Issuu

E D I TO R’S L E T T E R

Finding Shelter from Storms is Serious Business

(ISSN 0091-9586) APRIL 2018 VOL. 68, NO. 4 ©KANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, INC., 2018 WWW.KEC.COOP

Bruce Graham

Chief Executive Officer

Vicki Estes Editor

Carrie Kimberlin

Manager of Creative Solutions

encountered a tornado first-hand, you understand the fear and adrenaline rush the moment you realize it’s time to take cover. After experiencing a freak November tornado that swept up my residential street in 1988, I now head to shelter as soon as the sirens blare or there are signs of a tornado. No more running outside to see what’s happening in hopes of capturing a picture of the storm. That day serves as a reminder that tornadoes can occur any time of year. Fortunately, that tornado was rated an F0 to F1 on the original Fujita Scale, yet it still managed to damage 122 homes and businesses, injure 22 people and cause an estimated 3.9 million in damages. As Kansans, we’ve become accustomed to the spring storm season, but have we become complacent with our storm preparation? This issue addresses storm safety preparedness and what you and your family can do to weather a storm safely. The articles begin on Page 10. When storms wreak havoc across our electric cooperative service territories, skilled lineworkers brave the elements and the inherently dangerous IF YOU’VE EVER

Jackie Kamphaus

SHARE WITH US!

Have an event you would like to run in Around Kansas? A story idea or comments you want to share with the editor? A recipe and photo for us to consider publishing? Let us know: ff events@kansascountryliving.com ff letters@kansascountryliving.com ff photos@kansascountryliving.com ff editor@kansascountryliving.com ff recipes@kansascountryliving.com work with electricity to restore power to our homes and businesses. The article on Page 20 introduces readers to a “typical” day for lineworkers, detailing what it takes to do what they do. To honor our lineworkers, we set aside the second Monday of April to thank them for the jobs they perform, often in dangerous conditions, to ensure we have safe, reliable power. If you encounter a lineworker on April 9—or any time of the year—be sure to say “thanks!” Stay safe this month, whether you’re riding out storms or planting crops. KCL

VICKI ESTES , EDITOR

Communications Specialist

Shana Read

Director of Education and Training Officers Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc.

Keith McNickle President

Terry Hobbs

Vice President

Craig Kostman

Secretary

Teresa Miller Treasurer

You receive Kansas Country Living as a service of the following electric co-ops as a cost-effective way to share important information about services, energy savings, electric safety, director elections, meetings and management decisions. It also contains legal notices that otherwise would be published in other media at greater cost: Alfalfa, Cherokee, OK Bluestem, Wamego Brown-Atchison, Horton Butler, El Dorado CMS, Meade Caney Valley, Cedar Vale Doniphan, Troy DS&O, Solomon Flint Hills, Council Grove FreeState, McLouth & Topeka Lane-Scott, Dighton Lyon-Coffey, Burlington Ninnescah, Pratt Pioneer, Ulysses Prairie Land, Norton Radiant, Fredonia Rolling Hills, Beloit Sedgwick County, Cheney Sumner-Cowley, Wellington Tri-County, Hooker, OK Twin Valley, Altamont Victory, Dodge City Western, WaKeeney Wheatland, Scott City Your co-op’s board of directors authorizes a subscription to Kansas Country Living on behalf of the membership at a cost of $5.88 per year. Individual subscriptions are $10 per year (tax included).

Co-op Members: Please report address changes to your local electric co-op. Postmaster: Send returns to Kansas Country Living, P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604-0267. Kansas Country Living is published monthly by Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604. Periodicals postage paid at Topeka, KS, and additional entry offices. Editorial offices: P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604-0267; 785-478-4554.

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APRIL 2018

Advertising: Kansas Country Living is a member of American MainStreet Publications (www.amp.coop), collectively reaching more than 27 million readers monthly. Advertisers call 512-441-5200. Acceptance of advertising by Kansas Country Living does not imply endorsement by the publisher or Kansas’ electric cooperatives.

F E AT U R E S

APRIL

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10 | Ridin’ Out the Storm

Kansas experiences its fair share of tornadoes each year. With some packing wind speeds of 200-plus mph, plan ahead with your family to ride out the storms safely.

14 | Will You Be Ready?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency urges Americans to do three key things to prepare for and respond to potential emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks.

20 | Life of a Lineworker

D E PA RT M E N T S

4 | 6 |

CO M M E N TA RY

Success at Statehouse

Service territory law protects electric co-ops’ right to serve growing areas.

8 |

E N E RGY W I S E

Old electric water heaters

Find ways to reduce energy costs for your old electric water heater.

18 |

We honor the important—and dangerous—work of our electric co-op lineworkers on Monday, April 9. Learn more about a “typical” day for these skilled individuals who brave the elements to keep your lights on.

A RO U N D K A N S A S

Events abound in April

YO U R P L AC E I N T H E G A R D E N

Vermicomposting

It’s time to think about your soil and put the worms to work.

24 |

CO O K I N G M Y WAY H O M E

Retro salmon patties

Get saucy with these Southern tradition salmon patties.

2 6 |

2 8 |

M A R K E T P L AC E

Find products, services you need SAFETY

Overhead power line safety

Know the eight steps to staying safe near overhead power lines.

2 9 |

M O N T H LY R E C I P E S

Ham it up

ON THE COVER Eric Stolfi, Butler Electric Co-op member, began his business, Storm Defense Shelters, after his family was forced to take shelter in a culvert.

P H OTO BY JACKIE KAMPHAUS

APRIL 2018

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

APRIL 27-28 Kansas Storytelling Festival, Downs. A magical weekend of stories and hometown hospitality to celebrate 25 years of this event. The Uncalled For Trio, comprised of Andy Offutt Irwin, Kim Weitkamp and Bill Lepp, will entertain the crowd individually and in cahoots with each other. Be prepared for laughs! Pippa White will return with her poignant and dramatic interpretations of the history in the Midwest, and remind us of the heritage and traditions that make our communities and families unique. Dino O’Dell will delight the crowds with his stories and music for the young and not-so-young. To fully appreciate all the stories at the 25th Festival, come and be a part of it. We’ll have the welcome mat out. www.kansasstorytelling.com. Master Storyteller Terry Koops entertains the crowd at the 2017 festival. THROUGH APRIL 29 Siren Call, Volland. L ily Brooks’ study of tornado sirens was made during repeated visits to Wabaunsee County and central Kansas between 2016 and 2017. Each town—no matter how sparse the population —has its own beacon of defense, a quiet visual reminder of the threat of extreme weather to the inhabitants of the plains. 24098 Volland Rd., thevollandstore.com.

shows in the United States. Free parking and admission. Great Bend Expo complex. www. greatbendfarmandranchexpo.net.

Gardner Program and offers new and gently used gardening tools, supplies and other garden-related items. 7001 W. 21st St. North.

APRIL 6 Bart Crow, Dodge City. B art Crow

APRIL 7 Tree Festival, Wichita. L earn how to choose plants and maintain trees that are well-suited for our area of Kansas. Tree care professionals will share their advice at the Sedgwick County Extension Education Center, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 21st and Ridge Rd.

concert with special guest Weston Wilkerson begins at 10 p.m. 620-225-1176. APRIL 6 Jeff Dunham Passively

THROUGH OCTOBER Food Truck Fridays,

Aggressive, Dodge City. A merica’s most recognizable ventriloquist and comedian is returning to United Wireless Arena at 7 p.m. 620-371-7390.

WEEKENDS IN APRIL AND MAY Spring

APRIL 7 Cruis’n & Cook’n Craft Show, Osage City. C ars, trucks, vans, classic, muscle, antiques, street rods and motorcycles—all makes and models welcome. Plus barbecue cook-off, Hot Wheels races and craft show. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. COF Building and Santa Fe Park, 532 Holliday St., jdswarts@mchsi.com, www. cruisnandcookn.com.

APRIL 1 G.F. Handel’s Messiah,

APRIL 7 The Gaither Vocal Band, Dodge City. Founded by gospel songwriter and producer, Bill Gaither, this Grammy-winning vocal group has performed in the world’s most prestigious venues, including the Sydney Opera House, The Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. 620-371-7390.

