E D I TO R’S L E T T E R
The Importance of Sharing Time, Resources with Others Around the time I began begging
SHARE WITH US!
my mom to allow me to wear makeup, Have an event you would like to run in Around Kansas? my dad decided I would enroll in a A story idea or comments you want to share with the hunter’s safety course along with my editor? A recipe and photo for us to consider publishing? older brother and younger sister. It Let us know: was a classic diversion technique to swing my focus away from myself ffevents@kansascountryliving.com and toward something he deemed ffletters@kansascountryliving.com more important. Dad hunted on the ffphotos@kansascountryliving.com rare occasions he didn’t have to work or drive one of his four kids someffeditor@kansascountryliving.com where. With guns and ammo in the ffrecipes@kansascountryliving.com house—although securely locked in a cabinet—he was determined we learn to respect and handle firearms. 6 learn how Kansas electric cooperatives shared That hunter’s safety course eventually resources to help other co-ops after damaging morphed into Saturday mornings at the shootstorms. The feature on page 12 highlights new ing range, with my siblings and I competing to types of living spaces that require occupants to see who could earn their sharpshooter medal share tiny quarters in an effort to simplify and first. The three of us argue to this day who won save money. And throughout this issue, readers the challenge. And dad is no longer with us to will find articles that share helpful tips, from divulge the true story. homeowner’s insurance to home fire safety to The one aspect of those Saturday mornings practical smart home technology upgrades. we do agree on, however, is how important it was We are taught at a young age that we need to have shared that time with dad. Even though to share. As adults, we realize how sharing our none of us desired to hunt pheasant or quail or time and resources can help improve the lives of whatever dad was stalking during the fall, we others. KCL learned the value in carving out time in our busy lives to share it with others. The articles in this issue of Kansas Country Living all touch on sharing in some way. On page VICKI ESTES, EDITOR
2
KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING
JUNE 2017
(ISSN 0091-9586) JUNE 2017 VOL. 67, NO. 6 © KANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, INC., 2017 WWW.KEC.COOP
Bruce Graham
GET TY IMAGES -DEKLOFENAK
Chief Executive Officer
Doug Shepherd
Vice President, Management Consulting
Shana Read
Director of Communications
Vicki Estes Editor
JUNE
Carrie Kimberlin
Manager of Creative Solutions
Jackie Kamphaus
Communications Specialist
Trae Green & Grace Lindman Communications Interns
Officers Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc.
Kathleen O’Brien President
Keith McNickle Vice President
Terry Hobbs
12| The New Living Space R eimagining the American Dream with tiny houses, domes and container homes.
Secretary
Craig Kostman Treasurer
Cooperatives You receive Kansas Country Living as a communications service of these electric cooperatives: Alfalfa, Cherokee, OK Bluestem, Wamego Brown-Atchison, Horton Butler, El Dorado CMS, Meade Caney Valley, Cedar Vale 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 Kansas Country Living (ISSN 0091-9586) is published monthly for $10 per year (tax included) by Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604. Periodicals postage paid at Topeka, KS and additional entry offices. For members of Kansas rural electric systems, subscription cost is $5.88 per year. This cost is part of your electric service billing. Editorial offices: P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604-0267. Phone 785-478-4554. Fax 785-478-4852.
18| Home, Smart Home
“LIKE” Kansas Country Living on Facebook. D E PA RT M E N T S
Kansas 4| Around Let summer begin!
ot every homeowner wants futuristic upgrades N but some smart technology is practical.
6| Commentary Storms bring out the best
21| Co-ops Engage
Talk 8| Guest Home insurance check up
NRECA engages new administration, discusses concerns of rural Americans.
Your Utility Bills 10| Cut New life for old windows
22| Firsthand Brand
Place in the Garden 18| Your Outdoor container planting tips
An original single character brand used by Hobbs Ranch meets today’s technology.
My Way Home 24| Cooking Life: laughter and good food
12
26| Marketplace Find products, services you need 28| Safety Practice your fire escape plan Recipes 29| Monthly Brunch & other munchies ON THE COVER Ness City High School students & their instructor built this tiny house.
Address Changes Please report any change in address to your local electric cooperative.
Advertisers Contact National Country Market: 512-441-5200, or see www. nationalcountrymarket.com. Acceptance of advertising by Kansas Country Living does not imply endorsement by the publisher or Kansas’ electric cooperatives of the product or services advertised. Kansas Country Living assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. Submissions must be accompanied by self-addressed envelopes with sufficient postage to be returned. The publication does not guarantee publication of material received and reserves the right to edit any material published.
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Postmaster Send address changes to Kansas Country Living, P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604-0267.
18
JUNE 2017
P H OTO BY STEVEN HAUSLER, SUNFLOWER ELECTRIC POWER C O R P O R AT I O N
KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING
3
T H I N G S TO D O
JUNE 1-30 A very Kasper Art Exhibit, Ellsworth. Enjoy the paintings and ceramics of Avery Kasper. Open Monday - Friday 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Ellsworth Area Art Center, 223 N. Douglas Ave. JUNE 2-4 D ay Out With Thomas the Train, Baldwin City. Help welcome Thomas the Tank Engine back with his best friend Percy. Come join the fun from 9 to 11 a.m. 913-721-1211.
JUNE 17 National Festival of Breads, Manhattan. Follow the aroma of fresh baked bread and expertly smoked barbecue to the Hilton Garden Inn from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. The event will include samples, children’s activities, live music, baking and barbecue demonstrations, door prizes, vendors, 5K race and beer garden. And these are just the tip of the iceberg for this festive, familyfriendly event. Inside the hotel ballroom will be baking demonstrations, eight finalists competing for the title of the 2017 National Festival of Breads champion, a children’s area, bread samples, your chance to win a purple Kitchen Aid mixer, new recipes and more. In lieu of entry fee, bring a non-perishable food item for the Flint Hills Breadbasket. nationalfestivalofbreads.com.
JUNE 2-4 E xtension Master Gardener Spring Garden Tour, Wichita. Tour seven gardens in the area with diverse, creative landscapes. Open Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m. 316-6600100, sedgwick.ksu.edu.
JUNE 2-4 P ioneer Days, Caney. E xperience family fun with old tractors, fly wheel engines, demons of early machinery, parades, pulls and a flea market. 620-879-2918. JUNE 3 N ature Walk, Fredonia. Enjoy a Nature Walk sponsored by the Wilson County Conservation District Auxiliary. Doors open at 8:30 a.m.; tours will begin at 9 a.m. 10392 Jade Rd., 620-378-2866. JUNE 3 3 rd Annual Pie Social, Leavenworth. H omemade pies and live entertainment from 1 to 4 p.m. Little Stranger Church, 16698 Stranger Rd., Facebook.com/ littlestrangerchurch. JUNE 3 C hrysler Car Show, Ellis. View Chryslers, GM and Fords, plus motorcycles, street rods, Mopar, vintage, imports, pickups and more. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. North Chrysler Park, 10th & Dorrance St., 785-726-2660. JUNE 3 C ommunity-Wide Garage Sale,
Ellis. Spend the day garage saling around town. Knights Hall, 1009 Washington St., 785726-2660.
4
KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING
JUNE 2017
JUNE 3 C oyote Trail Artisan Day, Stockton. Bring your art supplies and paint outdoors with other Plein Air enthusiasts. Registration includes a State Park Day Pass and lunch; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Coyote Trail, Webster State Park, 785-302-0030.
JUNE 9-10 W ashington County Saddle Club Rodeo, Washington. Friday free barbecue to the first 500 rodeo fans with admission. Free dance Saturday evening. Washington Fairgrounds, 785-541-0310 or 785-541-0261.
JUNE 3 O utdoor Kansas Kids Day, Norton. Spend the day at Prairie Dog State Park with activities for kids and family including fishing, archery, demonstrations, lunch and games. 785-877-2953.
JUNE 9 A Back Road Blow Out with Jake Gill, Ellis. Concert starts at 8 p.m. Fairgrounds, 6th and Cottonwood St., 785726-2660.
