Kansas Country Living November 2020 by American MainStreet Publications

NOVEMBER

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F E AT U R E S

D E PA RT M E N T S

12 | Outdoor Therapy

4 |

Matt Amos’ passion for hunting was what filled his thoughts in 2011 while hospitalized at the Naval Medical Center – San Diego recovering from a traumatic amputation of parts of both legs. The question on his mind wasn’t how would he walk again, but how would he hunt again. Wounded Warrior Outdoors offered the answer.

20 | Generosity and Time

6 | 8 | 10 | 16 |

Author Ty Frederickson says it is abundantly clear that, as Kansans, we embrace author Nelson Henderson’s metaphorical assertion that we “plant trees under whose shade [we] do not expect to sit.” And, we tend to prioritize others and share an interest in preserving our shared future.

22 | Fuel Mix Diversity

E D I TO R’S L E T T E R

Blessings abound

A RO U N D K A N S A S

Things to do

CO M M E N TA RY

Those who answer the call E N E RGY W I S E

Breathe easy with healthy home air T H E P R E S I D E N T ’S P E N

In thanksgiving

Time for humbleness and reflection.

16A | 17 |

YO U R LO C A L CO - O P N E W S

What’s new in your neighborhood C RO S S W O R D P U Z Z L E

Honoring our veterans

Test your knowledge about Veterans Day.

“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” It’s a familiar saying, and believe it or not, that age-old piece of wisdom is used by electric utilities to make sure you receive a reliable supply of electricity. While a broader mix of fuels could potentially bring even greater reliability to your electric service, coordinating the new and old equipment of the nation’s electric grid requires new skills and careful management.

18 |

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

Seasonal arrangements

Bring falls’ natural beauty indoors.

24 |

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

Pondering pie crust part 2

Try patience when rolling out dough.

26 | 28 | 29 |

M A R K E T P L AC E

Barns, chicks, gift subscriptions SAFETY

Buckle up, even in rural areas M O N T H LY R E C I P E S

Taste of Thanksgiving From turkey to dessert.

ON THE COVER

Retired Marine Sgt. Matt Amos gives back to the program that changed his life. P H O T O B Y A A R O N PAT T O N AT A A R O N PAT T O N . N E T

NOVEMBER 2020

DUT

SACRIFYIC& E

Outdo

NOVEM BER

2020 | BROUG HT

Warrior’s life-c or Therap y hanging expe rience Genero Prioritizing sity and Tim others is the e Kansas way

TO YOU BY YOUR LOCAL ELECTR IC

CO-OP | WWW. KEC.CO

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

E D I TO R’S L E T T E R

Finding Thankfulness Despite Hardships

(ISSN 0091-9586) NOVEMBER 2020 VOL. 70, NO. 11 ©KANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, INC. 2020 WWW.KEC.COOP

Lee Tafanelli

Chief Executive Officer

Vicki Estes

Director of Communications, Editor

Carrie Kimberlin

Manager of Creative Solutions

Shaylee Arpin

Multimedia Communications Specialist

SILVER LINING. THE BRIGHT SIDE. BLESSING IN DISGUISE. GLASS HALF FULL. Some dif-

ficult concepts to put into action this year with a pandemic causing health concerns, school schedule upheaval and financial pain for families. Most times, though, dwelling in our misery and misfortune only makes things worse. It doesn’t change the situation. Just like worrying. It’s wasted energy that could be targeted in the direction of something positive. Thankfulness, being thankful for both adversity and good fortune, has the power to pluck us from our depths of despair. And when we combine our thankfulness with a desire to help others, we discover those blessings in disguise, the silver linings of a year or situation that at first seemed insurmountable. This issue of Kansas Country Living is dedicated to thankfulness and focuses on our country’s veterans, for which I am thankful for their and their families’ sacrifices to ensure our freedoms. The feature beginning on Page 12 tells the compelling story of Matt Amos, retired U.S. Army Sergeant and Sedgwick Electric Cooperative consumer-member,

Brianna Magee

Communications Intern Officers Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc.