Garden City. Looking for something new and delicious? Join us the first Friday of every month through October in downtown from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 620-276-0891, Heroes Way, south of Stevens Park, www.gcdowntown.com. Cellar Tours, Volland. S tone arched cellar tours were first offered in spring of 2016 as a response to the store’s art exhibit “The Spirit of Place: Rooted in the Flint Hills,” by Tom Parish. The tours quickly sold out, and additional tours have been offered every spring and fall since. thevollandstore.com. Lindsborg. 3 p.m. at Presser Hall, Bethany College. 335 E. Swennson St., 785-227-3380 ext. 8235. APRIL 4-6 Farm and Ranch Expo, Great Bend. W ith more than 700 inside and outside booths promoting agricultural technology, this is one of the largest farm

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

APRIL 2018

APRIL 7 Tools and Treasures Sale,

Wichita. F rom 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. this fundraiser at the Sedgwick County Extension Education Center, Bison Room, benefits the Master

APRIL 10 Hospice Fun-D Dinner and Auction, Phillipsburg. H ospice Services of Northwest Kansas holds this annual fundraiser with smoked pork chop dinner and auction at 5:30 p.m. 785-543-2900. APRIL 13 Skillet for King & Country, Dodge City. S killet is an American Christian rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1996. The band has released nine albums, two receiving Grammy nominations: Collide and Comatose. 7 p.m. 620-371-7390. APRIL 13-15 Back Country Horsemen of America-Kansas Benefit Trail Ride, Clinton Lake. F ee includes Saturday barbecue and Sunday breakfast. dgskinner85@ gmail.com, 785-748-0850. APRIL 13-15 Tulip Festival, Belle Plaine. A s the largest festival in Sumner County, we offer activities for every age including arboretum tour of 30,000 tulips, athletic competitions, bingo, barbecue cook off, car and bike show

with over 100 vintage vehicles, Kids Fest and two days of live entertainment. www. belleplainechamber.com/?page_id=7. APRIL 14 Indian Artifacts Show, Holton.

S how will feature Steve Kaighen, avocational archaeologist who will display artifacts covering the early fur trade up to the dragoon period of the 1830s. Public invited to bring Indian relics to have identified for type and time period. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Northeast Kansas Heritage Complex, 12200 214th Rd., 785-364-3238 or 785-537-2862. APRIL 15 Chamber Music Series,

Lindsborg. K onza Wind Quintet at 2 p.m., Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery. 104 N. First St., 785-227-2220. APRIL 17 Trail Ride to Benefit Meals

on Wheels, Pomona Lake. F ee includes lunch, raffle and drawing for saddle. alogan@midamericanutrition.org or blackhawkhorsecamp@yahoo.com.

Rendezvous Adventure Outfitters. 113 N. Main, 785-227-9810. APRIL 20-22 Gem and Mineral Show, Wichita. H eld at the Cessna Activity Center, 12 and under free with an adult. 2744 George Washington Blvd., 316-943-1785, www.wgmsks. org/Annual_Show.htm. APRIL 20-22 Kansas Alliance of Weavers and Spinners, Manhattan. R obyn Spady, a nationally known weaving instructor, will be keynote speaker and will be teaching classes on Saturday and Sunday and a weaving workshop (Extreme Warp Makeover) on Sunday and Monday. There will be a spin-in and style show April 21 and a vendor hall open to the public, April 21 and 22. Four Points by Sheraton, www. kaws.ezregister.com.

Pratt. Vernon Filley Art Museum. 421 S. Jackson St., 620-933-2787, www. vernonfilleyartmuseum.org. APRIL 20 Girls Night Out, Phillipsburg.

rab the special women in your life and G join us for a night of fun, sisterhood and celebration. Spend the evening shopping downtown and enjoy the sales, door prizes, cocktails and more. 785-543-2321, www. phillipsburgchamgermainstreet.com. APRIL 21 Car Cruise on State Street, Phillipsburg. This is a great place to hang out with fellow car enthusiasts. Show at 6 p.m. and cruise at 7 p.m. Phillips County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 785-543-2321. Continued on page 16 

APRIL 18 Growing Tomatoes with Flair

and Flavor, Lawrence. D ouglas County Master Gardeners offer this free and open to the public from 10 to 11 a.m. Douglas County Fairgrounds, Dreher Building, 2110 Harper Street, 785-843-7058.

APRIL 20-JUL. 21 Doug Herren Ceramics,

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Joystick or Twin Lever Steering Options Stand-Up Deck Pivoting Front Axle & Deck Welded Steel Construction 42” - 72” Cutting Widths Kohler & Kawasaki Engines

APRIL 19-21 Spring Plant Sale, Douglass.

Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. with taco dinner 5 to 7 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday Friends of the Library book sale and DHS Senior Class candy bar sale. Douglass Community Building, 206 S. Forrest. APRIL 19 Behind the Exhibit, Manhattan.

A ngie Babbit of the Monarch Watch Program will lecture on the program’s initiative in conservation for monarch butterflies and discuss their migration and habitat. A free native milkweed plant will be given to the first 30 attendees. Flint Hills Discovery Center, 315 S. 3rd. 785-587-2726, www.flinthillsdiscovery.org. APRIL 19 DIY Pop Can Stove Workshop,

Lindsborg. F rom 6 to 8 p.m. at the

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Success at Statehouse Improves Service Territory Law

BY B R U C E G R A H A M

I wrote this column about KEC’s initiative before the Kansas Legislature that would inject some fairness into the state’s service territory law. I am pleased to report that through the remarkable work of many in the Kansas Statehouse, we have achieved success. I will outline the progress in a few paragraphs, but first some words to set the stage. In 1976, the Kansas Legislature directed the Kansas Corporation Commission to assign utilities a territory that would be served by a single provider. Prior to that action, the state allowed dual, overlapping certification but properly determined that exclusive territory was in the public interest to avoid duplication of poles and wires, unnecessary encumbrance of the landscape, and permit utilities to plan a generation, transmission and distribution system to serve that territory. This action took several years to accomplish and, along with exclusive service boundaries, came an obligation to deliver electricity to anyone desiring to live in that territory. The 1976 law though allowed cities in the state to take electric service territory through the annexation process. In 2002, we amended the territory law to insert a process that would enable the incumbent certified utility, usually a non-profit electric cooperative, an opportunity to present to the municipality a proposal to maintain service in an area proposed to be annexed. Since passage of the law, the legislative intent had been recognized in some cases and there were discussions between the entities. However, as is often the case, some loopholes became widely recognized and enabled a municipality to bypass or shortcut the envisioned process and essentially assume service territory without adequate notice or a full and fair opportunity for the certified provider to be engaged. Not all municipal utilities were aggressively annexing co-op territory but with 118 cities operating electric utilities in Kansas, the potential for loss of territory was great. Many members of the Kansas Legislature have at least one and often multiple municipals and/or electric co-ops in their constituency. Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU), the association for cities with utility operations, clearly preferred the statutory status quo, which was unacceptable to co-ops. That put

LAST DECEMBER,

Bruce Graham

The best news is this legislation should mean co-ops have a chance to serve areas of the state that are expanding and growing.

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

APRIL 2018

most legislators in a pickle. We began the 2018 session with introduction of Senate Bill 323 which had hearings before the Senate Utilities Committee on Feb. 19 and 20. Shortly after that hearing, parties were urged to find a compromise that would relieve the Statehouse stress between two respected industries and interest groups. Initial negotiations between the electric co-ops and the municipals were tense with progress encouraged by Senate Utilities Committee Chairman Rob Olson (R-Olathe). Once a path forward was found, two other pieces of important utility legislation were combined and the bill was on the move. And move it did. Senate President Susan Wagle and the rest of the Senate leadership were supportive and the Senate chamber approved the bill 38-0 on Feb. 15. On the House side, Joe Seiwert (R-Pretty Prairie), Chairman of the House Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee, recognized the bill’s merit and scheduled an immediate hearing the following Monday. Now called Substitute SB 323, the package was blessed by the Committee and then approved unanimously by the Kansas House on Feb. 22. I am pleased to report that Gov. Colyer signed the legislation on March 5. I want to express appreciation to the membership of KMU for agreeing to language that aligns Kansas service territory law more closely with other state models that protect service territory. In addition, thanks to the electric co-op grass roots who spent months communicating the inequities of our previous statute and urged legislators to support new language. And finally, to our association staff who worked tirelessly toward a solution and to the members of the Kansas Legislature who unanimously supported this important legislation. Success in the Statehouse is always something to celebrate. The best news is this legislation should mean co-ops have a chance to serve areas of the state that are expanding and growing. And if the decision by a municipality is to serve an area previously certified to a co-op, compensation will be due to the co-op that should help soften the blow to members for that lost opportunity. KCL BRUCE GRAHAM is Chief Executive Officer of Kansas

Electric Cooperatives, Inc. in Topeka.

