By&nbsp;BILL FIANDER Insight Kansas

Fresh off citizen vitriol for rising property taxes during their 2024 campaigns, a fortified Republican super-majority Kansas Legislature began loading their prized horses into the starting gate of this year’s Property Tax Derby.&nbsp;

Kansas GOP leaders eye this as the final jewel in the coveted Tax Cut Triple Crown – sales, income, and property.

In previous sessions, they successfully bet on both Governor Kelly’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.governor.ks.gov/Home/Components/News/News/373/56?npage=3">food tax</a>&nbsp;horse (Axe The Tax) and their&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li_2024s/documents/memo_genl_2024staxbillsummary_sb1.pdf">income tax</a>&nbsp;horse (Trickle Down) sired from the Brownback stud farm.&nbsp;

Elected jockeys have three levers at their disposal to determine the pace of property taxes in the derby. 

The state totally controls the first lever (assessments) and oversees county appraisals for the second lever (property values) which are really at the mercy of market forces. The most powerful lever (mill levy) is nearly all in the grip of local government.

Property taxes fund 60%-100% of local government budgets, but less than 1% of state government. Property tax revenue is the lifeblood for local services such as schools, police, roads, parks, transit, libraries, etc. with some hemorrhaging. Conversely, they mean virtually nothing to the state budget.

With that in mind, let’s handicap three GOP entrants while Democrats snooze in the barn. ·&nbsp; “Cap The Tax” (<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1603/">SCR 1603</a>) – Senate Taxation Farms' first entry is a constitutional amendment capping taxable property values at 3% annually, thus artificially controlling property value – not the free market. This well-intentioned concept has all sorts of unintended consequences. Said cap is lifted for home sales and improvements causing vastly different taxable values on the same block while discouraging mobility and investment for an even tighter housing market. Local budgets get squeezed by inflation over 3% but still could effectively make themselves whole by pulling their prodigious mill levy lever. Ultimately, voters must approve if it gets that far. Given the House killed a 4% cap last year, this horse may get stuck on the rail again. ·&nbsp; “Building Biscuit” (<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb35/">SB 35</a>) - Senate Taxation Farms’ second entry would repeal the state’s paltry 1.5 mill levy that goes towards deferred maintenance of state buildings. This is the most local government-friendly entry because it does not jeopardize local revenue. Building maintenance would shift to the state’s general fund made up of income and sales tax. Without a dedicated mill levy, universities are rightfully nervous their proverbial can could be kicked down the road. Homeowners would save a whopping $22 annually on a $200K house. This horse has the best legs for a stretch run but little return for wagers. · “School Levy Sugar” (<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2011/">HB 2011</a>) – The entry from House Taxation Stables has a similar profile to Building Biscuit. Instead of building maintenance, 1.5 mills are wiped from the state’s 20 mills for local schools. Relief for homeowners is just as paltry. Ostensibly, local schools would be made whole through the state’s sales and income taxes. But it puts their can on the line instead of universities. Without Supreme Court oversight for a school funding case, this horse is drifting a little wide at the turn.

If these don’t excite everybody, look for late entries like last year’s prized thoroughbred – exempting residential value from the state’s 20 mill school levy, expanding the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ksrevenue.gov/perstaxtypeshs.html">homestead exemption</a>, OR the ultimate horse trade – Medicaid expansion.

To paraphrase the state’s highest-paid employee (Bill Self),&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/sports/2022/03/27/march-madness-bill-self-kansas-coach-ku-basketball-father-motto-miami-schedule-ncaa-tournament/7186117001/">don’t worry about the mules,</a>&nbsp;keep loading the wagon and don’t crash local services.

Bill Fiander is a lecturer at Washburn University specializing in public administration, urban planning, and state/local government. He is the former planning and development director for the City of Topeka.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738172201538.jpeg" alt="Bill Fiander, Insight Kansas. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Bill Fiander, Insight Kansas. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;BILL FIANDER Insight KansasFresh off citizen vitriol for rising property taxes during their 2024 campaigns, a fortified Republican super-majority Kansas Legislature began loading their prized horses into the starting gate of this year’s Property Tax Derby.&nbsp;Kansas GOP leaders eye this as the final jewel in the coveted Tax Cut Triple Crown – sales, income, and property. In previous sessions, they successfully bet on both Governor Kelly’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.governor.ks.gov/Home/Components/News/News/373/56?npage=3">food tax</a>&nbsp;horse (Axe The Tax) and their&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li_2024s/documents/memo_genl_2024staxbillsummary_sb1.pdf">income tax</a>&nbsp;horse (Trickle Down) sired from the Brownback stud farm.&nbsp;Elected jockeys have three levers at their disposal to determine the pace of property taxes in the derby. The state totally controls the first lever (assessments) and oversees county appraisals for the second lever (property values) which are really at the mercy of market forces. The most powerful lever (mill levy) is nearly all in the grip of local government.Property taxes fund 60%-100% of local government budgets, but less than 1% of state government. Property tax revenue is the lifeblood for local services such as schools, police, roads, parks, transit, libraries, etc. with some hemorrhaging. Conversely, they mean virtually nothing to the state budget.With that in mind, let’s handicap three GOP entrants while Democrats snooze in the barn. ·&nbsp; “Cap The Tax” (<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1603/">SCR 1603</a>) – Senate Taxation Farms' first entry is a constitutional amendment capping taxable property values at 3% annually, thus artificially controlling property value – not the free market. This well-intentioned concept has all sorts of unintended consequences. Said cap is lifted for home sales and improvements causing vastly different taxable values on the same block while discouraging mobility and investment for an even tighter housing market. Local budgets get squeezed by inflation over 3% but still could effectively make themselves whole by pulling their prodigious mill levy lever. Ultimately, voters must approve if it gets that far. Given the House killed a 4% cap last year, this horse may get stuck on the rail again. ·&nbsp; “Building Biscuit” (<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb35/">SB 35</a>) - Senate Taxation Farms’ second entry would repeal the state’s paltry 1.5 mill levy that goes towards deferred maintenance of state buildings. This is the most local government-friendly entry because it does not jeopardize local revenue. Building maintenance would shift to the state’s general fund made up of income and sales tax. Without a dedicated mill levy, universities are rightfully nervous their proverbial can could be kicked down the road. Homeowners would save a whopping $22 annually on a $200K house. This horse has the best legs for a stretch run but little return for wagers. · “School Levy Sugar” (<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2011/">HB 2011</a>) – The entry from House Taxation Stables has a similar profile to Building Biscuit. Instead of building maintenance, 1.5 mills are wiped from the state’s 20 mills for local schools. Relief for homeowners is just as paltry. Ostensibly, local schools would be made whole through the state’s sales and income taxes. But it puts their can on the line instead of universities. Without Supreme Court oversight for a school funding case, this horse is drifting a little wide at the turn.If these don’t excite everybody, look for late entries like last year’s prized thoroughbred – exempting residential value from the state’s 20 mill school levy, expanding the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ksrevenue.gov/perstaxtypeshs.html">homestead exemption</a>, OR the ultimate horse trade – Medicaid expansion.To paraphrase the state’s highest-paid employee (Bill Self),&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/sports/2022/03/27/march-madness-bill-self-kansas-coach-ku-basketball-father-motto-miami-schedule-ncaa-tournament/7186117001/">don’t worry about the mules,</a>&nbsp;keep loading the wagon and don’t crash local services.Bill Fiander is a lecturer at Washburn University specializing in public administration, urban planning, and state/local government. He is the former planning and development director for the City of Topeka.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Handicapping the Kansas Property Tax Derby

By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension District

Inventor Alexander Graham Bell once said, “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.”

When it comes to having a successful calving season, Kansas State University Beef Cattle&nbsp;Institute experts say now is the time to make those preparations. This was the topic of a recent&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ksre-learn.com/cattle-chat-calving-prep">Cattle</a><a target="_blank" href="https://ksre-learn.com/cattle-chat-calving-prep">&nbsp;Chat</a>&nbsp;podcast.

“The first step is to make sure the cows will be calving in a clean, dry environment,” K-State veterinarian Bob Larson said. “I prefer to calve on grass and out of the mud, which means the calving pastures are different than the winter feeding area.”

Because he likes to calve cows on pasture, Larson said he makes sure the fences are secure and there is water readily available.

Next, he makes sure his calving kit is ready in case a cow needs help in delivering her calf.

“Along with having a clean area to catch the cows that need assistance, I make sure I have calving chains or straps, lube, clean plastic sleeves, and the veterinarian’s phone number,” Larson said. “Oftentimes, the first group to calve is the heifers and they are the ones who are more likely to need help.”

Also, in the third trimester, beef cattle&nbsp;nutritionist Phillip Lancaster recommends evaluating the body condition of the cows and offering supplements to underweight cows.

“At this production stage, we want cows to be at a body condition score of five or six because once they calve and are lactating, it is difficult for them to add weight,” Lancaster said. “We don’t want them to be too thin going into the breeding season after calving, so it is important to get them in the right body condition before calving.”

Another planning tip relates to colostrum management.

“I prefer to use actual colostrum collected in the herd rather than a colostrum supplement,” K-State veterinarian Brian Lubbers said. “If you can collect extra colostrum from one of the early calving cows and freeze it for future use, that is the best option.”

Larson agreed but acknowledged milking beef cows who have just calved can be challenging, and for that reason, he also recommends having powdered colostrum on hand.

“In a normal calving situation, colostrum supplementation is not needed; however, if the cow had a c-section or a difficult birth, we may need to provide that to the calf,” Larson said. “Don’t wait until you are in an emergency situation. It is better to have those products stockpiled and ready to use when needed.”

To hear the full discussion, listen to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ksre-learn.com/cattle-chat-calving-prep">Cattle</a><a target="_blank" href="https://ksre-learn.com/cattle-chat-calving-prep">&nbsp;Chat</a>&nbsp;on your preferred streaming platform.

