict the Moses brothers. 

"Those, actually, were in such bad condition they had to be fully disassembled, then reletted and reassembled back together," said Bauer. "Basically, they are two brand-new stained-glass pieces made from the original components but put back together in their entirety."

In the end, the group plans to turn the Greystone into an events center that can accommodate up to 300 patrons for weddings, corporate events, or non-profit gatherings. Work could be completed by as early as late 2024, but Bauer said 2025 is a more feasible timeline. That's when the winning from the Ignite competition will come in handy.

"Those are the icing on the cake at the end," Bauer said. "They're intended to be for more furnishings, audio-visual equipment, tables and chairs, and things like that. They're a small piece of the historic renovation puzzle, but really, there are programs through the state historical society and federal programs that are helping make this a reality with tax credits and things like that."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711649502826.jpeg" alt="Nineteen stained-glass windows inside the Greystone Building, 2015 Lakin Ave. in Great Bend, have been fully restored. The future event space was the winner of the Ignite Rural Business Competition last October." />
 <figcaption>Nineteen stained-glass windows inside the Greystone Building, 2015 Lakin Ave. in Great Bend, have been fully restored. The future event space was the winner of the Ignite Rural Business Competition last October.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostGreystone was the big winner at the inaugural Ignite Rural Business Competition put on by Great Bend Economic Development and Network Kansas last October. The future event space in downtown Great Bend won the $50,000 grand prize in the contest. Andrea Bauer, one of the partners of the business, said renovations must come first."We'd looked at it multiple times, but being a historic building, renovations are not for the faint of heart," she said. "It takes more time and more resources, to be honest. We looked for stained-glass vendors and in about a four-state region, Hoefer's Stained Glass in Hutchinson is the expert."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711649758775.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Finding an expert was merely step one. Bauer, along with co-partners Rob Bauer, and Matt and Dena Hiss, had to wait until Hoefer's could find supplies and fit them into an already busy schedule. Work has been ongoing since the fall, and Greystone is ready to debut its renovated windows this weekend."It was a very in-depth process," Bauer said. "There were boom lifts and heavy equipment on site for multiple days at a time. We appreciate the patience of Yours Truly and Great Bend Coffee and their working with us. Now that they're back in place, we're hoping to actually leave the lights on upstairs this Easter weekend so people can drive by and appreciate the beauty of the stained-glass windows. Once we do have an up-and-running venue on the second floor, there will be a lot more life and activity in those windows on a regular basis."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711649777458.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Greystone Building, located at 2015 Lakin in downtown Great Bend, was formerly known as the Great Bend Masonic Lodge. The building was set in 1928 at the site of the Elite Theatre, with the structure that exists today being built on top of the theatre, adding second and third floors to the former building.One hundred years ago, street-level storefronts housed several businesses, service providers, and religious groups. The upper floors of the Masonic Lodge served as a meeting space for the Free Masons and Easter Star. The Masons sold the building in 2005, and it was resold again in 2014 to the Bauers and Hisses. In 2021, renovations began on the outside, thanks in part, to the Barton County Façade Improvement Program."We are grateful to the Barton County Commission for their assistance through the Façade Grant Program," said Bauer. "Our grant was primarily dedicated to the window restoration and an awning for Great Bend Coffee. In all, we've invested over $44,000 in improvements to our façade. In the face of supply chain issues and our vendor's schedule, the county has been flexible and supportive of us in allowing several extensions."&nbsp;While renovations continue inside, the stained-glass windows have been a visible component of the renovation. Nineteen windows have been fully restored.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711649796573.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"This is full restoration, not just replacement," Bauer said. "We didn't want to come back with a store-bought window. We really wanted to use the original pieces from 1928 when the cornerstone was set."Broken pieces of the original glass have been repaired, and all the windows have been reglazed. The metal frames around the windows have been primed and painted."They're enclosed in a metal frame, so they're actually operational," Bauer said. "We can open those windows and close them. I think, really by the work that was done to repair and reglaze, they will be good for the next 50 years."The crown jewels of the façade are two crowned stained-glass windows that depict the Moses brothers. "Those, actually, were in such bad condition they had to be fully disassembled, then reletted and reassembled back together," said Bauer. "Basically, they are two brand-new stained-glass pieces made from the original components but put back together in their entirety."In the end, the group plans to turn the Greystone into an events center that can accommodate up to 300 patrons for weddings, corporate events, or non-profit gatherings. Work could be completed by as early as late 2024, but Bauer said 2025 is a more feasible timeline. That's when the winning from the Ignite competition will come in handy."Those are the icing on the cake at the end," Bauer said. "They're intended to be for more furnishings, audio-visual equipment, tables and chairs, and things like that. They're a small piece of the historic renovation puzzle, but really, there are programs through the state historical society and federal programs that are helping make this a reality with tax credits and things like that."