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Reducing Operating Costs for Old Electric Water Heaters

JAMES DULLEY

D E AR J I M : My electric water heater is 18 years old but still works. I want to reduce my water heating costs. What can I do to make it more efficient? Do you have any tips for selecting a new one? – Marc H. D E AR M ARC: New water heaters are more energy efficient than old ones like yours, but many homeowners cannot afford to replace an older, less efficient one. For a typical family or four, it is not unusual for water heating to consume 20 to 25 percent of the total annual energy usage. Electric water heaters are simple devices. There are two electric resistance heating elements, top and bottom, in the water tank. They are not on at the same time because that would draw too much electric current. The bottom one is used to keep the tank water hot. When the tank starts to run out of hot water after many long showers, the top element comes on instead to supply hot water faster. From the energy-usage standpoint to heat the water, all electric water heaters, even old ones, have nearly 100 percent heating efficiency. All the electricity used ends up heating water because the heating elements are submerged. The difference in the overall efficiency and your water heating costs are determined by how much heat is lost from the water tank. In old water heater tanks, the lower heating element has to come on fairly often just to make up the heat lost through the insulation to the surrounding air. The most energy efficient electric A tall 80-gallon electric water heater is first water heaters have wrapped with fiberglass insulation and then with construction foil to block heat loss. many inches of

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

APRIL 2018

JAMES DULLEY

BY J A M E S D U L L E Y

Tubular foam insulation is placed over water piped immediately above the water heater to minimize energy-robbing currents.

high-R-value insulating foam in between the water tank and the outer skin. Your water heater probably has just a couple of inches of fiberglass insulation. The efficiency can be increased by adding tank insulation. Test your water heater tank to see if it needs more insulation. Place your hand on other metal objects in your basement or utility room to get a sense for their temperature. Next, put your hand on the water heater tank near the top. I’ll bet your old water heater will feel much warmer because it is losing heat. Water heater insulating jackets are available at most home center stores. These wrap around the tank and cover the top. R-13 fiberglass batt wall insulation also works well. Face the vapor barrier to the outside and cover this with construction foil to also create a low-emissivity barrier. When insulating a gas water heater, do not to block the combustion air inlet at the bottom and the draft diverter at the top. Your water heater probably does not have heat Continued on page 17 

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Ridin’ Out the Storm BY J A C K I E K A M P H A U S

Eric Stolfi, Butler Electric Cooperative member, his wife and three kids found themselves taking shelter from a tornado in a cold, damp, weedy culvert close to their rural slab home. The day after the storm, Stolfi’s mother sent him an article about an Arkansas business that installs underground garage safe rooms. After experiencing the frightening event the night before, he immediately knew starting a business installing safe rooms would fulfill a need for Kansas communities. After shadowing a mentor in the industry, he started his own business installing shelters: Storm Defense Shelters.

NEARLY A DECADE AGO,

Tornadoes in Kansas

GET TY IMAGES/MDESIGNER125

There’s truly no place like home, but when home is situated in the heart of tornado alley, tornadoes are a real concern for Kansas residents. In 2017 alone, the National Weather Service (NWS) recorded 74 tornadoes in the state of Kansas, with a record 185 tornados reported in 2008. Ready.gov, a national public service campaign designed to promote emergency and natural disaster preparedness, reports that winds from tornadoes can reach more than 200 mph, and damage paths can me more than 1 mile wide and 50 miles long. In Kansas, we have seen first-hand the damage tornadoes can cause in our communities.

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

APRIL 2018

In 2007, 95 percent of Greensburg was leveled by the first tornado to be rated EF5 on the new Enhanced Fujita Scale. The 1¾ mile-wide tornado reached windspeeds of up to 205 mph. And on April 26, 1991, 50 tornadoes were reported, including a devastating tornado that touched down south of Clearwater and traveled 46 miles across Sedgwick and Butler counties before dissipating near El Dorado Lake. The tornado topped out at F5 on the original Fuijita scale, taking the lives of 17 people, injuring 225 and causing $300 million in damage. Media reports from across the country documented Greensburg survivors’ stories, many of whom recalled having to escape their shelters after the storm passed by clawing through piles of debris, only to discover nothing—their home, their town—everything was destroyed, left in rubble.

Taking Shelter

With potential wind speeds of more than 200 mph, where is the safest place to be? When planning ahead with your family to determine where to shelter in place when the sirens sound, include the places you spend the most time—your home, work, school, church, etc. Discuss how to choose a location at the lowest level of the structure and find a small, interior room without windows. Once you have found protection, kneel into a ball and cover your head with your arms and when possible cover yourself with a blanket, coat, cushions or sleeping bag to avoid injury from debris. Stress that if you are outside or unable to find an enclosed shelter, it’s imperative to locate the lowest area nearby, such as a ditch or ravine. Despite the early 1990s video showing a TV news crew and others seeking refuge under a highway overpass for protection from a weak tornado, these are dangerous places to be. Mythbusters.com reports that the structure can actually concentrate the winds in the confined space, increasing the chances of being struck by debris and getting swept away by powerful winds.

Safe rooms designed and installed to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidelines provide “near-absolute protection for you and your family or employees from injury or death caused by the dangerous forces of extreme wind.” People install safe rooms for a variety of reasons. To evaluate the need for a safe room in your home, FEMA recommends homeowners consider the level of risk of tornadoes in your area, your existing shelter options, the level of safety you are comfortable with, and if you have the funds and a location available to construct a safe home. FEMA divided the United States into four zones (zone I through IV) to reflect the number and strength of recorded extreme windstorms, based on data collected from 60 years of tornado history and more than 150 years of hurricane history. Kansas is located in wind zone III and IV—the majority of western Kansas is in zone III while most of central and eastern Kansas is in zone IV. FEMA reports that zone III has experienced significant tornado activity and zone IV has experienced some of the strongest tornado activity recorded, so the risk of experiencing a damaging storm is high in our home state. Like Stolfi, many install safe rooms after evalu-

EF5 tornadoes are rare, accounting for only 1 percent of all tornadoes, yet they account for 37 percent of tornado-related fatalities. Their high winds in excess of 200 mph are capable of destroying nearly everything in their path. (weather.com)

Do You Need a Safe Room?

GET TY IMAGES/FOXDEN1

Taking shelter in a basement or interior room is standard practice, but when a tornado strikes, is that really the best practice? Like in Greensburg, a devastating storm can wreak havoc on the spaces we commonly seek for safety. Most buildings will be destroyed if hit directly by an EF3, EF4 or EF5 tornado, and can sustain significant damage from a lower level tornado, according to Ready.gov. APRIL 2018