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District, which includes Barton and Ellis counties, for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698682262753.jpeg" alt="Alicia Boor is an&nbsp;Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Alicia Boor is an&nbsp;Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension DistrictInventor Alexander Graham Bell once said, “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.”When it comes to having a successful calving season, Kansas State University Beef Cattle&nbsp;Institute experts say now is the time to make those preparations. This was the topic of a recent&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ksre-learn.com/cattle-chat-calving-prep">Cattle</a><a target="_blank" href="https://ksre-learn.com/cattle-chat-calving-prep">&nbsp;Chat</a>&nbsp;podcast.“The first step is to make sure the cows will be calving in a clean, dry environment,” K-State veterinarian Bob Larson said. “I prefer to calve on grass and out of the mud, which means the calving pastures are different than the winter feeding area.”Because he likes to calve cows on pasture, Larson said he makes sure the fences are secure and there is water readily available.Next, he makes sure his calving kit is ready in case a cow needs help in delivering her calf.“Along with having a clean area to catch the cows that need assistance, I make sure I have calving chains or straps, lube, clean plastic sleeves, and the veterinarian’s phone number,” Larson said. “Oftentimes, the first group to calve is the heifers and they are the ones who are more likely to need help.”Also, in the third trimester, beef cattle&nbsp;nutritionist Phillip Lancaster recommends evaluating the body condition of the cows and offering supplements to underweight cows.“At this production stage, we want cows to be at a body condition score of five or six because once they calve and are lactating, it is difficult for them to add weight,” Lancaster said. “We don’t want them to be too thin going into the breeding season after calving, so it is important to get them in the right body condition before calving.”Another planning tip relates to colostrum management.“I prefer to use actual colostrum collected in the herd rather than a colostrum supplement,” K-State veterinarian Brian Lubbers said. “If you can collect extra colostrum from one of the early calving cows and freeze it for future use, that is the best option.”Larson agreed but acknowledged milking beef cows who have just calved can be challenging, and for that reason, he also recommends having powdered colostrum on hand.“In a normal calving situation, colostrum supplementation is not needed; however, if the cow had a c-section or a difficult birth, we may need to provide that to the calf,” Larson said. “Don’t wait until you are in an emergency situation. It is better to have those products stockpiled and ready to use when needed.”To hear the full discussion, listen to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ksre-learn.com/cattle-chat-calving-prep">Cattle</a><a target="_blank" href="https://ksre-learn.com/cattle-chat-calving-prep">&nbsp;Chat</a>&nbsp;on your preferred streaming platform.Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District, which includes Barton and Ellis counties, for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: Preparation is key to successful calving season

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Invenergy’s Grain Belt Express (GBE) was published in the Federal Register January, 2025. The DEIS is required before construction of the line to ensure that GBE complies with the National Environmental Policy Act.

Few people have any idea what’s in the statement, how it impacts them, or where to find it. Additionally, the comment period for the complex 400-plus-page DEIS has been limited to 45 days. The following is an overview of a document that is inconsistent and weighted in favor of “the Applicant” that seeks to build the HVDC lines.

The DEIS notes that significant environmental damage will be incurred by the construction of GBE. Soil, vegetation, land, land use, recreation, water, air, economic stability, community resources, and public health and safety will be adversely impacted by construction of the transmission lines and maintenance over the years. The DEIS, however, minimizes these negative impacts through a disingenuous use of language and by hiding disclaimers in the fine print or in later sections of the document.

The DEIS claims that damage to the environment and other resources may be temporary or permanent. In fact, some sections claim that damages may or may not happen at all. When the damage is assessed to be temporary, the study claims that the applicant (Invenergy) will repair the damage to the extent that it is able to do so.

The soil and water will be contaminated by paint thinners, gasoline, lubricants, coolants, and other chemicals leaking from heavy construction equipment. Air quality will be compromised by exhaust. Communities may be adversely affected by experiencing a loss in taxes and government revenue. These losses may be temporary or permanent, and some jobs and businesses may be lost forever. While air pollution is expected to be within “acceptable limits,” the report states that this could change depending on the need for maintenance of the line or its operation. Several species of wildlife will be permanently lost, as will certain types of vegetation. Many wooded areas will also permanently be lost. Acreage used for farming will be temporarily affected and permanently lost where towers make farming impossible.

In terms of public health and safety, the DEIS cites that magnetic fields and EMF—electromagnetic field radiation—will be created by the lines, although they are not “expected” to cause serious health risks depending on distance from the lines. There will also be the danger of fires caused by such lines (the likely cause of the Los Angeles fires). Furthermore, health risks exist for those exposed to hazardous chemicals.

The aesthetics and view of the landscape will also be adversely affected, but the report labels the eyesore created by the lines as an “inconsistent and contrasting element [in] the landscape” or as “visual clutter and alterations to the landscape composition.” Recreation, parks, and hunting will also be compromised

Despite the permanent losses cited by the DEIS, the document states that environmental justice will be completely preserved. That’s an interesting conclusion despite the fact that 1) certain damages may or may not happen; 2) Invenergy is “expected” to clean up its mess; and 3) permanent environmental and economic damage will definitely happen in many areas.

It's interesting that the first page of the DEIS states that it assumes that if existing environmental standards as mandated by federal law cannot be met, the line will not be built. The report as a whole, however, assumes that Invenergy will always be proactive in damage control and repair. In other words, if the project is eventually built and Invenergy fails to comply with environmental law, the project won’t be built in the first place. Does this make sense? Of course not, but this Catch-22 is an example of your tax dollars at work.

— Tammy Hammond, Landowner and Rosewood Services CEO, Pawnee Rock, Kansas

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Invenergy’s Grain Belt Express (GBE) was published in the Federal Register January, 2025. The DEIS is required before construction of the line to ensure that GBE complies with the National Environmental Policy Act.Few people have any idea what’s in the statement, how it impacts them, or where to find it. Additionally, the comment period for the complex 400-plus-page DEIS has been limited to 45 days. The following is an overview of a document that is inconsistent and weighted in favor of “the Applicant” that seeks to build the HVDC lines.The DEIS notes that significant environmental damage will be incurred by the construction of GBE. Soil, vegetation, land, land use, recreation, water, air, economic stability, community resources, and public health and safety will be adversely impacted by construction of the transmission lines and maintenance over the years. The DEIS, however, minimizes these negative impacts through a disingenuous use of language and by hiding disclaimers in the fine print or in later sections of the document.The DEIS claims that damage to the environment and other resources may be temporary or permanent. In fact, some sections claim that damages may or may not happen at all. When the damage is assessed to be temporary, the study claims that the applicant (Invenergy) will repair the damage to the extent that it is able to do so.The soil and water will be contaminated by paint thinners, gasoline, lubricants, coolants, and other chemicals leaking from heavy construction equipment. Air quality will be compromised by exhaust. Communities may be adversely affected by experiencing a loss in taxes and government revenue. These losses may be temporary or permanent, and some jobs and businesses may be lost forever. While air pollution is expected to be within “acceptable limits,” the report states that this could change depending on the need for maintenance of the line or its operation. Several species of wildlife will be permanently lost, as will certain types of vegetation. Many wooded areas will also permanently be lost. Acreage used for farming will be temporarily affected and permanently lost where towers make farming impossible.In terms of public health and safety, the DEIS cites that magnetic fields and EMF—electromagnetic field radiation—will be created by the lines, although they are not “expected” to cause serious health risks depending on distance from the lines. There will also be the danger of fires caused by such lines (the likely cause of the Los Angeles fires). Furthermore, health risks exist for those exposed to hazardous chemicals.The aesthetics and view of the landscape will also be adversely affected, but the report labels the eyesore created by the lines as an “inconsistent and contrasting element [in] the landscape” or as “visual clutter and alterations to the landscape composition.” Recreation, parks, and hunting will also be compromisedeither temporarily or permanently.Despite the permanent losses cited by the DEIS, the document states that environmental justice will be completely preserved. That’s an interesting conclusion despite the fact that 1) certain damages may or may not happen; 2) Invenergy is “expected” to clean up its mess; and 3) permanent environmental and economic damage will definitely happen in many areas.It's interesting that the first page of the DEIS states that it assumes that if existing environmental standards as mandated by federal law cannot be met, the line will not be built. The report as a whole, however, assumes that Invenergy will always be proactive in damage control and repair. In other words, if the project is eventually built and Invenergy fails to comply with environmental law, the project won’t be built in the first place. Does this make sense? Of course not, but this Catch-22 is an example of your tax dollars at work.— Tammy Hammond, Landowner and Rosewood Services CEO, Pawnee Rock, Kansas

LETTER: Grain Belt Express environmental report weighted in favor of Invenergy

<figure><img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633970422056.jpeg" alt="Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, 109th Dist. Courtesy photo" /><figcaption>Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill, 109th Dist. Courtesy photo</figcaption></figure>TOPEKANew Bills in the HouseThe Kansas House of Representatives was flooded with 62 new bills in this second week of session, touching items from interstate compacts on dieticians to requirements for motorcyle driver license instructors. Below is summary of just a slice of that list.First is House Bill (HB) 2057, which has garnered some attention across the state. This legislation would change law regarding the replacement selection of U.S. Senators, the State Treasurer, and Insurance Commissioner in Kansas. Under current law the Governor selects the temporary replacement for those officers in the event of their vacancy. HB 2057 would add the requirement that the selected replacement be picked from three nominees chosen from a joint legislative committee and that the nominee be a member of the same political party, for the past 10 years, as the previous holder.Second is HB 2035. This bill would amend current law to include trail rides as a ranching activity, which in turn would classify it as an agritourist activity and thus be applicable for the agricultural use tax deductions. Third is HB 2063. This legislation would allocate $60 million state general fund (SGF) dollars to create several conservation funds in the next fiscal year, 2026, and be administered by the Department of Agriculture and Wildlife and Parks. The funds would be used to incentivize conservation efforts across a wide range of activities, from irrigation techniques to land restoration.Fourth is HB 2077, which would extend an exemption for sales tax collection on both purchases directly related to administering of not-for-profit animal shelters and the construction, maintenance, repair, and improvement of said facilities also. Fifth is HB 2082. This is the governor’s budget, which per custom I introduce every year at the start of session and did on Thursday. As I mentioned in the last newsletter this budget is separate from the legislature’s, and while it will not set the tone for the session it will be used as a point of comparison.Sixth is HB 2085. This bill changes the length of water pollution control permits with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment from 5 to 10 years, and adjusts the fee schedule for larger facilities. Seventh, and last, is HB 2088. 2088 would create new requirements and rules for municipal and county governments relating to real estate. Some examples being a new 60 day deadline for decisions on complete applications for building permits and zoning appeals and banning application fees for resubmissions of said filings.COMMITTEE HAPPENINGS House Appropriations (HAPP) heard a few briefings and worked on several budgets this week.On Tuesday the committee heard an informational briefing from Pat George, the Chair of the Kansas Fights Addiction Fund Grant Review Board. The organization was created back in 2021 to oversee the awarding of grants to organizations that combat substance use disorders in Kansas, said funds coming from opioid legal settlements. To date the organization has overseen $24 million in grants. The committee also heard and worked on the budgets of the Behavioral Science Regulatory Board, Board of Healing Arts, Board of Tax Appeals, Judicial Council, and Office of Administrative Hearings.Wednesday, the committee received an informational briefing on the Midwest Higher Education Compact (MHEC) from its President, Susan Heegaard. MHEC is an interstate compact which Kansas belongs to, and it enhances secondary education in member states through cost-saving initiatives and collaboration. HAPP also heard and worked on the budgets of the Adjutant General, Emergency Medical Services Board, and the Kansas Sentencing Commission.On Thursday the committee heard and worked on the budgets of the Board of Accountancy, Veterinary Examiners, the Department of Revenue, State Historical Society, Board of Mortuary Arts, and Board of Pharmacy.It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Please contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and questions. I always appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.Contact My Office Representative Troy L. Waymaster 300 SW 10th Street Topeka, Kansas 66612 Troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov <a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/">www.kslegislature.org </a> www.troywaymaster.com

