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Kansas Western Horseman’s Association Sets Kickoff Of 75th Anniversary Show Year

By
Frank Buchman
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“It’s kickoff time for the 75th anniversary year of the Kansas Western Horseman’s Association KWHA).”
That’s the announcement from Renee Nichols, KWHA secretary and longtime participant-leader.
“The KWHA spring kickoff is scheduled Saturday, February 18, at the Fossil Creek Hotel in Russell,” Nichols said.
KWHA was formed in 1948 to bring saddle clubs together across the state of Kansas for competition and friendship.
“The emphasis is on ‘friendship’ because this is such a great family sport,” Nichols said. “Families have continued supporting and competing in KWHA with four generations being involved.”
Because of the interaction of the competitors and their families, lifelong friendships and relationships have been sealed and cherished.
Kickoff schedule starts with a directors meeting at 10 o’clock, then judges testing and meeting at 12:30. The secretaries meeting is at 2 o’clock, with the general meeting beginning at 3:30.
Fun activities, from 12:30 to 3:30, feature indoor roping, relay tic-tac-toe, corn hole, and swimming. A souper bowl and social time starts at 5 o’clock.
KWHA has events for all ages and skill levels. Breakdown of age groups is one-nine, 10-13, 14-17, women 18-49, senior women 50 and over, men 18-49, and senior men 50 and over.
“There are no ‘horse breed’ requirements, only that Western saddles and tack are used.” Nichols said.
Local saddle clubs have shows all over the state. “KWHA has an annual state show, usually over Labor Day weekend,” Nichols said. “Contestants qualify from riding in the local shows to compete at the finals.”
It’s not a mandatory requirement to compete at the state show, but it’s “kind of an end-of-the-season championship,” she commented.
“Local clubs and KWHA also sponsor trail rides and other get-togethers so there truly is something for everyone,” Nichols said.
Several of the original events that were set up in the first KWHA rule book are still being run today.
There are judged events including horsemanship, Western pleasure, bareback horsemanship, and reining. “We have lead-line and walk-trot for the younger competitors and queen class for the girls and women,” Nichols said.
All race events are run with a distance of 165-feet from the starting line to the turning line. Adjustments can be made to the length to accommodate smaller arenas and for safety in detrimental arena conditions.
Events may be individually timed or can be run in a heated-format with heat winners determining final placings. “For safety, no contestant should run in or out of the gate in any events at a KWHA show,” Nichols pointed out.
“KWHA prides itself in being a family-orientated organization. Any rider of any age or skill level can ride and enjoy themselves,” Nichols said. “We are always eager to welcome new members to the organization. So, if you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to reach out to a current board member.”
Additional KWHA officers include Kelly Forell, Victoria, president; Shawn Kohr, Sedgwick, vice president; and Norleen Knoll, Hays, treasurer.
“Bring your friends, family, and have some fun. Make some memories to last a lifetime,” Nichols encouraged.
More information is available at www.kwhaonline.com or [email protected] 785-735-8747.

CUTLINES
Helping others with horses is very important to Renee Nichols mounted on Simon assisting Luke and Maggie Brundgart on Scratches at a KWHA horseshow.

Lovina Remembers Aunt Lovina

By
Guest Columnist
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Grandson Timothy will be wearing a cast for the next six to eight weeks after getting his finger caught in a bike chain.
Grandson Timothy will be wearing a cast for the next six to eight weeks after getting his finger caught in a bike chain.

 

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen
Lovina Eitcher,
Old Order Amish
Cook, Wife &
Mother of Eight

 

Yesterday we finished up with the rest of the beef. My husband Joe, son Joseph, and sons-in-law Tim and Dustin had dressed two beefs on March 11—that was the day we heard Aunt Lovina passed away. We waited to start on ours until we were back from Ohio. Dustin and Loretta split half of their beef with his brother Clint and Hannah. Clint picked up their two quarters and Dustins cut up their meat here. We had a lot of nice hamburger and steak to fill our freezer. I canned some beef chunks, and now I want to make beef jerky today. We had another cold spell, which was nice to keep the beefs chilled. This puts an end to our butchering for this season. It sure is a relief to be done, but it is such a blessing to be able to have meat in the freezer and in cans. 

Granddaughter Jennifer, 5, is back to good health since she had surgery to remove her tonsils and adenoids. She was very happy to receive a sunshine box from our church on Sunday. She had a lot of nice gifts. 

