There are thousands of varieties of tomatoes out there to try

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April 18, 2024

There are thousands of varieties of tomatoes out there to try. I am asked the question of what is the best tomato for our area. The answer is what ever grows best and tastes best for you! Standard slicers have some disease resistance. Determinate tomatoes produce most of their fruit early in the season and less later. They also have shorter, more manageable vines. Indeterminate tomatoes produce large vines and bear fruit through the season except when hot, summer temperatures prevent pollination and fruit formation. Here is a list of possibilities for you to find and try! (Just wait until May after the chance frost has passed!)

Roma

Little Napoli (H; determinate, compact)

Plum Crimson (H; determinate)

Plum Dandy (H; indeterminate)

Pony Express (H; nematode resistant)

Margherita VF (H; determinate)

Roma VF (heirloom, semi-determinate)

Super Marzano VF (H; indeterminate)

Grape/Cherry Type

Esterina (H; yellow, indeterminate)

Juliet (H; indeterminate)

Mountain Belle (H; determinate)

Sun Gold (H; yellow, indeterminate)

Suncherry (H; indeterminate)

SunSugar (H: yellow, indeterminate, excellent flavor, prone to cracking)

Supersweet 100 (H; indeterminate)

Tumbling Tom (H; determinate)

Sweet Olive (H; determinate)

Standard Slicers

Amelia (H; some disease resistance)

Beefy Boy (H; short internode indeterminate)

Big Beef (H; large fruit, productive, indeterminate)

Carolina Gold (H; yellow, determinate)

Celebrity (H; highly disease resistant, vigorous determinate plant, large fruit)

Chef ’s Choice (H; large fruit, indeterminate)

Florida 47 (H; determinate)

Florida 91 (H; heat tolerance, determinate)

Jetsetter (H; indeterminate)

Jet Star (H; an older indeterminate variety, very good yield, very good crack resistance. This was the top recommended variety for years. Some disease resistance.)

Mountain Fresh Plus (H; determinate)

Mountain Gold (yellow, determinate)

Mountain Spring (H; crack resistant, determinate)

Primo Red (H; early, productive, strongly determinate)

Scarlet Red (H, determinate)

Sun Leaper (H) and Sunmaster (H; heat set types that continue setting fruit at

higher temperatures than standard varieties.)

Heirloom Slicers (indeterminate)

Amanda Orange (orange, very large fruit, highly fluted)

Black Krim (dark, red-purple, fruit, higher yield than most heirlooms)

Cherokee Purple (pink-purple fruit)

Mortgage Lifter (red fruit, fluted)

This is by no means the entire list of actual tomato varieties there are in the world! So as you can see there are many varieties to choose from.

Vieyra Honors Foundation

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Guest Columnist

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April 18, 2024

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According to the most recent Census data, “Reno County, KS has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.36 times greater than any other conflict.” Today, there are 3,030 veterans living in Reno County. Of those, 1044 served in the Vietnam War. Vietnam War Veterans Day is celebrated each year on March 29^th. KS4Vets, formerly Central Kansas Veteran Community Partnership (CKVCP), hosted a dinner for local Vietnam Veterans, including a ceremony to remember those who were Killed in Action (KIA).

In all, 17 Reno County Vietnam Veterans were KIA. One of those 17 was PFC Henry Lee Fisher. Fisher was born on May 31, 1947 in Haven, Kansas to Kermit and Chlodine Fisher. He was the second oldest of four children. The Fisher Family are lifelong Haven residents and all four kids graduated from Haven High School with Henry graduating in 1965. Fisher’s father proudly served in the Army during WWII so both of his boys chose to follow in his footsteps and serve their country. Upon graduating high school, Fisher enlisted along with two high school buddies. Fisher was rejected the first time due to a hernia that was found during his physical. Perhaps he could have walked away right then but he chose to return to Haven, have the hernia repaired, and went back and enlisted. Fisher joined the Army and became part of the 16th Infantry 1st Infantry Division and was eventually sent to the frontlines of Vietnam. Sadly, he would never return home. He was just 20 years old.

