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Flint Hills Cowboys Teams To Compete In State’s Oldest Ranch Rodeo

By
Frank Buchman
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0

The 37th annual Fall Ranch Rodeo sponsored by the Morris County Youth Rodeo Association (MCYRA) is scheduled for Sunday, October 1st.
Four-member cowboy teams representing 14 Flint Hills ranches have pre-entered in the rodeo at the MCYRA Arena, 1½ miles east of Council Grove on Highway 56.
A junior ranch rodeo will be Sunday morning at 10 o’clock, followed by the ranch rodeo starting with a grand entry at 1 o’clock.
“Of special significance is that our ranch rodeo is the oldest in the state of Kansas,” said Clay Wilson, MCYRA president.
“The rodeo is also one of the oldest in the nation, along with possibly being the longest continuous annual ranch rodeo anywhere,” Wilson added.
Events for the junior rodeo include sorting, calf branding, and mugging while the afternoon matinee features penning, steer branding, team roping, and mugging.
To provide for a full family day of rodeo activities, the host Morris County Youth Rodeo Association will again offer complete concessions with meals, drinks, and homemade lunch offerings.
There’s still time for teams to enter the rodeos and find out more information by contacting Wilson at 785-466-1359, and on Facebook.

CUTLINE
Four-member cowboy teams representing 14 Flint Hills ranches are pre-entered in the 37th annual Fall Ranch Rodeo at Council Grove Sunday afternoon, October 1st, at 1 o’clock. A junior ranch rodeo will be Sunday morning at 10 o’clock.

The Mortgage

By
Milo Yield
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0
Thayne Cozart
Milo Yield

In sifting through my archive of “paper stuff,” I ran into another poetic gem that is deserving of space in this column. It’s timely, too, sadly, because the fall harvest is less than spectacular, and surely, the poor harvest is going to end up putting some good, honest, hard-working folks into financial trouble.
But, rest assured, any mortgages that farmers and ranchers took on will keep right on going, thriving, with a financial life of their own.
So, here is the melancholy poem. In this case, the writer is known. He is Will Carlton. The date he wrote it is unknown, but I’d guess it was back in the 1980s or even back in the Great Depression.
THE MORTGAGE
We worked all spring and winter,
Through summer and through fall.
But the mortgage worked the hardest
And the steadiest of us all.
It worked on nights and Sundays.
It worked each holiday.
It settled down among us
And it never went away.
Whatever we kept from it,
Seemed almost as bad as theft.
It watched us constant time,
And it ruled us, right and left.
The rust & blight they hit sometimes,
And sometimes they did not.
But, the dark-browed scowling mortgage
Was forever johnny on the spot.
The weevil and the cutworm,
They went as well as came.
But, mortgage stayed forever,
Eating hearty, all the same.
It nailed up every window.
Stood guard at every door.
And happiness & sunshine made
Their home with us no more.
Until, with failing crops and sickness,
We got stalled upon the grade,
And there came a dark day on us,
When the interest wasn’t paid.
And there came a sharp foreclosure,
And I kinda lost my hold
The children left and scattered
When they yet were hardly growed.
My wife, she pined and perished,
And I found myself alone.
What she died of was a mystery,
For her docs twas never known.
I know she died of “mortgage,”
Just as I also wanted to.
If to trace a hidden sorrow,
Were within the doctor’s art,
They’d a’ found a mortgage lying
On that woman’s broken heart.
Worm or beetle, drought or tempest,
On the farmer’s land may fall,
But for first-class ruination,
Thrust a mortgage against it all!
***
Well, I need to counter that tear jerker with something brighter. I’m 80 years old, but some folks say I don’t look that old. Then I tell them I can prove my age. When they ask how I can, I tell them I’m so old I can remember the introduction to the kid’s program, “The Howdy Doody Show,” on first-generation black & white television back in the early 1950s.
These words will prove my age. “It’s Howdy Doody time. It’s Howdy Doody time. Bob Smith and Howdy, too, say ‘howdy do,’ to you. Let’s give a rousing cheer. ‘cause Howdy Doody’s here. It’s time to start the show. So, kid’s let’s go!”
***
There, that should prove how old I am.
Have a good ‘un.

