Having scored seven goals in its last outing, the Barton Community College women’s soccer team had few opportunities to score on Saturday as the No. 4 ranked Tyler Junior College Apaches shut out the Cougars 2-0. Played in El Dorado, Kansas, at the BG Products Sports Complex, the Apaches scored two first half goals and kept the Cougars from launching any shots on goal to capture the victory. The loss drops Barton to 2-4-2 on the season while the Apaches remain unbeaten at 6-0. Barton will return to conference action on Wednesday as both the men’s and women’s teams will play at Coffeyville Community College beginning at 4:00 p.m. for the women’s game followed by the men’s game.
Chili off the grid
You know, I like to watch the popular outdoor TV shows just as much as the next guy. And as much fun as it is to watch Hank Parker and the crew catch monster bass somewhere down south, or to ride along with “Uncle” Ted Nugent and listen to his banter as he stalks deer who-knows-where, don’t you sometimes just wish there was a TV show that featured local guys hunting and fishing in Kansas woods and ponds?
Aaron Childress, who grew up with the nickname “chili,” spent endless hours of his youth hunting, fishing, hiking and otherwise enjoying the Kansas outdoors. After high school he got a degree in business, and to satisfy his love of media presentation, he started his own media company, AC Creation. Then along came the United States Marines. After basic training and schooling as an infantryman, he was deployed twice and was forced to forgo a third deployment because of a serious leg injury and two subsequent surgeries. Several of his team members and buddies lost their lives during that deployment. Childress told me “I was out of action for almost a year and pretty much every friend I lost in the marines was during that time.” He was discharged in November 2005 and his life hit bottom. Haunted by guilt, and angry for not being with his team during their last deployment and mourning for the friends and comrades he lost, Childress attempted suicide in December 2005. For the next seven years he endured intense depression and addiction to prescription drugs, and in September 2012 attempted suicide again. Childress says what was missing from his life was a way to help him cope with all the bad stuff in his head and to “transition” back into civilian life. He says “I lost a huge piece of my life and never refilled it again.”
Shortly after that, while at the VA searching for the help he needed to reassemble his life, he pick
ed up a business card from the Gallant Few, a nationwide organization that specializes in helping veterans “successfully transition” back into life-after-the-military. Childress had abandoned his love of the outdoors since entering the military and during an interview with a representative from Gallant Few, he was urged to reconnect with the Kansas outdoors as a way to help him cope and find himself again. He began with short solitary camping trips to a place in western KS he had loved as a kid, during which he started video journaling. Much like the “Survivorman” TV series, he would set up a camera and film himself talking about anything that popped into his head. “Even if I felt at the time like I was losing my mind, I’d say to the camera, I feel like I’m losing my mind.” It was during these trips “off the grid” that he began to ponder just why God had allowed him to survive two suicide attempts, and decided that with his knowledge of veteran’s struggles plus the hunting, fishing and outdoors skills he had gained as a kid, he was being called to help struggling veterans like himself by taking them along and helping them learn to loose themselves in the great Kansas outdoors like he was learning to do all over again.
It was around this time that Childress decided to film four short video clips of him teaching his son gun safety and to post them on You-Tube. Hunt Channel TV was impressed with the content and presentation of the clips and contacted him about filming some shows for them, giving him two months to film three shows. Despite his excitement over the opportunity, Childress (Chili) could see that this project was way too big for him alone, so he enlisted some past and present hunting buddies and the group and TV show “Chili off the Grid” was born, apply named for his nickname and for the off-the-grid experiences that finally helped him begin to heal. Each member of the group was chosen for a particular skill-set they possessed. Greg Jones became their business manager, Troy Trussell was chosen as editor/director of photography, Chet Sears, affectionately known by the crew as operations tyrant took on the role of hunt-coordinator, and Shawn Craven who spent hours in the outdoors with Chili when they were kids became their sound technician. Chet Sears told me “We don’t film shows per say, but we film hunts and other adventures and consolidate them into shows.”
