The Ellis County Public Works Road &amp; Bridge Division is
announcing that an asphalt overlay project will be taking place in the 900-1100
blocks of 280th Avenue, between Highway 40 and Munjor Road. 

This area will be closed to through traffic beginning at
7:30 a.m. on Monday and will remain closed until the project is
completed. 

The estimated completion date is Thursday, pending weather conditions. 

Motorists traveling in the affected closure area should use
alternate routes of travel until the project is completed. 

Please direct any questions to the Ellis County Public Works
Road &amp; Bridge Division at 785-628- 9455. Your cooperation during this
project is appreciated.

Ellis County Public WorksThe Ellis County Public Works Road &amp; Bridge Division is
announcing that an asphalt overlay project will be taking place in the 900-1100
blocks of 280th Avenue, between Highway 40 and Munjor Road. This area will be closed to through traffic beginning at
7:30 a.m. on Monday and will remain closed until the project is
completed. The estimated completion date is Thursday, pending weather conditions. Motorists traveling in the affected closure area should use
alternate routes of travel until the project is completed. Please direct any questions to the Ellis County Public Works
Road &amp; Bridge Division at 785-628- 9455. Your cooperation during this
project is appreciated.

Road construction on 280th Ave. begins Monday

The 145th Nicodemus Homecoming Emancipation Celebration looks good. We have a dedicated homecoming committee that is working hard. There is a little something for everyone.

Come learn about “specialty crops” from the Kansas Black Farmers Association. KBFA will conduct their quarterly meeting from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.Specialty Crops Dr. Gail Meyers, Oakland, CA and Dr. Martha Mamo, Department Chair University of Nebraska Lincoln, Agronomy are the guest speakers. Register for free at <a href="https://kbfa.org/">www.kbfa.org</a>.

The Nicodemus Homecoming Emancipation Celebration Committee, LLC and the Nicodemus Historical Society will both host their annual meetings later that afternoon.

Start your morning off with a good old “cowboy breakfast.” The afternoon will be full of music, games, kids activities and genealogy. Spinning the music is our very own native from Hill City, Troy Chapman aka “D.J. Storytella.” Participate in the Dominions Tournament, play some cards, horseshoes, etc. If you’re a Nicodemus Descendant, come learn about your history from the "Live Family Tree.” In the evening come participate in the corn hole tournament.

Returning back home from California don’t miss the special event hosted by a native from Hill City, Frankie “Cooper” Bates. He will perform his award winning one-man show, “Black When I Was A Boy.” Performance time starts at 6:00 p.m. at the Hill City High School auditorium. Get your tickets and come support Cooper in this powerful coming of age story. All proceeds will be given back to the community.

Then come on back to Nicodemus for the afterparty. Come hear D.J. Storytella spinning sounds, hear some live music and if you’re so inclined you can sing too during karaoke.

Start the day off with a little physical activity and then another good breakfast. Join the 5K Run/Walk Fundraiser where all proceeds will go to help Will Clark participate in the European Band Trip. Register at <a href="https://kbfa.org/">www.kbfa.org</a>. Afterwards eat a hearty breakfast. Sponsored by the Kansas Black Farmers Association this is their 12th annual “FREE Pancake Feed.”

Starting at 11:00 a.m., be there and don’t miss the event that draws the crowd, the Nicodemus Homecoming Parade.

So much going on in the afternoon you may have to pick and choose what you want to do. There will be games, kids activities, fashion show, watermelon feed and even a tent where a Master American Straw and Wheat Artist will do live hands-on demonstrations.

From 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. in the Kids Corner, the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center will join us again this year and set up their amazing traveling kids activities and games.

Don’t forget the Smithsonian Exhibit, “Voices and Votes: Democracy In America” is on display at the Visitor’s Center along with the companion exhibit “Nicodemus Politicians.” There will be history programs and presentations hosted by the Nicodemus Historical Society and the National Park Service. Julie Clover with Robert J. Dole Institute will be the guest speaker to talk about the designation of Nicodemus becoming a National Historic Site.

Bert Brogden will show his Award Winning Documentary “Robert &amp; Billie” A Nicodemus Love Story. We also anticipate the showing of the introduction of our new documentary that’s in the making, “Ellis Trail To Nicodemus.”

The Gospel Extravaganza in Nicodemus featuring Rev. Venson Quarels, Sr. and his family are coming all the way from California. He is the grandson of Rev. Daniel Hickman.

On the big stage enjoy the party with our live music headliner from L.A. He plays soul, R&amp;B, pop and is a smooth-jazz instrumentalist, Fernando Harkless. Then D.J. Storytella will keep the afterparty groove going.

Friday and Saturday, July 28th and 29th

The American Red Cross Sickle Cell Blood Drive will be set up at the Villa from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. both days.

Come explore the magical world of the Nicodemus “Kids Corner.” Get ready for an extraordinary journey in the historic town of Nicodemus KS, where history, culture and wonder await you at the Kids Corner. There will be games (potato sack race, Minute to Win It, three-legged race, scavenger hunt, Transfer the Cotton Balls, Cookie Challenge, watermelon eating contest); activities (Bouncy House, arts, crafts, story time, books giveaway, and the kids will learn to plant a garden). Food, prizes, giveaways, and so much more. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to experience the magic of Nicodemus at Kids Corner.

Start your morning with praise. Church service will be held at the First Baptist Church then following will be lunch under the big tent. D.J. Storytella will be in the park spinning those sounds.

For more information and details check out our website at <a href="https://www.nicodemushomecoming.org/">www.nicodemushomecoming.org</a>. Also, like and follow us on Facebook, <a href="https://www.nicodemushomecoming.org/nicodemus-kansas-homecoming-2023-events?fbclid=IwAR2StlSEn_aVRzkWdzdB_7l71nJrID9TPuOExBmXXzkmkpxgLF7_Flo7JoE">Nicodemus Homecoming Emancipation Celebration</a>.