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

ating their existing options for shelter and seeing the need for an option with increased protection or to fill a void of protection in their current residence. Tim Marshall, who evaluates wind damage to structures as meteorologist principal engineer with Haag Engineering in Texas, says that more people are opting for safe rooms and more companies are building them. He stresses it’s critical to pick the right one. “Safe rooms are like pizza,” Marshall said. “There’s thin crust, medium and deep dish.” Marshall suggests those considering a safe room make sure it meets Eric Stolfi and Jesse Kutleck install a storm shelter for Flint Hills the National Storm Shelter AssociaElectric Cooperative member Nick Williams. tions standards and ICC-500 code. “For example, you’d want a solid steel door, not a hollow one. The door must be anchored with Be Prepared Year-Round three, formidable hinges as well as three locks,” he While tornadoes can strike in any season, the said. NWS reports that they are most prevalent in the Nick Williams, Flint Hills RECA member, spring and summer months, especially in May recently had Stolfi and his crew install an outdoor and June. The NWS cautions, however, that there underground concrete slope front safe room. “My is a “secondary minor peak in tornado activwife is from California. She didn’t grow up with ity between October and November, when the tornadoes, so they really make her nervous,” Wilonset of winter battles with the relatively mild liams said “Our home doesn’t have a basement, so fall air mass still in place across the region.” A we looked at a few different options, and we decided 2016 ustornadoes.com report notes that Kansas this model offered what we needed.” averages 13.2 tornadoes in April, 37.4 tornadoes Others choose to install a safe room on the main in May and 19.6 tornadoes in June. October level of their residence to accommodate their health and November average 2.6 and 1.6 tornadoes, respectively. or physical abilities. “I’ve put in a lot of shelters for Some research has shown that we could have a people who can finally afford a shelter,” Stolfi said. more active severe weather season, but there are They’ve been living with tornadoes their whole life, many factors that make predicting the upcoming but they are 70 and want to preserve their life for as weather season difficult. long as they can.” “Our ability to predict storm seasons in Depending on your space, you could install a advance is very low,” Andy Kleinsasser, Wichita basement safe room, safe room on the main level NWS forecaster, said. “We are coming out of La of your home (such as an above or below ground Nina, which could indicate a more active severe garage unit), or an above or below ground outdoor weather season in the central and southern plains, shelter. If you decide a safe room is right for your but there have also been La Nina years where the home, a good place to start your research is FEMA’s tornado season has been less active,” he added. “Taking Shelter from the Storm: Building a Safe “We’ve also been incredibly dry. You need the Room for Your Home or Small Business” or contact rich moisture from the Gulf of Mexico to build a retailer in your area. thunderstorms, and because it’s been so dry, the ground tends to steal that moisture, so there’s not KANSAS-BASED STORM SHELTER PROVIDERS enough moisture in the air for a thunderstorm.” � Mauzey Construction, Arkansas City, mauzeyconstruction.com Tornadoes can happen any time, and it’s important to be prepared. “As we approach storm � Protection Shelters, Wichita, protectionshelters.com season, we always tell people to have a plan so � Storm Defense Shelters, Benton, www.stormdefenseshelters.com they’re not caught off guard when those tornado warnings are issued,” Kleinsasser encouraged. KCL

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

APRIL 2018

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KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

APRIL 2018

FEMA-Recommended Items to Include in an Emergency Supply Kit: ffWater, one gallon of water per person per

day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation

ffFood, at least a three-day supply of non-

perishable items such as beans, canned fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, canned tuna, dried meats/jerky, graham crackers, cereal, etc.

ffCan opener for food (if kit contains canned

food)

ffBattery-powered or hand crank radio and a

NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both

ffFlashlight and extra batteries ffFirst-aid kit ffWhistle to signal for help ffDust mask to help filter contaminated air, and

plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place

ffMoist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties

for personal sanitation

ffWrench or pliers to turn off utilities ffLocal maps ffCell phone with chargers and a backup battery;

for extra assurance, include a portable cell phone power bank in case of a power outage.

Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit: ffPrescription medications and glasses ffInfant formula and diapers ffPet food and extra water for your pet ffImportant documents such as copies of

insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container

ffCash or traveler’s checks and change ffEmergency reference material such as a first-aid

book or information from www.ready.gov

ffSleeping bag or warm blanket for each person;

consider additional bedding as Kansas weather can change abruptly

ffComplete change of clothing including a

long-sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes; consider additional clothing in case temperatures dip

ffFire extinguisher ffMatches in a waterproof container ffFeminine supplies and personal hygiene items ffMess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils,

paper towels

ffPaper and pencil/pen ffBooks, games, puzzles or other activities for

children

ffHousehold chlorine bleach and medicine

dropper; when diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.

Don’t forget to regularly take inventory of your emergency supply kit to make ensure the items do not spoil or expire, all documents are up to date and all batteries and electronics are fully charged. In the event of a severe storm, check the current weather on local media sources—such as radio or television broadcasts, community email or text notifications or weather radio. “It’s important that you have multiple ways of receiving weather information: a weather radio, a wireless emergency alert,” Andy Kleinsasser, Wichita National Weather Service forecaster, said. “Don’t rely on outdoor warning sirens to notify you of a tornado—especially when you are sleeping. They are only meant to be heard when you are outdoors. Download a wireless emergency alert on your phone; it’s your own personal tornado siren right by your bed.” By preparing emergency supply kits ahead of time, you can rest assured that you are ready to take shelter and weather the storm. KCL

APRIL 2018

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

T H I N G S TO D O

Continued from page 5 

APRIL 21 Ranch Rodeo, Sylvan Grove. orking cowboys compete against each other W in events based on the type of work they do every day. Calcutta (Cowboy Auction) at 6:45 p.m. and Ranch Rodeo at 7 p.m. Admission by donation. Fairgrounds, 301 S. Main St., 785-531-1066. APRIL 21 Spring Crank Up! Tractor Show, Alta Vista. S how starts with Parade of Power at 9:30 a.m., with tractors on display for viewing at the park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., when the tractors are invited to join a tractor cruise. Park exhibits open and barn quilt drawing. Ag Heritage Park, 103 S. Main, 620-7672714, www.agheritagepark.com. APRIL 21 Yellow Brick Run, Downs. H alf

marathon run and bicycle. Registration at 8 a.m., race begins at 9 a.m. between Downs and Osborne. Extended bicycle route available. www.downschamber.com APRIL 21-22 Living Country with Barry

Ward in Concert, Winfield. S aturday begins at 3 p.m. with pedal tractor races, hay ride, 4-H demos, old time games. Pulled pork and fixin’s from 4 to 6 p.m. and Barry Ward in concert 6:30 p.m. On Sunday, Ward will give testimony in word and song at 9:30 a.m. worship. Grandview UMC, 9044 111th Rd., www. umcgrandview.com. APRIL 21-22 Quilt Show, Wamego. H ours Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wamego Senior Center. Same weekend as Wamego Tulip Festival. 501 Ash St. APRIL 21-22 Women’s Only Cowdog

Clinic, Macksville. T his year’s clinic is open to all levels and all breeds of working cowdogs. The clinic is full but is open to auditors for a fee. Auditors must pre-register. The clinic format is laid back and is geared toward improving dogs and their handlers but is also a great time for fellowship and great friendships. 620-546-3737.

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

APRIL 2018

APRIL 24 Golf and Pickle Ball

Tournament, Smith Center. T he Peoples Heartland Foundation, Mark McClain and Mitch Holthus, Voice of the Kansas City Chiefs, and his wife, Tami, sponsor this event to benefit the Home on the Range Cabin site. Celebrities, professional entertainment, good food and the Home on the Range movie will be shown. mmcclain@thepeoplesbank.net. APRIL 25 Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles, Dodge City. C elebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album with Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles as they bring the album to life in its entirety along with all of your Beatles favorites. 620-371-7390. APRIL 26 Art Ease: A Regional Convening of Art and Military, Kansas City. Co-sponsored by The Mid-America Arts Alliance and the Missouri Arts Council. www. maaa.org/art-ease-a-regional-convening-onart-and-the-military. APRIL 27-28 Drags Test and Tune Friday Night, Great Bend. www.srcadragstrip.com. APRIL 27-30 FloraKansas Spring Native Plant Sale, Hesston. Knowledgeable staff and volunteers help you select native plants that thrive without constant watering and applications of pesticides and fertilizers. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dyck Arboretum of the Plains, 177 West Hickory, 620-327-8127. http://dyckarboretum.org/arboretum-event/ florakansas-spring-native-plant-sale. APRIL 28-29 Kansas Horse Council Spring Ride, Greensburg. R ide will be on private ranch south of Greensburg. Fee includes Saturday meal and Sunday breakfast. 785-7760662, kansashorsecouncil.com. APRIL 28 Benefit Fashion Show & Lunch,

Ellsworth. E llsworth County Medical Center Auxiliary hosts this event from noon to 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. Tickets must be purchased in advance from Classy Lady