Working in any way to help military veterans is an especially worthy and popular thing to do nowadays, but can also be misused merely to create good public relations for groups or individuals. Sears offered some insight into “Chili off the Grid’s” mission to help struggling military veterans successfully adjust or “transition” back into civilian life. “Our group strives not to exploit veterans and not to use them just to bring attention to our TV segments. When you watch our shows you will seldom be able to tell who the veteran is. We partner with the veterans we take hunting and fishing, and attempt to form long term relationships with these guys & gals and to be there for them when they need a friend or a listening ear. We help them create resumes, fill out job applications, obtain housing, etc.,” Most of the veterans they take with them into the outdoors are found through social media contacts, and their information is checked out by the organization Gallant Few to be certain they are indeed military veterans and that everything is on the up and up. A couple more things about these guys that sets them apart from most other TV outdoor shows is the fact that they are not professional outdoorsmen, but all have full time day jobs to support their families, and they all live near Wichita, KS USA.
I first learned of “Chili off the Grid” when I met Sears at a recent outdoor expo, and judging by their name, I figured they had something to do with a chili cook-off. Recent statistics tell us that twenty-two military veterans take their own lives every day here in the United States, and I believe these guys, no matter what they call themselves, can have a positive impact on that alarming number.
Chili off the Grid has been picked up by KAKE TV, an ABC affiliate in Wichita and will air at 1 PM on all four Sunday afternoons in October. Also check out the guy’s shenanigans on their website chilioffthegrid.com and on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
Fun family meals in minutes
(Family Features) Make dinnertime simple, delicious and fun by using different proteins, such as shrimp, for tried-and-true dishes like tacos, pasta or even slider sandwiches.
To make the most of evenings together, smart families shop for time-saving ingredients. Using the frozen food aisle can help save time preparing dinner, without sacrificing quality. Nature’s original preservation method, freezing, locks in the great taste of quality ingredients that are ready to go when you are, leaving more time for you to enjoy fun family moments. Frozen products that come semi-prepared, such as SeaPak Popcorn Shrimp and SeaPak Shrimp Scampi, can be used in family-friendly recipes for meals that are ready in a snap.
For example, take the taco – a dinnertime favorite that’s also popping up in new varieties on trendy menus – and elevate it from ordinary to exciting! Shrimp Scampi Tacos can be prepared in less than 25 minutes and can put a refreshing twist on the mealtime fare. Top a bed of crisp lettuce with savory shrimp, fragrant cilantro and a spritz from some fresh lemon and lime for an ideal family dish that is easy to prepare and fun to enjoy together. Plus, each shrimp is tossed in SeaPak’s signature blend of seasonings, breading and sauces, so you can bring the best coastal tastes to your table in minutes.
Use the time you save preparing the meal to catch up with your family – recapping the day’s activities or discussing your children’s high and low points with them. And, remember, dinner doesn’t need to last an hour. Research shows that even 20 minutes together, instead of 40 or 60, gives the family similar benefits.
Tasty tips to maximize family time
Here are some easy ideas to get the most out of enjoying dinner with your family:
- Get the kids to help in the kitchen. When they’re involved with the preparation, they’re more likely to be interested in mealtime and enjoy helping you prepare. While you bake or sauté the shrimp, let them set the table, wash and strain vegetables or help keep an eye on the timer.
- If schedules are overwhelming, designate a specific day of the week for fun family meals to be the top priority. Write it on a calendar in the kitchen, so every member is aware of this special time together and can look forward to it during the week.
- Remove distractions, so everyone can participate in meaningful conversations. This requires turning off the television, leaving phones in another room and focusing on having a good time together.
The combination of easy-to-make meals and ideas for making the most of time together is the perfect recipe for a family fun night. Visit www.seapak.com for additional family-friendly, coastal recipes.