This winter, Fisher’s family worked with KS House of Representatives to pass House Bill 2481 to dedicate the portion of K96 from the east to west borders of Haven, Kansas as the PFC Henry Lee Fisher Memorial. The family is responsible for raising the $12,000 necessary to complete this project. To date, they have raised half of the funds needed. While KDOT does all of the work and maintenance of the highway, the family must pay for the signage. Together, with the help of Vieyra Honors Foundation (VHF), a fundraising event has been planned for Thursday, May 9, 2024 from 7-10 PM at the Baker Ballroom located at 17 E 2^nd in Downtown Hutchinson with proceeds going toward the PFC Henry Lee Fisher Memorial. This event will feature a live performance by Hutchinson’s very own country music singer/songwriter Morgan Wilk, a full taco bar, and a silent auction that is packed with more than ten amazing items. Tickets are just $35 and can be purchased online (vieyrahonorsfoundation.org/events) or phone (620.960.8215). This event will not only honor PFC Henry Lee Fisher but all Reno County soldiers who were KIA in the Vietnam War to ensure that their ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms must never be forgotten.

VHF is a local nonprofit organization whose mission is to support veterans’ programs in Reno County by providing resources through fundraising and awareness initiatives. Registration, VHF merchandise and more details about VHF can be found on their website: https://www.vieyrahonorsfoundation.org/.

Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad to become official Kansas heritage railroad

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Guest Columnist

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April 18, 2024

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Kansas will soon have an official state heritage railroad and it’s in the historic city of Abilene.

A week ago, the Kansas Legislature passed HB2481, which, among other things, designated the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad (A&SV) as the heritage railroad and also named the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe 3415, a 4-6-2 Pacific-type engine as Kansas’ Official Steam Locomotive. The bill is awaiting Gov. Laura Kelly’s signature, which is expected to come soon.

Ross Boelling, president and general manager for A&SV, said this designation is an honor and speaks to the work that volunteers have put into making this heritage railroad a reality.

Our organization was founded three decades ago on the idea of preserving the legacy of railroads as builders of our state,” Boelling said. “It’s great to make our mission an official Kansas tradition. More importantly, this designation is a great recognition of our volunteers and the tens of thousands of hours they have dedicated to the A&SV.”

This new designation will help in various ways, including in grant writing as the railroad looks to raise funding for the 3415 locomotive, which went out of commission last year to undergo a Federal Railroad Administration mandatory overhaul.

Boelling said a new capital campaign for the overhaul is expected to be kicked off soon, and this new designation will be used to enhance this and other funding options.

Additionally, a new logo for the A&SV Railroad has been designed, incorporating the 3415 locomotive and the state designation.

How did the A&SV Railroad become Kansas’ official heritage railroad?

The process to get this designation began earlier this year, with State Representative Scott Hill of Abilene, introducing two different bills, one each for the state heritage railroad designation and for the state steam locomotive designation.

Hill was inspired to introduce this bill after seeing and experiencing the A&SV Railroad first hand.

“The dedication of the volunteers was so inspirational … the dedication of the staff is indeed infectious,” Hill said. “The mechanic in me goes crazy every time I watch it in operation.”

The individual bills were eventually combined into a single bill and then bundled together with other transportation related bills. This final bundled bill was passed unanimously by the State House and State Senate.

Hill said support from the local community in testimony before the legislature, including from Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Julie Roller Weeks, fifth grade students from Enterprise Elementary School and from Abilene’s St. Andrew’s school, was crucial to getting this measure passed.

“This proposal got lots of great support,” Hill said. “The idea caught on for a lot of legislators.”

In addition to Rep. Hill, State Sen. J.R. Claeys of Salina championed the bill in the Senate.

What does this designation mean for Abilene?

The city of Abilene is full of history, including being the boyhood home of President Dwight Eisenhower, as well as a major stop along multiple cattle trails and railroads.

Weeks said this designation adds to the history and importance of Abilene as a destination for people looking to celebrate the city’s colorful history.