Our church also made a sunshine box for grandson Timothy (T.J.) on Sunday. While we were in Ohio, he had surgery to reattach part of his right pointer finger. He somehow got it in a bike chain, tearing it completely off. Tim and Elizabeth’s neighbor took Tim and T.J. to the hospital, but it was bleeding so badly that they didn’t know part of the finger was off. After Tim left, Elizabeth found the other part of the finger and had someone take her to the hospital to see if the doctors could reattach it. They did surgery at a bigger hospital and have his whole arm in a cast for six to eight weeks. The doctors hope it will reconnect with the rest of the finger. If not, it will be taken back off. T.J. is an active little four-year-old, so the cast is driving him crazy. He sat beside me Sunday in church and kept trying to scratch the cast because his arm was itchy. 

He was very excited for the sunshine box, and he also received nice gifts. Hopefully this will keep him entertained while his right hand and arm are casted. 

Brother Albert and Sarah Irene, nephew Albert Jr., sisters Verena and Emma, Joe and I, and daughter Verena traveled to Baltic, Ohio, last Tuesday morning. We attended the viewing/visitation of Aunt Lovina on Tuesday then went to a motel for the night. We attended her funeral on Wednesday, and we arrived back home Wednesday evening. 

Aunt Lovina was 83 when she passed. I was named after her. My mother said Aunt Lovina took care of her five older children when I was born at home, so they decided to name me after her. Lovina was married to Uncle Toby for 39 years. She later remarried Abe Raber from Ohio and was married to him for 17 years. Abe passed away in August 2020. Lovina had recently moved to Kentucky to live with her daughter Leah and Elmer.

Uncle Toby and Aunt Lovina had nine children and lived around four miles from us growing up. We were in the same church ever since I was born until Toby died in 1999 and Aunt Lovina later moved to LaGrange, Indiana, and then on to Baltic, Ohio, after getting married to Abe. 

I have many so memories of our two families together. I spent many nights over at Uncle Toby’s. I was right between their daughters Emma and Verena in age. It was very nice to see all the family again, and also many other cousins and friends. Aunt Emma was also there. She fell somehow while traveling to Ohio, by slipping on ice if I understood right. Aunt Emma is 82. My mother has three sisters living. 

My cousin Leah’s daughter brought Aunt Lovina here for a day last year. Sister Emma and her daughters and my daughters were all here, too. We had a good day with Lovina. She still had a good mind and was active for her age. She will be missed greatly by all who loved her. I called Aunt Lovina on her 83rd birthday, which was on July 20, and we had a nice talk. She had left me a voicemail on July 18, saying that she was thinking of us on Mother’s 86th birthday. Rest in peace, dear Aunt Lovina. 

Our sympathy goes to all her nine children and spouses, 87 grandchildren, 67 great grandchildren, 10 stepchildren, step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

On Friday morning we received word that Joe’s Uncle Jake died in Ohio. We regret that we were unable to attend his funeral. We are glad we got to visit with him at his sister’s (Aunt Nancy) viewing. Our sympathy goes to Aunt Mary and the family. 

On April 1, some of my family and I will be at the Plain and Simple Craft Show selling and signing cookbooks from 9am to 3pm, Lord willing! I would love to meet any readers that can come. The address is 345 South Van Buren Street, Shipshewana, Indiana 46565. God’s blessings to all!

I’ll share a recipe that is often served at our local funerals. Slips are passed out and there is always a variety of pie fillings and cake used. A great dish and very tasty.

Cake Delight1 cake mix (any kind)
12 ounces cream cheese
12 ounces whipped topping
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 quarts pie filling, any flavor

Mix and bake cake mix as directed on the box. Pour into a greased 11×15 inch jelly roll pan. Then cream together cream cheese, whipped topping, and powdered sugar and spread on cooled cake. Top with pie filling. 

The Dictionary of Junk

By
Lee Pitts
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If you’re a reader of classified ads like myself, you know there’s some confusion as to what we should call the sale of the debris left over from living our lives. What is the difference, for example, between a yard sale and a barn sale? I’ll attempt to answer that question, and many more, about what you should expect next time you go looking for the junk you don’t need and will never use.

Garage Sale- This is what what happens when the husband finally cleans out the garage after years of nagging. Since none of the man’s stuff qualifies as junk that means everything that’s for sale will belong to the wife or kids. Mostly it’s Tupperware without lids, kid’s clothes that have been handed down two times too many, broken Roseville pottery, 1954 World Book Encyclopedias and napkins for a wedding reception that ended in divorce years ago. The garage sale is seen as a quick way to generate some income to keep the lights on and the family fed in a cash-flow emergency. But beware, some entrepreneurial types buy stuff at other garage sales and sell it at their own after marking it up 300%. I know one guy who actually tells people at his weekly garage sales that if they didn’t find what they were looking for, he could order it for them.