Shrimp Scampi Tacos
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Servings: 4
1 package (12 ounces) SeaPak Shrimp Scampi
2 cups prepared white rice, warm
2 limes (zest and juice)
1 lemon (zest only)
1⁄4 cup chopped cilantro
6 (6-inch) flour tortillas
1 cup chopped green leaf lettuce
1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
1 cup arugula
Prepare scampi according to package directions and keep warm.
Source: SeaPak Shrimp Company
In medium mixing bowl, stir together rice, lime juice, lime and lemon zest and cilantro. Inside each tortilla, assemble in this order: lettuce, lime/rice mixture, shrimp scampi and cheese. Sprinkle arugula on top. Serve salsa on side, if desired.
Kansas Department of Agriculture and KSU Foundation to host ribbon cutting September 18
MANHATTAN, Kan. – A ribbon cutting ceremony and open house will held Sept. 18 at the new Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) office building at 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, Kansas 66502. The event is a joint effort between KDA and the Kansas State University Foundation, the building owner.
“This new location will allow the Kansas Department of Agriculture to collaborate more effectively with Kansas State University and members of the agricultural industry,” said Kansas Governor Sam Brownback. “The move will ultimately better serve our farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses, as well as a public that depends on Kansas agriculture each and every day.”
Kansas State University President Kirk Schulz said he believes this partnership will yield great results for the agriculture community in Kansas.
“K-State looks forward to the opportunity to work closely with the Kansas Department of Agriculture leadership and staff,” Schulz said. “We are committed to finding new ways we can collaborate for the benefit of our state’s agricultural producers and all Kansans.”
KSU Foundation President and CEO Fred Cholick said he was pleased the foundation could assist with the project.
“Facilitating the development of Kansas Department of Agriculture’s new home in the K-State Research Park allowed the KSU Foundation to serve as a catalyst to strengthen K-State’s partnership with industries and KDA,” said Cholick.
Tours will be offered from 2 – 4 p.m. with presentation and remarks beginning at 2:30 p.m.
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback will attend the event.
MC Squeaks by Builders
McPherson, Kan. – The MC volleyball team picked up their second-straight win on Wednesday as they held off the Moundbuilders of Southwestern College 3-2. The Lady ‘Dogs are now 6-4 on the year and 1-1 in conference.
The first set of the match went McPherson’s way from the beginning; Mac coasted to a 25-17 win. Set number two was a different story as SWC came out strong and got up on the Bulldogs; MC tried a late push but fell short, losing 25-22. The third set went much like the first, the Lady ‘Dogs took a commanding lead early on and then cruised to a 25-17 finish. In the fourth, Southwestern used adrenaline fueled by a couple quick rallies to force a fifth set; they won the fourth 25-19. McPherson trailed early in the final set but six-straight points late pushed them over the edge as they came out on top 15-10.
Cortlyne Huppe was in beast-mode early on and ended the match with 17 kills and just one error; she also recorded four total blocks. Taryn Lee hit double-digits in kills as well, logging 10 on 25 attempts; she led the team in blocks with five. Setters Taylor Johnson and Phoebe Barton netted a combined 48 assists with Johnson tallying 28. Emily Warner dug up 27 to lead the team.
McPherson is off this weekend and will have their next match in a week as they travel to Hillsboro, Kansas to face Tabor College on September 17th; match time is 7:00 p.m.
Make sure to follow Bulldog Nation on Facebook (MCathletics) and Twitter (@MAC_Bulldogs)
McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Kansas wetlands education center butterfly festival
Participants can help capture and tag monarch butterflies
GREAT BEND – From making milkweed seed bombs to tagging monarch butterflies, kids and adults will find plenty to do during the Kansas Wetlands Education Center’s (KWEC) “Butterfly Festival” Sept. 13, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. KWEC is located at 592 NE K156 Hwy on the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area 10 miles northeast of Great Bend. Participants will study butterflies, caterpillars and chrysalises, an exhibit bee hive, as well as several other amazing insects and spiders on display inside the insect “zoo.” There is no cost to attend and door prizes will be given away just before noon.
