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March Goodness

By
Guest Columnist
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Dylan Yoder
Columnist

These past few weeks have shown us a plethora of good news for some and “meh” news for others. I’m talking about sports, economics, and education. Needless to say, this is a positive turn for the year 2023. While we cannot deny the existence of bad news, we can certainly pay more heed to the good things happening in our lives rather than the bad things. It’s good practice to focus on the good in the world. I would go as far as to say, I think that we all need to spend time focusing on good things at least twice as much as we take in bad news. With that being said, let’s take a look at the many good things that are happening in our world as we speak.
Starting off with sports. Well, basketball fans, it’s march, and you know what that means, an incredible amount of basketball action packed into one month as we all hedge our impossible bets against one another to determine who comes out on top of 2023’s March Madness tournament. If you’re reading this section, there’s a good chance that you too have hedged your bets, if so, good luck to you, but just know I’m secretly wishing for more luck on my own bracket. Regardless, March Madness is, in my opinion, much more than just the bracket, as we all get many different possibilities for gatherings among friends, or even competitors. As the tournament begins and continues onward, I hope you manage to spend plenty of time and money (on game snacks) with loved ones.
The economic sector has also had some interesting developments tin the past few weeks. The US economy added 311000 more jobs in the month of February, which is a significant sum if I do say so myself. Especially when you consider the fact that many jobs have been left wide open for a while ever since COVID. However, on the flipside of this, Americans should have no worries about their own financial stability due to the fact that there are indeed plenty of jobs available to all. We can only speculate on what will come of this situation, but the important thing is to focus on what is controllable, and that is the current, stable American Industry.
Lastly, in Education, an area of American society that dearly needs attention from the state governments. That being said, as of late, it has been getting such attention. A bill supporting the creation of Education Savings accounts has been introduced in many different state legislatures, and is making great leaps and bounds in their respective congresses. The main purpose behind the bill is to allow students and teachers greater access to resources to help provide tutors, extra educational services and more. Needless to say, this would be a very good thing for all parents of kids in the public school system. Let’s hope such a bill manages to pass in our own legislature.
With all that being said, there are many good things happening in our world as we speak. In many cases, our economy and society are thriving. While there may or may not be worries for tomorrow, it’s important to appreciate what we have now. It’s good to focus on the present moment every now and then, especially if things are going well for a while. So smile, and know that everything’s going to end up just fine. Take time to enjoy the good in the world.

Spring Time Increases Possibility of Tornadoes In Kansas

By
Frank Buchman
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0

Frank J. Buchman
Columnist

Kansas is one of the most tornado-prone states in the country.
The state averages 92 tornadoes annually, according to Victor Gensini representing the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
There were 63 tornadoes in Kansas during 2022, Gensini said.
And 2023 is already shaping up to have higher-than-average tornadoes, he added.
Tornado season in Kansas typically runs April through June each year. In early spring, warm humid air from the Gulf of Mexico mixes with cool dry air from the North and warm dry air from the West, which combine to form tornadic conditions.
While Kansas can experience a twister outside of April, May, and June, residents should be well prepared for disaster to strike during these months.
With 112 tornadoes from 1950 to 2022, Ford County in western Kansas has experienced more twisters than any other county in Kansas. Sherman County has had 105, and Barton County had 103.
From 1997 to 2022, Kansas had an annual average of 86 tornadoes per year.
The month of May sees the most tornadoes in Kansas, followed by June, then April. November, December, January, and February see the least number of tornadoes.
Homeowners insurance in Kansas covers damage caused by tornadoes, including the wind, hail, and rain that accompany them.
However, water damage from flooding that occurs during a tornado would not be covered under the standard home insurance policy. Some Kansas homeowners have a separate windstorm deductible for tornado damage.
If a home is damaged in a tornado, the home insurance company may require payment of windstorm deductible. That’s separate from the standard homeowner’s insurance deductible and applies specifically to wind and hail damage.
Windstorm deductibles in Kansas are typically a percentage of a policy’s dwelling coverage limit, usually between 1-percent and 5-percent, according to the Insurance Information Institute. A higher deductible leads to lower insurance rates, and vice versa.
Advice has been given to prepare for the tornado season in Kansas.
Get the home ready for severe weather. This includes trimming tree limbs, removing dead trees, cleaning up heavy debris, and moving lawn furniture inside.
Make an emergency kit. Include water, non-perishable foods, can opener, towelettes, trash bags, batteries, flashlights, first aid kit, portable cell phone chargers, battery-powered radio, and whistle to signal for help.
Find a place to take shelter. While no place will be completely safe during a tornado, hunkering down in a basement or inside a windowless room on the lowest floor of the home is the safest bet. For even more protection, take shelter under something sturdy like a heavy table or workbench, cover with a blanket or mattress, and protect the head from flying debris.
Know the signs of a tornado. Be on the lookout for rotating, funnel-shaped clouds, low-lying clouds of debris, large hail, a dark or green-colored sky, and a loud roar that sounds like a freight train.
Sign up for severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service via text, email, or phone. In addition, many cities throughout Kansas have outdoor warning siren systems to warn residents to take shelter indoors during extreme weather conditions, including tornadoes.
Stay up to date on changing weather conditions via local news and radio stations or even through social media.
True tornado preparedness requires a plan. At home, make a family emergency plan and have a conversation with loved ones about the importance of being prepared.
At work, contact the Human Resources department to learn the safety procedures for tornados and other disasters. Or use guidelines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to create a tornado response plan for the business.
Practice the disaster response plans at least twice a year at home and at work. Regular drills help everyone learn the safety procedures for tornadoes, and they let you test and tweak your plan so you can be better prepared in a real emergency.
Preparedness can help keep the family safe if a tornado hits, but it may not be able to protect property against the strength of these devastating storms.