So many exciting things are happening that you don’t want to miss it. Come participate in the 2023 145th Nicodemus Homecoming Emancipation Celebration! See you there!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689605419121.png" alt="145th Nicodemus Homecoming Emancipation Celebration is July 27-30. Courtesy photo&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>145th Nicodemus Homecoming Emancipation Celebration is July 27-30. Courtesy photo&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedThe 145th Nicodemus Homecoming Emancipation Celebration looks good. We have a dedicated homecoming committee that is working hard. There is a little something for everyone.Thursday, July 27thCome learn about “specialty crops” from the Kansas Black Farmers Association. KBFA will conduct their quarterly meeting from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.Specialty Crops Dr. Gail Meyers, Oakland, CA and Dr. Martha Mamo, Department Chair University of Nebraska Lincoln, Agronomy are the guest speakers. Register for free at <a href="https://kbfa.org/">www.kbfa.org</a>.The Nicodemus Homecoming Emancipation Celebration Committee, LLC and the Nicodemus Historical Society will both host their annual meetings later that afternoon.Friday, July 28thStart your morning off with a good old “cowboy breakfast.” The afternoon will be full of music, games, kids activities and genealogy. Spinning the music is our very own native from Hill City, Troy Chapman aka “D.J. Storytella.” Participate in the Dominions Tournament, play some cards, horseshoes, etc. If you’re a Nicodemus Descendant, come learn about your history from the "Live Family Tree.” In the evening come participate in the corn hole tournament.Returning back home from California don’t miss the special event hosted by a native from Hill City, Frankie “Cooper” Bates. He will perform his award winning one-man show, “Black When I Was A Boy.” Performance time starts at 6:00 p.m. at the Hill City High School auditorium. Get your tickets and come support Cooper in this powerful coming of age story. All proceeds will be given back to the community.Then come on back to Nicodemus for the afterparty. Come hear D.J. Storytella spinning sounds, hear some live music and if you’re so inclined you can sing too during karaoke.Saturday, July 29thStart the day off with a little physical activity and then another good breakfast. Join the 5K Run/Walk Fundraiser where all proceeds will go to help Will Clark participate in the European Band Trip. Register at <a href="https://kbfa.org/">www.kbfa.org</a>. Afterwards eat a hearty breakfast. Sponsored by the Kansas Black Farmers Association this is their 12th annual “FREE Pancake Feed.”Starting at 11:00 a.m., be there and don’t miss the event that draws the crowd, the Nicodemus Homecoming Parade.So much going on in the afternoon you may have to pick and choose what you want to do. There will be games, kids activities, fashion show, watermelon feed and even a tent where a Master American Straw and Wheat Artist will do live hands-on demonstrations.From 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. in the Kids Corner, the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center will join us again this year and set up their amazing traveling kids activities and games.Don’t forget the Smithsonian Exhibit, “Voices and Votes: Democracy In America” is on display at the Visitor’s Center along with the companion exhibit “Nicodemus Politicians.” There will be history programs and presentations hosted by the Nicodemus Historical Society and the National Park Service. Julie Clover with Robert J. Dole Institute will be the guest speaker to talk about the designation of Nicodemus becoming a National Historic Site.Bert Brogden will show his Award Winning Documentary “Robert &amp; Billie” A Nicodemus Love Story. We also anticipate the showing of the introduction of our new documentary that’s in the making, “Ellis Trail To Nicodemus.”The Gospel Extravaganza in Nicodemus featuring Rev. Venson Quarels, Sr. and his family are coming all the way from California. He is the grandson of Rev. Daniel Hickman.On the big stage enjoy the party with our live music headliner from L.A. He plays soul, R&amp;B, pop and is a smooth-jazz instrumentalist, Fernando Harkless. Then D.J. Storytella will keep the afterparty groove going.Friday and Saturday, July 28th and 29thThe American Red Cross Sickle Cell Blood Drive will be set up at the Villa from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. both days.Come explore the magical world of the Nicodemus “Kids Corner.” Get ready for an extraordinary journey in the historic town of Nicodemus KS, where history, culture and wonder await you at the Kids Corner. There will be games (potato sack race, Minute to Win It, three-legged race, scavenger hunt, Transfer the Cotton Balls, Cookie Challenge, watermelon eating contest); activities (Bouncy House, arts, crafts, story time, books giveaway, and the kids will learn to plant a garden). Food, prizes, giveaways, and so much more. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to experience the magic of Nicodemus at Kids Corner.Sunday, July 30thStart your morning with praise. Church service will be held at the First Baptist Church then following will be lunch under the big tent. D.J. Storytella will be in the park spinning those sounds.For more information and details check out our website at <a href="https://www.nicodemushomecoming.org/">www.nicodemushomecoming.org</a>. Also, like and follow us on Facebook, <a href="https://www.nicodemushomecoming.org/nicodemus-kansas-homecoming-2023-events?fbclid=IwAR2StlSEn_aVRzkWdzdB_7l71nJrID9TPuOExBmXXzkmkpxgLF7_Flo7JoE">Nicodemus Homecoming Emancipation Celebration</a>.So many exciting things are happening that you don’t want to miss it. Come participate in the 2023 145th Nicodemus Homecoming Emancipation Celebration! See you there!

145th Nicodemus Homecoming Emancipation Celebration set for last week of July

OktoberfestHays is now accepting vendor registrations for the upcoming regional celebration on Friday and Saturday, September 29 and 30. Registration is online at <a href="https://www.oktoberfesthays.com/">oktoberfesthays.com</a>.

The celebration which commemorates the Volga German heritage of our region's hardy early settlers will coincide with both Hays High’s Homecoming on Friday night and FHSU’s Homecoming parade and 7 p.m. game on Saturday.

Oktoberfest 2023 will once again feature the “World’s Largest Bierock,” prepared by Phil Kuhn and his team, and sponsored by Lewis Automotive Group of Hays. 

“There is such great enthusiasm surrounding the ‘World’s Largest Bierock’, and this year it will be even larger,” said Kuhn. Bierocks, whether large or small, are a crowd favorite at Oktoberfest, with thousands consumed down at the park each year, and many taken home and frozen for a later meal.

New at this year’s Oktoberfest is the Fest Market operating 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on Friday.

The Fest Market is a large tent (pictured above) on the Oktoberfest grounds that will provide ten banquet-table sized booths for commercial businesses looking to reach an estimated 7,000 fest goers. OktoberfestHays vendor committee chair Tom Bird says, “the Fest Market booths can sell anything from jeans to jewelry and blouses to bagels. I think it will be a great addition, especially for businesses that typically are not our traditional vendors.”

Two vendors already secured are Everlasting Links offering permanent jewelry and Second Wind IV, ready to hydrate and energize Oktoberfest-goers with vitamin injections and IV drips.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629473292311.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedOktoberfestHays is now accepting vendor registrations for the upcoming regional celebration on Friday and Saturday, September 29 and 30. Registration is online at <a href="https://www.oktoberfesthays.com/">oktoberfesthays.com</a>.The celebration which commemorates the Volga German heritage of our region's hardy early settlers will coincide with both Hays High’s Homecoming on Friday night and FHSU’s Homecoming parade and 7 p.m. game on Saturday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665261553077.jpeg" alt="Phil Kuhn with the 'World's Largest Bierock' at the 2022 Oktoberfest in Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Phil Kuhn with the 'World's Largest Bierock' at the 2022 Oktoberfest in Hays. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Oktoberfest 2023 will once again feature the “World’s Largest Bierock,” prepared by Phil Kuhn and his team, and sponsored by Lewis Automotive Group of Hays. “There is such great enthusiasm surrounding the ‘World’s Largest Bierock’, and this year it will be even larger,” said Kuhn. Bierocks, whether large or small, are a crowd favorite at Oktoberfest, with thousands consumed down at the park each year, and many taken home and frozen for a later meal.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689715292730.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>New at this year’s Oktoberfest is the Fest Market operating 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on Friday.The Fest Market is a large tent (pictured above) on the Oktoberfest grounds that will provide ten banquet-table sized booths for commercial businesses looking to reach an estimated 7,000 fest goers. OktoberfestHays vendor committee chair Tom Bird says, “the Fest Market booths can sell anything from jeans to jewelry and blouses to bagels. I think it will be a great addition, especially for businesses that typically are not our traditional vendors.”Two vendors already secured are Everlasting Links offering permanent jewelry and Second Wind IV, ready to hydrate and energize Oktoberfest-goers with vitamin injections and IV drips.