Greystone partners making progress on historic GB building

Developing international markets is not so dissimilar to planting a wheat crop, as&nbsp;Gary Millershaski, farmer and chairman of the Kansas Wheat Commission, learned during a recent board team trade mission to Sub-Saharan Africa organized by&nbsp;U.S. Wheat Associates&nbsp;(USW). Both require substantial investments upfront, and it takes time to reap the returns. Ultimately, however, it is the people who take the time to share their experiences and expertise with others that allow farmers and end-users to weather the difficulties of the day.

“It’s not what we did yesterday, but it’s the knowledge we accumulate today to make us better understand how to deal with (the market) and make more sales tomorrow,” Millershaski said.&nbsp;

Millershaski joined wheat farmers Bill Schroeder from Ohio and RJ Parrish from Oklahoma on the 10-day Sub-Saharan Africa Board Team trade mission in March. The mission was led by USW Director of Programs Catherine Miller. The team was connected to millers and wheat buyers in South Africa and Nigeria by USW Regional Director Chad Weigand and&nbsp;USW-Cape Town Programs and Marketing Specialist Domenique Opperman.

Sub-Saharan Africa covers 42 countries on the African continent and is home to a population of 1.1 billion people, which continues to be fast-growing and young. The region has averaged five percent market growth in wheat imports since the 2012/2013 marketing year. But, the market is extremely competitive, and the European Union has dominated exports to Sub-Saharan Africa for the last two years.&nbsp;

Nigeria&nbsp;is the largest individual market within the region and traditionally imports a substantial amount of wheat. Thanks in large part to USW’s trade servicing and technical assistance and support from Kansas Wheat by organizing and hosting technical trainings and in-state trade team visits, Nigeria ranked as the fourth largest buyer of U.S. wheat in the 2021/2022 marketing year with a total of 65.15 million bushels (1.773 million metric tons), representing a 30 percent market share.

Shifting macroeconomic factors, however, are hurting the Nigerian economy, including inflation of more than 21 percent, a devalued currency that fell more than 70 percent against the U.S. dollar and escalating interest rates. When it comes to wheat, higher food prices have driven local consumption down. Millershaski reported that Nigerian flour mills — some of the largest in the world — were only running at 60 to 70 percent efficiency.&nbsp;

Those factors combined have meant a shift to importing the lowest-cost wheat in the world, in this case, of Baltic Sea origin. As a result, Nigerian imports of U.S. wheat are down more than 68 percent from the same time the year prior at 8.93 million bushels (243,000 metric tons) thus far in the 2023/2024 marketing year, according to the USW commercial sales report from March 21, 2024.&nbsp;

Despite the downturn, the USW board team members were welcomed by millers who purchase U.S. wheat as the team toured their facilities. These flour mills send regular representatives to the United States, including Kansas, to check out the growing wheat crop and snag rides in combines like Millershaski’s. Those relationships, developed by these back-and-forth trade missions, are part of that long-term investment between the two nations that helps weather economic difficulties and short harvests.0\

“We’ve sold a lot of wheat from Kansas to Nigeria, but not in the last year and a half,” Millershaski said. “It took us eight hours on two flights to get into Nigeria. The thing that really got me was that all of the mills were very happy to meet with us. And I was impressed.”