Digital Edition 03.22.2023

By
tammiehoeme
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0
digital edition

Digital Edition 03.22.2023

Attend a Kansas BQA Training this March and April

By
Guest Columnist
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0
Photo credit: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Cattle producers in Kansas will have the opportunity to become Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certified, or renew an expired certification, this spring through four in-person trainings across the state. BQA is a nationally coordinated, state-implemented program that offers education for cattle producers on up-to-date best management strategies with a commitment to quality through every segment of the beef industry.
The BQA trainings will be offered by K-State Research and Extension, Kansas Livestock Association and the Kansas Beef Checkoff. At no cost to them, producers can attend one of the following trainings:
  • March 28 in Colby (City Limits Convention Center, 6:00 p.m.)
  • March 30 in El Dorado (Butler County Community and 4-H Building, 6:00 p.m.)
  • April 11 in Manhattan (Stanley Stout Center on the K-State campus, 6:00 p.m.)
  • April 13 in Hays (Hilton Garden Inn, 6:00 p.m.)
Each BQA training will kick off with a dinner sponsored by Certified Angus Beef (CAB). As part of the dinner, attendees will hear how CAB shares the BQA story of every cattleman’s commitment to raising healthy, nutritious, high-quality beef with consumers and the brand’s licensed partners.
“Certified Angus Beef supports BQA because it’s an easy and effective way for producers to communicate cattle care to people on the opposite end of the beef supply chain,” says Bruce Cobb, CAB executive vice president of production. “Besides sharing producer stories and helping to drive demand for premium beef, providing a meal to attendees is the most direct way we can support cattlemen who get BQA certified at these events.”  
During the BQA training, Dr. A.J. Tarpoff, DVM, associate professor and beef Extension veterinarian at K-State, will walk through BQA best practices. Topics will include cattle care, extreme weather planning, stockmanship, and other critical topics for cattle production.
“BQA certification is good for three years,” Tarpoff says. “These continuing education programs are not only valuable to you and your operation but attending these sessions also proves to our downstream consumers that we are committed to producing the highest quality, safest beef supply in the world.”
Anyone interested is encouraged to pre-register for the event to get an accurate count for dinner. Contact Brooke Wines at [email protected] or call 785-273-5115. Onsite registration will also be available at each location.
Submit Your Certificate for a Chance to Win
All attendees who get BQA certified will be entered to win a giveaway from CAB. The brand is offering monthly incentives for cattlemen who get BQA certified, and March’s incentive will be a new vaccine cooler.
Angus producers affiliated with state or regional Angus associations may submit their BQA certificate to enter for a chance to win up to $2,000 for their local association. This challenge is open through June 30 and more information can be found at CutTheBull.info/challenge.
If you’re already BQA certified, submit your certificate to CAB at CutTheBull.info.  