“This recognition highlights our town’s commitment to preserving our state’s rich railroad heritage,” said Weeks. “It’s attractions like this that contribute to Abilene consistently being named a best small town, offering visitors a unique and immersive experience in our history and culture.”

Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad excursion rides season underway

People looking to take a trip on the A&SV Railroad can do so now, as the organization’s season for excursion rides opened last week at the train depot in Old Abilene Town, 200 S.E. Fifth St.

While the 3415 locomotive is out of commission during the 2024 current season, A&SF Railroad will be running trips using a diesel locomotive.

Tickets for Flint Hills Express Excursion train rides begin at $18 for children 11 and younger and $24 for adults. To see the train’s schedule or to book a ride, visit the Ride With Us page on the railroad’s website, asvrr.org/rides/.

‘American Pickers’ is coming back to Kansas. Here’s how you could get on the show

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April 18, 2024

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The History Channel’s “American Pickers” series is headed back to Kansas in search of historical relics and valuable antiques.

The show, which explores the fascinating world of antique “picking,” plans to film episodes of the hit television series in Kansas in June. It follows skilled pickers in the business as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques.

“They are always excited to find historically significant or rare items, in addition to unforgettable characters and their collections,” a news release said. “As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, the pickers are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics.”

The goal is to give historically significant objects a new lease on life while learning a thing or two about America’s past along the way.

“The ‘American Pickers’ TV Show is looking for leads and would love to explore your hidden treasure,” the release said.

The show is asking Kansans to contact them if they know about extraordinary items with fascinating tales.

There is a caveat, however. “American Pickers” doesn’t want to hear from stores, flea markets, malls, auction businesses, museums or anything open to the public.

Show producers ask that interested parties send their name, phone number, location and description of the collection with photos to [email protected], post them to the show’s Facebook page (@GotAPick) or call (646) 493-2184.

Cheers Kansas Festival on May 11 in Wamego

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Guest Columnist

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April 18, 2024

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The Kansas Department of Agriculture’s From the Land of Kansas program is sponsoring the inaugural Cheers Kansas event starting at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the Wamego City Park. The Cheers Kansas wine festival is an afternoon of sampling Kansas wines, enjoying a taste of local Kansas foods, and listening to live music.

This event offers the public an opportunity to meet Kansas wine and food producers: Oz Winery, Liquid Art Winery & Estate, Red Rock Hill Vineyards, Z&M Twisted Vineyard – Lawrence, Smoky Hill Vineyards & Winery, Rowe Ridge Vineyard & Winery, Grace Hill Winery, Stone Pillar Vineyard & Winery, Irvine’s Just Beyond Paradise, Trivedi Wine, Valley Trails Winery, Wyldewood Cellars Winery, Bourgmont Vineyard & Winery, Highland Vineyards and Winery, Bauer Farms, Flint Hills Pints, Brunkow Family Lamb, Just Nuts, Cocoavino, Alma Creamery, MKC Kitchen, and Prairy Market & Deli.

Tickets are now on sale at shop.fromthelandofkansas.com/cheers-kansas-event. Tickets include a logo wine glass, wine samples and/or food samples, live music performances, and a wine tote. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Highland Community College viticulture and enology academic program. Three ticket options are available:

$15 Food Only Ticket: 6 food samples
$30 General Admission Ticket: 12 wine and 6 food samples
$50 VIP Ticket: Early access starting at noon, with 14 wine and 8 food samples

Events like Cheers Kansas support the goals of From the Land of Kansas to support businesses that grow, produce, process or manufacture products in Kansas, and to provide consumers with local, Kansas-grown food. Find out more about From the Land of Kansas and find member companies at FromtheLandofKansas.com.

Rural Messenger

Rural Messenger

There are thousands of varieties of tomatoes out there to try

Vieyra Honors Foundation

Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad to become official Kansas heritage railroad

‘American Pickers’ is coming back to Kansas. Here’s how you could get on the show

Cheers Kansas Festival on May 11 in Wamego

Rural Messenger

K-State Salina offers agricultural drone spraying training

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