Nets and tags will be available for those who want to capture and tag monarch butterflies. Participants will receive information about the tagging process before heading out with a tagging leader to search for monarch butterflies. Although monarch numbers have decreased drastically, populations seem to be rebounding locally, with many adults, caterpillars and eggs found on milkweed at Cheyenne Bottoms.
Apart from tagging, participants can also play in the mud and make a take-home seed bomb, composed of clay, compost, water and seeds; take photos at the monarch butterfly and caterpillar photo boards; create a unique caterpillar and butterfly in the craft section; refuel with light refreshments and drinks.
Butterfly milkweed plants, with growing instructions, will be available at no cost to those who would like to encourage monarchs in their yards and gardens. Information on butterfly-friendly plants and other attractants will be available and visitors may also walk through the wildflower/butterfly garden to view examples of butterfly-friendly plants.
For more information, contact the KWEC at 1-877-243-9268, or visit: wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu.
Source: Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism
Laugh tracks in the dust
Sometimes the opportunity presents itself for pulling off a practical joke that you just can’t afford to go by.
Such an opportunity presented itself to one of my young neighbors, ol’ Will Prank, who is the proud papa of four great kids. Plus, the kids are the proud owners of a friendly little Chihuahua house dog — Bernie.
As with most families with kids, one or more of the Prank youngsters occasionally host a sleepover for their friends. Well, not long ago during the evening meal that began the sleepover, all the family and friends were gathered around the dining table.
And, when the meal wuz finished, but before everyone wuz excused from the table, ol’ Will sat his dirty plate on the floor for Bernie to lick clean. After Bernie licked the plate clean, ol’ Will reached down, picked up the plate, scrutinized it carefully under the light, and said, “Good enuf, Bernie.” And with that inspection completed, Will got up and put the plate back in the kitchen cabinet.
As he left the table, Will sez the looks on the faces of all the children — guests and siblings alike — were priceless.
***
Last weekend, Nevah and I drove to Platte City, MO, to see our friends Canby and May Bea Handy. It wuz the first leg of a trip on to Ames, Iowa, where we overnighted with my ol’ sheep shearing buddy, Nick deHyde, and his wife Tanna.
On Saturday, we and the Handys attended the football game between my alma mater Bea Wilder U and Iowa State University. BWU squeaked out a win, which triggered a post-game party of recollections and storytelling at the deHydes that lasted until almost midnight.
Traveling through Iowa on two different routes, I’ll comment that, barring a weather-related catastrophe, Iowa will once again enjoy bumper corn and soybean crops. I wuz so used to the burnt-green/brown of the Flint Hills that I’d about forgotten how vibrantly green Iowa can be in late summer.
I will mention that the ISU football fans were generous and kind to us “foreigners” on their soil. We were invited into a tailgate party — both pre and post game — that featured a variety of sumptuous pork and beef and all the trimmings, plus all the liquid refreshments we could safely imbibe. It was a fun long weekend trip.
***
Thanks to Colorado friends for e-mailing me this “chicken” joke for a chicken farmer.
Mr. Dobbins was having trouble getting his neighbor to keep his chickens fenced in. The birds were ruinously scratching and pecking through his prize winning flower beds and bountiful garden.
The neighbor, who had recently moved to the country from the city, told Dobbins that the chickens had the right to go where they wanted since they lived in the wide open spaces.
A few weeks later, a friend visited Dobbins and noticed his flower beds and garden were doing great. The flowers were blooming and the garden was a veritable cornucopia!
The friend asked, “How did you get your neighbor to keep his hens in his own yard?”
Dobbins said, “Easy! One night I hid a dozen eggs under a bush by my flower bed. The next day I let my neighbor see me gather them. Two minutes later he rushed off to the farm store to get fencing. I haven’t been bothered by his chickens since.”