JUNE 3 S ymphony at Sunset Annual
D-Day Commemoration Concert, Abilene. Events start at 4 p.m. with food and beverage vendors. Music at 5:30 p.m. with Salina Symphony at 8:30 p.m. Eisenhower Presidential Library, 200 S.E. 4th St. JUNE 6 P ony Express Home Station Breakfast, Marysville. Enjoy a hearty breakfast while raising funds for the Pony Express Home Station. Held in conjunction with the Pony Express Re-ride from 8 to 10 a.m. 106 S. 8th St., 785-562-3825. JUNE 8 F ield of Dreams, Concordia. E njoy a free movie showing at 7 p.m. Concessions available. The Broadway Plaza, 606 Washington St., 785-243-2010, broadwayplazaconcordia.com.
JUNE 9 S heridan County Benefit Walk, Hoxie. Free will donation pulled pork supper starts at 6 p.m. at the 4-H building. Includes raffle with more than $7,000 in prizes. North of Highways 23 and 24 intersection. Call Marty at 785-675-8765 to purchase raffle tickets or for more information. JUNE 10-29 U -Pick Blueberry Season, Chautauqua County. Pick organic, sustainably-raised “nickel-size” blueberries and blackberries. Reservations available Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Thursdays are open pick. Call for directions. 620-249-3369, chautauquahillsfarm.com. JUNE 10 P ickleball Tournament, Stockton. T ournament designed for all ages. No equipment? No problem! Paddles and balls will be supplied. Begins at 8 a.m. Webster State Park; register at 785-302-0030.
JUNE 10 S ymphony in the Flint
Hills, Junction City. The Kansas City Symphony will perform the sunset concert. Come early and hike and enjoy a variety of activities. Gates open at noon. Deer Horn Ranch, K-57 Hwy & Ridge Rd., 620-273-8955, symphonyintheflinthills.org. JUNE 11 K ansas Explorers Guidebook
2 Book Signing, Newton. After a 3 p.m. slide show designed to inspire people to take Kansas day trips, authors Marci Penner and WenDee Rowe will sign copies of their new book. Kauffman Museum, 2801 N. Main St., 316-283-1612, bethelks.edu/kauffman/events. JUNE 11 S econd Sunday Sing-Along,
Hutchinson. P articipate in a community sing-along. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Donation at the door. Stage 9, 9 S. Main St., 620-6640971 or 620-899-5564, bcolladay@gmail.com or dberndsen501@gmail.com.
C ome join in the summer fun from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 9719 Clarks Creek Rd., 785-482-3213. JUNE 22-25 A nnual Celebration,
Downs. Enjoy live music, a beer garden, carnival, food, alumni, parade and the list goes on. Visit www.downschamber.com or call Mandy at 785-454-6670. JUNE 22 C lay Davenport Band, Concordia. Starting at 7 p.m., enjoy a free concert by Clay Davenport Band; B.Y.O.B. The Broadway Plaza, 606 Washington St., 785-2432010, broadwayplazaconcordia.com. JUNE 24 R anch Rodeo, Holton. Great
evening entertainment as a contestant or a spectator watching cowboy and cowgirl teams competitively work cattle just like on the ranch. Opens at 4 p.m. 15-team limit. 785-250-
JUNE 30-JULY 3 T oronto Days Street Dance, Toronto. Enjoy a weekend of fun with concessions, live performance by Trent Chriswell Band, games, hamburger feed, ice cream social, and mud volleyball. On Monday, don’t miss the fireworks at Cross Timbers State Park at dusk. 620-637-2251. JUNE 30 JULY 4 S undown Salute,
Junction City. Bring the family to the largest free multi-day Independence Day celebration in Kansas. This year’s headliner is “Quiet Riot!” Parade at 10 a.m. on July 4. Heritage Park, 6th & Washington St., 785-2383103, sundownsalute.org. KCL Send items for your free listing to events@ kansascountryliving.com as early as possible.
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Association’s Antique Tractor & Machinery Show, Almena. This longstanding event includes a parade of antique tractors, a corn shelling event, quilt displays, musical entertainment and concessions. 785202-0410.
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JUNE 11 W histlestop History Ride, Blue
Rapids. E njoy a rail ride on the historic Central Branch Rails and living history performances in the historic Waterville Opera House. Dinner at the Weaver Hotel followed by ice cream social along the rails. 785-799-4294. NEW TOW-BEHIND MODELS FOR TRACTORS AND ATVS!
JUNE 16-17 J ubilee, Lenora. This event
features Nashville music artists as well as good old family fun including a parade, games and kids’ entertainers. lenorajubilee.com. JUNE 17 H og Roast, Junction City.
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JUNE 10 P rairie Days Festival, Independence. J oin us from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to celebrate the Little House on the Prairie Museum. 620-289-4238, littlehouseontheprairiemuseum.com.
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JUNE 2017
KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING
5
C O M M E N TA RY
Winter Storm Ursa Brings out Best in Co-ops, Members BY B R U C E G R A H A M
April 29 and 30 was just another spring
Bruce Graham
weekend for half of us here in the Sunflower State with soaking rains and windy weather that interrupted outdoor plans. Unfortunately though, the southeast part of Kansas was inundated with flooding rain and the western third of the state was blanketed by 14 to 20 inches of heavy wet snow. In Rawlins County, the community of Herndon measured 8 inches of snow in 90 minutes. Winter Storm Ursa closed roads across western Kansas and the state quickly set up emergency response measures. Snow and 55 to 70 mph winds took a heavy toll on trees and power lines with an estimated 42,000 homes and businesses across the region losing power. Sunday’s snow and impassable drifts then turned into Monday’s muck when the temperature warmed to 60 degrees. It was an ideal arena for monster trucks, but not for cars, pickups and even utility vehicles. Sunflower Electric Power Corporation noted road conditions so severe that two aircraft were needed to inspect nearly 400 miles of transmission line that were in question. Midwest Energy’s Mike Morley said their members were patient and understood why this was a tough outage to work. “They had to drive the same muddy roads to leave their homes. Once they did, they instantly saw how challenging it was to make repairs in those conditions.” Another one of the state’s electric coopera-
Impassable snow drifts turned into muddy muck in the aftermath of Winter Storm Ursa that socked western Kansas the last weekend in April.
6
KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING
JUNE 2017
tives counted 2,000 distribution poles that had to be replaced. As you can imagine, that takes a great deal of time and personnel, even in ideal conditions. The size of the challenge didn’t deter the linemen at those cooperatives. They were on the job immediately—and were soon joined by linemen from across Kansas. Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (KEC), the association I am proud to lead, coordinates a program called mutual aid that is designed just for these situations. When a cooperative needs help in Kansas, or across the country, we go to work finding other cooperatives with crews who are able to travel to the disaster scene. They come prepared to stay for an extended period of time and work long hours. For example, Wheatland Electric Cooperative reported that crews worked 15 straight days on outage restoration before they took a day off. The damage magnitude was so severe that KEC soon asked cooperatives in Colorado, Missouri and Nebraska to bring linemen, equipment and materials. It’s a dangerous job that doesn’t respect family time, distance from home, or the hour of the day. It can also be rewarding. Cooperative members expressed widespread appreciation for the efforts of the linemen through social media, meals, baked goods and refreshments. Crews found notes of appreciation at their hotel, a thankyou sign created by a kindergarten class in Leoti, and restaurants that opened late just to serve them a hard-earned meal. Linemen also relied on gracious assistance from neighbors with tractors and bulldozers to free utility vehicles stuck in the slop. Apparently though, the rattlesnakes weren’t so happy about the wet conditions and were an unexpected risk encountered by the linemen. This mutual aid effort brought together 26 cooperatives and 150 linemen who worked through the adverse conditions to restore power— and I thank them all for their spirit and dedication. KCL BRUCE GRAHAM is Chief Executive Officer of Kansas
Electric Cooperatives, Inc. in Topeka.
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G U E S T TA L K
Preparation, Prevention Keys for Coping with Storm-Related Loss BY K E N S E L Z E R
The Kansas Insurance Department has a good Personal Home Inventory checklist that can be downloaded at ksinsurance.org.