WAYMASTER: From the Dome to Home, Jan. 27

A post-Christmas challenge our house involves seeing how long I can keep each seasonal poinsettia alive. Part of this has to do with childhood memories as well as serving as a winter doldrum challenge. 

Considering poinsettias aren’t native to Kansas or to living indoors adds to the project’s difficulty. Ten years ago, I kept one growing 'til the following Christmas before I finally gave up on it looking once again like a store model.

Poinsettias originated in Mexico and Central America where they grow up to 13 feet tall on the Pacific side of the map. According to sources, Aztecs called them cuetlaxóchitl. Later, due to their bright red leaves, some termed them “flame flower or painted leaf.” 

Once the first U.S. Mexican Consul Joel Poinsett began collecting them in his South Caroline greenhouse somewhere around 1826, the term poinsettia entered American usage.

Native people utilized the red leaves to make dye, and in traditional medicine practice, healers utilized the plant to lower fevers. 

Once Spanish priests arrived in the New World, they noted the brilliant colors prominent during Christmastide and decorated their churches with them. A Mexican folk tale relays the story of a poor native girl who wanted to leave an offering at the creche. She gathered a handful of weeds which happened to be poinsettias and thus began a Christmas tradition that continues.

Anyone who’s seen poinsettias growing wild knows they’re not truly house plants. Gone native, they’re tall, scraggly forbs or trees with thick stems and sparse leaves—green or red. 

A previous owner of my childhood southern California home planted a row along the house’s north wall. When we moved in in mid-summer, we couldn’t identify them so my curious mom waited to see what happened over that first year. Sure enough, around December we had taller-than-our-roof poinsettias turning anemic red because without special care, they don’t brighten the way you see them in a store. By the time we left that house, they towered a foot over our roof top.

Christmas displays of these lead buyers to think that the red star-shape is the plant’s flower, but they’re actually leaves. The tiny, yellow barely-noticeable blossoms hide in the center of that scarlet field.

I’m guessing five years of watching wild poinsettias bloom each year led my grandma, mom, and I to attempt to keep Christmas centerpieces alive as long as possible. Mom and Grandma succeeded more often than I at babying finicky shrubs pretending to be Christmas decor.

Over time, I’ve learned you can’t over water or these plants suffer root rot. If you underwater, the green leaves curl and fall off. 

As finicky as they are, they enjoy fertilizing once a month. Modern cultivars need to be pruned so research those guidelines. Who wants a poinsettia touching the ceiling? 

If you keep it alive through September, investigate light requirements to guarantee a festive red and green plant dressed in its best for Christmas.

Looking back, Mom and Grandma had the patience to work with these plants. Apparently, that gene didn’t fully pass on. My current poinsettia is down to only red leaves. When those start falling, that weed’s scoring 2 points when it hits the trash bin.

Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658158626307.png" alt="Karen Madorin. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Karen Madorin. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORINA post-Christmas challenge our house involves seeing how long I can keep each seasonal poinsettia alive. Part of this has to do with childhood memories as well as serving as a winter doldrum challenge. Considering poinsettias aren’t native to Kansas or to living indoors adds to the project’s difficulty. Ten years ago, I kept one growing 'til the following Christmas before I finally gave up on it looking once again like a store model.Poinsettias originated in Mexico and Central America where they grow up to 13 feet tall on the Pacific side of the map. According to sources, Aztecs called them cuetlaxóchitl. Later, due to their bright red leaves, some termed them “flame flower or painted leaf.” Once the first U.S. Mexican Consul Joel Poinsett began collecting them in his South Caroline greenhouse somewhere around 1826, the term poinsettia entered American usage.Native people utilized the red leaves to make dye, and in traditional medicine practice, healers utilized the plant to lower fevers. Once Spanish priests arrived in the New World, they noted the brilliant colors prominent during Christmastide and decorated their churches with them. A Mexican folk tale relays the story of a poor native girl who wanted to leave an offering at the creche. She gathered a handful of weeds which happened to be poinsettias and thus began a Christmas tradition that continues.Anyone who’s seen poinsettias growing wild knows they’re not truly house plants. Gone native, they’re tall, scraggly forbs or trees with thick stems and sparse leaves—green or red. A previous owner of my childhood southern California home planted a row along the house’s north wall. When we moved in in mid-summer, we couldn’t identify them so my curious mom waited to see what happened over that first year. Sure enough, around December we had taller-than-our-roof poinsettias turning anemic red because without special care, they don’t brighten the way you see them in a store. By the time we left that house, they towered a foot over our roof top.Christmas displays of these lead buyers to think that the red star-shape is the plant’s flower, but they’re actually leaves. The tiny, yellow barely-noticeable blossoms hide in the center of that scarlet field.I’m guessing five years of watching wild poinsettias bloom each year led my grandma, mom, and I to attempt to keep Christmas centerpieces alive as long as possible. Mom and Grandma succeeded more often than I at babying finicky shrubs pretending to be Christmas decor.Over time, I’ve learned you can’t over water or these plants suffer root rot. If you underwater, the green leaves curl and fall off. As finicky as they are, they enjoy fertilizing once a month. Modern cultivars need to be pruned so research those guidelines. Who wants a poinsettia touching the ceiling? If you keep it alive through September, investigate light requirements to guarantee a festive red and green plant dressed in its best for Christmas.Looking back, Mom and Grandma had the patience to work with these plants. Apparently, that gene didn’t fully pass on. My current poinsettia is down to only red leaves. When those start falling, that weed’s scoring 2 points when it hits the trash bin.Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan.

MADORIN: Crossing the finish line

My name is Diane Schminke, and I’m an elementary school teacher of Sacred Heart Catholic School of Dodge City, Kansas. 

Over the past year, my family and I have experienced firsthand the exceptional care and compassion that HaysMed provides. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was terrified, but HaysMed immediately became a source of strength and hope for me. There was no question that I would continue my care here—their world-class experience and extraordinary team have made all the difference in my journey.

I travel over 100 miles one-way for my radiation treatments because I believe in the providers and the care I receive at HaysMed. This is not just about receiving care; it’s about trusting a team that makes me feel safe, supported, and deeply valued. From the moment I walk through the doors, every interaction reassures me that I’m in the best hands. The staff who greet me, the nurses who guide me, and the heartfelt doctors who patiently listen—they all create an environment where I can focus on healing.

When my breast cancer diagnosis came, it felt overwhelming. But the care and attention I received at HaysMed transformed that fear into confidence. My journey with breast cancer started with my annual well-women’s visit with Felecia Minyard, APRN at the HaysMed Dodge City Multispecialty Clinic, then soon after with a mammogram at HaysMed in Hays. 

When the imaging revealed something concerning, the staff went above and beyond. Knowing I was heading back to Dodge City, they managed to schedule advanced mammography the same day. Within 20 minutes, I was seen, and the swift action of the team gave me immense peace of mind. This commitment to patient-centered care has been a constant throughout my experience.

Dr. Issac Chambers, my HaysMed oncologist called me personally to discuss my treatment plan. He made sure my husband and children could be part of those conversations, so we were all informed and empowered. My treatment includes 20 radiation sessions—I’m currently on visit number three—as well as hormonal therapy for the next 5-7 years. Knowing I have this team beside me every step of the way makes the journey feel possible.

The compassion of the providers at HaysMed is unparalleled. Dr. Brandon Cunningham performed my lumpectomy, patiently explaining every detail and ensuring I felt cared for at every step. Sara, my nurse navigator, has been an incredible source of guidance and comfort as she guides me between the different departments and procedures. HaysMed radiation Physician Assistant, Teal Sander and Dr. Lyle Harrison have both provided outstanding support, always treating me with kindness and respect. They’ve all gone above and beyond to make sure I feel seen, heard, and cared for.

HaysMed’s care extends beyond just me. My husband, Eric, has faced significant health challenges, including COPD and heart issues, and the providers here have consistently delivered exceptional care for him as well. Dr. Gulraiz Cheema in Orthopedics, Dr. Kalyan Wagle in Cardiology, and the Pulmonology team have cared for him with the same warmth, compassion, and expertise that I’ve been fortunate to experience myself.

The personal touches at HaysMed set them apart. Whether it’s a staff member stopping in the hallway to offer assistance or a provider explaining complex medical terms in ways my family and I can understand, they consistently show genuine kindness and humanity. The portal has been an invaluable tool, giving us access to pathology reports and allowing us to communicate directly with our providers. As a family with many healthcare workers, including an ER nurse and a pharmacist, we deeply appreciate this transparency and accessibility.

Even as I balance my teaching schedule, HaysMed accommodates my needs, arranging appointments as the last of the day to minimize disruptions. Their efforts to coordinate with Felecia Minyard, APRN and the Dodge City Multispecialty Clinic have been remarkable, reducing our travel burden and making care seamless. The clinic’s staff responds promptly, works around pre-scheduled commitments, and ensures I’m never left waiting for answers or care.