***
A dairy farmer put a want ad in the paper for a new employee. In a matter of days, the farm had two applicants, with apparently equal qualifications.
The two would-be employees were both on hand to answer dairy-related questions on the employment application form — which they did in a quiet room with no interruptions by the dairy owner.
When the results were in, both men had scored 19 out of 20.
The owner went to one of the applicants and said, “Thank you for coming to the interview, but we’ve decided to give the other guy the job.”
The dismissed applicant went on a tirade when told that both the would-be employees had scored equally on the test.
The owner patiently explained, “We have made our decision, not on the correct answers, but on the question you got wrong.”
The dismissed man ranted, “Tell me, how would one incorrect answer be
better than another?”
The dairy owner replied, “Simple. On question number 7 your opponent wrote down ‘I don’t know.’ You put down, ‘Neither do I’.“
***
We’ve had quite a change to fall weather. Two days ago, the temperature wuz 95, with high humidity, and wind out of the southwest. Today, the temperature is 60, with a cool breeze from the northwest. Yep, fall’s a’comin’.
***
I’ll close for the week with wise words about interviews from TV’s William Shatner. He said, “I sometimes find that in interviews you learn more about yourself than the person learned about you.” Wisdom indeed! Have a good ‘un.
A simple twist on after school snacks
(Family Features) We all know it’s important to start the day off with a healthy breakfast. As a parent, you also have lunch covered for your hungry student, whether it’s packed in a brown bag or eaten in the cafeteria. But after a busy day of learning, young tummies often need a wholesome after-school snack to tide them over until dinner.
Keeping a stash of kid-friendly snacks handy is a sure-fire way to keep snack time manageable, while making sure kids don’t have a full afternoon meal, which would spoil their appetite for dinner.
Instead of potato chips or cookies, try crunchy veggies paired with a flavorful dip. As an added (and educational) bonus, invite kids to help make snacks ahead of time, assigning them age-appropriate tasks like measuring and mixing. This introduces them to family meal prep and helps teach them about healthy eating habits at an early age.
Kick off your new after-school snack routine with a recipe like this one for Ranch Pimento Cheese Celery Logs, created by country music star and busy mom of seven, Sara Evans, on behalf of Hidden Valley. For a little kick, Evans suggests substituting with Hidden Valley® Spicy Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix. If your kids resist celery or you want a little variety, this spread also makes great finger sandwiches when layered between two slices of sandwich bread and cut into small triangles.
For more kid-friendly after-school snack ideas, visit www.HiddenValley.com.
Ranch Pimento Cheese Celery Logs
Makes: 30 filled celery logs
Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Hidden Valley® Original Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix
1 (4-ounce) jar pimentos, drained
30 (2-inch) celery logs, cut from about 1 bunch of celery
Place cheese, mayonnaise, seasoning mix and pimentos in bowl of food processor. Pulse a few times until well combined but still chunky, taking care not to over mix. Alternatively, you can mix by hand, but it won’t be quite as spreadable.
Divide cheese mixture among celery logs (about 2 teaspoons per log), mounding it into cavity.
Serve cold.
Source: Hidden Valley
Walking to town with Grandfather
During breakfast one sunny spring morning, Grandmother informed both Grandfather and me that she was going to sew that morning and she didn’t want either of us under foot. That only meant one thing; she was going to sew my new Easter dress and she didn’t want me bothering her while she sewed.
Grandfather looked over at me and asked if I wanted to walk to town with him. OH BOY, WOULD I!! After we finished breakfast I ran into my bedroom and retrieved my black patent strap shoes. I went to Grandfather who was now sitting in his rocking chair and bolted onto his lap.
Resting on my lap as I sat there were my black patent shoes and I asked him if he would buckle them for me. He took them one at a time and buckled them snugly on my feet and then put me on the floor in front of him. I twirled around and he said I looked just fine in my little dress and black patent shoes.