OktoberfestHays now accepting vendor registrations for Sept. 29-30

WICHITA - Come out to FHSU Soccer Stadium (1315 230th&nbsp;Ave) at 7:30 p.m. this Saturday, July 22 to experience intense high-caliber adult men's soccer as Sporting Wichita plays Indios Denver to earn the UPSL national tournament semi-final game spot! Noisemakers welcome. &nbsp;

Join your local Hays Soccer Club tailgating outside the stadium starting around 5:30 p.m. Please bring your own tailgating items.

UPSL (United Premier Soccer League) is the largest and most competitive soccer pro-development league in North America. 

Each spring/summer the UPSL hosts it national tournament. Just to enter the tournament, the Sporting Wichita First Team (adult men's team) won its local Kansas league. Next, Sporting Wichita won two national tournament single-elimination bracket games -- first against Minneapolis, then against Dallas -- to reach this UPSL national tournament quarter-finals round against Denver.

Learn more about the match-up online:&nbsp;<a href="https://premier.upsl.com/upsl-national-quarterfinal-saturday-preview-central-and-southeast-region/?fbclid=IwAR0XzJDpC4TnNO7hJ6ZxY42SShuc3OAnbgfMeAE8eRCocXO7Z-xHZdZEJSk" target="_blank">https://premier.upsl.com/upsl-national-quarterfinal-saturday-preview-central-and-southeast-region/?fbclid=IwAR0XzJDpC4TnNO7hJ6ZxY42SShuc3OAnbgfMeAE8eRCocXO7Z-xHZdZEJSk</a>

Let others know about this game by re-posting game information from Sporting Wichita First Team’s &nbsp;facebook:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Sporting-Wichita-First-Team-100063500486580/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/p/Sporting-Wichita-First-Team-100063500486580/</a>&nbsp; or twitter:&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/SWFirstTeam" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/SWFirstTeam</a>

View the full national tournament bracket and learn more about UPSL soccer:&nbsp;<a href="https://premier.upsl.com/playoffs/" target="_blank">https://premier.upsl.com/playoffs/</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689793424440.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedWICHITA - Come out to FHSU Soccer Stadium (1315 230th&nbsp;Ave) at 7:30 p.m. this Saturday, July 22 to experience intense high-caliber adult men's soccer as Sporting Wichita plays Indios Denver to earn the UPSL national tournament semi-final game spot! Noisemakers welcome. &nbsp;Join your local Hays Soccer Club tailgating outside the stadium starting around 5:30 p.m. Please bring your own tailgating items.UPSL (United Premier Soccer League) is the largest and most competitive soccer pro-development league in North America. Each spring/summer the UPSL hosts it national tournament. Just to enter the tournament, the Sporting Wichita First Team (adult men's team) won its local Kansas league. Next, Sporting Wichita won two national tournament single-elimination bracket games -- first against Minneapolis, then against Dallas -- to reach this UPSL national tournament quarter-finals round against Denver.Learn more about the match-up online:&nbsp;<a href="https://premier.upsl.com/upsl-national-quarterfinal-saturday-preview-central-and-southeast-region/?fbclid=IwAR0XzJDpC4TnNO7hJ6ZxY42SShuc3OAnbgfMeAE8eRCocXO7Z-xHZdZEJSk" target="_blank">https://premier.upsl.com/upsl-national-quarterfinal-saturday-preview-central-and-southeast-region/?fbclid=IwAR0XzJDpC4TnNO7hJ6ZxY42SShuc3OAnbgfMeAE8eRCocXO7Z-xHZdZEJSk</a>Let others know about this game by re-posting game information from Sporting Wichita First Team’s &nbsp;facebook:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Sporting-Wichita-First-Team-100063500486580/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/p/Sporting-Wichita-First-Team-100063500486580/</a>&nbsp; or twitter:&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/SWFirstTeam" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/SWFirstTeam</a>View the full national tournament bracket and learn more about UPSL soccer:&nbsp;<a href="https://premier.upsl.com/playoffs/" target="_blank">https://premier.upsl.com/playoffs/</a>

UPSL national tournament quarter-finals to be played in Hays tonight

Due to unforeseen circumstances and mechanical issues, Half Axed will not be joining us at the fair this year tonight and Saturday.  

Please still come on out and enjoy a night on the grounds.

Ellis County Fair BoardDue to unforeseen circumstances and mechanical issues, Half Axed will not be joining us at the fair this year tonight and Saturday. Please still come on out and enjoy a night on the grounds.

No axe throwing at Ellis County fair tonight, Saturday

The races at the Rush County fairgrounds in LaCrosse for tonight have been canceled due to excessive rain.

The races at the Rush County fairgrounds in LaCrosse for tonight have been canceled due to excessive rain.

Races in LaCrosse canceled for tonight

The Morning Blend's Summer Music Showdown is underway! Listen in Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KAYS">94.3 FM/1400 AM KAYS</a> to hear today's selections

Each Friday through the month of July, one lucky voter will win a Date Night package, including an appetizer, two dinners and a dessert to share from the&nbsp;<a href="https://paisleypear.net/">Paisley Pear Wine Bar, Bistro and Market.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687537524742.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Which song is best!?</h2>The Morning Blend's Summer Music Showdown is underway! Listen in Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KAYS">94.3 FM/1400 AM KAYS</a> to hear today's selections <h2>Vote for your favorites below</h2><div>  <script src="https://embed-994684.secondstreetapp.com/Scripts/dist/embed.js" data-ss-embed="promotion" data-opguid="b554f225-689f-49de-b35b-66081fcec7f9" data-routing="hash">/**/</script></div>Each Friday through the month of July, one lucky voter will win a Date Night package, including an appetizer, two dinners and a dessert to share from the&nbsp;<a href="https://paisleypear.net/">Paisley Pear Wine Bar, Bistro and Market.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677604672856.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

KAYS Summer Music Showdown underway

Blood drive today at Trego Lemke Memorial Hospital; need critical 

Part-time, energetic and outgoing office assistant needed!

Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.&nbsp;

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:&nbsp;&nbsp;

Applicants must have a valid driver's license and be able to lift at least 50 lbs.

Must be energetic, outgoing, and present kindness to others as well as the ability to work with our customers in a friendly and professional manner.

Apply in person at&nbsp;Wolf Furniture Galleries,&nbsp;4313 N Vine, email your resume to wolffurniture@yahoo.com or fax it to (785) 625-4950.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614363469857.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Part-time, energetic and outgoing office assistant needed!</h2>Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:<ul>
 <li>Excellent written and verbal communication skills</li><li>Knowledge of office&nbsp;systems and procedures (Will teach on the job)</li><li>Teamwork and Patience</li><li>Payrolls,&nbsp;taxes, and quarterly reports</li>
 </ul>Salary is negotiable upon skill set.<h2>Warehouse and Delivery Drivers needed!</h2>Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.&nbsp;Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Unloading furniture&nbsp;&nbsp; </li><li>Moving furniture on the showroom floor&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Delivering to customers' homes</li>
 </ul>Applicants must have a valid driver's license and be able to lift at least 50 lbs.<h2>Part-time sales associates needed!</h2>Some weekend hours required.Must be energetic, outgoing, and present kindness to others as well as the ability to work with our customers in a friendly and professional manner.Salary = Hourly plus Commision.<h2>Interested?</h2>Apply in person at&nbsp;Wolf Furniture Galleries,&nbsp;4313 N Vine, email your resume to wolffurniture@yahoo.com or fax it to (785) 625-4950.