There’s a reason we keep coming back to HaysMed. It’s not just the exceptional medical care—it’s the unwavering support, kindness, and humanity they bring to every interaction. They’ve been a cornerstone of our healthcare journey, and I cannot thank them enough for walking with me through this challenging chapter of my life. HaysMed is more than a hospital; it’s a place of hope, healing, and heart.

Diane Schminke Dodge City, Kansas

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698091063975.png" alt="Image by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>My name is Diane Schminke, and I’m an elementary school teacher of Sacred Heart Catholic School of Dodge City, Kansas. Over the past year, my family and I have experienced firsthand the exceptional care and compassion that HaysMed provides. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was terrified, but HaysMed immediately became a source of strength and hope for me. There was no question that I would continue my care here—their world-class experience and extraordinary team have made all the difference in my journey.I travel over 100 miles one-way for my radiation treatments because I believe in the providers and the care I receive at HaysMed. This is not just about receiving care; it’s about trusting a team that makes me feel safe, supported, and deeply valued. From the moment I walk through the doors, every interaction reassures me that I’m in the best hands. The staff who greet me, the nurses who guide me, and the heartfelt doctors who patiently listen—they all create an environment where I can focus on healing.When my breast cancer diagnosis came, it felt overwhelming. But the care and attention I received at HaysMed transformed that fear into confidence. My journey with breast cancer started with my annual well-women’s visit with Felecia Minyard, APRN at the HaysMed Dodge City Multispecialty Clinic, then soon after with a mammogram at HaysMed in Hays. When the imaging revealed something concerning, the staff went above and beyond. Knowing I was heading back to Dodge City, they managed to schedule advanced mammography the same day. Within 20 minutes, I was seen, and the swift action of the team gave me immense peace of mind. This commitment to patient-centered care has been a constant throughout my experience.Dr. Issac Chambers, my HaysMed oncologist called me personally to discuss my treatment plan. He made sure my husband and children could be part of those conversations, so we were all informed and empowered. My treatment includes 20 radiation sessions—I’m currently on visit number three—as well as hormonal therapy for the next 5-7 years. Knowing I have this team beside me every step of the way makes the journey feel possible.The compassion of the providers at HaysMed is unparalleled. Dr. Brandon Cunningham performed my lumpectomy, patiently explaining every detail and ensuring I felt cared for at every step. Sara, my nurse navigator, has been an incredible source of guidance and comfort as she guides me between the different departments and procedures. HaysMed radiation Physician Assistant, Teal Sander and Dr. Lyle Harrison have both provided outstanding support, always treating me with kindness and respect. They’ve all gone above and beyond to make sure I feel seen, heard, and cared for.HaysMed’s care extends beyond just me. My husband, Eric, has faced significant health challenges, including COPD and heart issues, and the providers here have consistently delivered exceptional care for him as well. Dr. Gulraiz Cheema in Orthopedics, Dr. Kalyan Wagle in Cardiology, and the Pulmonology team have cared for him with the same warmth, compassion, and expertise that I’ve been fortunate to experience myself.The personal touches at HaysMed set them apart. Whether it’s a staff member stopping in the hallway to offer assistance or a provider explaining complex medical terms in ways my family and I can understand, they consistently show genuine kindness and humanity. The portal has been an invaluable tool, giving us access to pathology reports and allowing us to communicate directly with our providers. As a family with many healthcare workers, including an ER nurse and a pharmacist, we deeply appreciate this transparency and accessibility.Even as I balance my teaching schedule, HaysMed accommodates my needs, arranging appointments as the last of the day to minimize disruptions. Their efforts to coordinate with Felecia Minyard, APRN and the Dodge City Multispecialty Clinic have been remarkable, reducing our travel burden and making care seamless. The clinic’s staff responds promptly, works around pre-scheduled commitments, and ensures I’m never left waiting for answers or care.There’s a reason we keep coming back to HaysMed. It’s not just the exceptional medical care—it’s the unwavering support, kindness, and humanity they bring to every interaction. They’ve been a cornerstone of our healthcare journey, and I cannot thank them enough for walking with me through this challenging chapter of my life. HaysMed is more than a hospital; it’s a place of hope, healing, and heart.Diane Schminke Dodge City, Kansas

LETTER: HaysMed place of hope, healing, heart

Your response to Community Assistance Center food drives fills the pantry shelves that fill our food boxes. Your donations of clothing and household items provide serviceable clothing and household goods.

Your monetary gifts purchase food between drives when supplies run low.

In 2024, your generosity supported 684 families, 428 individuals and 1,177 children.

Since 1984, the citizens of Ellis County have supported those in need.

Organized by a group of concerned citizens, it continues today with a staff of two and 40 part-time volunteers. 

The Center is open between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays to serve clients and receive donations.

The staff and volunteers receive and sort donations, filling the shelves and closets with food and used items in good condition.

On the first and third Tuesdays of each month, the CAC has a garage sale open to the public. The proceeds from these sales help cover the cost of building maintenance and utilities.

The CAC's mission is to assist Ellis County residents in need. It is a grassroots effort made possible by the concern and generosity of the citizens of Ellis County. Without you, we would not exist. 

Thank you, Ellis County, for supporting our mission.

The staff and volunteers at the Community Assistance Center 1108 Oak Street Hays, Kansas

Visit our website at <a href="http://hayscac.com">hayscac.com</a>. Follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hayscac">Facebook</a>.

THANK YOU ELLIS COUNTY CITIZENSYour response to Community Assistance Center food drives fills the pantry shelves that fill our food boxes. Your donations of clothing and household items provide serviceable clothing and household goods.Your monetary gifts purchase food between drives when supplies run low.In 2024, your generosity supported 684 families, 428 individuals and 1,177 children.Since 1984, the citizens of Ellis County have supported those in need.Organized by a group of concerned citizens, it continues today with a staff of two and 40 part-time volunteers. The Center is open between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays to serve clients and receive donations.The staff and volunteers receive and sort donations, filling the shelves and closets with food and used items in good condition.On the first and third Tuesdays of each month, the CAC has a garage sale open to the public. The proceeds from these sales help cover the cost of building maintenance and utilities.The CAC's mission is to assist Ellis County residents in need. It is a grassroots effort made possible by the concern and generosity of the citizens of Ellis County. Without you, we would not exist. Thank you, Ellis County, for supporting our mission.The staff and volunteers at the Community Assistance Center 1108 Oak Street Hays, KansasVisit our website at <a href="http://hayscac.com">hayscac.com</a>. Follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hayscac">Facebook</a>.

LETTER: Community Assistance Center thanks Ellis County

The season for snow and ice is here, and with the change in weather, you may be concerned about falling. However, slippery conditions are only one factor contributing to fall risk. Other elements like balance, strength, and coordination can also play a part.

As you know, balance keeps you stable and on your feet. Your eyes, nervous system, and inner ears communicate to keep you upright. Intricate stabilizing muscles and core strength also work together for good balance.

So, what can you do to reduce your risk of falling?

Key practices for good balance include strength and flexibility training. These exercises work your muscles and engage the body’s full balance network, including the nervous system, vision, and inner ears. Keeping these systems in regular communication will help improve balance.

For example, strength training with dumbbells, resistance bands, or body weight can increase muscle mass and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Resistance exercises help build stabilizing muscles and increase movement control.

Unilateral movements also contribute to better balance by increasing the time spent on a single side of the body. These exercises focus on practicing balance and improving coordination while strengthening the body. Including unilateral movements such as walking, climbing stairs, riding a bike, or tai chi can help.

Flexibility training is another key component to improve posture and increase range of motion. When the body is tight, everyday tasks may seem difficult to complete. Bending over to tie&nbsp;shoes or reaching high into a cabinet can be challenging. However, yoga and daily stretching are two ways to work on flexibility that contribute to better balance.

The fear of falling is a legitimate concern for many older adults. In the United States, every 11 seconds a senior is treated in the emergency room due to a fall. These injuries can result in decreased mobility and loss of independence.

Improving balance includes regular strength and flexibility training. Incorporating these habits into your routine at least twice a week can help. Once you start, make it a habit because balance is a skill that requires practice. The good news is that it’s never too late to start!

Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697546908793.jpeg" alt="Karissa Winkel, Cottonwood Extension District&nbsp;&nbsp;Family and Community Wellness Agent. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Karissa Winkel, Cottonwood Extension District&nbsp;&nbsp;Family and Community Wellness Agent. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The season for snow and ice is here, and with the change in weather, you may be concerned about falling. However, slippery conditions are only one factor contributing to fall risk. Other elements like balance, strength, and coordination can also play a part.As you know, balance keeps you stable and on your feet. Your eyes, nervous system, and inner ears communicate to keep you upright. Intricate stabilizing muscles and core strength also work together for good balance.So, what can you do to reduce your risk of falling?Key practices for good balance include strength and flexibility training. These exercises work your muscles and engage the body’s full balance network, including the nervous system, vision, and inner ears. Keeping these systems in regular communication will help improve balance.For example, strength training with dumbbells, resistance bands, or body weight can increase muscle mass and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Resistance exercises help build stabilizing muscles and increase movement control.Unilateral movements also contribute to better balance by increasing the time spent on a single side of the body. These exercises focus on practicing balance and improving coordination while strengthening the body. Including unilateral movements such as walking, climbing stairs, riding a bike, or tai chi can help.Flexibility training is another key component to improve posture and increase range of motion. When the body is tight, everyday tasks may seem difficult to complete. Bending over to tie&nbsp;shoes or reaching high into a cabinet can be challenging. However, yoga and daily stretching are two ways to work on flexibility that contribute to better balance.The fear of falling is a legitimate concern for many older adults. In the United States, every 11 seconds a senior is treated in the emergency room due to a fall. These injuries can result in decreased mobility and loss of independence.Improving balance includes regular strength and flexibility training. Incorporating these habits into your routine at least twice a week can help. Once you start, make it a habit because balance is a skill that requires practice. The good news is that it’s never too late to start!Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at 620-793-1910 or krwinkel@ksu.edu.&nbsp;

WINKEL: Practice balancing to reduce risk of falls on winter ice 

I have a confession to make — I hate horses! 

This is a big step for me to admit my dislike of the beasts, because living here in Kansas and hating horses is akin to living in a retirement home and hating the Wheel of Fortune. 