Terry Hobbs

President

Teresa Miller Vice President

Kirk Thompson

Secretary/Treasurer

whose life-changing experience led to his decision to volunteer and help other injured veterans discover their limitless ability through outdoor adventures with Wounded Warrior Outdoors. His story is a reminder that “this too shall pass” and that we will be stronger and more resilient at the end of our journey. I count abundant blessings in my life including you, our readers, for whom we produce this magazine, bringing you important news about your local electric cooperative, money-saving ideas, and articles introducing you to extraordinary Kansans like Matt. The Kansas Country Living staff wish each of you a Thanksgiving filled with love and peace within your heart. KCL

VICKI ESTES, EDITOR

You receive Kansas C ountry 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: 4 Rivers, Lebo Alfalfa, Cherokee, OK Bluestem, Wamego Brown-Atchison, Horton Butler, El Dorado CMS, Meade Caney Valley, Cedar Vale Doniphan, Troy DSO, Solomon Flint Hills, Council Grove FreeState, McLouth & Topeka Lane-Scott, Dighton Ninnescah, Pratt Pioneer, Ulysses Prairie Land, Norton Rolling Hills, Beloit Sedgwick County, Cheney Sumner-Cowley, Wellington TCEC, 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 $5.58 per year. Individual non-member 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. Advertising: Kansas Country Living is a member of American MainStreet Publications (www.amp.coop), collectively reaching an audited circulation of 9,378,177 monthly. Advertisers call 512-441-5200. Acceptance of advertising by Kansas Country Living does not imply endorsement by the publisher or Kansas’ electric cooperatives.

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NOVEMBER 2020

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NOV. 4-DEC. 18 Barn Quilts of Wilson County, Fredonia. B arn quilts on exhibit. Open house Nov. 6 from 4-6 p.m. Stonehouse Gallery, Gyla 620-378-2052, stonehouse2052@gmail.com. NOV. 5 Moonlight Madness, Belleville. D owntown

businesses will be open until 8 p.m. with in-store specials. Moonlight Market set up at the public library. 785-527-5524. NOV. 8 Holiday Open House, Scott City. S ee lots of

sales and specials at the Chamber of Commerce from 1-4 p.m. 620-872-3525. NOV. 8 Soupless Supper, Fredonia. A sking for

donations from 5-7 p.m. Stonehouse Gallery, Gyla 620-3782052, stonehouse2052@gmail.com.

NOV. 14 One Stop Christmas Shop, Benton. V isit

this one stop craft and direct sales market! The market includes a variety of gift options from handcrafters. bentononestopchristmasship@gmail.com, Search One Stop Christmas Shop 2020 on Facebook. NOV. 16-DEC. 31 Christmas Tree Exhibit, Ellsworth.

Ellsworth Area Art Center.

NOV. 21 “Nashville” Thanksgiving Concert,

Morganville. P urchase tickets online for this Thanksgiving concert by the Community Chamber Orchestra. Begins at 4 p.m. kansasmusic.net. NOV. 22 “Come to the Table” Tablescapes,

Protection. T he Township Library, Galleria and Community room will be filled with decorated tables and trees for viewing and gather decorating tips. 12-4 p.m., freewill donation. Sueann 620-622-4886, pclibrary@ protectionlibrary.com. NOV. 27 Christmas on the Square, Belleville. L ighted

parade begins at 6 p.m. Businesses open late with games. Come see Santa. bellevilleks.org. NOV. 27 Home for the Holidays Festival and

Parade, Great Bend. B egin with the annual cookie contest, Small Business Saturday and shopping. End the day with lighted parade, lighting of the Mayor’s tree, horse drawn carriage rides, food, ice skating and a drive through our Trail of Lights. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Main Street and Jack Kilby Square.