Russell native Bob Dole's 100th birthday celebration Saturday at KU 

Free 'Intro to Quickbooks' offered July 27 by FHSU 

Gove Co. elder care to benefit from Quinter Methodist Church mission dinner July 30

All are welcome to the Thomas More Prep-Marian Catholic schools open house&nbsp;for interested, new, and returning students on Wed., July 19. It's come-and-go from 5:30-7:30 p.m. 

A main interest will be the new northwest wing of the junior high. 

The three new classrooms, hallway, and restroom will be open to the public for the first time since substantial completion.

Teachers and administrators will be on hand to show visitors the school and talk about curriculum and programs. 

If you've never considered TMP-Marian for your child's education, now would be a great time to visit and get additional information.

TMP-Marian is located at 1701 Hall Street in Hays and educates students in the 6th-12th grades.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689198713866.jpeg" alt="Thomas More Prep-Marian (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Thomas More Prep-Marian (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>TMP-MAll are welcome to the Thomas More Prep-Marian Catholic schools open house&nbsp;for interested, new, and returning students on Wed., July 19. It's come-and-go from 5:30-7:30 p.m. A main interest will be the new northwest wing of the junior high. The three new classrooms, hallway, and restroom will be open to the public for the first time since substantial completion.Teachers and administrators will be on hand to show visitors the school and talk about curriculum and programs. If you've never considered TMP-Marian for your child's education, now would be a great time to visit and get additional information.TMP-Marian is located at 1701 Hall Street in Hays and educates students in the 6th-12th grades.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Thomas More Prep-Marian open house is July 19

Beginning Monday and continuing through Friday, July 21 at 5 p.m., the street locations indicated on the above map&nbsp;will be receiving seal coating applications. 

The city of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. If there are any questions, please call Circle C Paving at 316-794-5070 or the Office of Project Management at 785-628-7350.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689624995153.png" alt="City of Hays" />
 <figcaption>City of Hays</figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysBeginning Monday and continuing through Friday, July 21 at 5 p.m., the street locations indicated on the above map&nbsp;will be receiving seal coating applications. The city of Hays regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. If there are any questions, please call Circle C Paving at 316-794-5070 or the Office of Project Management at 785-628-7350.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Seal coating work in Hays moves south this week

Beginning Monday, the east side of General Custer Road in Hays will be closed to through traffic at the Centennial Boulevard intersection for pavement repairs. 

Repairs are expected to be completed by the end of the day on Friday, July 21.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689603183510.jpeg" alt="Pavement work at Centennial Blvd. and General Custer Road gets underway Monday morning.&nbsp; Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Pavement work at Centennial Blvd. and General Custer Road gets underway Monday morning.&nbsp; Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>City of Hays Beginning Monday, the east side of General Custer Road in Hays will be closed to through traffic at the Centennial Boulevard intersection for pavement repairs. Repairs are expected to be completed by the end of the day on Friday, July 21.

East side of General Custer Rd. closed this week at Centennial Blvd. intersection 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687537524742.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Which song is best!?</h2>The Morning Blend's Summer Music Showdown is underway! Listen in Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KAYS">94.3 FM/1400 AM KAYS</a> to hear today's selections <h2>Vote for your favorites below</h2><div>  <script src="https://embed-994679.secondstreetapp.com/Scripts/dist/embed.js" data-ss-embed="promotion" data-opguid="0a6aac17-f405-4b73-abb0-d7824680fa8c" data-routing="hash">/**/</script></div>Each Friday through the month of July, one lucky voter will win a Date Night package, including an appetizer, two dinners and a dessert to share from the&nbsp;<a href="https://paisleypear.net/">Paisley Pear Wine Bar, Bistro and Market.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677604672856.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment&nbsp; has rescinded a boil water advisory for&nbsp;the&nbsp;city of&nbsp;Smith Center&nbsp;public water supply system located in&nbsp;Smith&nbsp;County.&nbsp;The advisory was&nbsp;issued&nbsp;due to&nbsp;a line break&nbsp;resulting in a loss of pressure in the system.&nbsp;

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.&nbsp;

Laboratory testing samples collected from the City of Smith Center&nbsp;indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.  &nbsp;&nbsp;

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at:&nbsp;785-282-3812&nbsp;or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514.&nbsp;For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmtkaGUua3MuZ292LzQ2OC9Db25zdW1lci1JbmZvcm1hdGlvbi1SZWdhcmRpbmctYS1EaXNydXB0P3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA3MTUuNzk3MTU2OTEifQ.6TGbB965f_hmSvdbLBIT6_dSHXwcLLqX3FxGTJ8AUh8/s/1305913623/br/222737453868-l" target="_blank">kdhe.ks.gov/waterdisruption</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689435967447.jpeg" alt="Smith Center (Photo by Ryan Murphy)" />
 <figcaption>Smith Center (Photo by Ryan Murphy)</figcaption>
 </figure>KDHETOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment&nbsp; has rescinded a boil water advisory for&nbsp;the&nbsp;city of&nbsp;Smith Center&nbsp;public water supply system located in&nbsp;Smith&nbsp;County.&nbsp;The advisory was&nbsp;issued&nbsp;due to&nbsp;a line break&nbsp;resulting in a loss of pressure in the system.&nbsp;Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.&nbsp;Laboratory testing samples collected from the City of Smith Center&nbsp;indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.  &nbsp;&nbsp;For consumer questions, please contact the water system at:&nbsp;785-282-3812&nbsp;or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514.&nbsp;For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmtkaGUua3MuZ292LzQ2OC9Db25zdW1lci1JbmZvcm1hdGlvbi1SZWdhcmRpbmctYS1EaXNydXB0P3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA3MTUuNzk3MTU2OTEifQ.6TGbB965f_hmSvdbLBIT6_dSHXwcLLqX3FxGTJ8AUh8/s/1305913623/br/222737453868-l" target="_blank">kdhe.ks.gov/waterdisruption</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

KDHE: Boil water advisory rescinded for Smith Center

8th-annual Hays Duck Derby, Cardboard Regatta set for Aug. 9

On Friday, July 14, 2023, a contractor for the city of Hays will begin layout for restriping the pavement markings from the current four-lane configuration to three lanes on Canterbury Drive between 13th&nbsp;and 27th&nbsp;Streets. &nbsp;

Traffic may be pushed to the outside lanes while the contractor is working in the inside lanes. &nbsp;

While there may be some restriction of traffic, Canterbury will remain open and access to all residences and businesses will be maintained. &nbsp;

Work will take approximately one week to complete, weather pending. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Questions may be directed to the City of Hays Public Works Department at 785-628-7350. &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689285405847.png" alt="City of Hays" />
 <figcaption>City of Hays</figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysOn Friday, July 14, 2023, a contractor for the city of Hays will begin layout for restriping the pavement markings from the current four-lane configuration to three lanes on Canterbury Drive between 13th&nbsp;and 27th&nbsp;Streets. &nbsp;Traffic may be pushed to the outside lanes while the contractor is working in the inside lanes. &nbsp;While there may be some restriction of traffic, Canterbury will remain open and access to all residences and businesses will be maintained. &nbsp;Work will take approximately one week to complete, weather pending. &nbsp;&nbsp;Questions may be directed to the City of Hays Public Works Department at 785-628-7350. &nbsp;