I grew up in central Ohio where coon hunting was a popular and noble sport, and an offshoot sport that grew out of coon hunting and was popular for a time was hunting raccoons from the backs of mules. 

Now, I cannot fathom riding a smelly, cantankerous, sweaty old mule in pursuit of a raccoon through briars, brambles, fallen tree limbs, swamps and hidden barbed wire, and in the middle of the night, no less. 

By night’s end, most coon hunters have fallen into the river or swamp at least once, skinned and dressed a couple big greasy coons, and all this after thoroughly enjoying a huge pot of Texas style chili their buddy fixed before the hunt, all making for some rather unique and horrible smells at the end of a good night’s coon hunt. 

So why on God’s green earth would I want to start the evening as a passenger on the back of a critter that already smells that bad from the get-go?

I can’t imagine a mule would be known for its smooth ride either, so it seems to me Mr. “Bobblehead” coon hunter would be shining his headlamp about everywhere but where it was needed. 

To solve this problem, I’d mount lights on the mule. Ace hardware has clamp-on trailer lights, so hang an old milk crate on the mule to hold the battery, then buy a half-dozen of those lights and get creative. Those big ears have to be good for something, so clamp one on each ear.

 Myself, I’d clamp the other four to the loose skin under each leg and shine them downward for ground-effect lighting, (but that’s just me.) By the time I got through with my mule, it’d look like a transformer clomping through the woods.

Coonhounds are notorious for getting lost before the night's over, so what if my “coonmule” tosses me off in the middle of a briar patch and lights out on its own? 

I’m thinkin’ it would be easier to just shoot the thing than try to lasso it or get it to load into a stock trailer after having run loose all night. 

And I can only imagine what would happen if someone found the thing standing in the middle of the road. Spotting a coonhound in the middle of the road would not seem too strange. But topping a hill on a country road in the middle of nowhere at three a.m. only to spot my coonmule standing in the road in front of you lit up like a four-legged Christmas tree with high beams shooting out from both ears and all four armpits? You’d have to change shorts immediately and I guarantee you’d be in the front pew at church the following Sunday.

So far, I’ve railed pretty badly against the poor mules, but as I search my soul, I have to say their tainted reputation is probably not all their fault.

 I think the name alone gives them a bum rap. I mean really, what does the word “mule” conjure up for you? It’s right up there with other one-syllable four-letter words like carp, crap, lard, lump, toad and turd. 

Just because mules are a cross between a male donkey and a female horse, why curse them from birth with a name like mule. After all, dogs are cross-bred all the time and given fine exotic names that use parts of each&nbsp;breed, like Afador, Cockapoo, and my personal favorite, a cross between a Labrador retriever and a Poodle, the Labradoodle. 

Why not be a little more creative and help lift the mule’s self esteem with a fine and noble name like Donkhorsey or Hordonk…or maybe not!

Anyway, I know Donkhorseys and Hordonks make great working steeds and excellent pulling teams, but as far as riding them into the woods in the middle of the night as a way of chasing coons and following coonhounds, not so much! 

The way I see it, riding a mule to follow a coonhound ranks right up there with using a Labradoodle to chase the coon.

 A nickname my grandmother had for our feet was “shanks horses,” and as far as I’m concerned, shanks horses are the only thing I’ll ride into the woods chasing a coon, thank you very much!

Steve can be contacted by email&nbsp;at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve Gilliland, Exploring Kansas Outdoors. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Steve Gilliland, Exploring Kansas Outdoors. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>I have a confession to make — I hate horses! This is a big step for me to admit my dislike of the beasts, because living here in Kansas and hating horses is akin to living in a retirement home and hating the Wheel of Fortune. I grew up in central Ohio where coon hunting was a popular and noble sport, and an offshoot sport that grew out of coon hunting and was popular for a time was hunting raccoons from the backs of mules. Now, I cannot fathom riding a smelly, cantankerous, sweaty old mule in pursuit of a raccoon through briars, brambles, fallen tree limbs, swamps and hidden barbed wire, and in the middle of the night, no less. By night’s end, most coon hunters have fallen into the river or swamp at least once, skinned and dressed a couple big greasy coons, and all this after thoroughly enjoying a huge pot of Texas style chili their buddy fixed before the hunt, all making for some rather unique and horrible smells at the end of a good night’s coon hunt. So why on God’s green earth would I want to start the evening as a passenger on the back of a critter that already smells that bad from the get-go?I can’t imagine a mule would be known for its smooth ride either, so it seems to me Mr. “Bobblehead” coon hunter would be shining his headlamp about everywhere but where it was needed. To solve this problem, I’d mount lights on the mule. Ace hardware has clamp-on trailer lights, so hang an old milk crate on the mule to hold the battery, then buy a half-dozen of those lights and get creative. Those big ears have to be good for something, so clamp one on each ear. Myself, I’d clamp the other four to the loose skin under each leg and shine them downward for ground-effect lighting, (but that’s just me.) By the time I got through with my mule, it’d look like a transformer clomping through the woods.Coonhounds are notorious for getting lost before the night's over, so what if my “coonmule” tosses me off in the middle of a briar patch and lights out on its own? I’m thinkin’ it would be easier to just shoot the thing than try to lasso it or get it to load into a stock trailer after having run loose all night. And I can only imagine what would happen if someone found the thing standing in the middle of the road. Spotting a coonhound in the middle of the road would not seem too strange. But topping a hill on a country road in the middle of nowhere at three a.m. only to spot my coonmule standing in the road in front of you lit up like a four-legged Christmas tree with high beams shooting out from both ears and all four armpits? You’d have to change shorts immediately and I guarantee you’d be in the front pew at church the following Sunday.So far, I’ve railed pretty badly against the poor mules, but as I search my soul, I have to say their tainted reputation is probably not all their fault. I think the name alone gives them a bum rap. I mean really, what does the word “mule” conjure up for you? It’s right up there with other one-syllable four-letter words like carp, crap, lard, lump, toad and turd. Just because mules are a cross between a male donkey and a female horse, why curse them from birth with a name like mule. After all, dogs are cross-bred all the time and given fine exotic names that use parts of each&nbsp;breed, like Afador, Cockapoo, and my personal favorite, a cross between a Labrador retriever and a Poodle, the Labradoodle. Why not be a little more creative and help lift the mule’s self esteem with a fine and noble name like Donkhorsey or Hordonk…or maybe not!Anyway, I know Donkhorseys and Hordonks make great working steeds and excellent pulling teams, but as far as riding them into the woods in the middle of the night as a way of chasing coons and following coonhounds, not so much! The way I see it, riding a mule to follow a coonhound ranks right up there with using a Labradoodle to chase the coon. A nickname my grandmother had for our feet was “shanks horses,” and as far as I’m concerned, shanks horses are the only thing I’ll ride into the woods chasing a coon, thank you very much!Continue to explore Kansas outdoors.Steve can be contacted by email&nbsp;at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Kansas Outdoors: Coon hunting mules and Labradoodles

By&nbsp;RUSSELL ARBEN FOX&nbsp; Insight Kansas

Kansas cities, like all American cities—including all the blue ones that our new president regularly attacks—are not radical places. 

They may have more Democratic voters than the state’s rural counties, and those voters may prefer more egalitarian policies than will ever pass in Topeka, but their economies are just as dependent upon capitalism as the state and country as a whole.

For example, unlike the Kansas and United States governments, Kansas city governments are legally forbidden from making use of direct income taxes as a revenue tool. This is the case for most cities across the country (though not Missouri cities, incidentally), and is one reason why American municipalities compete to attract corporate investment: growing their property and sales tax base is often their only way to fund services.

Some cities do, however, have an additional source of revenue: local philanthropists.

Wealthy people and businesses have, of course, used their resources to benefit society throughout history; Andrew Carnegie famously insisted that spending all one’s money on building public goods was far wiser than leaving it to the government or (worst of all) to one’s children. And this giving can have a national or international reach.

But because such philanthropy comes from specific people and organizations in specific places, it is often the towns and cities they live and do business in which benefit the most.

Some philanthropy is small-scale: Kansas non-profits generate over $14 billion, and Kansans themselves donate nearly $2 billion, each year. Every church, athletic club, arts organization, youth group, and more which benefits from that work adds to their local community.

Most attention, though, obviously goes to those willing and able to share with their towns and cities on a major scale, helping to build parks, performing arts centers, museums, and libraries, and funding scholarships, educational programs, civic infrastructure, and more. So when some of these big players move, city governments pay attention, and rightly so.

Hopes for local philanthropy, however, can get complicated.

Any Kansan who has visited Grand Rapids, Omaha, or Bentonville, and seen the massive impact which the <a href="https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/grand-rapids/a-look-back-richard-and-helen-devos-foundations-impact-in-west-michigan">DeVos</a>, <a href="https://www.ketv.com/article/warren-buffett-impact-berkshire-hathaway-wealth-changed-omaha/60658807">Buffett</a>, and <a href="https://www.ocolly.com/news/the-waltons-canvas-changing-bentonville-s-future/article_5b124eb2-a993-11ee-a03a-fb42291ff011.html">Walton</a> families have had on the amenities of those cities, can’t deny the value of such generosity. The same thing is visible in Tulsa—yet the centralizing tendencies of the <a href="https://nationswell.com/what-we-can-learn-from-george-kaiser-family-foundations-place-based-work-in-tulsa/">Kaiser</a> family there has given rise to <a href="https://michaelpaulmason.medium.com/the-kaiser-system-e8c14bca395">criticism</a>, and similar concerns crop up in other cities as well.

In Kansas, one might think that Wichita’s Koch family, one of the richest in the country, might head this list. But despite some <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Koch_Arena">high-profile</a> gifts, their money has mostly gone to the support the Kochs’ preferred ideological causes, with the foundations set up by the <a href="https://ingrams.com/article/home-grown-generosity/">Sunderland, Hansen, and other families </a>in the Kansas City area <a href="https://www.tgci.com/funding-sources/ks/top">far outpacing them</a> in civic support.

Charles Koch’s son Chase has recently <a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/carrie-rengers/article298481938.html">made waves</a> by buying up properties in downtown Wichita—including former apartments in a city facing a <a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/local/article288215105.html">housing shortage</a>—and has talked of his&nbsp;desire to add to the city’s music and arts scene. But what community developments may come of his interests remain to be seen.

