Hodgeman County Christmas

Join us in Hodgeman County as we welcome in the Holiday Season on December 5th & 6th. On December 5th there will be something for everyone as we have Breakfast with Mrs. Clausat the King Center from 9-11:00...have our pets' holiday photos taken by Rhonda Stithem at Jetmore Veterinary Clinic from 10-12:00...watch kids movies at the Haun Museum from 2-4...and shop to our hearts content at the Merry Market(4-H Building from 1-4). Young elves and elves-at-heart can take part in the Elf 101 Classes....Snowflake Cutting and Ornament Painting while Mom & Dad shop. You can also craft your letter to Santa or send a Holiday Greeting to our Military Holiday Heroes at the Senior Center from 1-3 p.m. Mike Thornburg will be on hand to help you! At 4:00 Santa is scheduled to make his annual arrival via Fire Engine at the King Center and you will have a chance to visit with him in person. While you're there...make sure and look over the Theta Pi Bake Sale and stay afterwards for soup and chili with the Girl Scouts. At 5:00 we'll meet back up at the Courthouse Square on Main Street for a wonderful gift from the Baptist Church...Carolers! After the caroling -- stop in at the City Hall for some warm cider or hot cocoa to warm you up for the Lighted Christmas Parade -- hosted this year by the Jetmore/Hanston Lions Club. If you get a bit chilly, it's ok...the next stop is the Museum where we can watch a full feature Holiday film and enjoy some popcorn where it's nice and warm.
On Sunday, December 6th we'll do some caroling of our own...the Old Fashioned Way! By Horse and Wagon! Meet up at the United Methodist Church at 4:00 and we'll go around town brightening spirits...but bring some mittens...as it might get chilly! We'll finish up with a tummy-filling and heart-warming soup/salad/dessert supper when we're done!

I ventured out last Friday to do a little shopping...not the 3 a.m. kind like many were doing...more like the 10:00 a.m. kind. Anyway, I had my 9 year old daughter with me. She wanted a new CD and had some Birthday money, so we went to look for it. I wasn't having much luck, so I asked her to catch the attention of one of the salesmen. She did and it was a moment that made me proud! In her tiny little voice she said, "I need a CD of Tchaikovsky. I want it to have the Russian Dance, the Chinese Dance, and the Waltz of the Flowers...I like the Reed Flutes" and smiled up at his astonished face. He said, "How old are you?" Then looked at me and asked, "Is she in some type of gifted program for musicians? I can't even say Tchaikovsky right and I have no idea what a Reed Flute is." I told him that she was 9 and no, she was not in any gifted programs -- just 3rd Grade Music Class at Pawnee Heights. But I did think about our conversation a lot on the way home. I repeated the story to her Music Teacher, Miss Boyd. I know that most conversations about Education right now are about budgets and budget cuts -- isn't it nice that we still have wonderful educators like Miss Boyd who teach passionately and inspire our children to believe that they are only limited by their imagination? I am filled with Gratitude for Miss Boyd and those like her!
As for the much sought-after CD...we finally found it in the Bargain-Bin for $2.50...what a bargain! She's been listening to it for almost a week now.

HUNT HODGEMAN

HUNT HODGEMAN!
The season's are changing, there's a chill in the air...and the Pheasant
are getting in the last little bit of freedom before they have to go
into hiding! Hodgeman County Economic Development, in partnership
with Hodgeman County Extension, are busy getting the new
Hunt Hodgeman Brochures out to area businesses! We are very pleased
with the brochure -- it lists the special community hunter's meals,
essential community services and area businesses,
explains the Kansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry program, has both local maps and the map of the Hodgeman County Walk-In Hunting, and even has two delicious pheasant recipes!
Hunting is BIG BUSINESS in Hodgeman County! Our outfitters, restaurants, and motel are some of the most obvious beneficiaries of those that visit us to hunt...but Hunting is GREAT for the overall economy in Hodgeman County. You can check out the new brochure at www.hodgemancountyks.com
Help me spread the word...Hunt Hodgeman!

Join us for Spook-Tac-U-Lar on Mainstreet! Friday, October 30th from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Businesses and Government Offices up and down Mainstreet will be prepared to meet & greet your little spooks with some goodies! Don't forget to stop in at the City Hall in Jetmore and see two of the nicest "witches" you'll ever meet....complete with their boiling cauldren!!! If you ARE an area business...please let Lea Ann know if you plan to participate, so she can get your information on a handout and drop a window ghost off for you to display. Happy Haunting!

I took this photo last fall...this is right at the end of Main Street in Jetmore....across from the bridge. The tree was turning and was just beautiful. I didn't notice the wild turkeys at first...but then decided I needed them in the photo as well. Autumn is such a beautiful time of year, don't you agree? Beautiful fall foliage and crisp, clear days make it my favorite season!

HUNT HODGEMAN at the Outdoors Show

Today I'm in Dodge City at the Western Kansas Outdoors Show with
Travis Ruff of Pro Gun Dogs and Josh Hobbs with the HorseThief
Reservoir. The Reservoir is now 1/3 full and Josh has some awesome
aerial photos on display.
Have you been to Travis' website? GREAT WEBSITE!
www.progundog.com. He and Katie have a really unique business
and they are a great example of a young family that has come back
the Western Kansas to start their business and raise their family!

Buckner Fall Festival

Don't forget the Buckner Fall Fest! Saturday, October 3rd...Pawnee Heights @ Hanston School Grounds. A day filled with family-friendly events for everyone! For more information...go to http://www.hodgemancountyks.com/
This is the 5th Annual Buckner Fall Festival...a county-wide event that takes place at the Hanston School Grounds. Every year it just gets better and better! This year it is being combined with the Hanston High School All School Reunion!