Canterbury Drive lane diet restriping begins Friday in Hays

On Friday, July 14th, 2023, at approximately 9:00 a.m., the new roundabout at the intersection of&nbsp;27th Street and Canterbury&nbsp;will be complete and open to public traffic. &nbsp;

Please remember these tips when navigating a roundabout:

Questions may be directed to the City of Hays Public Works Department at 785-628-7350.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689285753883.png" alt="City of Hays&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>City of Hays&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysOn Friday, July 14th, 2023, at approximately 9:00 a.m., the new roundabout at the intersection of&nbsp;27th Street and Canterbury&nbsp;will be complete and open to public traffic. &nbsp;Please remember these tips when navigating a roundabout:<ul>
 <li>Slow down when approaching the roundabout.</li><li>Look left before entering the roundabout and yield to motorists in the roundabout.</li><li>You do not need to stop before entering the roundabout if the vehicular path is clear.</li><li>Do not stop once in the roundabout, except to avoid an accident or pedestrian. &nbsp;Motorists in the roundabout have the right of way.</li><li>Use your turn signal indicators.</li><li>Do not be distracted. &nbsp; Pay attention to other drivers and watch for pedestrians.</li>
 </ul>Questions may be directed to the City of Hays Public Works Department at 785-628-7350.

New Hays roundabout at 27th St. and Canterbury opens Friday

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the city of Smith Center&nbsp;public water supply system located in Smith&nbsp;County.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:&nbsp;

The advisory took effect on&nbsp;July 12,&nbsp;2023,&nbsp;and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved.&nbsp;KDHE&nbsp;officials issued&nbsp;the advisory because&nbsp;of a line break resulting in a loss of pressure in the system.  Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)&nbsp;announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.&nbsp;

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 785-282-3812&nbsp;or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmtkaGUua3MuZ292LzQ2OC9Db25zdW1lci1JbmZvcm1hdGlvbi1SZWdhcmRpbmctYS1EaXNydXB0P3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA3MTIuNzk1NzI4MjEifQ.VQHT04QAV07yKOggnlW3pMd7xs67SCDQ7nG3DMAGE9w/s/1305913623/br/222557692351-l" target="_blank">kdhe.ks.gov/waterdisruption</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety &amp; lodging program at&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kda.fsl@ks.gov">kda.fsl@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 785-564-6767.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689197825593.png" alt="Photo by Unsplash" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Unsplash</figcaption>
 </figure>KDHETOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the city of Smith Center&nbsp;public water supply system located in Smith&nbsp;County.&nbsp;&nbsp;Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.&nbsp;</li><li>Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.&nbsp;</li><li>Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.&nbsp;</li><li>Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>The advisory took effect on&nbsp;July 12,&nbsp;2023,&nbsp;and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved.&nbsp;KDHE&nbsp;officials issued&nbsp;the advisory because&nbsp;of a line break resulting in a loss of pressure in the system.  Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination. &nbsp;&nbsp;Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)&nbsp;announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.&nbsp;For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 785-282-3812&nbsp;or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmtkaGUua3MuZ292LzQ2OC9Db25zdW1lci1JbmZvcm1hdGlvbi1SZWdhcmRpbmctYS1EaXNydXB0P3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA3MTIuNzk1NzI4MjEifQ.VQHT04QAV07yKOggnlW3pMd7xs67SCDQ7nG3DMAGE9w/s/1305913623/br/222557692351-l" target="_blank">kdhe.ks.gov/waterdisruption</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety &amp; lodging program at&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kda.fsl@ks.gov">kda.fsl@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 785-564-6767.&nbsp;

KDHE issues boil water advisory for Smith Center

MANHATTAN — Throughout the state, there are outstanding Kansans who make tremendous contributions to Kansas agriculture. Nominate one of those outstanding Kansans to be recognized as one of the 2023 Kansas Ag Heroes at this summer’s Ag Growth Summit.

Each year, the Kansas Department of Agriculture honors remarkable Kansans and share the stories of their outstanding service from across the Kansas agriculture community. Kansas Ag Heroes was established as a way to recognize those in the agriculture industry who went above and beyond to serve others and better their community.

KDA encourages you to nominate any individual, family, or business in Kansas agriculture which you feel provided a notable contribution to the agriculture industry or their community as a whole this year. 

Nominations will be accepted through August 11. The nomination instructions can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cuYWdyaWN1bHR1cmUua3MuZ292L0FnSGVyb2VzP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA3MTIuNzk1NDU4MDEifQ.CXd1uPDMQhEHqNJ7cQI4B-hhSBxVQ41aHwnpA7ay1ok/s/1377890594/br/222533604247-l" target="_blank">www.agriculture.ks.gov/AgHeroes</a>.

KDA leadership will review each nomination and will recognize a select number of agriculture heroes during the Kansas Governor’s Summit on Agricultural Growth in Manhattan on Aug. 17.

For questions about the Kansas Agricultural Heroes nomination process, please contact Auburn Wassberg at 785-564-6799 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Auburn.B.Wassberg@ks.gov">Auburn.B.Wassberg@ks.gov</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689175568777.jpeg" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>KDAMANHATTAN — Throughout the state, there are outstanding Kansans who make tremendous contributions to Kansas agriculture. Nominate one of those outstanding Kansans to be recognized as one of the 2023 Kansas Ag Heroes at this summer’s Ag Growth Summit.Each year, the Kansas Department of Agriculture honors remarkable Kansans and share the stories of their outstanding service from across the Kansas agriculture community. Kansas Ag Heroes was established as a way to recognize those in the agriculture industry who went above and beyond to serve others and better their community.KDA encourages you to nominate any individual, family, or business in Kansas agriculture which you feel provided a notable contribution to the agriculture industry or their community as a whole this year. Nominations will be accepted through August 11. The nomination instructions can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cuYWdyaWN1bHR1cmUua3MuZ292L0FnSGVyb2VzP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA3MTIuNzk1NDU4MDEifQ.CXd1uPDMQhEHqNJ7cQI4B-hhSBxVQ41aHwnpA7ay1ok/s/1377890594/br/222533604247-l" target="_blank">www.agriculture.ks.gov/AgHeroes</a>.KDA leadership will review each nomination and will recognize a select number of agriculture heroes during the Kansas Governor’s Summit on Agricultural Growth in Manhattan on Aug. 17.For questions about the Kansas Agricultural Heroes nomination process, please contact Auburn Wassberg at 785-564-6799 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Auburn.B.Wassberg@ks.gov">Auburn.B.Wassberg@ks.gov</a>.

KDA Seeks Nominations for Kansas Ag Heroes

The Hays Police Department will be conducting training on July 11th and 12th between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the Hays Middle School, 201 West 29th Street.

Police officers will be training to rapidly enter a school in the event of a crisis. 

This training is being done with great care and safety. As a home or business owner, you may see law enforcement officers move through your area. There is no need to be alarmed. The officers are merely conducting a realistic training exercise and there is no danger to the community. 