8
KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING
JUNE 2017
well as a supply of bottled water, blankets, dried foods and canned goods in case of a power outage. Regarding food spoiling in your refrigerator or freezer, a homeowner’s or renter’s policy often allows for compensation for food losses, but only up to a certain dollar amount, which is usually fairly low. ffBe aware of the latest forecasts from television or radio news and smartphone applications. Severe weather warnings are activated to protect you and your property. ffIf you have time to act in a severe storm warning, move vehicles into a safe structure. For many of you, being prepared for the storm season is pretty typical, but it never hurts to go over your checklist. If you have additional questions, contact our Consumer Assistance Hotline (for Kansas residents) at 800-4322484. You can also go online to our website, ksinsurance.org, to use our live chat feature from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. KCL KEN SELZER , CPA, is the Insurance Commissioner of Kansas. The Kansas Insurance Department assists and educates consumers, regulates and reviews companies, and licenses agents selling insurance products in the state. Learn more about the department at ksinsurance.org or at facebook.com/kansasinsurancedepartment.
GETTYIMAGES VLADRU
Ken Selzer
Summertime in Kansas offers Kansans much to do that’s fun and entertaining. During all those activities that occupy our time, however, one that we don’t want to think about—but should—is having to prepare for storms. It’s even less desirable to have to think about what to do when a storm loss occurs. A little forethought about insurance matters is a great way to gain some peace of mind if a storm hits—especially when you have to focus on your family’s immediate needs during an emergency. Following is a useful checklist my colleagues at the Kansas Insurance Department have compiled for Kansas storm season precautions and preparations, especially regarding your house. ffCheck your homeowner and vehicle policies to make sure you have proper coverage for hail and windstorm damage. Review your homeowner’s policy with your insurance agent to check for current coverage and adequate protection. ffTake inventory of your personal property, including model and serial numbers when available. The Kansas Insurance Department has a good Personal Home Inventory checklist that can be downloaded at ksinsurance. org. ffIf possible, take photos or make a videotape of personal items to give to insurance adjusters in the event of loss. Store this information, along with receipts, in a safe deposit box or somewhere other than in your house. ffSee that trees or branches are not in danger of falling on your house. Closely inspect your trees and remove weak branches that could fall in high winds. ffCheck your roof for leaks or damage to gutters. ffBe sure to use a generator wisely if your power goes off. Make sure it is connected properly and ventilation is adequate. ffHave plenty of fresh batteries for radios and flashlights, as
A DV E RT I S E M E N T
Drug Companies Fear Release of the New AloeCure Big Pharma stands to lose billions as doctors’ recommend drug-free “health cocktail” that adjusts and corrects your body’s health conditions.
Drug company execs are nervous. That’s because the greatest health advance in decades has hit the streets. And analysts expect it to put a huge crimp in “Big Pharma” profits. So what’s all the fuss about? It’s about a new ingredient that’s changing the lives of people who use it. Some call it “the greatest discovery since penicillin”! The name of the product is the AloeCure. It’s not a drug. It’s something completely different. And the product is available to anyone who wants it, at a reasonable price. But demands may force future prices to rise. TOP DOC WARNS: DIGESTION DRUGS CAN CRIPPLE YOU! Company spokesperson, Dr. Liza Leal; a leading integrative health specialist recommends AloeCure before she decides to prescribe any digestion drug. Especially after the FDA’s stern warning about long-term use of drugs classified as proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec®, Nexium®, and Prevacid®. In a nutshell, the FDA statement warned people should avoid taking these digestion drugs for longer than three 14-day treatment periods because there is an increased risk of bone fractures. Many people take them daily and for decades. Dr. Leal should know. Many patients come to her with bone and joint complaints and she does everything she can to help them. One way for digestion sufferers to help avoid possible risk of tragic joint and bone problems caused by overuse of digestion drugs is to take the AloeCure.
Acemannan has many of other health benefits?... HELPS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM TO CALM INFLAMMATION According to a leading aloe research, when correctly processed for digesting, the Aloe plant has a powerful component for regulating your immune system called Acemannan. So whether it’s damage that is physical, bacterial, chemical or autoimmune; the natural plant helps the body stay healthy. RAPID ACID AND HEARTBURN NEUTRALIZER Aloe has proved to have an astonishing effect on users who suffer with digestion problems like bouts of acid reflux, heartburn, cramping, gas and constipation because it acts as a natural acid buffer and soothes the digestive system. But new studies prove it does a whole lot more. SIDE-STEP HEART CONCERNS So you’ve been taking proton pump inhibitors (PPI’s) for years and you feel just fine. In June of 2015 a major study shows that chronic PPI use increases the risk of heart attack in general population. UNLEASH YOUR MEMORY Studies show that your brain needs the healthy bacteria from your gut in order function at its best. Both low and high dosages of digestion drugs are proven to destroy that healthy bacteria and get in the way of brain function. So you’re left with a sluggish, slow-to-react brain without a lot of room to store information. The acemannan used in AloeCure actually makes your gut healthier, so healthy bacteria flows freely to your brain so you think better, faster and with a larger capacity for memory.
Analysts expect the AloeCure to put a huge crimp in “Big Pharma” profits.
Doctors call it “The greatest health discovery in decades!”
The secret to AloeCure’s “health adjusting” formula is scientifically tested Acemannan, a polysaccharide extracted from Aloe Vera. But not the same aloe vera that mom used to apply to your cuts, scrapes and burns. This is a perfect strain of aloe that is organically grown under very strict conditions. AloeCure is so powerful it begins to benefit your health the instant you take it. It soothes intestinal discomfort and you can avoid the possibility of bone and health damage caused by overuse of digestion drugs. We all know how well aloe works externally on cuts, scrapes and burns. But did you know
SLEEP LIKE A BABY A night without sleep really damages your body. And continued lost sleep can lead to all sorts of health problems. But what you may not realize is the reason why you’re not sleeping. Some call it “Ghost Reflux”. A lowintensity form of acid reflux discomfort that quietly keeps you awake in the background. AloeCure helps digestion so you may find yourself sleeping through the night. CELEBRITY HAIR, SKIN & NAILS Certain antacids may greatly reduce your
by David Waxman Seattle Washington:
body’s ability to break down and absorb calcium. Aloe delivers calcium as it aids in balancing your stomach acidity. The result? Thicker, healthier looking hair…more youthful looking skin… And nails so strong they may never break again. SAVE YOUR KIDNEY National and local news outlets are reporting Kidney Failure linked to PPI’s. Your Kidney extracts waste from blood, balance body fluids, form urine, and aid in other important functions of the body. Without it your body would be overrun by deadly toxins. Aloe helps your kidney function properly. Studies suggest, if you started taking aloe today; you’d see a big difference in the way you feel. GUARANTEED RESULTS OR DOUBLE YOUR MONEY BACK Due to the incredible results people are reporting, AloeCure is being sold with an equally incredible guarantee. “We can only offer this incredible guarantee because we are 100% certain this product will work for those who use it,” Says Dr. Leal. Here’s how it works: Take the pill exactly as directed. You must see and feel remarkable improvements in your digestive health, your mental health, in your physical appearance, the amount inflammation you have throughout your body – even in your ability to fall asleep at night! Otherwise, simply return the empty bottles with a short note about how you took the pills and followed the simple instructions and the company will send you...Double your money back! 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 readers of this publication only. All you have to do is call TOLL-FREE 1-800-808-5114 and provide the operator with the Free Bottle Approval Code: JC025. 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.
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.
C U T YO U R U T I L I T Y B I L L S
Affordable Strategies for Drafty, Inefficient Windows Dear Pat: Our home is very old and includes
M I N N E S O TA W I N D O W R E S T O R AT I O N
Dear Ken and Judy: Yes, windows are an important contributor to the efficiency and comfort of your home. In April’s column, we talked about replacing windows, but doing so is costly and it could take 20 years of energy savings to recover the investment. Luckily, you can make significant improvements to your existing windows without investing a large amount of money or time. Let’s take a look at how we can address heat loss during the winter and heat gain during the summer. We’ll start with the window itself. Energy loss and drafts often occur in the cracks between the components of the window. Weather stripping can be used for areas where a
Even an old window that looks beyond repair can sometimes be refinished and re-glazed to like-new condition.