Boutique, 220 N. Douglas. 405 N. Lincoln St. 785-531-1138. APRIL 28 Garden Show, Lawrence. S how

runs 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and includes talks each hour from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., booths to learn and ask questions about ornamental, pollinator and vegetable gardening as well as lawn, tree and shrub care, pest management, Yoga for gardeners and more. Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2110 Harper St. APRIL 28 Weapons and Hunting on the

Great Plains, Larned. F ull day of programs about weapons (with firing demonstration), bison hunting, women hunters and speaker on Indian firearms at the Little Bighorn. Free admission. Meals available with reservations by April 17. Fort Larned National Historic Site, 6 miles west of Larned, 888-321-7341. APRIL 29 Great Migration Rally, Great Bend. Migrate, 2 to 7 p.m., to the Kansas Wetlands Education Center for nature activities —raptor show, crafts, games, prizes for the “best” bird migration, barbecue supper; preregistration required. 877-243-9268, wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu. APRIL 29 Whistle Stop History Rail Ride, Waterville. Event includes rail ride, living history performances at Waterville Opera House and dinner at Weaver Hotel. 785-799-4294. MAY 5 Rural Route 13.1 Run/Bike,

Esbon. Ths event offers a variety of events that take runners, walkers and bikers along a scenic tour of rural Jewell County. To register go to Race Entry.com (search 66941), Facebook at Rural Route 13.l. 785-799-4294. KCL Send your event information by the fifth of the month prior to publication to events@ kansascountryliving.com. We publish events free as space allows. To guarantee publication of your event in the magazine, contact ad sales at 785-478-4554 or advertising@kansascountryliving.com.

E N E R GY W I S E Continued from page 8 

trap fittings in the inlet and outlet pipes as new water heaters do. Hot water, because it is less dense than cold water, naturally circulates up into the section of the pipes above the water heater. This hot water loses heat and drops back down. This continuous convection current wastes energy. Put tubular foam insulation over the pipes immediately above the tank to minimize this heat loss. You can also have heat trap fittings installed in your old tank to stop this. Although it is not as important with an electric water heater as it is with a gas one, drain a gallon of water from the valve at the bottom of the tank every several months. If you have never done it before, you will likely see a lot of sediment come out. Check the temperature of the hot water at the kitchen faucet with a thermometer. You will find two covers on the side of the water heater over the heating elements and thermostats. Switch off the circuit breaker and adjust the thermostats. Switch the power back on and let the temperature stabilize. A temperature of 110 to 120 degrees is adequate. Install a water heater timer to switch it off during the daytime when away working. The water will stay reasonably hot. Set the timer to come back on late at night. This helps your electric cooperative control peak demand. Check with your cooperative about incentive programs they may

JAMES DULLEY

An electronic timer for electric water heaters can make it easy to turn off the water heater during the daytime and during peak demand periods.

offer for installation of a timer that can control usage during peak times. If you end up deciding to get a new electric water heater, select a 12-year warranty model. These have higher R-value foam insulation in the tank walls than a cheaper six-year model. Also, most of the 12-year models have accurate electronic digital controls. They also have a vacationmode to save electricity when you travel. KCL Send inquiries to JAMES DULLEY, Kansas Country Living, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.

GETTYIMAGES

Y U N A AVA 1

DEAR JIM: During winter, a small gap forms where the walls meet the ceiling and I am afraid that it leaks air. During summer, it disappears. What causes this and how can I stop it? - Rhonda L. DEAR RHONDA: During winter, temperature differences between the exposed truss top members and the bottom members buried in the attic insulation cause the gap to form. These thermal stresses create truss uplift. This gap can leak some indoor air into the attic. It can be quite a job to fix it permanently. The easiest method to correct it immediately is to nail a molding strip to the ceiling. This looks better and blocks most of the air leakage. KCL

APRIL 2018

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

YO U R P L A C E I N T H E G A R D E N

Vermicomposting Recycles and Helps Garden Flourish gardeners should think about the soil. Outdoor compost systems are a common way to recycle kitchen scraps and garden waste. Vermicomposting puts worms to work in a containerized system. The basics of a vermicompost system involve a container of worms that consume and digest kitchen scraps. The waste produced by the worms, known as “castings,” is the resulting compost. Vermicompost is full of nutrients and microbes that will help your garden flourish. Vermicompost systems can be purchased premade, or you can easily create your own. Begin with a non-transparent, plastic tote box, about 10 gallons in size, with a lid. Drill approximately 10-15 holes, about ¼-inch in diameter, in each of the sides of the box for ventilation. Drill a few holes at the base of the box to allow for drainage. Place an additional lid, or other tray, beneath the box to collect the drainage that is excreted from the vermicompost. This fluid, also known as “worm tea,” is a great fertilizer for houseplants. Fill half of the worm bin with newspaper shredded into 1-inch strips. This is the bedding for the worms. The newspaper should be kept moist to protect the worms from drying out. Add several cups of water to the newspaper and mix to allow the newspaper to absorb the water. Now the bin is ready for worms. Red wriggler worms are a good choice for vermicomposting. They prefer dark spaces, which is why a solid-colored bin is necessary to block out light. As long as the conditions in the bin are kept favorable for the worms, they will not attempt to escape through the ventilation and drainage holes. Red wrigglers can be ordered online from reputable companies. Place the worms on top of the newspaper bedding. They will retreat from the light and burrow deeper into the bin. In a few days bury a small amount of kitchen scraps into the newspaper. Add more food every few days, but make sure the worms are able to keep up with the

PRIOR TO SPRING PLANTING,

Cynthia Domenghini, Ph.D.

GET TY IMAGES/MIK122

Red wrigglers prefer to eat kitchen scraps such as egg shells, coffee filters, fruit and vegetable scraps and tea bags.

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

APRIL 2018

BY C Y N T H I A D O M E N G H I N I , P H . D .

amount added or it could begin to cause an odor and attract pests. Red wrigglers prefer to eat kitchen scraps such as egg shells, coffee filters, fruit and vegetable scraps and tea bags. Never add meats, dairy or any oily products. Additionally, the worms don’t respond well to citrus. After a month or longer, you can start harvesting the castings for use in the garden. To do this push all of the compost, including the worms, to one side of the worm bin. Prepare fresh newspaper bedding on the empty side of the bin. Bury some food in the fresh bedding and replace the lid on the bin. Stop adding food to the compost pile in the bin. The worms will begin to relocate to the fresh bedding and you can remove the compost. Vermicompost can be worked into the soil of an existing garden or can be added to new plantings. It has been shown to reduce the amount of pests and diseases while supporting overall plant growth and health. The process is simple, the set-up is quick and the rewards are plentiful. Vermicomposting is a perfect spring project to get your garden growing. Your plants will thank you! KCL CYNTHIA DOMENGHINI is an instructor and coordinator for K-State’s horticultural therapy online certificate program.

Preparing and maintaining a vermicompost system is a project that allows the whole family to work together caring for the worms and ultimately, the garden.

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day

a (careful)

in the

life Lineworker of a

B Y PA U L W E S S L U N D

Larry’s typical day as an electric co-op lineworker actually started the night before. He was getting ready for bed when a woman reported her power was out. It was Larry’s weekly overnight to be on call, so the co-op truck was already in his driveway. He drove it to the woman’s house, ID’d a problem in the base of the meter, installed a temporary fix until an electrician could get out the next day and returned home two hours later. He would report for work at the co-op office by 7:30 the next morning. “I like hunting down problems,” said Larry. “I know I’m doing something the members can’t do themselves. They depend on us.” Larry’s like a lot of electric utility lineworkers, said John Dvorak, director of safety and loss control for the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives. Dvorak also serves on the membership committee of the National Utility Training and Safety Education Association.

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

APRIL 2018

“There are more people who can’t do this work than can do it,” said Dvorak. “It takes specific skills and intestinal fortitude. They’re a ‘get it done’ type of personality.” Larry isn’t like a lot of lineworkers, he is a lot of lineworkers. He’s actually not a real person. He’s a combination of all the real people I met doing interviews for this story about a typical day in the life of a lineworker.