If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact the on-site supervisor, Sgt. Brandon Hauptman, or Chief Don Scheibler at 785-625-1030. Thank you for your cooperation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616441255200.jpeg" alt="Hays Police Department training. File photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Hays Police Department training. File photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>HPDThe Hays Police Department will be conducting training on July 11th and 12th between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the Hays Middle School, 201 West 29th Street.Police officers will be training to rapidly enter a school in the event of a crisis. This training is being done with great care and safety. As a home or business owner, you may see law enforcement officers move through your area. There is no need to be alarmed. The officers are merely conducting a realistic training exercise and there is no danger to the community. If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact the on-site supervisor, Sgt. Brandon Hauptman, or Chief Don Scheibler at 785-625-1030. Thank you for your cooperation.

Active shooter training at Hays Middle School Tue. and Wed.

The Peterson Farm Bros are scheduled to perform Thursday, July 13th, 2023 during the Trego County Fair.

The concert is hosted by Trego Hospital Endowment Foundation, Inc.

During a break for our performers, Cargill will make a presentation to Trego Hospital Endowment, Inc. for the "TCLMH Renovation &amp; Expansion Project."

“I’m 100 percent using my major and everything I learned in college,” Greg Peterson said. “When I was in college, I did not think that was going to be the case. I’m literally using everything I learned in college in my current professional life.”

Peterson, who graduated from Kansas State University in 2013, earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture communications and journalism, with a minor in music performance. While a junior at K-State, Peterson presented a project idea to his brothers, Nathan and Kendal, who were still in school at Southeast of Saline High School.

“I came up with the Farming and I Grow It parody when I was at a Sonic drive-in with a couple of friends and I’m Sexy and I Know It came on the radio,” Peterson said. “I took that idea home and shared it with Nathan and Kendal when they were still in high school.”

Peterson had made a few other videos prior to the music video parody, featuring activity on the farm and music videos he had recorded.

“I had a few other videos before,” Peterson said. “Just a few simple things. That’s where I learned to edit and make music videos. I’m kind of the one who does all the behind the scene work producing, editing and communicating.”

During ag communication classes at K-State, the content was often focused on brainstorming ways to communicate about the agriculture industry. Peterson’s experience creating simple videos provided the foundation for the idea to use music and make a music video to communicate about agriculture.

“I grew up attending Southeast of Saline, and people always knew we were farm kids, and we were always talking about farming,” Peterson said. “We tried to break some of the stereotypes, maybe that farming was boring or stereotypical things of what farmers would wear or how they would look.”

Creating a parody, and developing new lyrics to an already popular tune, dates back to Southeast of Saline days, also.

“I wrote a parody for English 11 to She’s My Cherry Pie about Henry David Thoreau,” Peterson said. “I’ve been doing it since I was a little kid. It is something that just comes naturally.”

By June of 2012, Peterson had taken his idea from the Sonic Drive-In, and developed the lyrics to the parody I’m Farming and I Grow It, a music video promoting agriculture, that was released on June 25, 2012. The video featured Peterson and his brothers, with their little sister, Laura, behind the camera.

“It got five million views in a week,” Peterson said. “That was the first time we tried to communicate anything about agriculture beyond our friends, and it definitely surpassed our wildest dreams.”

The day the video was released, Peterson went to work in the field, taking his lunch with him. Nathan and Kendal were eating lunch at home, watching the computer tally the views on YouTube, where the music video was released.

“They called and said, ‘Dude, you need to get in here. This video is blowing up,’” Peterson said. “It got up to 20,000 views that next day. We had talked about how many views we would get. We said maybe we will hit 50,000 in the next few years, that was our benchmark. We hit 50,000 in 48 hours.”

According to Peterson, farming came to a standstill that week, as media requests kept coming in. Peterson estimates that he did over 20 interviews in one day, with KSN, KWCH and KAKE in their barn yard all at once, interviewing one brother at a time in different locations on the property.

“Videos go viral all the time now,” Peterson said. “In 2012, there just wasn’t much video content out there, and that was kind of what created the media drive. I have no idea how they got my phone number, because it wasn’t posted anywhere.”

In addition to local, regional and state media, the Peterson Farm Bros were approached by the national media when I’m Farming and I Grow It went viral.

“We got called by Good Morning America first, and they wanted us to dance on their show with the original artists,” Peterson said. “We were uncomfortable with that, so we said no. Looking back, that was a crazy thing to say no.”

Then, Fox and Friends called, and requested a talk show interview.

“They flew us out to New York City and put us up for the night,” Peterson said. “That was an exciting opportunity.”

As the summer of 2012 wound down, Peterson prepared to return back to K-State to complete his senior year, while brother, Nathan, anticipated his first year at K-State as a freshman.

“I made a few random videos in the fall, and we made Farmer Style in December over Christmas break,” Peterson said. “We filmed it in two days, and it wasn’t as finely tuned. We were just trying to get on the Gangnum Style trend. That trend was to create a parody, or dance the Gangnum Style dance. Everybody was talking about Gangnum Style for, like, two months.”

According to Peterson, the Peterson Farm Bros parody video to Gangnum Style, titled Farmer Style, was one of the top five parodies of Gangnum Style.

“Farmer Style has over 18 million views,” Peterson said. “I’m Farming and I Grow It went viral because it was the first of its kind, a parody rap song about farming. I lot of people shared it that are in agriculture. Farmer Style went twice as fast as I’m Farming and I Grow It. It wasn’t circulated as much in the ag community, so it really bridged the gap into urban audiences.”

Since its release, the I’m Farming and I Grow It parody music video, created by the Peterson Farm Bros, has received more than 12 million views. The Farmer Style parody video has more than 18 million views.

“We had so many comments on Farmer Style, where you could tell that people had never seen information about farming in their life,” Peterson said. “It exposed us to the idea that there are a lot of people who really don’t know anything about agriculture. We realized there needs to be some education, beyond just entertainment.”

According to Peterson, the Peterson Farm Bros did not set out to make a bunch of parody videos and educational videos until Farmer Style went viral.

“When both of them went viral, we saw this was a platform,” Peterson said. “I was still in school, so I don’t think we really got started posting content until I graduated and I was home full-time working on the farm. Then, I started making videos a little more consistently.”

According to Peterson, Facebook became the main platform for the Peterson Farm Bros to share videos, with their Facebook page jumping to 100,000 followers pretty quickly.

“For probably five years, we posted videos to YouTube and shared to Facebook,” Peterson said. “Then, they quit getting along. Once Facebook got video, we started uploading to both.”

Videos posted on Facebook would go viral, and Peterson would often post pictures of what he was doing on the farm that day with a caption. Followers would often post comments in the discussion threads, and Peterson would answer questions about agriculture.

“Ever since, that has been just as much what we are doing as the entertainment - the education and answering people’s questions,” Peterson said. “A lot of people had questions just about our farming operation and how it worked, what crops we raised and how we took care of our cattle. There were a lot of misconceptions too … like ‘I’ve heard farmers do this’ or ‘Our food isn’t healthy because of this.’ We spend a lot of time dedicated to answering people’s questions.”

To leverage time, Peterson came up with a blog system, involving answers to some of the more frequently asked questions the Peterson Farm Bros received.

“When the questions would come up, I would refer them to the blog,” Peterson said. “That way we weren’t typing out long comments, multiple times that said the same thing.”

10 years of innovative ag communications

“About every four to six months we do a new parody, because they are such a huge undertaking,” Peterson said. “Sometimes we want to do a parody to a song, but I can’t come up with lyrics to the whole thing. That’s where some medleys come in.”