Daughter Lovina Fills In as Lovina Prepares to Leave for a Funeral

By
tammiehoeme
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0

It’s Monday morning and I do not have much time to write, so daughter Lovina will finish this column.
It is with great sadness that I share the news of my Aunt Lovina’s death. She had recently moved from Ohio to Kentucky to live with her daughter and family. She lost her second husband Abe two years ago and had gone back to Ohio, as they were selling his belongings. As she was walking toward the building she fell over, and life had fled. I will share more next week. I was named after Aunt Lovina and have many memories of her to treasure. Until next week… God’s blessings!

Dear Readers,
This is daughter Lovina, 18. I’m going to finish the column for Mom since she’s washing
laundry and she’ll be busy packing tonight.
It’s really snowy outside. A couple days ago it was really warm and the snow had melted away, and then yesterday we were back to cold and snowy. We’ve been having that pattern all month. I wonder what season it will be tomorrow. I built a snowman. All I’m missing now is the top, middle, and bottom, but I have a carrot for a nose and the sticks for arms. My favorite activity to do in the winter is go back inside and stay there.
The other night some of us played a game called Password. Dustin and Loretta had come over for supper, so they were here, too. Those playing were Dustin, Loretta, Mom, Kevin, Joseph, Grace (Joseph’s special friend), Daniel (my special friend), and me.
Dustin sat at the corner of the table with the rule book, ready to argue with anyone who tried to make their own rules or cheat. It was all our first or second time playing the game, so nobody was really sure what all the rules were, and everyone tried to work things out to their favor.
It’s about noon and I’m finished with all the daily work. Sister Loretta and eight-month-old
Denzel are over here this morning. Denzel is running circles around the table in his walker. The other day I was trying to sweep the floors and he kept running through my dirt pile, so I tied one end of a jump rope to his walker and the other end to the table leg to keep him in one spot until I was finished. He likes to park his walker right behind me when I wash dishes, and when I take a step back, I almost sit on him. Sometimes we’ll be walking and he’ll come zooming out of nowhere in his walker, either running into us or making us almost run into him. He’s like a deer. I like to help out—that’s why every time Denzel has a diaper mess, I volunteer to leave the room. Daniel is training his driving horse Buddy to ride so I can ride him. Daniel’s other horse, Lightning, died unexpectedly a few weeks ago. The vet came out, but the word he said caused it is too big for me to remember. We were upset about it, because she was a good horse and we Lovina’s Amish Kitchen for week of March 20, 2023 were really liking her. At least we still have Buddy. If all else fails, Daniel can pull the buggy. (Just joking!) Daniel has been teaching me how to grill meat, and it’s a lot of fun. Usually I just watch, but now I hold a pair of tongs and poke at the meat to try and act like I know what I’m doing.
Not that long ago, I cut out and sewed my first dress on my own. I still have a lot to learn. I want to learn how to sew a pants and shirt too yet, but the dress is a start.
I think I’m going out to the pole barn now and clean up some messes that I didn’t make, since my brothers are allergic to cleaning up after themselves. (Just joking again!)
Joseph went with Grace and her family to my great Aunt Lovina’s viewing. The Amish usually have two days of viewing/visitation and then the funeral on the third day. Dad and Mom will be leaving tomorrow morning for the viewing, then will stay for the funeral Wednesday. Some of you probably already know that Dustin, Daniel, and Grace are all siblings.
Brother Ben, Dad, and Dustin are all at work right now. Kevin is in the basement helping Mom with the laundry. Loretta is giving Denzel a ride with her mobility scooter and that makes him go to sleep, and I’m wrapping up this column. Thank you all for reading! I hope everyone is doing great. God bless!

 

Lemon Bars
Crust:
3 cups flour
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups butter
Filling:
6 eggs
2 cups sugar
1/3 cup flour
3/4 cup lemon juice

Crust: Combine ingredients until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press into a 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1-inch pan. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
Filling: Beat eggs slightly. Add sugar, flour, and lemon juice and mix together. Pour onto baked crust. Bake another 20 minutes. Cool and dust with powdered sugar. Makes 24 bars.

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