Rummage Sale- This is a garage sale on steroids for churches and PTA’s. The organizations and churches ask their members to bring any unwanted items and on a Saturday all the junk is offered to the general public. Except… if there’s anything good some church member will grab it long before the general public ever sees it. I know one atheist antique dealer who joined the Methodist church just to get first crack at their rummage! That’s why the only things left are year-old calendars, clothes with broken zippers, ancient computers and printers, jigsaw puzzles with pieces missing, Danielle Steele and John Grisham paperbacks, Time-Life books and Pyrex nesting bowl sets that are missing the blue bowl. (Why is it always the small blue bowl?)

Yard Sale- These are nothing more than drive-by garage sales where people can look at the junk while creeping by in their cars at five miles per hour. The problem is the driver often forgets they’re driving. These sales are good if you need a mangled Chevy pickup bumper from 1970, particle board furniture or an old couch that’s missing a cushion or two. They’re also good for avoiding sales tax because no one charges it. Once I really scored when I bought a 100 piece ball cap collection. Since most of the caps were the kind with webbing, which I hate, I use the caps as oil strainers and throw them away when clogged. I also bought what I think is the largest ballpoint pen collection in the world featuring pens that advertise constipation drugs that I think belonged to a gastroenterologist.

Barn Sale- These should really be called “Rust Sales” because everything is covered in it. People go to these because they’ve heard about “barn find” Ferraris worth two million bucks and Snap On toolboxes filled with hundred dollar wrenches. Mostly what you’ll find are certified pre-used bolts and rusty nails. Lots and lots of rusty nails, because no one has pounded a nail since pneumatic nail-guns were invented. You’ll also find pallets of one gallon paint cans that are one fourth full of mustard yellow or pea-soup-colored paint. Here’s some good advice: never buy a rattle can of paint at a barn sale and always plug in those old Craftsman drills to see if they work.

Estate Sale- These are far-and-away the best junk for the money but be advised, there’s an entire subset of dealers who scan Craigslist for these sales, get up at two thirty in the morning to be first in line, and then buy up all the good stuff to sell in their booth at an antique mall. Also, because the words “estate sale” attracts buyers like bars do drunks, often times you’ll see garage or yard sales advertised as “estate sales”. But remember, to be a true estate sale someone had to die.

Estate sales are unbeatable for acquiring junk to sell at your own estate sale when you croak.

Smoked Salmon or Smoked Tuna

By
Debbie Dance Uhrig
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Well, I’m home again after 4 days in Panama City, Florida and 2 days of travel going to and fro. I could have used (1) more day of warm sunshine. I bet everyone says that after returning home from a vacation! One of our goals was to immerse ourselves in fresh seafood. I can honestly say we accomplished that one and then some! Another bucket list item was to do a sunset cruise and view the dolphins. Did we see dolphins!!! A tip we might share is as follows: There are a great many trips where you enjoy a sunset cruise and view the dolphins in Northeast Florida. The best choice is to go out on a larger boat where they can create a good current. We saw so many dolphins it was just amazing. (We sailed on the ‘Sea Screamer’.)

What type of seafood did we enjoy? Shrimp, shrimp and more shrimp, fresh tuna and Mahi Mahi. One of the most frequently found appetizers in this area of Florida is smoked tuna dip. The sad part of this is the cost ran from $8. – $15.00 per appetizer. You can make an entire ‘big’ batch of smoked salmon or any seafood for about $7.00. You just have to use fish/seafood that is indigenous to your area, and/or catch your own!

I’ve been making smoked salmon spread for years, in fact, it’s inside my first cookbook. What’s the difference between a smoked tuna and a smoked salmon spread? Very very little. Here in the Ozarks I have frequently prepared smoked trout pate’. In years past I smoked my own fish, but now you can purchase smoked salmon and tuna in the canned meat section. This dip will be good with the prepared smoked fish, but it will be multiple times better if you smoke your own. Here in the Ozarks I would also suggest using crappie for a pate’.

There are usually finely diced onion in the spreads, which is nice. However; don’t go ‘overboard’ or you’ll give the reign of the dish over to the onion, versus the fish.

Another seafood treat we enjoyed was a crab and shrimp spread on French bread, followed by a sprinkling of parmesan or Gouda cheese, before broiling it in the oven. We enjoyed this appetizer in Laurel, Mississippi. You can do cold or hot crab spreads, but for some reason I enjoy mine as a warm dip, served with butter crackers or rye bread.

One seafood I was hoping to enjoy was fresh red snapper, but it’s not in season for another month or so. I mentioned Laurel, Mississippi earlier, this is the location of the HGTV show, ‘Hometown’. I’m glad we didn’t miss this little gem. We even got to watch ‘Ben’ doing some taping while we were at the Scotsman store. Of course we shopped at the Laurel Mercantile Store and I picked up a couple of southern cookbooks put together by the locals, of Laurel. I’m sure you’ll see signs of these recipes in columns to come.