The earlier half of the USW board team mission provided an even closer-to-home moment of hope. On a tour of a flour mill in Durban, South Africa, the team met up with Shawn Thiele, associate director and flour milling and grain processing curriculum manager for K-State’s&nbsp;IGP Institute. Thiele was there as part of a technical assistance project to help South African mills improve their milling efficiency, including by running samples of U.S. wheat shipped over in containers. Working with flour millers is an important part of USW’s efforts in Africa, especially with up-and-coming millers who are just learning their trade.&nbsp;

“It was so cool. Here we are in this mill in South Africa, and we see Shawn showing them how to adjust their equipment to be more efficient,” Millershaski said. “To me, that’s what USW is all about — helping the buyers make sure what they are getting and getting the assistance they need — whether it’s procurement or milling classes.”

Millershaski and the other two wheat farmers on the trade mission returned home with a more global view of the struggles and success in the wheat industry. And as their wheat crops green up this spring, those millers overseas will certainly be keeping an eye out for a hopefully bountiful harvest.&nbsp;

Learn more about the USW board team trade mission at&nbsp;<a href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001RKnEJBBwQu9DunYpoiRJU5ZLQxLI7LVgywjyh0g9rtFbBopMoC7qC5225coaXlV7tmCftpBUY1X3aoHutFIi3UhOw2T4870YfDa-o4gko2AbkQwVq04rG-pj04aEk3nOh4V4LfhimpTosT_K8xh6ATFqFfGIOteD-xdrrSFWh60-Wv-C_xM0lPczaPO2IG6scRxX_JvdNFHBApMylwO2F4JlZ60WLZRyuy6W0LVCJwyCNZr0tHVbC0107OTmdv7-c8VYQdqrLZRkQsPVF5sfV41UR78_kywp6SVxwyrfY1Equr7Puef92A==&amp;c=8JZ4TrcmKmbxgZF2dgNRHkKBZAYdMAL_IaVw5Q6cb6vWUqOjzS6Riw==&amp;ch=5Qn9jj6jkJIW246_fG9ugEU7bxMeM8US4LoQ2H6mklm2X6kJkc8n6g==" target="_blank">uswheat.org</a>.

