Harvest America

Harvest is almost here in Hodgeman County! I will be the first to admit that I am not one of the "western Kansas Farm Girls" who grew up with harvest...but over the past 25 years I have grown to love this time of year. I took this photo on Saturday morning...just before the rains came. Today everyone is getting geared up, waiting until the fields dry out enough to get the machines in and start cutting. The fact that they are cutting in the next County over is making the guys pretty anxious. Kansas truly is the Breadbasket of America...and if you would like a great day-trip...head out west and spend some time watching the rows of gleaming combines cutting wheat in precision order. It's an amazing sight! Harvest, in Western Kansas, reminds me of New Years...it's both the end of one year's work...and the beginning of the next. Here's to a safe, bountiful harvest for everyone!

A Welcome Sight

I was thinking about blogs today, and thought that most of what I post is special events, and things that tourists might like to see. I wondered if everyone is like me, and sometimes what excites me the most is my community at night. You know, you've been on the road, off to meetings or wherever your life takes you...and you're driving home at the end of an evening. To me, there isn't anything more welcoming than the sight of Hanston up ahead. This photo was taken at dusk, as you can see -- the street lights are already on, and I was happy to turn into town and drive down the familiar, tree-lined streets of HOME. Dorothy had it right...there's no place like home!

Unique Shopping & Gifts in Jetmore

This beautiful beaded purse is one of the many unique gifts you can find at Country Keepsakes in Jetmore, KS. Country Keepsakes is conveniently located on 515 Mainstreet and they not only have unique crafts and gifts, but also boast an Art Gallery of works for sale, and an Indoor Flea Market!
If you happen to stop when they're closed, these wonderful ladies have their numbers posted and would be happy to try to accomodate you.
Below are some other items you'll find at Country

Keepsakes....

Visit Country Keepsakes on your next trip through Jetmore...or call Sandra Hastings for more information at 620-357-1046. Products change often...so you'll need to stop in and visit more than once!

Hodgeman County Recycles

Hodgeman County has a great recycling program...If you aren't into recycling yet...there's no better time than now! The recycling center (across from the Grocery store) in Jetmore is open 24-7. All boxes are clearly marked and Loyd has made it very easy for us to know what can be recycled and how to prepare it for recycling. The recycling bins in Hanston are located in the empty lot right behind the bank. There's a big orange bin and a separate "caged bin" for cardboard. Everything is well marked.

New to the program are the plastic grocery sack recycling barrels located at the Hanston State Bank, Jetmore Food Center, and Recycling Center in Jetmore. Recycling your used plastic grocery sacks is a great way to cut down on waste going into the landfill -- but you can also get reusable grocery sacks from Jetmore Food Center. Last fall the Jetmore Food Center and Economic Development gave away over 200 reusable grocery sacks! If you still need some, you can purchase them for only 99 cents at Jetmore Food Center.

Recycling is good for all of us...if you have questions about recycling...or suggestions to make our recycling program more user friendly...please let me know!

Bikes, Base Ball, and the Wild West

It was a busy weekend for the Vintage Base Ball Team -- they played the re-enactors at the Dalton Gang Hideout on Saturday and then took on the Bike Across Kansas Boys on Sunday afternoon! To the right is our own beloved "Uncle John Ewy", calling the game in his Vintage top hat and tails. Hodgeman Nine, our team, is a registered Vintage team -- one of only two in Kansas. They play in 1860's uniforms, by 1860's rules.

Pictured to the left is a photo I took of a lineup of the bikes taken on Sunday, June 7th when the Bike Across Kansas group stayed in Jetmore.

We THOUGHT we might have the advantage over these guys -- since they had already ridden their bikes from Garden City to Jetmore earlier in the day...but they were GOOD! A GREAT crowd as well -- it was the first time I had ever seen the "wave" during one of our games!

Bike Across Kansas -- Be Our Guests!

A warm welcome to our friends from Bike Across Kansas! This Sunday, June 7th, over 850 bicyclists and support crews will be riding into Hodgeman County. We have a number of things for them to see and do while they're here...Haun Museum will be open from 3 to 8 p.m. (and they have the coolest antique bike on display)...the Historical Society will be on hand to serve Ice Water and Iced Tea, as well as making bags of homemade granola available for purchase. Hodgeman Nine, our Vintage Base Ball Team, will play an exhibition game on the HS Football Field at 5:00 p.m. The Lions Club has put together a "Roving Ice Cream Social" and will be "tooling around town" selling ice cream novelties...listen for the bell! Several local groups have banded together to serve dinner on Sunday night, as well as breakfast bright and early on Monday morning -- and, of course, our local restaurants are a great option as well.
I am excited...I've committed to riding with BAK on Monday morning as far as Hanston! It's only 11 miles, and I'll know more after Monday, but am already thinking that the entire BAK route might be a great goal to set for myself for next year!

Business Bits & Bites

Yes this is what you think it is...a bouquet of pickles! This year Hodgeman County Economic is offering monthly "Business Bits and Bites" -- a 1 hour informal training session in the Courthouse Lounge over lunch. Anyone can bring their sack lunches and enjoy an hour visiting with friends and learning something new --something that has the potential of making their business better, or easier, or BOTH!
In January our first session was called, "Flash Drives and Other Handy Little Gadgets to Make Your Life Easier". February's session was, "Business Cards, Your Personal Billboard" -- which emphasized how important a great business card can be. In March we were treated to the "Give 'Em The Pickle" program, graciously loaned to us from the Kansas Association of Counties. April was my personal favorite, "Super Shots!". It was all about learning to use your digital camera -- I loved it! May was all about the FISH! Philosophy -- and on June 5th it's all about sharing different Organizational Tips for the office. We'll have a demonstration of a new portable scanner that hooks up to your laptop and will scan business cards, photos, receipts, and regular sized documents in less than 10seconds each! These can then be saved to files, e-mailed, etc. What a great organizational tool!
New topics will be introduced each month and I would welcome your ideas on topics to add to the lineup. Join us for Business Bits and Bites! (Usually the first Friday of each month, but visit our website for possible date changes.)

MOVIE NIGHT IN HODGEMAN COUNTY

This Friday night, June 5th, we plan a "test run" for our Movie Nights! Join us at the new City Park in Hanston right around dusk. Bring your lawn chairs, bug spray, blankets and snacks and we'll enjoy Disney's CARS on the big screen! This project was made possible, in part, through a grant from the REAL project, Rural Engagement and Active Leadership. Hodgeman County Economic Development has purchased a projector and sound system. John Ney has provided a very large tarp. We have permission to show the movies as long as no fees for the movies are charged. Please join us for a wonderful time with friends in the Hanston City Park on Friday, June 5th.
Questions? Contact Lea Ann Seiler at 620-357-8831.