Philanthropists have always been part of the Kansas landscape. The best ones, whether their donations are large or small, are those that work with local governments and civic organizations to make certain their support aligns with community needs and a shared municipal vision. 

Yes, the intentions of philanthropic action deserve respect; <a href="https://philanthropydaily.com/the-kansas-government-just-protected-charitable-donations/">that’s the law</a>. But while Kansas cities and towns will always be grateful for charitable support, receiving it as a reflection of merely personal goals doesn’t satisfy Carnegie’s measure of public giving at all.

Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586443443315.jpeg" alt="Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;RUSSELL ARBEN FOX&nbsp; Insight Kansas Kansas cities, like all American cities—including all the blue ones that our new president regularly attacks—are not radical places. They may have more Democratic voters than the state’s rural counties, and those voters may prefer more egalitarian policies than will ever pass in Topeka, but their economies are just as dependent upon capitalism as the state and country as a whole.There are exceptions, though. For example, unlike the Kansas and United States governments, Kansas city governments are legally forbidden from making use of direct income taxes as a revenue tool. This is the case for most cities across the country (though not Missouri cities, incidentally), and is one reason why American municipalities compete to attract corporate investment: growing their property and sales tax base is often their only way to fund services.Some cities do, however, have an additional source of revenue: local philanthropists.Wealthy people and businesses have, of course, used their resources to benefit society throughout history; Andrew Carnegie famously insisted that spending all one’s money on building public goods was far wiser than leaving it to the government or (worst of all) to one’s children. And this giving can have a national or international reach.But because such philanthropy comes from specific people and organizations in specific places, it is often the towns and cities they live and do business in which benefit the most.Some philanthropy is small-scale: Kansas non-profits generate over $14 billion, and Kansans themselves donate nearly $2 billion, each year. Every church, athletic club, arts organization, youth group, and more which benefits from that work adds to their local community.Most attention, though, obviously goes to those willing and able to share with their towns and cities on a major scale, helping to build parks, performing arts centers, museums, and libraries, and funding scholarships, educational programs, civic infrastructure, and more. So when some of these big players move, city governments pay attention, and rightly so.Hopes for local philanthropy, however, can get complicated. Any Kansan who has visited Grand Rapids, Omaha, or Bentonville, and seen the massive impact which the <a href="https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/grand-rapids/a-look-back-richard-and-helen-devos-foundations-impact-in-west-michigan">DeVos</a>, <a href="https://www.ketv.com/article/warren-buffett-impact-berkshire-hathaway-wealth-changed-omaha/60658807">Buffett</a>, and <a href="https://www.ocolly.com/news/the-waltons-canvas-changing-bentonville-s-future/article_5b124eb2-a993-11ee-a03a-fb42291ff011.html">Walton</a> families have had on the amenities of those cities, can’t deny the value of such generosity. The same thing is visible in Tulsa—yet the centralizing tendencies of the <a href="https://nationswell.com/what-we-can-learn-from-george-kaiser-family-foundations-place-based-work-in-tulsa/">Kaiser</a> family there has given rise to <a href="https://michaelpaulmason.medium.com/the-kaiser-system-e8c14bca395">criticism</a>, and similar concerns crop up in other cities as well.In Kansas, one might think that Wichita’s Koch family, one of the richest in the country, might head this list. But despite some <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Koch_Arena">high-profile</a> gifts, their money has mostly gone to the support the Kochs’ preferred ideological causes, with the foundations set up by the <a href="https://ingrams.com/article/home-grown-generosity/">Sunderland, Hansen, and other families </a>in the Kansas City area <a href="https://www.tgci.com/funding-sources/ks/top">far outpacing them</a> in civic support. Charles Koch’s son Chase has recently <a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/carrie-rengers/article298481938.html">made waves</a> by buying up properties in downtown Wichita—including former apartments in a city facing a <a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/local/article288215105.html">housing shortage</a>—and has talked of his&nbsp;desire to add to the city’s music and arts scene. But what community developments may come of his interests remain to be seen.Philanthropists have always been part of the Kansas landscape. The best ones, whether their donations are large or small, are those that work with local governments and civic organizations to make certain their support aligns with community needs and a shared municipal vision. Yes, the intentions of philanthropic action deserve respect; <a href="https://philanthropydaily.com/the-kansas-government-just-protected-charitable-donations/">that’s the law</a>. But while Kansas cities and towns will always be grateful for charitable support, receiving it as a reflection of merely personal goals doesn’t satisfy Carnegie’s measure of public giving at all.Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics at Friends University in Wichita.

INSIGHT KANSAS: The good and could-be-better of Kansas philanthropy

<a href="mailto:rwilson@ksu.edu" target="_blank">By RON WILSON</a> K-State Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development

&nbsp;Who was the greatest all-around athlete in Kansas State University history?

That question can spark a long conversation. The players of today are incredibly athletic and well-trained, but they are also specialized. In modern sports, athletes need to concentrate on one particular sport in order to succeed.

So when we ask about an all-around college athlete (meaning one who succeeded simultaneously in multiple collegiate sports), a person has to go back many years. Imagine a single ballplayer who would be voted all-conference in football, basketball and baseball.

That’s an amazing accomplishment, probably not achievable in the structure of modern sports. But such a player graduated from K-State in 1932. His name was Elden Auker, and he came from rural Kansas.

Auker was born in Norcatur in 1910. In 2001, he published a book about his experiences in professional baseball. The book is titled Sleeper Cars and Flannel Uniforms, and it is the primary source for this profile.

As a child, Elden Auker’s job was to clean out the barn, milk the Holstein cow every morning and night, and deliver bottles of milk to customers in town. Those customers, by the way, were charged five cents a quart.

He grew up hunting and playing ball with his friends. After one successful basketball tournament game, the referee asked him if he had plans to go to college (there were no scholarships then). Auker replied that he was planning to go to Nebraska, where they had a job lined up for him.

The referee said, “You’re a Kansas boy and Kansas boys should go to college in Kansas. We’ve got a job for you down here too.”

That referee also happened to be the head basketball and baseball coach at K-State.

Auker went to Manhattan, took the job, and joined the football, basketball and baseball teams. His job was to open the on-campus drug store in the morning, clean everything, mop all the floors, and then mop and lock up at night. For all that, he got paid one dollar.

Auker was truly an all-around athlete. He was voted All-Big 6 in baseball, football and basketball. During his time, the football team went 8-2, the baseball team went 16-9, and the basketball team – of which he was captain -- was conference runner-up. One publication named Auker an All-American in all three sports.

More importantly, he won the heart of a pretty young co-ed named Mildred. They would be married for 73 years until his death.

After he graduated from K-State, Auker had options to play pro ball. He was offered a contract to play football for the Chicago Bears, which sent the famous Bronko Nagurski to encourage him to sign. Auker almost signed but chose professional baseball instead, because he didn’t want to wait until fall to get paid. He signed to pitch for the Detroit Tigers.

In 1932, Auker began a ten-year career in professional baseball. This was the era when the uniforms were made of flannel and the teams traveled by train, which was the basis for naming the book Sleeper Cars and Flannel Uniforms.

The subtitle of the book is “A lifetime of memories from striking out the Babe to teeing it up with the President.” Auker did, indeed, strike out Babe Ruth and, much later, play golf with President Ford.

He played baseball with such players as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Goose Goslin, Ted Williams and many more. In his first season in the big leagues, he went 15-7 and helped his team win the pennant. During his career, he pitched in two World Series and was the winning pitcher in one. His ten-year statistics included 333 games and an astounding 128 complete games – unthinkable in modern baseball.

In 1942, he retired from baseball to join the war effort and made a difference by going on to a successful business career. Overall, it’s a remarkable record for someone from the rural community of Norcatur, population 159 people. Now, that’s rural.

In 1989, then-K-State President James McCain named Auker the “greatest all-around athlete in K-State history.” For his era, Elden Auker was number 1.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737038991978.jpeg" alt="Courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="mailto:rwilson@ksu.edu" target="_blank">By RON WILSON</a> K-State Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development &nbsp;Who was the greatest all-around athlete in Kansas State University history?That question can spark a long conversation. The players of today are incredibly athletic and well-trained, but they are also specialized. In modern sports, athletes need to concentrate on one particular sport in order to succeed.So when we ask about an all-around college athlete (meaning one who succeeded simultaneously in multiple collegiate sports), a person has to go back many years. Imagine a single ballplayer who would be voted all-conference in football, basketball and baseball.That’s an amazing accomplishment, probably not achievable in the structure of modern sports. But such a player graduated from K-State in 1932. His name was Elden Auker, and he came from rural Kansas.Auker was born in Norcatur in 1910. In 2001, he published a book about his experiences in professional baseball. The book is titled Sleeper Cars and Flannel Uniforms, and it is the primary source for this profile.As a child, Elden Auker’s job was to clean out the barn, milk the Holstein cow every morning and night, and deliver bottles of milk to customers in town. Those customers, by the way, were charged five cents a quart.He grew up hunting and playing ball with his friends. After one successful basketball tournament game, the referee asked him if he had plans to go to college (there were no scholarships then). Auker replied that he was planning to go to Nebraska, where they had a job lined up for him.The referee said, “You’re a Kansas boy and Kansas boys should go to college in Kansas. We’ve got a job for you down here too.”That referee also happened to be the head basketball and baseball coach at K-State.Auker went to Manhattan, took the job, and joined the football, basketball and baseball teams. His job was to open the on-campus drug store in the morning, clean everything, mop all the floors, and then mop and lock up at night. For all that, he got paid one dollar.Auker was truly an all-around athlete. He was voted All-Big 6 in baseball, football and basketball. During his time, the football team went 8-2, the baseball team went 16-9, and the basketball team – of which he was captain -- was conference runner-up. One publication named Auker an All-American in all three sports.More importantly, he won the heart of a pretty young co-ed named Mildred. They would be married for 73 years until his death.After he graduated from K-State, Auker had options to play pro ball. He was offered a contract to play football for the Chicago Bears, which sent the famous Bronko Nagurski to encourage him to sign. Auker almost signed but chose professional baseball instead, because he didn’t want to wait until fall to get paid. He signed to pitch for the Detroit Tigers.In 1932, Auker began a ten-year career in professional baseball. This was the era when the uniforms were made of flannel and the teams traveled by train, which was the basis for naming the book Sleeper Cars and Flannel Uniforms.The subtitle of the book is “A lifetime of memories from striking out the Babe to teeing it up with the President.” Auker did, indeed, strike out Babe Ruth and, much later, play golf with President Ford.He played baseball with such players as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Goose Goslin, Ted Williams and many more. In his first season in the big leagues, he went 15-7 and helped his team win the pennant. During his career, he pitched in two World Series and was the winning pitcher in one. His ten-year statistics included 333 games and an astounding 128 complete games – unthinkable in modern baseball.In 1942, he retired from baseball to join the war effort and made a difference by going on to a successful business career. Overall, it’s a remarkable record for someone from the rural community of Norcatur, population 159 people. Now, that’s rural.In 1989, then-K-State President James McCain named Auker the “greatest all-around athlete in K-State history.” For his era, Elden Auker was number 1.