Written by Julia Debes for Kansas Wheat

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684771413683.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Developing international markets is not so dissimilar to planting a wheat crop, as&nbsp;Gary Millershaski, farmer and chairman of the Kansas Wheat Commission, learned during a recent board team trade mission to Sub-Saharan Africa organized by&nbsp;U.S. Wheat Associates&nbsp;(USW). Both require substantial investments upfront, and it takes time to reap the returns. Ultimately, however, it is the people who take the time to share their experiences and expertise with others that allow farmers and end-users to weather the difficulties of the day.“It’s not what we did yesterday, but it’s the knowledge we accumulate today to make us better understand how to deal with (the market) and make more sales tomorrow,” Millershaski said.&nbsp;Millershaski joined wheat farmers Bill Schroeder from Ohio and RJ Parrish from Oklahoma on the 10-day Sub-Saharan Africa Board Team trade mission in March. The mission was led by USW Director of Programs Catherine Miller. The team was connected to millers and wheat buyers in South Africa and Nigeria by USW Regional Director Chad Weigand and&nbsp;USW-Cape Town Programs and Marketing Specialist Domenique Opperman.Sub-Saharan Africa covers 42 countries on the African continent and is home to a population of 1.1 billion people, which continues to be fast-growing and young. The region has averaged five percent market growth in wheat imports since the 2012/2013 marketing year. But, the market is extremely competitive, and the European Union has dominated exports to Sub-Saharan Africa for the last two years.&nbsp;Nigeria&nbsp;is the largest individual market within the region and traditionally imports a substantial amount of wheat. Thanks in large part to USW’s trade servicing and technical assistance and support from Kansas Wheat by organizing and hosting technical trainings and in-state trade team visits, Nigeria ranked as the fourth largest buyer of U.S. wheat in the 2021/2022 marketing year with a total of 65.15 million bushels (1.773 million metric tons), representing a 30 percent market share.Shifting macroeconomic factors, however, are hurting the Nigerian economy, including inflation of more than 21 percent, a devalued currency that fell more than 70 percent against the U.S. dollar and escalating interest rates. When it comes to wheat, higher food prices have driven local consumption down. Millershaski reported that Nigerian flour mills — some of the largest in the world — were only running at 60 to 70 percent efficiency.&nbsp;Those factors combined have meant a shift to importing the lowest-cost wheat in the world, in this case, of Baltic Sea origin. As a result, Nigerian imports of U.S. wheat are down more than 68 percent from the same time the year prior at 8.93 million bushels (243,000 metric tons) thus far in the 2023/2024 marketing year, according to the USW commercial sales report from March 21, 2024.&nbsp;Despite the downturn, the USW board team members were welcomed by millers who purchase U.S. wheat as the team toured their facilities. These flour mills send regular representatives to the United States, including Kansas, to check out the growing wheat crop and snag rides in combines like Millershaski’s. Those relationships, developed by these back-and-forth trade missions, are part of that long-term investment between the two nations that helps weather economic difficulties and short harvests.0\“We’ve sold a lot of wheat from Kansas to Nigeria, but not in the last year and a half,” Millershaski said. “It took us eight hours on two flights to get into Nigeria. The thing that really got me was that all of the mills were very happy to meet with us. And I was impressed.”The earlier half of the USW board team mission provided an even closer-to-home moment of hope. On a tour of a flour mill in Durban, South Africa, the team met up with Shawn Thiele, associate director and flour milling and grain processing curriculum manager for K-State’s&nbsp;IGP Institute. Thiele was there as part of a technical assistance project to help South African mills improve their milling efficiency, including by running samples of U.S. wheat shipped over in containers. Working with flour millers is an important part of USW’s efforts in Africa, especially with up-and-coming millers who are just learning their trade.&nbsp;“It was so cool. Here we are in this mill in South Africa, and we see Shawn showing them how to adjust their equipment to be more efficient,” Millershaski said. “To me, that’s what USW is all about — helping the buyers make sure what they are getting and getting the assistance they need — whether it’s procurement or milling classes.”Millershaski and the other two wheat farmers on the trade mission returned home with a more global view of the struggles and success in the wheat industry. And as their wheat crops green up this spring, those millers overseas will certainly be keeping an eye out for a hopefully bountiful harvest.&nbsp;Learn more about the USW board team trade mission at&nbsp;<a href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001RKnEJBBwQu9DunYpoiRJU5ZLQxLI7LVgywjyh0g9rtFbBopMoC7qC5225coaXlV7tmCftpBUY1X3aoHutFIi3UhOw2T4870YfDa-o4gko2AbkQwVq04rG-pj04aEk3nOh4V4LfhimpTosT_K8xh6ATFqFfGIOteD-xdrrSFWh60-Wv-C_xM0lPczaPO2IG6scRxX_JvdNFHBApMylwO2F4JlZ60WLZRyuy6W0LVCJwyCNZr0tHVbC0107OTmdv7-c8VYQdqrLZRkQsPVF5sfV41UR78_kywp6SVxwyrfY1Equr7Puef92A==&amp;c=8JZ4TrcmKmbxgZF2dgNRHkKBZAYdMAL_IaVw5Q6cb6vWUqOjzS6Riw==&amp;ch=5Qn9jj6jkJIW246_fG9ugEU7bxMeM8US4LoQ2H6mklm2X6kJkc8n6g==" target="_blank">uswheat.org</a>.###Written by Julia Debes for Kansas Wheat

Wheat Scoop: Kansas wheat farmer reflects on recent trade mission to Africa 

Hear this week's City Edition episode with Eagle Radio's Steve Webster and Great Bend Municipal Airport Manager Martin Miller that aired March 27, 2024.

