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!

Flowers at the New Memorial

Special Thanks to everyone that has been involved with the planting, watering, and weeding of the flower beds at the new Veteran's Memorial in Jetmore. As you can see, there are still a few bulbs not up...which are marked with blue flags. I LOVE to walk by in the morning when the rose moss is open!

County Agent's Jobs are Varied

Last week Hodgeman County celebrated it's 5oth year of Hodgeman County Fair. I spent a little time watching our County Agent, DeWayne Craghead. His jobs were many...and varied! This shot especially caught my attention. DeWayne was providing first aid in the form of a few kind words and a well-placed bandaid. Thanks for all you do DeWayne!

Kenyon Nature Parkway

If you haven't taken the opportunity to take a few minutes and relax on the Kenyon Nature Park...you are really missing out! The wildflowers are now in full bloom and there are some wonderful spots along the trail to stop and rest a few minutes in the shade -- while enjoying the quiet surroundings and beauty of nature. I ran across the coolest little lizard on the path this week, but wasn't quick enough to catch his picture.

KNP is located in Jetmore, KS -- just off (surprise!) Kenyon Street. My favorite time of the day to walk it is in the morning, but anytime can give you a fresh appreciation for nature and some wonderful solitude. Enjoy!

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.

Heritage of Hodgeman County Quilt Show

As part of Steve King Day, the Heritage of Hodgeman County Quilt Show was held in the Courthouse. There was a beautiful display of family quilts -- antique as well as new -- but all family treasures! The quilt featured in the photo above is a Wedding Ring design and is displayed in an antique trunk loaned from the Haun Museum. The Quilt show was a big success, thanks to the "Piece Makers" and Rhonda Stithem.






This wonderful little quilt was made for a Kindergarten child in 1967 -- and listed all of the names of her class on the quilt!

This is the Steve King Quilt that the Piece Makers made to be auctioned off at the race on Saturday night, proceeds going to the Steve King Foundation.

Join us Next Year for Steve King Day -- over Memorial Day Weekend!

Installation of Our East Turbine

Pictured to the right is a photo I took during the Installation of of our #1 Turbine (the one to the East) in Jetmore. This has been an amazing project and I am thrilled that they are now up and producing!
For those of you who may not have known about the project, this is the FIRST Municipal Wind Project in the State of Kansas. The City of Jetmore purchased 2 refurbished Micon 108's from Dr. Scott Brantley (West Wind Energy, LLC out of Otis, KS). When producing to their fullest capacity -- they could provide up to 12% of the City's Electrical Power. The energy they produce is fed directly into the City's grid and the energy is not sold, rather, it will assist in keeping the energy costs down for the City's citizens. The "payoff period" or Return on Investment is projected at 7-9 years, depending on average annual wind speeds. If you are interested in learning more about the Jetmore Municipal Wind Project -- please feel free to contact me.

KAC Board Visits Hodgeman County

Last week I enjoyed a perfect evening at the Horse Thief Reservoir site. John Ney and Gary Seiler were our grilling gurus...but the real enjoyment of the evening came from the spectacular view and the wonderful company! It was so much fun to visit with all of our new friends from the KAC Board. I want to thank them again for their visit.