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R A R E F O R M P RO P E RT I ES .CO M
the original windows. My wife and I worry they aren’t as energy efficient as they could be. The windows let in cold drafts during the winter, and some of the rooms seem to overheat in summer. We’re frustrated because we like the look of the older windows, and replacing them with new ones is so expensive. Can you offer any solutions?—Ken and Judy
Caulking between the window frame and the wall is an inexpensive way to address a common source of air leakage in older windows.
window’s movable parts meet the window frame. Retailers offer a variety of weather stripping for different types of windows. These materials are low-cost, easy to apply and can pay for themselves in energy savings in as little as one year. Ask your local retailer for guidance. The seam between the window frame and the wall is another common source of air leakage. For anything less than ¼-inch wide, fill it with caulk; for anything larger, use expanding foam and paint over it. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If the window pane is loose, or the glass is cracked or missing, it’s probably costing you additional money. If you’re handy, it is possible to re-glaze a window yourself, or there may be a local shop in your area that will do it. Installing exterior or interior storm windows can sometimes produce as much savings as a full replacement. It’s possible to order these windows to the exact size of your window opening. Recent testing by a national laboratory showed storm windows could cut heating costs by 7 to 12 percent. Another strategy to consider is window coverings. There are many types, including interior roller shades, cellular shades or draperies. Recent laboratory tests showed that cellular shades could cut heating or cooling expenses by 10 to 16 percent. Cellular shades can be purchased with a Continued on page 17
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NEW
LIVING SPACES
REIMAGINING THE AMERICAN DREAM
A house, two kids, a manicured lawn and a well-maintained fence to keep it all safe. For years, that’s the dream to which many Americans aspired. But if you’ve scrolled through your social media feed lately or watched one of the countless reality shows about real estate and housing, you might’ve noticed that many folks are eschewing that traditional American home in favor of alternative accommodations. The reasons people prefer these nontraditional structures are as diverse as the buildings themselves. Some want to simplify and declutter their lives, some hope to save money or reduce energy use—and some just want to try something different. Here’s a look at a few of the more popular non-traditional home designs that might be coming to a neighborhood near you.
BY J U S T I N L A B E R G E
Tiny Houses
STEVEN HAUSLER
Ness City High School students built this 330-square-foot house in their construction and entrepreneurship class. The students showcased their work during an open house on May 16, 2017, in Ness City. Front Row (L-R) Kristopher Liggett and Leviathan Kelley; Back Row (L-R) Devin Brown, Luis Gomez, Instructor Brent Kerr and Logan Schlegel.
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The tiny house trend got its start with a man named Jay Shafer who built his first miniature house on wheels in Iowa in 1999. Shafer is a person who liked to challenge the status quo, and after living in a variety of non-traditional spaces over the years, he started drawing plans for imaginary houses. Over time, the designs got simpler and smaller, and he was
STEVEN HAUSLER
Ness City High School students wait to show their tiny house project to the public during an open house on May 16, 2017, in Ness City. The students are: (L-R) Leviathan Kelley, Devin Brown and Logan Schlegel.
asking price of $59,900. Any profit from the sale of the house will go toward the house the class will build next school year.
Monolithic Domes
As the name suggests, monolithic domes are built as a single, cast-in-place structure of concrete and reinforcing steel. Though domes have been built for thousands of years, the first modern monolithic dome was built by three brothers in 1975 to store potatoes in Idaho. The large open space and lack of support columns makes monolithic domes ideal structures for storing agricultural products and other bulk materials such as rock salt and Portland cement. The geometry of domes makes them incredibly strong structures, and their smooth, round shape is also aerodynamic. Those two factors make monolithic domes excellent shelters during tornadoes and other natural disasters.
KEVIN MCGUCKIN
inspired to build one for real when he learned they didn’t meet building codes. He took that as a challenge and realized if he built the house on a prefabricated, street-legal trailer, it would be considered a trailer load and not a house, and thus, not subject to building codes. This non-conformity has made tiny houses a controversial issue in many communities, and local governments have struggled to balance individual rights, local codes and public safety. Their non-traditional design has also made tiny houses more difficult to finance and insure, although options for both are available. Despite these challenges, thousands of people have purchased do-it-yourself plans and pre-built tiny houses from Shafer and other designers. Unlike mobile homes or camping trailers, tiny houses look like real houses, with square corners, traditional siding materials and pitched roofs. They typically offer 100 to 400 square feet of living space, and must be less than 8 feet, 6 inches wide and 13 feet, 6 inches tall to legally drive on the road without a special permit. The weight varies based on the length and rating of the trailer, but tiny houses are typically much heavier than camping trailers because they are made from traditional building materials. Students in Brent Kerr’s construction class at Ness City High School, built a mobile tiny house as a class project this school year. The 330-square-foot home offers two lofts, a bathroom, living area, and a kitchen. More energy efficient than an average home, the tiny house is estimated to use only 900 kilowatt-hours per month. The tiny house, built with approximately $24,000 in materials, will be for sale with an
Their geometry and smooth, round shape make monolithic domes excellent shelters during tornadoes and other natural disasters. Domes are also highly efficient, requiring about a quarter of the energy required to heat and cool a similarly sized traditional structure. JUNE 2017
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In Oklahoma, monolithic domes have become a popular choice for local governments constructing large gathering spaces that can pull double duty as a school gym, auditorium or cafeteria under normal conditions, and an emergency shelter during severe weather. Since they are made out of concrete, they are also resistant to fire. In addition to these safety benefits, domes offer homeowners the high ceilings and large open floor plans that are so popular today. They are also highly efficient, requiring about a quarter of the energy required to heat and cool a similarly sized traditional structure, according to the Monolithic Dome Institute. The domes are so well sealed that most require a ventilation system to bring in fresh air from the outside, and the Monolithic Dome Institute recommends all-electric mechanical systems in domes to reduce the risks associated with combustion of natural gas and propane.
Container Homes
In recent years, the shipping container has become a political symbol for many people. To some, they are a symbol of the decline of American manufacturing and the loss of wellpaying jobs to countries with lower labor costs. To others, the containers are tools that connect us to a globalized economy and lower the cost of many consumer goods we purchase every day. But to another group of architecture enthusiasts, the shipping containers we see every day
... the shipping container has become a political symbol for many people. stacked on cargo boats, carried by freight trains and pulled by semi-trucks are grown-up sized Lego blocks waiting to be turned into a home. The first container buildings were built by people and organizations looking for a fast, simple and low-cost way to provide shelter. Containers are strong, easy to transport and, thanks to global trade, abundant. Over time, what started as a clever way to recycle old containers and quickly build inexpensive structures has morphed into an architectural trend. The modular, boxy aesthetic of shipping containers gives container homes a modern look that many find appealing. Today, container homes range in size and complexity from modest, inexpensive, utilitarian dwellings to large, highly customized, luxury homes. Container home enthusiasts say the three keys to a successful project are understanding all local building codes and safety regulations before starting the project, hiring a contractor that has previous experience with this unique form of construction and purchasing the correct type of container.
GETTY IMAGES 100 PK
Old House, New Tricks
Colorful shipping containers have been transformed into student housing in Groningen Province, the Netherlands. These brightly colored “dorm units” resemble grown-up sized Lego blocks—with windows.
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Even traditional houses aren’t immune to the trend of alternative construction techniques. Advances in technology have transformed the manufactured housing business as well. In addition to the classic mobile home and newer modular home designs, homeowners can now purchase high-end custom homes created from pre-fabricated panels that are built in a climatecontrolled factory and assembled onsite. In 2016, the popular public television show This Old House featured one of these modern luxury catalogue homes as one of its two projects for the season. The homeowners estimated they saved approximately 15 percent over the cost of a traditional stick-built house, which they used to invest in nicer finishes and details than they would have otherwise been able to afford. KCL
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YO U R P L A C E I N T H E G A R D E N
Outdoor Container Garden Design Tips
BY C Y N T H I A D O M E N G H I N I , P H . D .
Incorporating container plantings into
Cynthia Domenghini, Ph.D.
Dark-colored containers can get very warm in sunlight, which can heat up the soil and damage roots.