SHARE WITH US! f events@kansascountryliving.com f letters@kansascountryliving.com f photos@kansascountryliving.com f editor@kansascountryliving.com f recipes@kansascountryliving.com NOV. 27-DEC. 31 Rocky Pond Christmas, Belleville.

L ights will be illuminated each evening. 785-527-5524, mainstreet@nckcn.com, search Rocky Pond Christmas Lights on Facebook.

NOV. 28 Christmas City on the High Plains Opening Celebration, WaKeeney. C elebrate 70 Years of Christmas City with historical displays, live reindeer, a virtual sleigh ride, horse-drawn wagon rides, lighting ceremony and more. 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. 785-743-8325, schedule available on Get Wakeeney on Facebook. NOV. 28-JAN. 6 Christmas City on the High Plains, WaKeeney. C ome enjoy this magically lit Christmas display each night. The display features a handmade 35-foot tree of fresh greenery, handcrafted decorations and thousands of lights. 785-743-8325, search Get WaKeeney on Facebook. DEC. 1 Hometown Rewards, Great Bend. S hop Great

Bend! Earn rewards by shopping at the local stores in town. Downtown Great Bend. DEC. 5-6 Childrens Annual Small Mall, Leavenworth. K ids ages 3-13 can shop with elves for holiday gifts, ride a carousel, watch movies and make ornaments. Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. C.W. Parker Museum, 320 S. Esplanade, cwparkercarouselmuseum.org. DEC. 6 Downtown Evening Christmas Parade, Garden City. E njoy beautiful Christmas lights on floats as they drive down main street for the annual Christmas parade. Sheila Crane 620-276-0891. KCL

Kansas Country Living publishes events free as space allows. Send event information by the fifth of the month prior to publication to events@kansascountryliving.com. To guarantee placement of your event, contact advertising at 785-478-4554 or ckimberlin@kec.org.

Check prior to the scheduled date of an event for changes due to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) concerns. 6

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

NOVEMBER 2020

C O M M E N TA RY

Freedom Doesn’t Exist Without Those who Answer the Call

BY L E E TA FA N E L L I

Lee Tafanelli

America’s marvelous 244-year-old experiment, which the rest of the world thought would never last, endures regardless of strife and modern-day stressors.

IN THE SPIRIT OF THE forthcoming Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11, I take this opportunity to pay tribute to America’s veterans for their devotion, patriotism, selfless service and sacrifice. Regardless of the military branch our veterans have served — Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, Space Force — each patriot has served with honor and dignity. They have not only fought our wars, but preserved the peace, whether in faraway lands or here at home. They have lived uncommon lives under a common banner: a love of country and service to our nation. We must also be reminded this Nov. 11, that freedom is costly and reflect upon those who stood guard, fought, bled and died for this country in places like Kandahar, Fallujah, Hue, Inchon, Iwo Jima, Normandy, Midway, Meuse, Gettysburg, Yorktown and numerous other places around the world. Because of our veterans’ loyalty to country and great courage, America remains today — and what we’ve been for more than two centuries — the land of the free and home of the brave. A beacon of hope in an increasingly complex world. America’s marvelous 244-year-old experiment, which the rest of the world thought would never last, endures regardless of strife and modern-day stressors. We are a country built on principles so cherished in the human heart that entire generations of our young have gone into harm’s way to ensure America’s founding ideas would always survive. It’s important to take a step back and remember why men and women of this great nation are willing to lay down their lives to support and defend the United States of America. Our country is the living paragon of people who had the radical and stubborn idea that the value of a human being — of every single one of you — is tied to their individual character and potential and not merely the possession of a