Biting the hand

By
John Marshall
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1
john marshal

Florida and Texas are among states who elect governors with an avowed contempt for the federal government. In late August Hurricane Idalia laid waste to a chunk of Florida’s western shore and inland. President Biden went there to survey the destruction, order federal disaster assistance through FEMA, and to comfort storm victims.
It’s not clear yet how much federal money will flow into Florida. Last year, after Hurricane Ian, FEMA sent more than $1 billion in survivor assistance and another $4.5 billion for Florida families and communities to rebuild.
Two years ago in Texas, after a massive winter freeze crippled that state’s infrastructure, Biden ordered billions in disaster funding for dozens of counties. Six months later, Hurricane Ida hit southeast Texas. Biden sent more hundreds of millions in disaster aid.
Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida recently declined to meet Biden in Florida and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has been reluctant to talk about all that help from a place he despises. Their gratitude may be deadened by the shock of repeated seasonal wreckage, or the flow of those persistent and annoying federal dollars. Or both.
*
Disaster aid is one measure of government assistance. Public improvements are another.
Closer to home in Kansas, the state Department of Transportation recently announced a two-year, $49 million program to replace or rehabilitate more than 30 city and county bridges that are not part of the state highway system. Most of the money ‒ $42.3 million ‒ will come from Washington.
The Kansas projects cover a range of rural and urban territory. A new bridge in Dodge City ($9 million) and county bridge work in rural Decatur ($544,000), Crawford ($990,000) and Doniphan ($836,000) Counties are examples. Depending on the paperwork, 70 to 90 percent of the money comes from Washington.
State transportation officials had refigured two local bridge programs to take advantage of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and $108 billion notched for American public transportation. In Kansas there were 176 applications for $162 million in bridge repairs. Of the state’s 19,000 bridges, a fourth of them are outmoded or unsafe, according to state studies..
Most of the Kansas congressional delegation opposed the spending bill. U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a Democrat, voted for the bill. The five Republican members of the Kansas delegation, including senators, voted against it.
*
Government unbelievers often dash for the FEMA lines after the flood, the tornado, the prairie fire. States-rights advocates who warn about federal intrusion are first to complain when the highway money or farm subsidies are late to their district.
During the Brownback years in Topeka, Republicans denounced Washington’s spending habits, then raided state highway funds, agency budgets and employee pensions to cover budget deficits that followed tax cuts for business and the wealthy.
Today many citizens, rural and urban, claim a fierce, independent and up-by-the-bootstraps headway, lamenting the intrusions of a federal government. And yet they are up in arms at the mildest threat to a federal farm bill or corporate tax loopholes and write-offs.
Kansas, like many other states, is a primary client, beneficiary and recipient of federal support. The state would wither without it. It’s a mystery why our politicians are so eager to bite the hand that helps us.

Salina Cowgirl Busy Serving As Miss Rodeo Junction City Kaitlyn Watkins is the 2023-24 Miss Rodeo Junction City.