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an in-ground garden adds height, variability and interest. The containers themselves can introduce new colors and shapes to enhance the landscape. Achieving this requires an understanding of container garden design and requirements to grow plants successfully in containers. The design begins with the container. Decisions about container selection should be based on the environmental conditions and plant needs. The container should have drainage holes since it will be placed outdoors. Traditional containers are available at retail stores, but with a little creativity the options can grow from plastic or ceramic geometric containers to metal wagons and watering cans, old boots and tree stumps. Choose a light-weight container if you may need to move it after planting. If you plan to overwinter your plants outdoors, choose a container that will insulate the soil. The container size should be proportionate to the plants. This is for aesthetic and botanic purposes to ensure your plants’ growth is not restricted by limited space or over-saturated soil. Container colors can be selected based on design principles, but the impact the color has on plant growth should also be considered. Dark-colored containers can get very warm in sunlight, which can heat up the soil and damage roots. Use darker containers for shade gardens and lighter ones for areas with greater sun exposure. Never use garden soil in containers. It will not allow sufficient air flow or drainage and will hinder plant growth. Choose a lightweight potting mix or make your own basic blend using one part peat moss and one part perlite or vermiculite. Add fertilizer based on plant requirements. Bring together an attractive container planting design by grouping plants that complement each other. Select a focal point such as a flowering plant or intriguing foliage plant. Choose additional plants to fill any voids, and create a frame for the focal point without crowding it. Trailing plants can drape over the sides of the container extending the design. Plants combined in a single container should have similar needs in terms of water, fertilizer and sunlight. The focal point is the feature for its color, size,
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shape and/or texture. Varieties of Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides) have foliage in shades of green, red, purple and variegated. Taro (Colocasia spp.) ranges in colors of greens and reds while bringing an intriguing shape to the design. Filler plants should be placed at different heights from the focal point. Asparagus fern (Asparagus aethiopicus ‘Sprengeri’) works well as a filler because of the bright green, needle-like foliage and insignificant flowers. This variety adds texture and doesn’t contrast with other plants. Corkscrew rush (Juncus effusus) is a grass with an interesting spiral growth habit. Trailing plants balance the front of the design. Silver Falls Dichondra (Dichondra argentea) features silvery, delicate-appearing foliage. Trailing petunias (Calibrachoa) are a lovely flowering option. Choose a bloom color that won’t contrast with your focal point. Depending on container size, your design may require multiple plants from each category. Placing a variety of containers together in the landscape can enhance your display. Creativity is key to an attractive design. KCL
A collection of various container planting designs can be creatively displayed on a wooden ladder to bring new heights to the landscape.
C U T YO U R U T I L I T Y B I L L S Continued from page 10
lighter reflective side and a darker, heat-absorbing side. Some can even be reversed with the change of seasons. Draperies are usually less efficient but can also provide a level of comfort during winter and summer months. For maximum effect, make sure they overlap in the middle, are as tight to the window and wall There are many different kinds of weather stripping designed for different types of as possible and windows and applications. run all the way to the floor. The key to reducing overheating in the barrier that adheres to the frame. Building summer is to keep the sun’s rays from reaching supply retailers sell a clear plastic and framing the window by installing awnings or overhangs material that can be shrunk into place by using a above windows that receive a lot of direct sunhair dryer. light. Window films that adhere to the window To learn more about improving the effisurface can reflect unwanted summer sun. Solar ciency of older windows, visit energystar.gov or screens designed to block the summer sun can energy.gov. You may also want to check with also be effective. your local electric co-op, as many offer incentives If you’re on a tight budget or there are and are knowledgeable about local suppliers and windows in vacant rooms you don’t really use, contractors. KCL you can fasten plywood onto the frame on the This column was co-written by PAT KEEGAN and BRAD outside of the house and cover the inside with rigid foam insulation. Another low-cost measure THIESSEN of Collaborative Efficiency. For more ideas for these areas that can produce as much savings on energy efficiency, please visit: collaborativeefficiency.com/energytips. as storm windows is to fashion a plastic weather
JUNE 2017
P R A G M AT I C E N V I R O N M E N TA L I S M . C O M .
Another low-cost measure for these areas that can produce as much savings as storm windows is to fashion a plastic weather barrier that adheres to the frame.
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Smart Home Improvements BY T E R RY W O S T E R
An avalanche of new “smart” home tech-
V I V I N T S M A RT H O M ES
the family, the experts say. “There’s an avalanche of technology innovanology—video doorbells, self-adjusting heating tion aimed at our homes,’’ said David Siroty, vice systems, lighting that remembers just how bright president for North American Communications or dim the homeowner prefers each room at any for Coldwell Banker Real Estate. “And there is an time of day or night—is flowing onto the markets, explosion of DIY (do-it-yourself) products on offering a wealth of options for anyone considering home-improvement projects. the market, bringing smart homes into reach of Not every homeowner will want the futuristic nearly everyone.’’ Smart home features offer increased secuhome of George and Jane Jetson from the 1960s rity for homes and their occupants, better energy television cartoon show The Jetsons. These days, management for both conservation and cost-savthough, anyone considering a home-improvement ings and the simple convenience of easier living. project that involves renovations and upgrades Besides many highly practical reasons to should consider smart home systems, according to go as smart as possible, there’s a “wow factor’’ to real estate and technology experts. some of the devices, features that cause visitors Smart home features and appliances are availor potential buyers to whisper, “Wow’’ when they able to increase convenience, add security and efficiency and make the home even more a part of step into the home. A device on the market, for example, allows a homeowner to use a smartphone from afar to access a camera inside the refrigerator at home to check the contents. Perhaps not many people would actually use such a feature, but a working couple who live miles from their places of business might find it helpful to know they need eggs or milk while they are near the store in the city rather than find that out when they reach home. It’s still a relatively new market, but the trend toward acceptance of and demand for smart home features is accelerating, said Trevor Lambert, senior director of Brand Management for Vivint Smart Home, a smart home services provider headquartered in Utah. A doorbell camera shows the homeowners that a group of their child’s friends are “I think many people think it’s ready for some skateboarding. A smart doorbell system is a basic part of a smart complicated, but any home can be home improvement project, some experts say.
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The question to ask is, ‘Would I actually use this?’ You can get all caught up in the hype.
V I V I N T S M A RT H O M ES
upgraded,’’ Lambert said. “Any home can incorporate smart home technology to some level. The reality is a smart home doesn’t need to be a certain age.’’ Access to the internet is key, and in many rural areas, that access will determine how quickly smart homes develop, said Brian Sloboda, a senior program manager for the Cooperative Research Network of the national Rural Electric Cooperative Association. “It’s kind of chicken and egg,’’ Sloboda said. “People in rural areas aren’t going to get smart home technology without access to reliable broadband internet. But broadband internet services won’t go to rural areas without the assurance of customers.’’ However, Sloboda said there is a trend toward having broadband extend to more rural areas and, “We are seeing some electric co-ops exploring the possibility of offering broadband.’’ A survey done in 2015 by Coldwell Banker and CNET asked 4,000 people in the United States about smart homes. Some key findings: ffMORE THAN ONE IN FOUR Americans own smart home devices and 87 percent of those surveyed say technology makes their lives easier. ffMORE THAN HALF of those with smart home products say the technology saves time, an average of 30 minutes a day, and 45 percent say on average their smart home technology saves them more than $1,100 a year. ffPARENTS WITH CHILDREN younger than 18 are almost twice as likely to have smart home products as those without children. ffTHE SMARTPHONE is the remote control
Smartphone screen images illustrate some of the information available in a smart home security system.