In April of 2013, the Peterson Farm Bros partnered with the Kansas Department of Agriculture to promote the new From the Land of Kansas trademark program, publishing a YMCA parody titled From the Land of Kansas. This video was followed by a Fresh Prince of Bel-Air parody, titled A Fresh Breath of Farm Air, published in June of 2013. The 10 year collection of videos on the Peterson Farm Bros YouTube channel includes 24 parody music videos, some original songs produced by Peterson and Thomas Cook out of Wichita, Christmas carols family sing alongs and many educational videos focused on work completed on the farm.

“I will write lyrics in a matter of hours or days,” Peterson said. “I wait for the inspiration to hit, and then it comes together. I write a lot of parody lyrics sitting in the tractor seat, or sometimes I will kind of woodshed the lyrics sitting at my desk at home if I really need to get it done.”

Before any filming is done, ideally the Peterson Farm Bros record the audio in Peterson’s recording studio set up in his home.

“When we are filming, we have that audio playing, and we lips sync to our own voices,” Peterson said. “You can’t really record outside in the Kansas wind live. That doesn’t really work.”

Sometimes, when time is limited, the Peterson Farm Bros just memorize the lyrics, and film without audio.

“We’ve gone and filmed scenes multiple times where Nathan and Kendal didn’t even know their audio yet, and I would just tell them the words, and we would film them saying the words,”Peterson said.

The next step Peterson accomplishes in the process of producing a video for the Peterson Farm Bros is story boarding, marking out the scenes he expects to include in each video.

“In our early videos, we wouldn’t really story board,” Peterson said. “We would just mess around until we had filled the video. In our first few videos, our sister was 11 or 12-years-old, and she would sit behind the tripod and she was the one who filmed our videos.”

The video filming is mainly done on an iPhone, with the I’m Farming and I Grow It video filmed on an iPod touch.

“That really dates that first video,” Peterson said. “I think I got an iPhone that start of my senior year of college. Once our sister, Laura, got into high school, we would put the phone on a tripod and let it go.”

Once the audio is recorded and video is filmed, Peterson uses Garage Band to edit audio and iMovie to edit video.

“I’d bought a MacBook Pro my freshman year of college,” Peterson said. “I learned by trial and error, just messing around. By my junior year, I knew pretty much everything I wanted to do on that software.”

The finished product is then uploaded to Facebook and YouTube. Peterson has dabbled with TikTok, posting Farm Life videos to TikTok. The posts have received over three million views, and the Peterson Farm Bros have over 100,000 followers on TikTok.

“TikTok is a totally different language for me,” Peterson said. “That is a young person’s social media game. I’m doing my best to learn it, but we’ve maybe been a little slow to move over to TikTok. If you want to be successful at TikTok, you need to be posting everyday and keep that content relevant. We have enough social media responsibility, we can’t justify that.”

Plus, for the Peterson Farm Bros, YouTube and Facebook are paying the bills.