The City Edition program airs every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687372980932.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hear this week's City Edition episode with Eagle Radio's Steve Webster and Great Bend Municipal Airport Manager Martin Miller that aired March 27, 2024.<div><iframe title="City Edition: Great Bend Airport Manager Martin Miller" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=z7j6q-15c8256-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=f6f6f6&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=60a0c8" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>The City Edition program airs every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.&nbsp;

🎙Post Podcast: Great Bend Airport Manager Martin Miller

Story by: Michael Dawes, director of PR, Rosewood Services

Every March, when the nation turns its attention to basketball seeds and brackets, there’s one particular tournament that holds a special place in the hearts of athletes, parents, coaches and volunteers, alike. The Storm Special Olympics team, representing central Kansas, had the opportunity to participate in that tourney last week.

For the western half of the state, the Special Olympics Basketball and Cheerleading Tournament was held in Hays on March 22 and 23. The eastern half of the state held its state tourney in Manhattan on March 15 and 16. More than 60 teams in the western half, representing nearly 18 organizations, converged on Fort Hays State University and Hays Recreation Center for the two-day tournament.

The Hays and Manhattan tournaments combined account for more than 2,000 athletes, coaches, volunteers and fans, making the state basketball tournament the largest event for individuals with developmental disabilities in the state of Kansas. This year represented the 45th year that the tournament has been held in Hays out of 51 years of conducting the tournament, which comprises 5-versus-5 basketball, cheerleading and athletes participating in individual skills drills.

“The state tournament is a lot of work, but it is definitely a lot of fun for our athletes, and it also provides a lot of teachable moments in the process,” stated Amanda Hammond, Local Program Coordinator for the Storm team. “We had tremendous success at this year’s tournament, regardless of whether the teams won or lost. A lot of credit goes to the athletes themselves, along with our coaches, and a big shout-out goes to the parents and family members who came to help. All the extra support and help made such a huge difference for our athletes.”

Teachable moments resulted in a break-through game for Storm Hurricane, coached by Hammond. The team went to triple overtime during its second game of the tournament, and then had to make a tie-breaker basket to win the game. Storm Cyclone had to hold off a pesky team to win by four in its final game of the tournament. Storm Lightning was down 6-0 after the first quarter, but rallied by implementing a box-and-1 defense to win its second game in the tourney. And Storm Cheerleading overcame pre-competition adversity and jitters to snag a silver medal in its cheerleading competition.&nbsp;

“Yes, winning is fun and it was wonderful when our team got the triple over-time win,” explained Hammond. “But I feel like Special Olympics provides so much more than winning or losing games. Working through the whole process and experience in competition helps them to also work through their very strong emotions in their day-to-day lives. Special Olympics competition helps to build their confidence, allows them to work through their emotions, and helps them to build relationships with their teammates and other participants.”&nbsp;

Below are the names of the Storm Special Olympics athletes who competed in the Special Olympics State Basketball and Cheerleading Competition in Hays last weekend. They were divided up into four teams, along with the cheerleading team.

Snow:&nbsp;David Brack Logan Gregg, Donnie Lewis, Tyler Michaelis, Tori Rose – Coaches: Carole Edwardson and Emily Komarek. Finish = Silver Medal with 2-1 record.

Hurricane:&nbsp;David Brack (played for Snow and Hurricane), Darren Brown, Wain Waymaster, Michael Manka Jordan Palacio, Robin Bethel, Samantha Purcell, Curtis Schneweis, Abbey Stanley - Coach: Amanda Hammond. Finish = Bronze Medal with 1-2 record.