device for a smart home, according to 76 percent of those who answered the survey. “Our survey highlights the fact that this innovation has made its way into homes faster than many expected, and that once a homeowner tries a connected device, that person is ready to experiment with more smart products,’’ Lindsey Turrentine, editor-in-chief of CNET.com, said when the survey was released in August of 2015. Siroty compares the expansion of smart home technology to the growth in popularity of granite countertops. Granite countertops began as a luxury item, became a more traditional feature of homes and has become something that simply is expected to be part of a home, he said. Smart home technology is moving through that same process, from luxury to expected feature, Siroty said. The world of home improvements is replete with stories of do-it-yourself successes and failures. Smart home home improvements are no different, the experts say. If you’re really handy and comfortable with technology, you can probably do a lot of things on your own. “If you don’t feel that handy or have a lot of confidence, there’s a lot of value in having someone come in and do the job,’’ Lambert said. With a specialist, the homeowner knows the job is done and has access to trouble-shooting help if needed. JUNE 2017
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The desirability of having an expert handle things becomes more important as the complexity of the project increases, says Dave Pedigo, senior director of emerging technologies for CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association). “The problem is, when you start adding things together, it becomes exponentially more difficult,’’ Pedigo said. A simple project might be just fine as a DIY effort, but, “Now you’re getting 20, 30 or 40 devices and it’s increasingly difficult to get a positive experience.’’ Starting a DIY project and then calling in an expert can mean wasting both time and money, he said. An official with the Federal Trade Commission gave a consumer caution in an article written in July 2016 and posted on the FTC website. Carl Settlemyer with the FTC division of advertising practices noted that smart technology is rapidly evolving, “promising even greater convenience, security and comfort in the future.’’ But, Settlemyer said, the rapid growth puts a burden on consumers to understand how various devices work and what support the manufacturers will provide, as well as the security features of the product. He said consumers should ask questions when they shop for smart devices. Among the questions: ffFIND OUT if the product will work with connected devices you already have and with other companies’ devices. ffASK HOW you’ll get security and other product updates. ffTAKE TIME during your initial set-up to familiarize yourself with any dashboards and widgets that you’ll use to control the device remotely.
Sloboda’s Tips
4
Places to Start Your “Smart Home”
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ffDON’T JUST ACCEPT out-of-the-box default
settings. Turn on secure features and re-evaluate only after you’re familiar with the device. ffCONSIDER if you’ll be able to keep using the device if the manufacturer stops providing updates and other support. With those cautions in mind, what are the go-to devices or systems for a smart home improvement project? A quick online search for smart home gadgets will result in lists of five or six or 10 “best additions to your home,’’ 25 features that “matter most to home buyers,’’ and dozens of other responses. Many lists include smart door locks, video doorbells, thermostats, light bulbs and electric sockets, ceiling fans, television sets, kitchen appliances, entertainment centers and exterior security camera systems. A growing number of manufacturers are pushing products onto the markets. The smart consumer takes some time to study needs and applications, Sloboda said. Sloboda cautions that many products are available but, “The question to ask is would I actually use this? You can get all caught up in the hype.’’ Lambert singles out a smart thermostat and a doorbell camera/door lock controlled through the phone as two top initial choices for the “toedipping’’ consumer. “The front door is really the focal point of the home,’’ he says. Whatever the level of home improvement project contemplated, looking into smart home applications is making more sense every day, Siroty said. “It’s real. The technology is available,’’ he said. “Now it’s largely a matter of how fast the consumer becomes aware of it. We’re at the storytelling phase.’’ KCL
INTERNET-CONTROLLED THERMOSTAT. “It’s going to save you energy. It’s going to 1 AN save you money. It’s going to make you more comfortable.’’ CAMERA SYSTEM. “You can set alerts for when someone comes near the 2 AfrontSECURITY door or near the barn. This is a peace of mind issue.’’ CROCKPOT. “This is where you’re going to think I’m getting way out there, to com3 SMART municate over the internet with the crock pot. But you can take it from high to low, or
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JUNE 2017
from low to warm when it’s time, or if you get held up getting home.’’ ELECTRICAL OUTLETS. “Simply electrical outlets but they can be controlled through the internet. A table lamp, you can turn it on if you’re really late. It’s more of a security issue.”
ENGAGING the New Administration
guration comes a period of learning. Nearly six months into President Donald Trump’s first term, Washington is still adjusting. America’s electric cooperatives engaged early on to make sure the new administration recognizes the importance of affordable, reliable electricity to local economies. Within three months after President Trump took office, Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), had already met with the Secretary of Energy and the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as presidential advisers on rural, infrastructure and agriculture issues. No fewer than four cabinet members met with co-op leaders at the annual legislative conference. Co-ops are encouraged both by the administration’s willingness to review burdensome regulations and by its willingness to listen to the concerns of rural Americans. We are already seeing some beneficial changes. One of the first actions taken by President Trump was signing an order to review the Clean Power Plan—a rule that would jeopardize affordable, reliable power for millions of American families and businesses. The administration’s decision to review the Clean Power Plan is a welcome development, and it’s not the only one. In April, Flint Energies member Sonny Perdue was confirmed as Secretary of Agriculture. As an electric co-op member himself, Perdue understands the critical role co-ops play throughout
rural America, and we look forward to working with him to further improve the quality of life in rural America. The White House recently created the Rural America Task Force. We appreciate President Trump recognizing the need to prioritize rural American families and businesses, and this task force will offer yet another way for electric co-ops to work with the new administration as we seek to strengthen rural economies. The White House has also expressed a strong interest in reviving America’s infrastructure. Electric co-ops are at the policy table, urging politicians to look beyond the investment in roads and bridges when considering rural America’s infrastructure priorities. Improved high-speed internet access is at the top of the infrastructure priority list for many rural communities. That’s why co-ops were pleased when Ajit Pai, the new Federal Communications Commission chairman, appointed Matheson to a new Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee. The committee was created to make recommendations to the FCC on how to accelerate the deployment of broadband by reducing and removing regulatory barriers to infrastructure investment. As member-owned electric utilities, co-ops have a responsibility to engage in these discussions. During the co-ops’ legislative conference in Washington, D.C., Matheson declared that, “In a time of uncertainty, it’s all the more important for us to remain at the table, be active participants in the policy environment and assert ourselves as the voice of American consumers.”
The time is now for a substantive conversation about the importance of rural America. Co-ops evaluate the actions of any new administration according to one simple principle: How will these actions affect the 42 million consumer members? New policy staff may not be aware of how some programs slated for elimination or reductions in the initial budget proposal benefit co-op consumers. We need to educate policymakers about the importance of these programs. It’s still early in President Trump’s first term, but we are encouraged by the willingness of cabinet members and key staff to listen to what co-ops have to say. KCL TRACY WARREN writes on consumer and co-op affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the service arm of the nation’s 900-plus electric co-ops.
GET TY IMAGES/MEINZAHN
With every presidential inau-
BY TRACY WA R R E N
JUNE 2017
KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING
21
FirstHand
Brand
P H OTO S BY STEVEN HAUSLER
Second generation values original single character livestock brand Some brands use variations, like an upside down letter and calling it “crazy.” The Hobbs’ brand is considered “regular” even though it’s anything but. 22
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With more than 16,000 registered livestock brands in Kansas, the Hobbs Ranch in Penokee, Kansas, maintains the original singlecharacter brand it registered nearly 75 years ago—a basic triangle sans letters or numerals, distinguished by its placement on the right rib of the animal. A simple symbol of a more simple time. The state of Kansas first began registering livestock brands in February 1939. Five years later, Dean K. Hobbs registered his single character “triangle” brand for his cattle ranch in Graham County. Nearly 40 years later, his son, Terry Hobbs, a member of the board of trustees for Western Cooperative Electric, became the second generation to register that brand, which he continues to use today with no plans to change that identifying mark in the future. “The brand is so unique in its single digit format that I would never consider changing or altering it,” Hobbs explained. For that reason, he believes their brand will continue to be used by future generations of Hobbs family ranchers. What has changed throughout the decades of the Hobbs’ cattle ranching operation is the branding method. The original hot iron method eventually yielded to the electric brand, which, in turn, gave way to the freeze-brand technique. Terry said by the time he became
involved with cattle branding on the ranch, they were using the electric brand method. He has since switched to freeze branding—a process that requires more preparation— but he says the extra effort is well worth it. “I like it a lot better because it’s more Terry Hobbs, owner of the Hobbs Ranch, left, and Chris Riedel, Hill City, brand an idenhumane,” he shared. tifying number on a young heifer at the ranch located in Graham County. Freeze branding uses a copper alloy iron immersed in an alcohol and dry ice mix. Its application kills the pigmentation on the hide and discolors the new hair growth. Preparation includes filling the “coffin coolers,” as Terry calls the 6-foot-long ice chests: one with dry ice and the other with the alcohol dry ice mix and the branding irons. “It’s a nearly painless procedure, comparable to putting a cube of ice on your arm,” Terry The evolution of the Hobbs’ triangle brand branding iron from left: freeze, electric and hot iron. explained. “It is vital going forward that we are good stewards and caretakers of our land and livestock.” identification but with the added value of conBranding originated in ancient times as a veying quality, credibility and experience in the ritualistic act and later became the accepted way marketplace. to verify ownership in livestock sales or to return “There is also a mind-set not only by us stray animals to their rightful owner, as well as but many of the good cattle producers throughhelping to prevent theft. out the country that their brand signifies a high Today’s livestock brands, whether simple or quality, safe, and consistent product that conelaborate, still offer the protection of ownership sumers and end users can depend on.” KCL
ORIGINAL BRAND APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE During its 75 years in existence, the Brands Program of the Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Health has collected thousands of original brand applications along with other documentation that traces the history of each brand. These original applications have been scanned and saved electronically and are now available to the application owners and/or their families free of charge upon request, allowing families to have access to historical documents completed by their ancestors. Patricia Schumaker, Kansas Brand Recorder in the Kansas Department of Agriculture, said that once all of the applications were scanned, the department collectively determined that the original documents should be made available to their owners. “We decided that there’s a lot of history here in these original applications so why not give them back to the families.” To request your family’s original application, complete the Historic Brand Application Request form found at agriculture.ks.gov/brands or call Schumaker at 785-564-6609. KCL JUNE 2017
KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING
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C O O K I N G M Y WAY H O M E
‘... a Few Laughs & Something Good to Eat’ BY R E B E C C A H O WA R D
I always took the sandwiches reluctantly.