The time away allowed much needed rest and relaxation. The only downer was our corgi, ‘Rumor’, had to stay home.

My original Salmon Spread is below. Take the foundation and just play around. You know growing up my folks would get ‘Whiting’ from the old Mississippi River & it would frequently be smoked. Another idea……….

Smoked Salmon Spread
6 ounces smoked salmon, (skinless & deboned, of course)
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup finely minced sweet onion or green onion
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
Minced Parsley or Dill to garnish

Best made at least a day ahead of time. Serve with crackers, tortilla chips or specialty breads.

Enjoy the week and signs of spring. Simply yours, The Covered Dish.

 

Spring Turkey Trivia

By
Steve Gilliland
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One April evening about dark several springs ago, I eased my old pickup to a stop along a wheat field and killed the engine. To my left, along the end of the wheat, a thick fence row of tangled Hedge trees stretched toward the horizon. Off the road a ways, the back side of the hedge row became several acres of cedars, thick brushy overgrowth and tall twisted cottonwoods, carved into odd shaped pieces by a wide muddy drainage ditch. My wife and I had just gotten permission to hunt turkeys there, and the owner said there was a turkey roost somewhere within that small jungle. Joyce and I were beginning turkey hunters and had recently learned about the spring turkey trick known as “shock calling.” I pulled a plastic crow call from my pocket and blew several piercing shrieks into the cool evening air. The notes had barely faded away, when, from somewhere deep in the “jungle,” came the unmistakable raucous gobble of a tom turkey. I was so surprised when it worked, that I nearly dropped the call out the window! Later in the year, we also experienced this same reaction to the loud closing of our pickup door. I remember at the time, I was working on an instructional story for beginner turkey hunters like ourselves, so I contacted then KDWP biologist and wild turkey specialist Jared McJunkin from Emporia, and asked him about this interesting behavior known as “shock gobbling.”

He explained that when turkeys hear a loud noise somewhere in their comfort zone, they often react by gobbling. He equated this response to a “knee jerk” reaction in humans. It seems that only gobblers do this, and, although they will shock gobble at other times of the year, it happens most often in spring when hormones are raging in the toms and they are on-edge and lovesick. Coyote, owl and crow calls are most often used for shock calling to initiate this response, but, as we found out first hand, any loud noise, like the slamming of a car door, can trigger a tom to gobble.

This is a nifty piece of trivia, you might be saying, but how does this relate to spring turkey hunting? In the woods, there are probably very few square feet of earth where deer do not eventually step at least once, so in theory, you could set anywhere in that woods, and eventually get a shot. Your odds of harvesting a deer, however, dramatically increase the closer you are to where the deer travel on a regular basis. By the same token, I know from experience that in the spring, love sick tom turkeys can be called from great distances. My odds of putting turkey in the freezer, however, increase just as dramatically the closer I can be to where the “boys” will be traveling, strutting or tending to their harem of hens. Spring turkeys can be very nomadic, but one fact makes them predictable to a point. As long as they aren’t badly spooked, they will roost the same place, each night, for some time. Shock calling can be a great tool for finding roosting birds, and thus help you as the hunter decide where to set up to the following morning to best intercept them.

That same spring, we also learned that it’s not good to hunt too close to a roost. My sister had been seeing turkeys in a brome field on their place west of Inman. I drove by there one evening and used my crow call, but got no response. Thinking they were certainly roosting toward the center of a patch of trees at the end of the field, we set up our blind in the fencerow above. The following morning, before dawn, we parked in the brome field and got out to walk quietly to the blind. As I closed the pickup door, a tom turkey gobbled from practically above our blind. Turkeys will roost over water if possible, and these birds were in a big spreading cottonwood above a neighbor’s pond, less than 20 yards from the blind. That was an awesome experience as we heard and watched them wake up and leave the roost. The problem was, we never got a shot, and the turkeys never returned! The lesson here is that once you have located roosting toms, keep your distance from their roost as you set up to call or intercept them. I was looking forward to cultivating that small flock on her farm where I have permission to hunt, but our inexperience changed that for the rest of the season.

2023 spring turkey season for youth and disabled hunters runs from April 1 – 11, and several special hunts are planned around the state. Spring turkey archery season runs from April 3 – 11 and the 2023 regular turkey season runs from April 12 – May 31. Turkeys are already moving into their spring territories and toms have begun gathering their harems. Buy yourself an inexpensive crow, owl or predator call, and cruise the back roads some evening. Stop along wooded areas and hedgerows where you think turkeys may be roosting, and blow a few notes to see if you can get a tom to answer. It’s a hoot! (Literally)…Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!

Steve can be contacted by email at [email protected].

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