By
Frank Buchman
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0

She was crowned at the Junction City Rodeo by 2022-23 Miss Rodeo Junction City Shelby Christmann.
“I’ve wanted this title ever since I got introduced to rodeo queens,” Watkins said. “I really cherish this title because of the DJ Prochaska Memorial. I grew up with the family and they are very good friends. I want to keep her memorial alive and make DJ proud.”
Daughter of Jennifer Godfrey, Queen Watkins is from Salina and attends Smoky Valley Virtual Charter School.
Active in 4-H horse activities, Watkins also competes in Eastern Kansas Horseman’s Association (EKHA) and National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) shows.
“I ride in every class at the horse shows from English riding to hunter hack to Western pleasure, and all running events,” Watkins said.
She has claimed a room filled with yearend awards in both organizations. “Fortunately, I’m blessed with outstanding horses to be an all-round contestant,” Watkins credited.
While the EKHA state show has just been competed, Watkins is directing attention to showing at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson. “I’ll be riding in nearly every division including English, Western rail classes, and the speed competitions,” Watkins said.
In addition to her equestrian skills, Watkins is also a musician, especially when playing the flute in band.
As if she isn’t busy enough, Queen Watkins is also employed at a diesel mechanics shop. “I don’t mind getting my hands dirty in order to get a job done,” she said.
Since coronation, Watkins has represented the Junction City Rodeo Association at a number of rodeos throughout the Midwest.
“My schedule is nearly overflowing with commitments representing the sport of rodeo,” she admitted. “I ride in most area fair and rodeo parades and carry the American flag at rodeo grand entries. I addition, I help move cattle during the rodeo performances and assist in every area where there is a need.
“Thank goodness Holly my horse puts up with everything I ask her to do,” the queen added.
Her royalty duties even go well beyond the rodeo arena as Watkins helped with the kid’s tractor pull during the Tri Rivers Fair at Salina. “That was an interesting and most enjoyable experience,” she admitted.
“After I pass this queen title down to the lucky girl next year. I plan on being more involved in 4-H,” Watkins said.
“A couple goals I have for the coming year is to get grand champion in the grand drive with show goats,” she stated. “I want to get a grand championship in every horse class at the state fair.”
According to Watkins, “A rodeo queen should be outgoing, compassionate, dependable, and I am doing my very best to fulfill those expectations.”
Optimistic for the sport of rodeo today and in the future, Watkins works to portray the Western way of life in every activity.
“Many people today really don’t’ understand the vast heritage which rodeo has, and I am proud to relate that information to them,” she said. “Despite my tight schedule, I welcome invitations to participate in community programs to represent and talk about the sport of rodeo.
While her current queen reign will run for one year, Watkins has no intention of slowing down her involvement with horses.
“I will be campaigning for the Miss Rodeo Kansas title and maybe even go on from there to national queen pageantry,” she said.
Horses will be in her future for a lifetime, Queen Watkins verified. “I enjoy working with all activities related to horses. I plan to continue competing in horse shows and rodeos throughout my adult life,” she exclaimed. “I also want to help the younger generation learn about horses through horsemanship lessons and training.
“I especially want to express the sincerest appreciation to my mother, all of my family, and many friends and acquaintances who have been my strongest supporters in my horse endeavors,” Queen Watkins appreciated.

CUTLINES

Kaitlyn Watkins serves as the 2023-24 Miss Rodeo Junction City.

The American flag is carried by Junction City Rodeo Queen Kaitlyn Watkins at rodeos throughout the Midwest.

Junction City Rodeo chairman Darryl Blocker is with 2022-23 Miss Rodeo Junction City Shelby Christmann, 2023-24 Miss Rodeo Junction City Kaitlyn Watkins, and Sarah Prochaska representing the DJ Prochaska Memorial.

 

No Place Like Home

By
Frank Buchman
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0

“The ranch home is a cowboy’s castle.”
While there are various sayings about homes being castles, nothing is more important than a good, safe, secure home.
The home is even referred to as a mansion, but it’s not of size and elaborateness to fit such definition. Even when a home isn’t that fancy, it still feels like a mansion because everything of personal importance is there.
People enjoy being rulers in their own homes, and others have no right to enter without the householder’s permission.
“A man’s home is his castle” was referenced in a 1500s’ proverb as well as the Bill of Rights. “The right of the people to be secure in their houses against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated.”
Disagreement over the extent of personal privacy and over interpretation of unreasonable has brought many cases before the Supreme Court.
Some people live in one home their entire lives, where they were born and where they die. They have no desire to live anyplace else.
Contrastingly, other people have lived in dozens of different homes as their professions call them to various locales forcing relocation.
Changes in life and philosophy also find people having home diversity whether location or structure quality. Even a tent or a pickup camper can become home.
From a personal viewpoint, there is fortunate feeling for only having had a few different homes in a lifetime. A brick house was first, until parents built a new home just a few feet away. Within several years, they decided to construct another one just across the street.
College life brought living in three different dormitories in a two-year period. Upon marriage, an old farmhouse became home until the present ranch home was constructed becoming a personal mansion. Eight different residences have been home in seven plus decades.
“Home is a shelter from all sorts of storms.” “No matter who you are or where you are, instinct tells you to go home.” “Home is not a place, it’s a feeling.”
“Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave and grow old wanting to get back to.” “There’s no place like home.”
Reminded of Proverbs 24:3-4: “By wisdom, a home is built and by understanding it is established; by knowledge, the rooms are filled with precious and pleasant riches.”
+++ALLELUIA+++
XVII–38–9-17-2023

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