Rebecca Howard
appetite. He grew up hungry and it never left him. He ate his way through gall bladder troubles and snacked, eyes shut, during the night in his sleep. Food was a cornerstone in his life motto. On a cool, October morning on one visit where I had requested to play tourist, we wandered the timber and fields near my grandmother’s house by the Smoky Hill River. My father stood in a clearing, pondering the Sunday pot roast my mom was making, and said, “That’s all life is, really—a few laughs and something good to eat.” He found salvation in funny and food and stories. He was a foodie before it was a thing, and even though he mangled some of the terminology (“al dente” was “ala dent”), had disdain for most restaurant cooking (and expense) and was never constricted by the limits of an expiration date (a bulging, outdated carton of yogurt was fine as long as “it’s sealed”), he was as much an influence on my interest in food as any culinary icon. Through him, I knew early how you clean a fish you caught or that you can grow okra, hot peppers or daikon radishes in the garden. ff 2 stalks celery, chopped Early in his life, food ff 1 cup sliced cremini or button mushrooms was about survival, and as ff 1 Tbs. tomato paste ff 2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes a young boy he served as ff 1 tsp. smoked paprika my grandmother’s pitch ff 1/2 tsp. chili powder man, running up and down ff 1 tsp. dried oregano the streets of Junction City ff 1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce ff 1 cup beef broth
Thick and thickly meated (hand-sliced ham, salami or corned beef), they were assembled by my dad on slices of heavily buttered bread in the early morning of my departure after a Kansas visit. I had little room in my travels for a moist, bulky sandwich weighing what seemed like several pounds. But it was an expression of affection, I know it. In a family that valued sharing food over hugging, this was the equivalent of a hearty embrace. My dad passed away a few weeks after my last visit home in November. While he had resigned from much of his usual tasks—including making my sandwich—in the year before he died, food was still his focus. Our last time together was crunching through a shared platter of bacon at breakfast. My father was a small man with a huge
Swiss Steak
ff 2-1/2 pounds round steak, trimmed of excess
fat and cut so it is 1/2- to 1-inch thick
ff 2 tsp. salt ff 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper ff 3/4 cup all-purpose flour ff 1/4 cup vegetable oil or bacon grease ff 1 green bell pepper, sliced ff 2 large onions, thinly sliced ff 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
This dish of steak braised in a tomatoey gravy is not from Switzerland, but refers to the method of pounding and tenderizing the meat. My dad’s variation was made without a recipe, but always included a green bell pepper and chili powder. I like to add mushrooms.
G E T T Y I M A G E S / H A P P Y TA M 2 7
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Cut the steak into serving size pieces. Season with salt and pepper and dredge both sides of each slice in flour. Pound the meat until it is 1/4-inch thick. On medium-high, heat the oil in a 4- to 5-quart Dutch oven. Working in a couple of batches, brown steaks, cooking about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Set steaks aside. In the same pot, add the green pepper, onions, garlic, celery and mushrooms. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomato paste and stir to combine. Next add the tomatoes, paprika, chili powder, oregano, Worcestershire sauce and beef broth and stir to mix. Return the meat and juices to the pot, submerging it in the liquid. Cover the pot, and place it in the oven on the middle rack. Cook for 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until the meat is tender and falling apart. Season with more salt and pepper to taste. Serve on mashed potatoes, rice or buttered noodles. Serves 4. Crockpot method: After steak is browned and vegetables sautéed, place all ingrediRebecca’s d ents in a crockpot and cook on low for several hours or until tender. ad was
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KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING
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a foodie b thing, even efore th terminolog ough he mangled so it was a y (“al dente me of the ” was “ala dent”).
R E B E CCA H OWA R D
He learned to hunt as a child but was told by his father: You shoot it, you eat it, even if it meant blackbirds and pack rats.
fried his bacon and eggs or sausage every morning while he lay on the couch doing the finger exercises that limbered his hands for the day ahead at his barber shop. Still, at one point, my dad took on most of the grocery shopping and prided himself in his own cooking prowess— occasional long, messy kitchen sessions that ended in a vat of gritty chili, stew, ham and beans or his beloved Swiss steak. He tried ambitious pickling and even smoking projects, until that enterprise was ended when the well-worn (and frayed) cord of the electric smoker caused the aromatic box to catch on fire. A part of me now also feels up in smoke. I’m left with what I remember: a man slowed to a wheelchair who still moved lightning-quick sharpening kitchen knives against his whetstone. I’m left with who I am, never very far from a few laughs and eating (like him, and many in the Howard clan, I’ve been known to pronounce a well-prepared dish “a good do”). A couple years back, on a layover in Dallas as I headed back to California, I unwrapped one of my father’s “airport sandwiches.” Looking at it, I began to laugh. In the top slice of bread that he had pressed down hard enough to cement it all together, he had left a deep impression of his large and long-fingered hand. KCL JUNE 2017
KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING
G E T T Y I M AG E S / DY K YO ST U D I O
to help her sell carp out of a baby buggy. He learned to hunt as a child, but was told by his father: You shoot it, you eat it, even if it meant blackbirds and pack rats. In the shadow of World War II, my dad waved down the “Manor Man” bakery truck for cupcakes with colorful, fluffy frosting to feed his siblings for breakfast, while his parents slept off the night shift at the Sunflower Ordnance Works ammunition plant. As he grew up, food was sometimes about enterprise—and sugar. He stole milk bottles to finance candy and movies, his favorite—the “Million Dollar Mermaid”—Esther Williams, whom he claimed he was going to marry. As a teen staying with his aunt and uncle in Kansas City, he guzzled gut-busting amounts of Orangette and Grapette soda to help his eccentric older cousin, who was testing (and eventually patented) a design for a bottle opener. And his first real job was in a bakery, making donuts. There, he caught his upper arm in a bread machine, leaving a lifelong “piranha bite” scar. Like most men of his generation, he grew into an adult who believed in three square meats a day—a meal was not one without some meat (even his beloved “Dutch lunch” included some slice of meat on crackers). He loved his steak (but a baked potato was an offense). There could never be enough cheese in the house or hot sauce in the refrigerator door. He preferred pie over cake, and upon tipping back the juice from a bowl of just consumed macerated strawberries would proclaim, “That, kids, is nectar of the gods!” Most of what my dad ate, my mom made happen, in what seemed like tireless service. She
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27
SAFETY
In Case of Fire: Have a Plan & Practice it
GETTY IMAGES CZARNY_BEZ
The National Fire Prevention Association says that only one of every three American households has actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.