FOLLOWING PROCEDURE

What I discovered in my day at the co-op was a group of people who carefully and deliberately follow the rules of an elaborate system that lets the rest of us make magic by flipping a switch. It’s a system made up of little pieces of hardware, big trucks and small and large tools. “This isn’t a video game,” said Dvorak. “You can’t just push a button and have that pole set itself or remove that transformer. You’ve got to work with nuts and bolts and poles and wire.” Larry started his day sitting in a room with the rest of the lineworkers, leafing through stacks of paper—checklists, maps, work orders—planning the day’s work. The group compared notes on similar jobs, asked who was familiar with the area they were headed to and analyzed the finer points of last night’s college football game. In addition to taking time to coordinate the plans and paperwork, these guys (there are a few women among the more than 15,000 co-op lineworkers around the country) need to keep track of a lot of equipment. Neatly organized shelves in the warehouse hold saws, drills, climbing hooks, insulated work poles, trash cans and binoculars. The right equipment needs to be in the right truck for the day’s job. They need to be wearing safety gear or have it close at hand—hard hat, safety glasses, fire-retardant uniforms, steel-toed shoes, regular work gloves, hot-line safety gloves. There was one more delay keeping the crews from driving off to their first jobs, and it was probably the most important reason of all for the careful habits of the workers—the weekly safety meeting.

The co-op’s safety coordinator opened the meeting. She said that while catastrophic contact with electric current is always a top concern, today’s meeting would focus on avoiding “slips, trips and falls that can cause very big issues.” The group members talked about being aware of their surroundings, avoiding distractions, properly lighting work areas and watching out for each other even if it means they have to tell co-workers they’re not following proper safety procedures. The meeting ended and as the crews organized their truck convoys, I saw something that struck me as amazing in how simple it was.

LOOKING OUT FOR EACH OTHER

As I followed Larry along the equipment warehouse loading dock, he passed around the back of another lineworker, touched that lineworker’s shoulder, and said, “I’m coming around behind you, and Paul’s right behind me.” Just to make sure I wasn’t making too big a deal out of that small incident, I told that story to Corey Parr, vice president of safety and loss prevention with the company that insures most of the electric co-ops, Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange. “You couldn’t come up with a better example of someone focused on a culture of looking out for yourself, and others,” said Parr. “That awareness and accountability is the culture we want to drive toward.” Parr said that tap on the shoulder also reveals an important myth about the danger of line work. “Working on electrical lines is not dangerous. It is unforgiving,” he said.

There are more people who can’t do this work than can do it. It takes specific skills and intestinal fortitude.

Working on electrical lines is not dangerous. It is unforgiving. Accidents don’t have to be part of line work, said Parr, as long as correct procedures are followed. He said, “We have the tools, we have the rules, the employees and the knowledge that can keep it from being dangerous.” And maybe those safety rules are working. From 2006 to 2015, co-op lineworkers reported 53 injuries from falls, including falling off poles. In 2016, that number was zero. By mid-morning, the convoy was ready. Three lineworkers drove three trucks: a service truck, a bucket truck pulling a trailer with a large spool of wire and a digger truck with a huge auger on top and pulling a trailer carrying a backhoe. They headed across the county for the day’s job—moving a groundmounted transformer 500 feet up a hill, closer to an underground connection to a new barn. “It’s going to be muddy out there after the rain we’ve had,” said Larry. “When you’re working on underground connections, mud is not your friend.” We neared the site by late morning. To avoid interrupting the field work, the team stopped for an early lunch at a truck-stop McDonald’s. Over burgers, I asked Larry about his training and his typical day.

WE DON’T SAY ‘HURRY UP’

“There’s nothing routine,” he said. A work plan might get changed because someone crashed their car into a utility pole, or you might have to figure out how to avoid a dog. Tomorrow, he would be presenting a safety demonstration to a group of elementary school students. He told stories about helping other co-ops repair storm damage—about the day he came to work packed to help repair ice APRIL 2018

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

day life a (careful)

of a

in the

storm damage on the other side of the state, but was told he was needed at his own co-op. He described the satisfaction of traveling out of state to help repair hurricane damage: “We spent seven days rebuilding lines before even a single light could come back on. But when you finally do that, you know you’re helping somebody get their life back to normal.” I asked Larry what people should know about lineworkers. “That we take the time to do the job right,” he said. “You can’t just go out and turn the lights back on. You have to track down the source of the outage.” Larry said it took him five years of experience and study to reach lineworker status, including learning basic algebra and math to calculate tension on wires, construction angles and adjusting transformer voltages to the job. When the caravan arrived at the work site, the crew faced roadblock number one: how to manage a right turn into the driveway with the large trucks and trailers without ripping the mailbox out of the ground. So, they drove further down the road to a spot where they could turn around, allowing a left turn onto the property. The trucks drove up the packed, crushed-rock driveway, avoiding the soft ground on either side. The crew’s first move on the ground was to change from leather boots to rubber boots—I watched from the side, taking notes, my tennis shoes sinking into the mud. The three lineworkers then gathered near the front of one of the trucks for what a lot of co-ops call a “tailgate meeting” and this co-op calls a “job

APRIL 9 IS NATIONAL

briefing.” They opened a metal-clad clipboard to read through a stack of forms, noting the address, cross street, job and account number—that way, in case they have to call in an accident, location info is quickly available. All three men signed the form. They broke their huddle and de-energized the lines they would be working on, calling in to let the office know the power had been Ross Ackerman, Victory Electric Cooperative journeycut. The next step was to use man lineman, works to repair 2017 storm damage. the backhoe to dig around the new connection pipes sticking out of the truck stop to top off the gas tanks. the ground, making room for a groundBack at the co-op, they checked the mounted transformer. paperwork for the next day’s jobs, then When the backhoe finished digging stocked the trucks with the equipment around the new transformer location, it they would need for an early start the drove down to the old transformer site. next day. The crew unhooked the electric connec“We got a late start with today’s safety tions then chained the transformer to meeting,” said Larry. “Normally we can the backhoe’s loader bucket to be carried finish two jobs in a day.” up the hill. Before we said goodbye, I asked Larry But then came roadblock number what he liked about his job. I also noted two: The backhoe wouldn’t be able to that everything they did that day seemed make the short drive without sinking to take a long time. into the mud. So the large trucks were “We don’t think, ‘this is taking a long carefully backed down the driveway, time,’” he said. “We just think, ‘this is clearing the way for the backhoe to drive how you do it.’ We don’t say, ‘hurry up.’ up the hill on firmer ground. We look out for each other.” Two of the crew pulled new wire Larry told me he likes that he has a underground, then methodically cut and good job that lets him provide for his spliced the 2-inch diameter wires into family. the transformer box. They secured the “I like being outside and not at a desk connections before cleaning up the work all day. I get to meet a lot of different site and backing out of the property. people every day,” he says. “I like being On the return trip, the convoy visited at the top of a 40-foot pole and watching the sun come up over a beautiful countryside. A lot of people don’t get to LINEWORKER APPRECIATION DAY see that.” KCL

More than 15,000 electric cooperative lineworkers serve on the front lines of our nation’s energy needs, maintaining 42 percent of electric distribution lines.

Lineworkers perform intricate work, often in dangerous conditions, to ensure we receive the safe, reliable power we depend on. 22

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

APRIL 2018

PAUL WESSLUND writes on cooperative issues for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Virginiabased service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.

J E R R I I M G A RT E N

Lineworker

Leading Acid Reflux Pill Becomes an AntiAging Phenomenon

Clinical studies show breakthrough acid reflux treatment also helps maintain vital health and helps protect users from the serious conditions that accompany aging such as fatigue and poor cardiovascular health

by David Waxman Seattle Washington: A clinical study on a leading acid reflux pill shows that its key ingredient relieves digestive symptoms while suppressing the inflammation that contributes to premature aging in men and women. And, if consumer sales are any indication of a product’s effectiveness, this ‘acid reflux pill turned anti-aging phenomenon’ is nothing short of a miracle. Sold under the brand name AloeCure, it was already backed by clinical data documenting its ability to provide all day and night relief from heartburn, acid reflux, constipation, irritable bowel, gas, bloating, and more. But soon doctors started reporting some incredible results… “With AloeCure, my patients started reporting less joint pain, more energy, better sleep, stronger immune systems… even less stress and better skin, hair, and nails” explains Dr. Liza Leal; a leading integrative health specialist and company spokesperson. AloeCure contains an active ingredient that helps improve digestion by acting as a natural acid-buffer that improves the pH balance of your stomach. Scientists now believe that this acid imbalance is what contributes to painful inflammation throughout the rest of the body. The daily allowance of AloeCure has shown to calm this inflammation which is why AloeCure is so effective. Relieving other stressful symptoms related to GI health like pain, bloating, fatigue, cramping, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, and nausea. Now, backed with new clinical studies, AloeCure is being recommended by doctors everywhere to help improve digestion, calm painful inflammation, soothe joint pain, and even reduce the appearance of wrinkles – helping patients to look and feel decades younger.