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 </figure>Story by: Michael Dawes, director of PR, Rosewood ServicesEvery March, when the nation turns its attention to basketball seeds and brackets, there’s one particular tournament that holds a special place in the hearts of athletes, parents, coaches and volunteers, alike. The Storm Special Olympics team, representing central Kansas, had the opportunity to participate in that tourney last week.For the western half of the state, the Special Olympics Basketball and Cheerleading Tournament was held in Hays on March 22 and 23. The eastern half of the state held its state tourney in Manhattan on March 15 and 16. More than 60 teams in the western half, representing nearly 18 organizations, converged on Fort Hays State University and Hays Recreation Center for the two-day tournament.The Hays and Manhattan tournaments combined account for more than 2,000 athletes, coaches, volunteers and fans, making the state basketball tournament the largest event for individuals with developmental disabilities in the state of Kansas. This year represented the 45th year that the tournament has been held in Hays out of 51 years of conducting the tournament, which comprises 5-versus-5 basketball, cheerleading and athletes participating in individual skills drills.<figure>
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 </figure>“The state tournament is a lot of work, but it is definitely a lot of fun for our athletes, and it also provides a lot of teachable moments in the process,” stated Amanda Hammond, Local Program Coordinator for the Storm team. “We had tremendous success at this year’s tournament, regardless of whether the teams won or lost. A lot of credit goes to the athletes themselves, along with our coaches, and a big shout-out goes to the parents and family members who came to help. All the extra support and help made such a huge difference for our athletes.”Teachable moments resulted in a break-through game for Storm Hurricane, coached by Hammond. The team went to triple overtime during its second game of the tournament, and then had to make a tie-breaker basket to win the game. Storm Cyclone had to hold off a pesky team to win by four in its final game of the tournament. Storm Lightning was down 6-0 after the first quarter, but rallied by implementing a box-and-1 defense to win its second game in the tourney. And Storm Cheerleading overcame pre-competition adversity and jitters to snag a silver medal in its cheerleading competition.&nbsp;“Yes, winning is fun and it was wonderful when our team got the triple over-time win,” explained Hammond. “But I feel like Special Olympics provides so much more than winning or losing games. Working through the whole process and experience in competition helps them to also work through their very strong emotions in their day-to-day lives. Special Olympics competition helps to build their confidence, allows them to work through their emotions, and helps them to build relationships with their teammates and other participants.”&nbsp;Below are the names of the Storm Special Olympics athletes who competed in the Special Olympics State Basketball and Cheerleading Competition in Hays last weekend. They were divided up into four teams, along with the cheerleading team.Snow:&nbsp;David Brack Logan Gregg, Donnie Lewis, Tyler Michaelis, Tori Rose – Coaches: Carole Edwardson and Emily Komarek. Finish = Silver Medal with 2-1 record.Hurricane:&nbsp;David Brack (played for Snow and Hurricane), Darren Brown, Wain Waymaster, Michael Manka Jordan Palacio, Robin Bethel, Samantha Purcell, Curtis Schneweis, Abbey Stanley - Coach: Amanda Hammond. Finish = Bronze Medal with 1-2 record.Cyclone:&nbsp;David Edwardson, Audrey Koster, Dylan Lebbin, Cole Morin, Elisa Shores, Steven Smolik, Dawn Specht, Josh Trimmer - Coaches: Boe Levingston and Jim Boehnke. Finish = Gold Medal with 3-0 record.Lightning:&nbsp;Kaleb Beckham, James Boehnke, Codie Hardie, Douglas “DJ” Johnson, Austin Levingston, Kaleb Nixon - Coaches: Michael Dawes and Kelly Nixon. Finish = Gold Medal with 3-0 record.Cheerleading:&nbsp;Darren Brown, Robin Bethel, Cole Morin, Kaleb Nixon, Samantha Purcell, Tori Rose, Elisa Shores, Dawn Specht, Abbey Stanley, Caitlyn Stinger, Josh Trimmer, and Jaylin Weers – Coach: Amanda Hammond. Finish = Silver Medal.With basketball season behind them, most of the Storm athletes now turn their focus to Special Olympics track and field, which is now in progress. Hammond said she looks forward to more teachable moments, as the athletes change from one sport to another. She encourages anyone who is interested in volunteering to help coach the track team to contact her at 620-793-5888. Volunteers must undergo a background check and there are some minimal Special Olympics online training programs required to complete in order to become certified to coach in the organization.“Anyone who is at all interested in volunteering, even if they aren’t fully committed to helping this year, I encourage them to reach out to me, so that I can provide them more information,” said Hammond. “Coaching Special Olympics is a commitment and involves some work, but the joy that I’ve received since I’ve been involved for more than a decade has been so rewarding. At the end of the game or season, as long as the athletes didn’t give up and they worked through their emotions, there’s a sense of pride that they walk away with. When they have achieved that moment, those feelings are priceless, for them and for me.”