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Whether you live in a dome home or farm home, have a fire escape plan. The National Fire Protection Association suggests: ffWalk through your home, inspecting all possible exits and escape routes. Draw a floor plan, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors, and the location of each smoke alarm. ffInstall interconnected smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside sleeping areas and on every level of the home. When one sounds, they all sound. ffWhen you walk through your plan, make sure the escape routes are clear and doors and windows can be opened easily. ffChoose an outside meeting place (light post, mailbox) a safe distance in front of your home where everyone can meet after escaping. Mark the location on your escape plan. ffIf your street number is not clearly visible from the road, paint it on the curb or install house numbers to ensure emergency personnel can find your home. ffIf there are infants, older adults or family members with mobility limitations, assign someone to assist them in the fire drill and in an emergency. Assign a backup person too. ffIf you have security bars on doors or windows make sure they have emergency release devices inside so that they can be opened immediately in an emergency. ffBe fully prepared for a real fire: When a smoke alarm sounds, get out immediately. Residents of high-rise and apartment buildings may be safer “defending in place.” (see last paragraph of article.) ffOnce you’re out, stay out! Never go back into a burning building. If someone is missing, inform the 911 dispatcher. Firefighters have the skills to perform rescues.
KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING
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Putting Your Plan to the Test
ffPractice your home fire escape plan twice
a year, making the drill as realistic as possible. ffAllow children to master fire escape planning and practice before holding a fire drill at night when they are sleeping. The objective is to practice, not to frighten, so telling children there will be a drill before they go to bed can be as effective as a surprise drill. ffIt’s important to determine during the drill whether everyone can awaken to the sound of the smoke alarm. If they fail to, assign someone to wake them up as part of the drill and in a real emergency situation. ffIf your home has two floors, every family member must be able to escape from the second floor. Escape ladders can provide another escape route. Review the ladder instructions carefully so you’ll be able to use it in an emergency. Practice setting up the ladder to make sure you can do it correctly and quickly. Children should only practice with a grown-up, and only from a first-story window. Store the ladder near the window. ffAlways choose the escape route that is safest—the one with the least amount of smoke and heat—but be prepared to escape under toxic smoke. When you do your fire drill, everyone should practice getting low and going under the smoke to your exit. ffClosing doors on your way out slows the spread of fire, giving you more time to escape. ffIn some cases, smoke or fire may prevent you from exiting your home. To prepare for an emergency like this, practice “sealing yourself in for safety” as part of your home fire escape plan. Close all doors between you and the fire. Use duct tape or towels to seal the door cracks, and cover air vents to keep smoke from coming in. If possible, open your windows at the top and bottom to allow fresh air in. Call 911 to report your exact location. Wave a flashlight or lightcolored cloth at the window to let the fire department know where you are. KCL
JUNE 2017
KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING
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Mini Popcorn Balls with Chocolate Fondue
Cinnamon French Toast Sausage Roll-Ups
KANS AS COUNTRY LIVING, JUNE 2017
Get creative and offer a variety of colorful candy sprinkles, nuts and other coatings.
KANS AS COUNTRY LIVING, JUNE 2017
French toast and sausage marries sweet and salty flavors—perfect for brunch.
Sweet Chili Meatballs
Cheesy Bacon Jalapeño Corn Muffins
KAN S AS COU N T RY L IVIN G, JU N E 201 7
A flavor combination of sweet, tangy and savory offers the right amount of “heat.”
KAN S AS COU N T RY L IVIN G, JU N E 201 7
Take your ho-hum corn muffins to a new level with these mouthwatering morsels.
ff 1 medium jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced
seeded and diced
ff 6 Tbs. butter, melted ff 1/3 cup honey ff 3/4 cup milk or buttermilk ff 1 can corn kernels, drained ff 2 medium jalapeño peppers,
Cheesy Bacon Jalapeño Corn Muffins ff nonstick cooking spray ff 1 package (16 ounces) bacon ff 3/4 cup all-purpose flour ff 3/4 cup yellow cornmeal ff 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder ff 1/2 tsp. salt ff 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese ff 2 eggs
Heat oven to 375 F. Line rimmed baking pan with foil and set lightly sprayed baking rack in pan. Cut bacon crosswise into thirds and lay out bacon strips on rack, being careful not to overlap slices. Bake 10-12 minutes, or until bacon has just begun to crisp. Remove from oven and drain on paper towels. Increase oven temperature to 400 F.
ff 1 Tbs. fresh ginger, finely minced ff 1 large egg, beaten ff 1/2 tsp. salt ff 12 ounces sweet chili sauce, divided
COURTESY SMITHFIELD FOODS
In large bowl, stir together flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt and cheese until well mixed. In small bowl, whisk eggs until frothy and stir in melted butter, honey and milk. Add milk mixture to dry ingredients and stir until combined. Fold in corn and diced jalapeño. Lightly spray or butter 12-cup muffin tin and line each cup with two slices of bacon. Evenly divide muffin batter into cups, filling about three-fourths full and top with remaining bacon and sliced jalapeño. Bake muffins 20 minutes, or until golden brown, using toothpick to test doneness. Let cool briefly, remove muffins from tin and serve while still warm.
Sweet Chili Meatballs ff 1 pound lean ground turkey or ground beef ff 1/3 cup Japanese panko crumbs or bread crumbs ff 1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped ff 3 green onions, chopped
Heat oven to 350 F. Mix ground meat, panko crumbs, cilantro, green onion, ginger, egg, salt and 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce. Form into one-inch meatballs. Place meatballs on lightly greased baking sheets. Bake 20 minutes, turning once halfway through. Put meatballs in slow cooker on warm. With slow cooker on low to keep meatballs warm, pour remaining sweet chili sauce over meatballs. Gently stir to coat.
COURTESY FRANK ’S REDHOT
ff 3 Tbs. butter
removed and cut in half
ff 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon ff 6 slices whole-wheat bread, crust
Cinnamon French Toast Sausage Roll-Ups ff 12 fresh sausage links ff 2 eggs ff 2/3 cup milk ff 3 Tbs. almond liquor (optional)
Cook sausage according to package directions; keep warm.
Beat together eggs, milk, almond liquor and cinnamon. Dip one bread slice half in egg mixture and wrap around one sausage link. Press bread edges together where they overlap to keep from unrolling. Repeat with remaining bread and sausage links.
Heat large skillet over medium heat; add butter and let melt. Place French toast-wrapped sausages in skillet, seam-side down. Cook until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes total.
COURTESY SM ITHFI ELD FOO DS
ff 1 package (10 ounces) marshmallows ff 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract ff 1-1/2 cups light chocolate syrup ff colored candy sprinkles (optional)
Mini Popcorn Balls with Chocolate Fondue (1/4 cup = 1/2 stick)
ff 1 bag low-fat butter microwave popcorn ff nonstick cooking spray ff 1/4 cup stick butter or margarine
Prepare popcorn according to package directions. Remove all un-popped kernels. Spray large bowl with nonstick spray; add popped corn.
In medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add marshmallows and vanilla. Heat 5 minutes, or until marshmallows melt, stirring frequently. Pour over popcorn; mix well with spoon sprayed with cooking spray. Moisten hands with water before shaping popcorn mixture into 24 small balls, about 1/3-cup popcorn mixture each.
In small saucepan, heat chocolate syrup over medium heat 5 minutes, or until warm, stirring occasionally. Transfer to small, fondue-style pot.
Use wooden skewers or fondue forks to pick up popcorn balls and dip into chocolate and sprinkles, if desired.
COURTESY O RVILLE REDENBACHER S
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HAPPY TO WORK ALL NIGHT. YOUR SOURCE OF POWER. AND GREAT SERVICE. If it means getting the lights back on for even one family, we are glad to do whatever it takes. We’re not your typical electric company, we’re a local not-for-profit electric cooperative. That means our customers are our members and our top priority. To learn more about the cooperative difference, visit TouchstoneEnergy.com