I crawled back onto his lap and asked if I could see his pocket watch. He slowly drew it out of the small pocket of his overalls.
As soon as it was out of the pocket I asked to hold it and after he opened it and wound it he laid it gently in my upturned hand. I immediately placed it up to my ear to listen to it tick for a few seconds.
The sound of that round gold watch always fascinated me. All to soon Grandfather took it back and snapped it shut and said, “If you are going to town with me you had better get down.” I quickly jumped to the floor and ran to Grandmother and told her we were leaving.
We stepped out the front door at 9:15 and I heard the screen door slam behind us as we crossed the freshly mowed lawn to walk up the gravel driveway.
Grandfather always wore black leather shoes that laced above the ankle using hooks to hold the shoe lace as it was tightened up and tied with a bow. The soles on his shoes were heavy black leather and they made a very distinctive crunching sound when he walked on gravel. This sound is still engrained in my mind and when I hear it, it always brings back Grandfather’s presence.
Once on Stolp Street we walked east, past the Riggins house, then the Skinner mansion that intrigued me every time we walked by. They must have been very rich I thought to have a house that big and it looked like a fairy tale castle to me.
Just past the Skinner house we walked down the hill that was very steep to a 4 year old and once we were on flat ground again it was another 2 blocks to Main Street.
We crossed Main so we could walk down the side walk on the east side of the street. This was my favorite part of the walk to town because the houses sat above street level and the yards were raised so they were flat and had cement walls holding the yard up. The walls were 3-4 foot higher than the sidewalk and became an amusement park for me.
Grandfather would lift me up and place me on the retaining wall and I would walk along holding his hand. Even though I was somewhat afraid of the height, as long as he held my hand I was fearless.
When we had walked the three blocks to the downtown shopping area, the ground leveled off and I had to walk beside Grandfather on the sidewalk. As we walked down the sidewalk downtown the first thing we passed was the school playground and then the large red brick school building that sat on the next corner.
On the corner tucked back close to the school sat the statue that honors the signing of the Peace Treaty between the Plains Tribes and the United States. The statue is a soldier and a proud Indian shaking hands. It is beautiful white marble, and always fascinated me.
One more block down the street and we arrived at our destination. The Western Power and Light Company sat on the northeast corner of the intersection and it had a huge window that looked out onto the sidewalk and Main Street. Along the bottom of the window was a huge chunk of stone that formed a long ledge 6 inches wide.
When we arrived there were 5 men already propped on the ledge visiting and Grandfather quickly escorted me into Carper’s drug store that sat next door. He picked me up and sat me on one of the stools and laid a nickel on the counter. The soda jerk asked me what I wanted and I quickly told her a cherry 400. Grandfather told me to stay on the stool and behave myself and left me there to aggravate the soda jerk with my questions.
Grandfather walked back outside and sat down on the ledge with the other men so they could gossip about every one that walked by on the sidewalk. An hour later Grandfather came back into the drug store and retrieved me from my stool and we retraced our steps back to the little house on Stolp Street.
Thirty minutes later we arrived home. Grandfather went to the sewing machine where Grandmother was almost finished with my new Easter dress and told her that Lydia was pregnant. Grandmother told him Lydia was not pregnant. He just shook his head and turned away and told Grandmother again that she most definitely was pregnant.
I remember a conversation a few months later at the dinner table; Grandmother told Grandfather that Lydia was pregnant. Grandfather told her he knew that and he had told her about it after our trip to town 2 months ago. I wondered what pregnant was and why they were so excited about it.
Grandmother asked him how he knew Lydia was pregnant 2 months ago because she was only 3 months along then. He said it was the way she walked. Even though I had no idea what pregnant was and why it made them walk funny, I could hardly wait until I could walk to town with Grandfather again to find out who was pregnant. To contact Sandy: [email protected]