Now That’s Rural: Elden Auker, professional baseball player from Norcatur  

<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/01/dealing-spam-texts-emails-and-junk-mail?utm_source=govdelivery">By ANDREW RAYO</a> FTC Consumer Education Specialist

WASHNGTON, D.C. — If it’s not scammers spamming your phone with texts or filling up your inbox with emails, it’s your mailbox crammed with ads and other mail you didn’t ask for. The junk messages and mail might seem endless, but there are some ways to help scale it back.

Scammers send&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams">phishing texts and emails</a>&nbsp;that look legit to trick you into giving them personal or financial information. Legit companies might send mail that you just don’t want — things like magazines, catalogs, or&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/prescreened-credit-insurance-offers">prescreened offers of credit and insurance</a>. While these aren’t necessarily scams, they can pile up quickly.

To help you cut down on spam texts and emails:

• Use filters.&nbsp;Check if your mobile phone has options to&nbsp;filter and block&nbsp;texts from unknown senders. Some call blocking apps can also help block unwanted messages. Many popular email providers (like Gmail or Yahoo Mail) have strong&nbsp;spam filters&nbsp;turned on by default. But if any spam gets into your inbox, mark it as&nbsp;spam or junk.

• Unsubscribe&nbsp;from unwanted emails.&nbsp;Getting fewer unwanted emails helps you avoid clicking on links that can lead to&nbsp;phishing attacks.

• Report unwanted messages.&nbsp;Unwanted messages often lead to scams. Report them. Use your phone’s “report junk” option or forward unwanted texts to&nbsp;7726 (SPAM)&nbsp;and unwanted emails to your&nbsp;email provider.

• Register&nbsp;with the Direct Marketing Association&nbsp;to decide what types of mail you do and don’t want from marketers.

• Opt out&nbsp;of getting prescreened credit and insurance offers in the mail.&nbsp;You can choose to opt out for five years or permanently.

Learn more about how to get fewer&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages">spam texts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-get-less-spam-your-email">emails</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-stop-junk-mail">junk mail</a>. If you spot a scam, report it to the FTC at&nbsp;<a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737760576014.jpeg" alt="Imagine you saw this in your inbox. At first glance, this email looks real, but it’s not. Scammers who send emails like this one are hoping you won’t notice it’s a fake. Netflix screenshot" />
 <figcaption>Imagine you saw this in your inbox. At first glance, this email looks real, but it’s not. Scammers who send emails like this one are hoping you won’t notice it’s a fake. Netflix screenshot</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/01/dealing-spam-texts-emails-and-junk-mail?utm_source=govdelivery">By ANDREW RAYO</a> FTC Consumer Education Specialist WASHNGTON, D.C. — If it’s not scammers spamming your phone with texts or filling up your inbox with emails, it’s your mailbox crammed with ads and other mail you didn’t ask for. The junk messages and mail might seem endless, but there are some ways to help scale it back.Scammers send&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams">phishing texts and emails</a>&nbsp;that look legit to trick you into giving them personal or financial information. Legit companies might send mail that you just don’t want — things like magazines, catalogs, or&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/prescreened-credit-insurance-offers">prescreened offers of credit and insurance</a>. While these aren’t necessarily scams, they can pile up quickly.To help you cut down on spam texts and emails:• Use filters.&nbsp;Check if your mobile phone has options to&nbsp;filter and block&nbsp;texts from unknown senders. Some call blocking apps can also help block unwanted messages. Many popular email providers (like Gmail or Yahoo Mail) have strong&nbsp;spam filters&nbsp;turned on by default. But if any spam gets into your inbox, mark it as&nbsp;spam or junk.• Unsubscribe&nbsp;from unwanted emails.&nbsp;Getting fewer unwanted emails helps you avoid clicking on links that can lead to&nbsp;phishing attacks.• Report unwanted messages.&nbsp;Unwanted messages often lead to scams. Report them. Use your phone’s “report junk” option or forward unwanted texts to&nbsp;7726 (SPAM)&nbsp;and unwanted emails to your&nbsp;email provider.To help you cut down on junk mail:• Register&nbsp;with the Direct Marketing Association&nbsp;to decide what types of mail you do and don’t want from marketers.• Opt out&nbsp;of getting prescreened credit and insurance offers in the mail.&nbsp;You can choose to opt out for five years or permanently.Learn more about how to get fewer&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages">spam texts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-get-less-spam-your-email">emails</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-stop-junk-mail">junk mail</a>. If you spot a scam, report it to the FTC at&nbsp;<a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>.

FTC tips on dealing with spam texts, emails, junk mail

Like motes floating in late afternoon sunlight, stories of surviving the Dust Bowl permeated my childhood.

 Once we moved to California, when I was 9, knowing real people who survived those events offered serious creds in 8th and 11th grade American history classes. Teachers and fellow students wanted the scoop on what those days were really like for both sides of my families. 

Gramma Lottie’s daily menu—oatmeal for breakfast, beans for supper, and homemade bread smeared with lard for lunch when they had it--impressed no one. The stories of sun-blocking, choking dust were more than most native Californians could conceive.

A recent literary club discussion revived some of those remembered stories I’d tucked into my mind’s dark corners now that grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles who lived through those days have passed. I haven’t buried all those recollections as I still can’t pass a deep road cut in this part of the state without searching upper soil layers to wonder exactly where the Dust Bowl intersects with other collected historical eras.

That book talk led to a later conversation with another native Kansan from this region. She’s a generation behind me, a peer of our daughters, but she too cut her teeth hearing the stories of hanging wet sheets over windows to keep dust out or putting a damp cover over a baby crib to protect tiny lungs. 

I thought my father embellished his tales of single light bulbs hanging from the middle of the room, but her grandparents had drilled into their kids and, as a result, their grandchildren, the necessity for turning THE LIGHT off when you left a room. Clearly, Dust Bowl survivors didn’t leave a light on for folks.

Our discussion led to reports of Ford County residents whose ceilings collapsed in recent years because of decades of accumulated dust. 

My friend shared that that happened at their Rush County farm house when she was an elementary student. Their century-old home survived the Dust Bowl and other dirt storms. During the late 1980s or early '90s, old lathe and plaster caved to the accumulated weight. Even as a grownup with kids of her own, she vividly recalls her parents cleaning the mess and repairing damages.

Her story reminded me of our first home in Ellis. 

It too survived storms that darkened daylight and made breathing more than a challenge. When we put a new roof on, my husband shoveled piles of fine soil out of our attic. When hubs and his dad removed a gable window, dirt filled every crevice of that frame. I’m grateful they cleaned before that mess took out our ceiling.

Not everyone’s home precedes the Dust Bowl, but we all know people whose home did. 

Ask questions. What evidence lingers from those harsh days? What lessons did our elders learn and share that we can use to help us handle adversity?

 These folks raised families without triple-paned windows combined with central heat and air to filter dust. Somehow, they fed themselves even in years without measurable rain.

Oh, and if your house is old enough to have collected bushels of dirt in the attic, you might want to transfer some of that to the yard.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658158626307.png" alt="Karen Madorin. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Karen Madorin. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORINLike motes floating in late afternoon sunlight, stories of surviving the Dust Bowl permeated my childhood. Once we moved to California, when I was 9, knowing real people who survived those events offered serious creds in 8th and 11th grade American history classes. Teachers and fellow students wanted the scoop on what those days were really like for both sides of my families. Gramma Lottie’s daily menu—oatmeal for breakfast, beans for supper, and homemade bread smeared with lard for lunch when they had it--impressed no one. The stories of sun-blocking, choking dust were more than most native Californians could conceive.A recent literary club discussion revived some of those remembered stories I’d tucked into my mind’s dark corners now that grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles who lived through those days have passed. I haven’t buried all those recollections as I still can’t pass a deep road cut in this part of the state without searching upper soil layers to wonder exactly where the Dust Bowl intersects with other collected historical eras.That book talk led to a later conversation with another native Kansan from this region. She’s a generation behind me, a peer of our daughters, but she too cut her teeth hearing the stories of hanging wet sheets over windows to keep dust out or putting a damp cover over a baby crib to protect tiny lungs. I thought my father embellished his tales of single light bulbs hanging from the middle of the room, but her grandparents had drilled into their kids and, as a result, their grandchildren, the necessity for turning THE LIGHT off when you left a room. Clearly, Dust Bowl survivors didn’t leave a light on for folks.Our discussion led to reports of Ford County residents whose ceilings collapsed in recent years because of decades of accumulated dust. My friend shared that that happened at their Rush County farm house when she was an elementary student. Their century-old home survived the Dust Bowl and other dirt storms. During the late 1980s or early '90s, old lathe and plaster caved to the accumulated weight. Even as a grownup with kids of her own, she vividly recalls her parents cleaning the mess and repairing damages.Her story reminded me of our first home in Ellis. It too survived storms that darkened daylight and made breathing more than a challenge. When we put a new roof on, my husband shoveled piles of fine soil out of our attic. When hubs and his dad removed a gable window, dirt filled every crevice of that frame. I’m grateful they cleaned before that mess took out our ceiling.Not everyone’s home precedes the Dust Bowl, but we all know people whose home did. Ask questions. What evidence lingers from those harsh days? What lessons did our elders learn and share that we can use to help us handle adversity? These folks raised families without triple-paned windows combined with central heat and air to filter dust. Somehow, they fed themselves even in years without measurable rain.Oh, and if your house is old enough to have collected bushels of dirt in the attic, you might want to transfer some of that to the yard.Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan.