FIX YOUR GUT & FIGHT INFLAMMATION Since hitting the market, sales for AloeCure have taken off and there are some very good reasons why. To start, the clinical studies have been impressive. Participants taking the active ingredient in AloeCure saw a stunning 100% improvement in digestive symptoms, which includes fast and lasting relief from reflux. Users also experienced higher energy levels and endurance, relief from chronic discomfort and better sleep. Some even reported healthier

looking skin, hair, and nails. A healthy gut is the key to a reducing swelling and inflammation that can wreak havoc on the human body. Doctors say this is why AloeCure works on so many aspects of your health. AloeCure’s active ingredient is made from the healing compound found in Aloe vera. It is both safe and healthy. There are also no known side effects. Scientists believe that it helps improve digestive and immune health by acting as a natural acid-buffer that improves the pH balance of your stomach. Research has shown that this acid imbalance contributes to painful inflammation throughout your entire body and is why AloeCure seems to be so effective.

EXCITING RESULTS FROM PATIENTS To date over 5 million bottles of AloeCure have been sold, and the community seeking non-pharma therapy for their GI health continues to grow. According to Dr. Leal, her patients are absolutely thrilled with their results and are often shocked by how fast it works. “For the first time in years, they are free from concerns about their digestion and almost every other aspect of their health,” says Dr. Leal, “and I recommend it to everyone who wants to improve GI health without resorting to drugs, surgery, or OTC medications.” “I was always in ‘indigestion hell.’ Doctors put me on all sorts of antacid remedies. Nothing worked. Dr. Leal recommended I try AloeCure. And something remarkable happened… Not only were all the issues I had with my stomach gone - completely gone – but I felt less joint pain and I was able to actually sleep through the night.” With so much positive feedback, it’s easy to see why the community of believers is growing and sales for the new pill are soaring.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND ALOECURE AloeCure is a pill that’s taken just once daily. The pill is small. Easy to swallow. There are no harmful side effects and it does not require a prescription. The active ingredient is a rare Aloe Vera component known as acemannan. Made from of 100% organic Aloe Vera, AloeCure uses a proprietary process that results in the highest quality, most bio-available levels of acemannan known to exist. According to Dr. Leal and several of her colleagues, improving the pH balance of your stomach and restoring gut health is the key to revitaliz-

ing your entire body. When your digestive system isn’t healthy, it causes unwanted stress on your immune system, which results in inflammation in the rest of the body. The recommended daily allowance of acemannan in AloeCure has been proven to support digestive health, and calm painful inflammation without side effects or drugs. This would explain why so many users are experiencing impressive results so quickly.

REVITALIZE YOUR ENTIRE BODY With daily use, AloeCure helps users look and feel decades younger and defend against some of the painful inflammation that accompanies aging and can make life hard. By buffering stomach acid and restoring gut health, AloeCure calms painful inflammation and will help improve digestion… soothe aching joints… reduce the appearance of winkles and help restore hair and nails … manage cholesterol and oxidative stress… and improve sleep and brain function… without side effects or expense. Readers can now reclaim their energy, vitality, and youth regardless of age or current level of health.

One AloeCure Capsule Daily • Helps End Digestion Nightmares • Helps Calm Painful Inflammation • Soothes Stiff & Aching Joints • Reduces appearance of Wrinkles & Increases Elasticity • Manages Cholesterol & Oxidative Stress • Supports Healthy Immune System • Improves Sleep & Brain Function

HOW TO GET ALOECURE This is the official nationwide release of the new AloeCure pill in the United States. And so, the company is offering our readers up to 3 FREE bottles with their order. This special give-away is available for the next 48-hours only. All you have to do is call TOLL-FREE 1-800-746-2898 and provide the operator with the Free Bottle Approval Code: AC100. The company will do the rest.

Important: Due to AloeCure’s recent media exposure, phone lines are often busy. If you call and do not immediately get through, please be patient and call back. Those who miss the 48-hour deadline may lose out on this free bottle offer.

THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. ALL DOCTORS MENTIONED ARE REMUNERATED FOR THEIR SERVICES. ALL CLINICAL STUDIES ON ALOECURE’S ACTIVE INGREDIENT WERE INDEPENDENTLY CONDUCTED AND WERE NOT SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN GLOBAL HEALTH GROUP.

C O O K I N G M Y WAY H O M E

Humble, Retro Salmon a Favorite Spring Supper

was not alone. We had salmon patties as a spring supper often, a quickly assembled meal after warmer days meant everyone spending more time outside. They were a favorite of my Grandpa Howard—at his request, my grandmother smuggled salmon patties in to him when he was lying ill in the hospital. A favorite too, apparently, of the great Southern writer, William Faulkner, who is said to have made them using the recipe from the back of the Rebecca Howard salmon can. In the book “Talking About William Faulkner,” by Sally Wolff and Floyd Watkins (Louisiana State University Press; 1996), Jimmy Faulkner, William’s nephew, recalled: “Brother Will would go out and buy salmon, and he would make salmon croquettes. We would pour a lot of catsup over them and eat them until we were sick. They were great.” Referenced often as a Southern tradition, salmon patties have also been called a “Depression-era” food. The canning industry began making salmon and other canned fish more widely available around the beginning of the 20th century. Salmon croquette recipes were featured in cookbooks from the early 1900s (like one by the Alaska Packers Association that features three variations of croquettes), and the economic advantage of a thrifty 16-ounce can of salmon feeding a family of four would appeal in the hard times of the 1930s and beyond. Salmon patties seem to be akin to the ff 1/3 cup finely diced red bell pepper ff Dash of hot sauce (optional) “loaf ” recipes made popular during the ff 1 tsp. olive oil ff 1/4 finely chopped fresh Italian parsley Great Depression—meat loaf, ham loaf, ff 1 14.75-ounce can pink ff 1/2 tsp. salt tuna loaf, etc.—that, with the filler addisalmon, well-drained ff 1/4 tsp. black pepper tion of crackers, bread or bread crumbs, ff 1/2 medium red or yellow onion, grated ff 2 eggs, lightly beaten oatmeal, wheat or grains or mashed ff 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice ff 1/2 cup Italian-style potatoes, enabled the cook to get more seasoned bread crumbs ff 1 tsp. Dijon mustard mileage out of meat or fish. My own ff 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce ff Canola or light vegetable oil for frying maternal grandmother would mix a can of even less-expensive mackerel In a small skillet, sauté red bell pepper in 1 tsp. olive oil over medium heat until soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Let cool. In a large mixing bowl, lightly flake the salmon with a fork to break it with the salmon to make her patties go down a bit, then add the bell pepper, grated onion, lemon juice, mustard, Worcestershire further. sauce, hot sauce, parsley, salt, pepper and eggs. Mix well to combine. Stir in bread crumbs Given their simple preparation, until well-incorporated. Heat about 2 Tbs. of canola oil in a large non-stick or well-seasoned salmon patties were one of the first cast iron skillet over medium heat. Form salmon mixture into patties, approximately 2-1/2 dishes I remember being allowed to to 3 inches in diameter and about 1/2-inch thick. Cook the patties (four at a time) until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Drain on a paper-towel lined platter. Top make for family meals as a youngster. with choice of sauce (see sauce tips.) Makes 8 to 10 patties. Serves 2 to 4. While I generally stuck with the basic proportions and ingredients my mom MANY OF THE TASTES of spring that landed on the supper table when I was growing up came from the garden—red and white radishes floating in a bowl of cold water to stay crisp or a “bouquet” of green onions in a Mason jar, new potatoes and peas, or asparagus, freshly snapped from where it jutted up in random spears in a “patch” near the lilacs. But one of my favorite things came from a can. We called them by their humblest name— salmon patties (also known in loftier terms as “cakes” or “croquettes”). In their simplest incarnation, they were composed very simply of a can of pink salmon, grated onion, eggs, salt and pepper, and crushed saltine crackers. Molded into palmsized patty shapes, they fried up quickly to a golden brown in a skillet with a little hot oil. Crunchy crusted yet moist, they were a treat with some ketchup as condiment and maybe served with a favorite side of fried potatoes or macaroni and cheese. Delicious eaten hot off their greasy papertowel lined platter at supper, they were also great as a snack cold the next day—if any were left. I was (and still am) a huge fan—soft, edible cylindrical bones (full of calcium) and all. And I