“We have ads on our videos,” Peterson said. “We get a deal from YouTube and Facebook every month, split three ways. It’s not like we can quit farming. It is worth the time to create all those videos. We don’t make money off the parodies, because they are copyrighted, but the vlogs of what we are doing on the farm, that don’t have music. We make money on those.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689005914740.png" alt="Peterson Farm Bros (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Peterson Farm Bros (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedThe Peterson Farm Bros are scheduled to perform Thursday, July 13th, 2023 during the Trego County Fair.The concert is hosted by Trego Hospital Endowment Foundation, Inc.During a break for our performers, Cargill will make a presentation to Trego Hospital Endowment, Inc. for the "TCLMH Renovation &amp; Expansion Project."“I’m 100 percent using my major and everything I learned in college,” Greg Peterson said. “When I was in college, I did not think that was going to be the case. I’m literally using everything I learned in college in my current professional life.”Peterson, who graduated from Kansas State University in 2013, earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture communications and journalism, with a minor in music performance. While a junior at K-State, Peterson presented a project idea to his brothers, Nathan and Kendal, who were still in school at Southeast of Saline High School.“I came up with the Farming and I Grow It parody when I was at a Sonic drive-in with a couple of friends and I’m Sexy and I Know It came on the radio,” Peterson said. “I took that idea home and shared it with Nathan and Kendal when they were still in high school.”Peterson had made a few other videos prior to the music video parody, featuring activity on the farm and music videos he had recorded.“I had a few other videos before,” Peterson said. “Just a few simple things. That’s where I learned to edit and make music videos. I’m kind of the one who does all the behind the scene work producing, editing and communicating.”During ag communication classes at K-State, the content was often focused on brainstorming ways to communicate about the agriculture industry. Peterson’s experience creating simple videos provided the foundation for the idea to use music and make a music video to communicate about agriculture.“I grew up attending Southeast of Saline, and people always knew we were farm kids, and we were always talking about farming,” Peterson said. “We tried to break some of the stereotypes, maybe that farming was boring or stereotypical things of what farmers would wear or how they would look.”Creating a parody, and developing new lyrics to an already popular tune, dates back to Southeast of Saline days, also.“I wrote a parody for English 11 to She’s My Cherry Pie about Henry David Thoreau,” Peterson said. “I’ve been doing it since I was a little kid. It is something that just comes naturally.”By June of 2012, Peterson had taken his idea from the Sonic Drive-In, and developed the lyrics to the parody I’m Farming and I Grow It, a music video promoting agriculture, that was released on June 25, 2012. The video featured Peterson and his brothers, with their little sister, Laura, behind the camera.“It got five million views in a week,” Peterson said. “That was the first time we tried to communicate anything about agriculture beyond our friends, and it definitely surpassed our wildest dreams.”The day the video was released, Peterson went to work in the field, taking his lunch with him. Nathan and Kendal were eating lunch at home, watching the computer tally the views on YouTube, where the music video was released.“They called and said, ‘Dude, you need to get in here. This video is blowing up,’” Peterson said. “It got up to 20,000 views that next day. We had talked about how many views we would get. We said maybe we will hit 50,000 in the next few years, that was our benchmark. We hit 50,000 in 48 hours.”According to Peterson, farming came to a standstill that week, as media requests kept coming in. Peterson estimates that he did over 20 interviews in one day, with KSN, KWCH and KAKE in their barn yard all at once, interviewing one brother at a time in different locations on the property.“Videos go viral all the time now,” Peterson said. “In 2012, there just wasn’t much video content out there, and that was kind of what created the media drive. I have no idea how they got my phone number, because it wasn’t posted anywhere.”In addition to local, regional and state media, the Peterson Farm Bros were approached by the national media when I’m Farming and I Grow It went viral.“We got called by Good Morning America first, and they wanted us to dance on their show with the original artists,” Peterson said. “We were uncomfortable with that, so we said no. Looking back, that was a crazy thing to say no.”Then, Fox and Friends called, and requested a talk show interview.“They flew us out to New York City and put us up for the night,” Peterson said. “That was an exciting opportunity.”As the summer of 2012 wound down, Peterson prepared to return back to K-State to complete his senior year, while brother, Nathan, anticipated his first year at K-State as a freshman.“I made a few random videos in the fall, and we made Farmer Style in December over Christmas break,” Peterson said. “We filmed it in two days, and it wasn’t as finely tuned. We were just trying to get on the Gangnum Style trend. That trend was to create a parody, or dance the Gangnum Style dance. Everybody was talking about Gangnum Style for, like, two months.”According to Peterson, the Peterson Farm Bros parody video to Gangnum Style, titled Farmer Style, was one of the top five parodies of Gangnum Style.“Farmer Style has over 18 million views,” Peterson said. “I’m Farming and I Grow It went viral because it was the first of its kind, a parody rap song about farming. I lot of people shared it that are in agriculture. Farmer Style went twice as fast as I’m Farming and I Grow It. It wasn’t circulated as much in the ag community, so it really bridged the gap into urban audiences.”Since its release, the I’m Farming and I Grow It parody music video, created by the Peterson Farm Bros, has received more than 12 million views. The Farmer Style parody video has more than 18 million views.“We had so many comments on Farmer Style, where you could tell that people had never seen information about farming in their life,” Peterson said. “It exposed us to the idea that there are a lot of people who really don’t know anything about agriculture. We realized there needs to be some education, beyond just entertainment.”According to Peterson, the Peterson Farm Bros did not set out to make a bunch of parody videos and educational videos until Farmer Style went viral.“When both of them went viral, we saw this was a platform,” Peterson said. “I was still in school, so I don’t think we really got started posting content until I graduated and I was home full-time working on the farm. Then, I started making videos a little more consistently.”According to Peterson, Facebook became the main platform for the Peterson Farm Bros to share videos, with their Facebook page jumping to 100,000 followers pretty quickly.“For probably five years, we posted videos to YouTube and shared to Facebook,” Peterson said. “Then, they quit getting along. Once Facebook got video, we started uploading to both.”Videos posted on Facebook would go viral, and Peterson would often post pictures of what he was doing on the farm that day with a caption. Followers would often post comments in the discussion threads, and Peterson would answer questions about agriculture.“Ever since, that has been just as much what we are doing as the entertainment - the education and answering people’s questions,” Peterson said. “A lot of people had questions just about our farming operation and how it worked, what crops we raised and how we took care of our cattle. There were a lot of misconceptions too … like ‘I’ve heard farmers do this’ or ‘Our food isn’t healthy because of this.’ We spend a lot of time dedicated to answering people’s questions.”To leverage time, Peterson came up with a blog system, involving answers to some of the more frequently asked questions the Peterson Farm Bros received.“When the questions would come up, I would refer them to the blog,” Peterson said. “That way we weren’t typing out long comments, multiple times that said the same thing.”10 years of innovative ag communications“About every four to six months we do a new parody, because they are such a huge undertaking,” Peterson said. “Sometimes we want to do a parody to a song, but I can’t come up with lyrics to the whole thing. That’s where some medleys come in.”In April of 2013, the Peterson Farm Bros partnered with the Kansas Department of Agriculture to promote the new From the Land of Kansas trademark program, publishing a YMCA parody titled From the Land of Kansas. This video was followed by a Fresh Prince of Bel-Air parody, titled A Fresh Breath of Farm Air, published in June of 2013. The 10 year collection of videos on the Peterson Farm Bros YouTube channel includes 24 parody music videos, some original songs produced by Peterson and Thomas Cook out of Wichita, Christmas carols family sing alongs and many educational videos focused on work completed on the farm.“I will write lyrics in a matter of hours or days,” Peterson said. “I wait for the inspiration to hit, and then it comes together. I write a lot of parody lyrics sitting in the tractor seat, or sometimes I will kind of woodshed the lyrics sitting at my desk at home if I really need to get it done.”Before any filming is done, ideally the Peterson Farm Bros record the audio in Peterson’s recording studio set up in his home.“When we are filming, we have that audio playing, and we lips sync to our own voices,” Peterson said. “You can’t really record outside in the Kansas wind live. That doesn’t really work.”Sometimes, when time is limited, the Peterson Farm Bros just memorize the lyrics, and film without audio.“We’ve gone and filmed scenes multiple times where Nathan and Kendal didn’t even know their audio yet, and I would just tell them the words, and we would film them saying the words,”Peterson said.The next step Peterson accomplishes in the process of producing a video for the Peterson Farm Bros is story boarding, marking out the scenes he expects to include in each video.“In our early videos, we wouldn’t really story board,” Peterson said. “We would just mess around until we had filled the video. In our first few videos, our sister was 11 or 12-years-old, and she would sit behind the tripod and she was the one who filmed our videos.”The video filming is mainly done on an iPhone, with the I’m Farming and I Grow It video filmed on an iPod touch.“That really dates that first video,” Peterson said. “I think I got an iPhone that start of my senior year of college. Once our sister, Laura, got into high school, we would put the phone on a tripod and let it go.”Once the audio is recorded and video is filmed, Peterson uses Garage Band to edit audio and iMovie to edit video.“I’d bought a MacBook Pro my freshman year of college,” Peterson said. “I learned by trial and error, just messing around. By my junior year, I knew pretty much everything I wanted to do on that software.”The finished product is then uploaded to Facebook and YouTube. Peterson has dabbled with TikTok, posting Farm Life videos to TikTok. The posts have received over three million views, and the Peterson Farm Bros have over 100,000 followers on TikTok.“TikTok is a totally different language for me,” Peterson said. “That is a young person’s social media game. I’m doing my best to learn it, but we’ve maybe been a little slow to move over to TikTok. If you want to be successful at TikTok, you need to be posting everyday and keep that content relevant. We have enough social media responsibility, we can’t justify that.”Plus, for the Peterson Farm Bros, YouTube and Facebook are paying the bills.“We have ads on our videos,” Peterson said. “We get a deal from YouTube and Facebook every month, split three ways. It’s not like we can quit farming. It is worth the time to create all those videos. We don’t make money off the parodies, because they are copyrighted, but the vlogs of what we are doing on the farm, that don’t have music. We make money on those.”Ten years after I’m Farming and I Grow It, all three Peterson Farm Bros have graduated from high school and Kansas State University, as has their little sister, Laura. Nathan majored in ag technology management, and manages anything on the farm that is technology including GPS and monitors in the equipment helping with precision agriculture practices. Kendal majored in animal science, focusing on the livestock portion of the diversified farming operation located outside of Assaria, where the Peterson Farm Bros videos are shot. In addition to farming, Peterson has coordinated speaking engagements and performances.“I would say for the last nine years, I’ve been a speaker,” Peterson said. “It’s definitely a hybrid of speaking and performing. It’s almost always half speaking and half entertaining, with speaking in between the songs on a certain subject. It’s advocating on agriculture.”Peterson speaks at between 50-60 events each year, with the most speaking gigs in one year being 80. Nathan and Kendal average between 30-40 speaking gigs in a year, alternating who comes so that one brother continues working on the farm.In addition to earning degrees and finding their role in the family farming operation with their parents, David and Marla Peterson, all three Peterson Farm Bros have gotten married, and each have at least one daughter; Kendal has two. Little sister Laura got married, and moved to Nebraska.“All of our kids are young,” Peterson said. “Things have changed more in the last two years than at any other time since we started doing videos. We are trying to find a new balance between farming time, family time, video time and performing time. It’s still trying to work itself out.” Visit their website at: petersonfarmbrothers.com.Sponsors and a BIG Thank You to: Cargill, American Family Insurance, Deines Construction, 24/7, BTI, Nutrien, Farm Bureau Insurance, Coffeyville Resources, and Medline.

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