MADORIN: Dust Bowl lessons

A few years back we embarked on an adventure to build a simple and inexpensive deer feeder. A friend had an old unused fuel tank stand made from angle iron – the kind that once held a three-hundred-gallon drum on its side.&nbsp; I bought it for a song, and then came the challenge of what to use for a hopper to hold the corn. I’m not sure my wife has ever thought INSIDE the box, and she came up with the idea of using a poly cart like the ones that hold our weekly trash. I called the local solid waste utility company, found an old one with a broken axle and bought it for another song. We wanted to use a “flinger” style mechanism to dispense the corn, and since the bottom of poly carts are flat, that required somehow making the inside of the poly cart funnel shaped to funnel the corn down to the mechanism. That problem was solved by cutting two pieces of scrap plywood to fit inside the hopper, making the inside wedge-shaped.&nbsp;

We purchased the dispensing mechanism which consists of a small wheel mounted above a motor that’s driven by a square six-volt battery. It’s all controlled by a timer which turns the dispenser on and off at programed times, spinning the wheel and flinging corn around onto the ground.&nbsp; A thick plastic funnel comes with the dispenser and bolts around a hole cut into the bottom of the hopper. That funnel is specially designed so that when it’s positioned the right height above the flinger, it allows corn to run out of the hopper onto the flinger wheel, but causes it to “bridge-up” and stop until the wheel spins. In other words, if the funnel was wider or placed too far above the wheel, the corn would not “bridge-up” and stop running when it hit the motionless wheel, but instead would just pour constantly onto the ground until it had all run out.&nbsp;

Fast forward to spring a couple years later, when we were using the feeder to feed corn to turkeys prior to spring turkey season. I remember going there one evening to check the amount of corn in the hopper and was surprised to find it empty with lots of corn on the ground. I backed the pickup up to the feeder and climbed up onto it with a bucket of corn like I had done numerous times before, but when I dumped the bucket into the hopper, the corn all ran straight through onto the ground. Upon inspection, I found that the plastic funnel had been chewed off by some critter making it much shorter and allowing the corn to just pour through the hole. The feeder was now useless until a new funnel of some sort was put onto the bottom of the hopper.&nbsp;

A couple weeks later we headed out to pick up our then-useless deer feeder for repairs. It dawned on me that the hopper was made to be easily removed and that’s all we needed anyway, so we began removing the bolts that held it to the frame. As we worked, it seemed like I could hear an occasional rustling sound inside the hopper. I felt like Clark Griswald from the movie “Christmas Vacation,” trying to find the squeaking noise coming from the Christmas tree. But each time I stopped to listen, the rustling noise stopped too, so I dismissed it to my imagination. When the hopper was finally loose, we toppled it over into the bed of the pickup, and Joyce began hearing my “imaginary” rustling noise also. Supposing a no-good packrat was inside, I pulled the hopper to the back of the pickup and started to open the lid. My plan was to stand to the side and let the open lid dangle over the back of the tailgate in hopes that our freeloader would jump out the back and be gone without incident. While rolling the hopper around, the rustling inside turned to scratching and clawing and with the hole in the hopper facing away from us, I prepared to open the lid and confront the intruder.&nbsp; I unsnapped the tarp strap that held the lid closed, but before I could fling it open, a squirrel bailed out the hole in front, clearing the side of the pickup in one bound like Rocky the Flying Squirrel. Joyce and I starred at each other in disbelief; I think her only words were” I didn’t see that comin’!” The critter had actually chewed a hole through the half-inch plywood inside and had quite the cozy little nest built within; we pulled grass and leaves out of there for ten minutes.

The most amazing thing about the whole squirrel-nest-inside-the-deer-feeder-hopper thing is that the only way into it was up through the hole in the plastic funnel on the bottom. I know squirrels can squeeze their bodies into some impossible places, but I’d loved to have watched it leap from the frame of the feeder onto the motor, then stuff itself up through the gnawed-out plastic funnel and into the poly cart. This gives a whole new meaning to the term “squirrel corn.” So, as you continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors, if something seems squirrely, it probably is!

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>A few years back we embarked on an adventure to build a simple and inexpensive deer feeder. A friend had an old unused fuel tank stand made from angle iron – the kind that once held a three-hundred-gallon drum on its side.&nbsp; I bought it for a song, and then came the challenge of what to use for a hopper to hold the corn. I’m not sure my wife has ever thought INSIDE the box, and she came up with the idea of using a poly cart like the ones that hold our weekly trash. I called the local solid waste utility company, found an old one with a broken axle and bought it for another song. We wanted to use a “flinger” style mechanism to dispense the corn, and since the bottom of poly carts are flat, that required somehow making the inside of the poly cart funnel shaped to funnel the corn down to the mechanism. That problem was solved by cutting two pieces of scrap plywood to fit inside the hopper, making the inside wedge-shaped.&nbsp;We purchased the dispensing mechanism which consists of a small wheel mounted above a motor that’s driven by a square six-volt battery. It’s all controlled by a timer which turns the dispenser on and off at programed times, spinning the wheel and flinging corn around onto the ground.&nbsp; A thick plastic funnel comes with the dispenser and bolts around a hole cut into the bottom of the hopper. That funnel is specially designed so that when it’s positioned the right height above the flinger, it allows corn to run out of the hopper onto the flinger wheel, but causes it to “bridge-up” and stop until the wheel spins. In other words, if the funnel was wider or placed too far above the wheel, the corn would not “bridge-up” and stop running when it hit the motionless wheel, but instead would just pour constantly onto the ground until it had all run out.&nbsp;Fast forward to spring a couple years later, when we were using the feeder to feed corn to turkeys prior to spring turkey season. I remember going there one evening to check the amount of corn in the hopper and was surprised to find it empty with lots of corn on the ground. I backed the pickup up to the feeder and climbed up onto it with a bucket of corn like I had done numerous times before, but when I dumped the bucket into the hopper, the corn all ran straight through onto the ground. Upon inspection, I found that the plastic funnel had been chewed off by some critter making it much shorter and allowing the corn to just pour through the hole. The feeder was now useless until a new funnel of some sort was put onto the bottom of the hopper.&nbsp;A couple weeks later we headed out to pick up our then-useless deer feeder for repairs. It dawned on me that the hopper was made to be easily removed and that’s all we needed anyway, so we began removing the bolts that held it to the frame. As we worked, it seemed like I could hear an occasional rustling sound inside the hopper. I felt like Clark Griswald from the movie “Christmas Vacation,” trying to find the squeaking noise coming from the Christmas tree. But each time I stopped to listen, the rustling noise stopped too, so I dismissed it to my imagination. When the hopper was finally loose, we toppled it over into the bed of the pickup, and Joyce began hearing my “imaginary” rustling noise also. Supposing a no-good packrat was inside, I pulled the hopper to the back of the pickup and started to open the lid. My plan was to stand to the side and let the open lid dangle over the back of the tailgate in hopes that our freeloader would jump out the back and be gone without incident. While rolling the hopper around, the rustling inside turned to scratching and clawing and with the hole in the hopper facing away from us, I prepared to open the lid and confront the intruder.&nbsp; I unsnapped the tarp strap that held the lid closed, but before I could fling it open, a squirrel bailed out the hole in front, clearing the side of the pickup in one bound like Rocky the Flying Squirrel. Joyce and I starred at each other in disbelief; I think her only words were” I didn’t see that comin’!” The critter had actually chewed a hole through the half-inch plywood inside and had quite the cozy little nest built within; we pulled grass and leaves out of there for ten minutes.The most amazing thing about the whole squirrel-nest-inside-the-deer-feeder-hopper thing is that the only way into it was up through the hole in the plastic funnel on the bottom. I know squirrels can squeeze their bodies into some impossible places, but I’d loved to have watched it leap from the frame of the feeder onto the motor, then stuff itself up through the gnawed-out plastic funnel and into the poly cart. This gives a whole new meaning to the term “squirrel corn.” So, as you continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors, if something seems squirrely, it probably is!Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Gilliland: What’s in your hopper?

Over half of the farmland in Kansas is leased. 

Therefore, there are many different lease arrangements, factors to consider, and places where misunderstandings can happen. Additionally, many leases are still oral leases that are “signed” with a handshake.

One of the best ways to create a better understanding between tenant and landlord in most cases is to have a written lease.&nbsp; Having a written lease can lead to many topics for discussion that otherwise might not be considered. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698682262753.jpeg" alt="Alicia Boor ,&nbsp;Cottonwood Extension District" />
 <figcaption>Alicia Boor ,&nbsp;Cottonwood Extension District</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension DistrictOver half of the farmland in Kansas is leased. Therefore, there are many different lease arrangements, factors to consider, and places where misunderstandings can happen. Additionally, many leases are still oral leases that are “signed” with a handshake.One of the best ways to create a better understanding between tenant and landlord in most cases is to have a written lease.&nbsp; Having a written lease can lead to many topics for discussion that otherwise might not be considered. They would include but are not limited to: Hunting/fishing rights Recreation access Payment due dates Termination proceduresIn addition to the previously mentioned items, a written pasture lease for example can spell out responsibilities of both parties in regards to: Care of fences Noxious weed control Water supply maintenance Grazing capacity restrictions and beginning and ending date of grazing seasonA bonus of a written lease is that it documents the terms of the business relationship in case the contract is questioned. This can be especially important if the land changes hands.Obviously, it is not necessary to have a written lease in order to have good communication between tenant and landlord but it can be helpful in spelling things out and avoiding misunderstandings and hard feelings. There may be some cases when introducing the possibility of implementing a written lease might damage the business relationship. Whether you have a written lease or not, make sure those lines of communication are kept open, visit with each other at least a few times a year.Local county and district extension offices have several resources concerning leases, written leasing arrangement forms, cash rental rate averages, Kansas Agricultural Lease Law Publication C-668, etc. Go to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.agmanager.info/">www.agmanager.info</a>&nbsp;and click onto the Farm Management tab. If you have questions contact your local county or district extension office. I can be contacted in the Cottonwood District, Great Bend office at 620-793-1910 and Stacy Campbell can be contacted in the Hays office at 785-628-9430.Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

Opinion