Salmon Patties

GETTY IMAGES/IDOFRANZ

BY R E B E C C A H O WA R D

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

APRIL 2018

used, I got more experimental with the patties, adding different spices (like dried oregano), mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Perfect for everything from “Friday fish days” to, made in mini size, a nice appetizer or starter, I consider salmon patties the ideal spring supper. I make them all the time, still using the same basic recipe, but with embellishments and experiments over the years. I’ve tried fresh cooked salmon fillet, but I like the canned salmon better. I’ve tried tuna, too, but I prefer salmon’s milder flavor and sturdier texture. I’ve changed up the aromatics, sautéing the requisite onion with some red bell pepper or mixing in minced green onions and chopped chives, along with a squeeze of lemon and maybe some hot sauce for a kick. I’ve graduated from saltine crackers to seasoned bread crumbs. And I sometimes make my own saucy condiments (see tips below), including homemade tartar or spicy ketchup cocktail sauces. Carrying on the tradition of a humble family favorite, several years ago, I made my mom, recovering from an illness that had kept her hospitalized for awhile, a lunch of my version of salmon patties, served with a side of green beans. She approved of my updates, paying me one of her ultimate compliments: “Dang, Beck,” she said. “I think you got me beat on those.” KCL REBECCA HOWARD grew up in Kansas and has written for the Los Angeles Daily News, the Los Angeles Times and LA Parent Magazine, and currently writes the food blog, “A Woman Sconed.”

TIPS - GETTING SAUCY

Try one (or more) of these easy sauces to go with salmon patties. � HONEY MUSTARD: Mix 1/2 cup mayo, 1/4 cup Dijon mustard, 1/4 cup honey, 1 Tbs.

chopped scallion or red onion, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper, 1/4 tsp. garlic powder. � CHIPOTLE MAYO: Mix 1/2 cup mayo, 1/2 tsp. chipotle chili powder, 1/2 tsp. garlic

powder, 2 Tbs. finely chopped green onion. � EASY TARTAR SAUCE: Mix 1/2 cup mayo, 2 Tbs. sweet or dill pickle relish, squeeze

of fresh lemon juice. � SPICY KETCHUP “COCKTAIL” SAUCE: Mix 1/2 cup ketchup, 2 Tbs. horseradish,

pinch of garlic powder, dash of Worcestershire sauce, squeeze of fresh lemon juice, hot sauce to taste. APRIL 2018

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dessert perfect for spring gatherings.

KANS AS COUNTRY LIVING, APRIL 2018

Pineapple, maple syrup and cinnamon spice up this set-it and forget-it ham dish.

Anise, Pear and Almond Crostata Impress your guests with this elegant

Slow-Cooked Maple Ham

Spiced Maple Carrots

KAN S AS COU N T RY L IVIN G, APR IL 201 8

Give your carrot dish a spicy boost with ginger, cinnamon and maple syrup.

KAN S AS COU N T RY L IVIN G, APR IL 201 8

mini sandwiches perfect for lunch or dinner.

Holiday Ham Sliders Leftover ham won’t go to waste with these

Holiday Ham Sliders ff cooking spray ff 3 ounces cranberry white cheddar (or other white cheddar) shredded ff 3 ounces Havarti Cheese (or similar), shredded ff 12 ounces Hawaiian sweet rolls ff 2 Tbs. spicy mustard

ff 12 ounces sliced ham

ff 1/4 cup sliced red onion

ff 1 cup brown sugar

ff 1 cup pure maple syrup

ff 8-pound smoked ham butt

ff 20 ounces pineapple chunks

ff 1 tsp. ground black pepper

ff 1 Tbs. Dijon mustard

ff 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Slow-Cooked Maple Ham ff 1/4 cup sliced green apple

ff 1 Tbs. butter

ff 2 Tbs. maple syrup

Crostata Crust: 1/2-inch cubes and frozen

ff 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour ff 1 stick butter, cut into ff 1/2 tsp. sea salt ff 1/4 cup ice water

temperature

ff 2 Tbs. butter, at room

into thin wedges

ff 3 small pears, sliced

for sprinkling

ff 2 Tbs. sugar, plus extra

ff 1 Tbs. lemon juice ff 1 large egg, beaten ff 2 Tbs. apricot preserves, heated

CO URTESY SP ICE ISL A NDS

Crust: In processor, combine flour, frozen butter, salt. Pulse until dough is size of large peas. Add 3 Tbs. ice water and pulse several times. Pinch dough; if doesn’t hold together add water a couple of tsp. at a time, pulsing once or twice after each addition, until dough holds together. Form dough into disk, wrap in plastic, chill 30 minutes. Heat oven to 400 F. Filling: In food processor, blend almonds, anise seeds, sugar, egg, vanilla and salt until paste forms. Add room temp butter and blend again. Set aside. Toss sliced pears with 2 Tbs. sugar and lemon juice. Set aside. On sheet of floured parchment paper, roll out dough into 13-inch circle; transfer on parchment to rimless cookie sheet. Spread almond paste onto circle, leaving 2-inch border. Scatter pears on top, covering almond paste. Fold dough up and over pears, overlapping dough as needed. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle crust with extra sugar. Bake until pears are tender, 40-45 minutes. If crust starts to get too brown, lightly cover with foil. Remove tart from oven and brush pears with heated apricot preserves. Serve with cream or ice cream, if desired.

ff 3/4 tsp. anise seeds ff 1/3 cup sugar ff 1 large egg ff 1 tsp. vanilla extract ff 1/4 tsp. fine sea salt

Anise Almond Filling: ff 1 cup blanched, slivered almonds

Anise, Pear and Almond Crostata

COURTESY CHEF ALYSS A , ALDI TEST KITCHEN

Serve sauce on side or heat oven to broil and glaze ham. Broil 3-4 minutes for caramelized crust. Serves 10.

Pour liquid into small saucepan and bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer; cook until reduced to desired consistency.

Remove ham; keep warm. Skim fat off top of remaining liquid in slow cooker.

In small bowl, combine syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, Dijon mustard and pepper. Pour over ham. Set slow cooker to low. Cook 4-5 hours.

Pour pineapple into large slow cooker. Place ham on top of pineapple, flat-side down.

ff 4 Tbs. butter, melted ff 1/2 tsp. garlic powder ff 1/4 tsp. ground sea salt ff 1/2 tsp. parsley flakes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 9-by-13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil and coat with cooking spray. In small bowl, combine cranberry white cheddar and havarti cheeses. Reserve. Remove entire package of rolls and, keeping rolls connected, slice in half horizontally. Place bottom half of rolls in baking pan. Spread with spicy mustard. Top with red onion, ham, apple, cheese mixture and bun tops. In small bowl, combine butter, garlic powder, salt and parsley flakes. Pour over sandwiches. Cover with foil and bake 15 minutes. Remove foil. Bake 10 minutes more. Remove from pan and separate sandwiches; serve immediately. Serves 6.

ff 1 pound (4 cups) carrots (baby or regular)

COURTESY CHEF LINSEY, ALDI TEST KITCHEN

ff 1/2 cup water

ff sea salt, to taste

Spiced Maple Carrots ff 1 tsp. Saigon cinnamon ff 3/4 tsp. ground ginger

In large skillet, combine carrots, water, cinnamon and ginger. Mix well. Cover and cook on high 6 minutes until almost tender. Add maple syrup and butter. Mix well and continue to cook, uncovered, 2-3 minutes, until carrots are well-glazed. Season, to taste, with sea salt. Makes 4 servings.

COURTESY SPICE ISL ANDS

APRIL 2018

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

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