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

NOVEMBER 2020

fancy name, aristocratic title or royal blood. Our Founding Fathers deeply believed this “extremist” idea and in a defiant message to monarchs they had the audacity to loudly proclaim that Americans should choose their own leaders, not be ruled by them. In an act of tremendous bravery by rebelling against the British government, they signed their names to the Declaration of Independence, risking everything they had so their families and future generations could have the chance to live in a free country. The last line of the document they signed reads: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” After signing and understanding the gravity of their actions, John Hancock said “We must all hang together ... ” to which Ben Franklin replied, “Yes, we must indeed all hang together ... or most assuredly we will all hang separately.” Veterans Day is not about war. It’s about the brave men and women who believe not only in the U.S. but in the very idea of the United States. The very idea of what our Founding Fathers risked their lives for. More than any others, our veterans have always understood that this nation is not like any other nation. Just as America can’t survive without freedom, freedom cannot survive without American citizens who answer the call to defend our way of life. It’s why we recognize our veterans every year to show them that we will never forget their service to the nation. KCL LEE TAFANELLI is Chief Executive Officer of Kansas

Electric Cooperatives, Inc. in Topeka. He served in the Kansas Army National Guard for more than 30 years, most recently as the state’s adjutant general, director of Kansas Homeland Security and director of Emergency Management. KEC and its member co-ops thank Lee for his dedicated service to our country.

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

Fisch & Hitch Flower Co. owners and TCEC members Camra Fischer and Charity Hitch.

Let’s Keep Small Businesses Thriving. It’s time to power a Small Business Comeback across America. Co-op Connections is a free member beneﬁt program brought to you by your local electric cooperative. Download the free app to ﬁnd discounts from your local merchants. Now you can save money while you support your community’s business owners. Find all the ways to save locally with Co-op Connections! Visit www.SmallBusinessComeback.coop for more information.

E N E R GY W I S E

How to Breathe Easy About Your Home’s Air Quality

BY PAT K E E G A N A N D B R A D T H I E S S E N

RO B E RT CO U S E - BA K E R

your column a few months ago on sealing air leaks, but I’ve heard a home that’s sealed too tight can lead to air quality issues. How can I be sure I have healthy air as I seal air leaks in my home? – Lee D E AR LE E : Sealing air leaks is one of the best ways to make your home more energy efficient, and there are steps you can take to ensure your home has an adequate amount of healthy, fresh air. The average home loses about half its air volume every hour, so it can be sealed considerably (often at a low cost) and still have more than enough healthy air. An HVAC professional can inspect and test a furnace to make sure it is operating safely and efficiently. Pollutants are the main cause of poor indoor air quality, and the most dangerous pollutant is carbon monPollutants can cause physical reactions such oxide (CO). It can come from furnaces, water as coughing or sneezing, but carbon monoxide heaters or stoves that burn natural gas, propane causes more severe reactions, such as headaches, or wood. The problem usually occurs in devices dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, confusion, that are old, in need of repair or installed or blurred vision or loss of consciousness. operated in a manner that prevents clear, unobSo, what can you do to ensure healthy indoor structed supply and exhaust of combustion air. air as you increase your home’s energy efficiency? Excessive moisture in the air can also be considered an indoor pollutant because mold and dust The first strategy, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is to eliminate or reduce mites thrive when relative humidity is above 60%. the source of pollution. And the first pollutant to One sign your home is sealed too tight is window eliminate is CO. If you have a combustion furnace, condensation, which can happen if moist air it should be inspected and serviced regularly by a doesn’t exit the home at an adequate rate. professional. If you have any combustion appliances, it is critical that CO detectors are installed and replaced every five to seven years. If you live in an area with radon, which you can determine by checking out EPA’s radon map, keep it out of your home because it is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon tests are not expensive, and your local health authorities can provide more information. If radon levels are too high, you’ll need to hire a professional to install a system that will divert radon gas to the outside of your home.

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

Condensation on your windows could be a sign your home is sealed too tight. NOVEMBER 2020

N AV FAC H AWA I I H VAC S P E C I A L I ST S

D E AR PAT AN D B R AD : I read

Here are a few additional pollutant reduction measures to consider: f Never smoke tobacco inside. f Run the exhaust fans in bathrooms and

your kitchen after use.

f Store toxic cleaning and painting

products outside.

f Never idle a vehicle, even for a minute, in an

attached garage. The second strategy is ventilation. Your home probably has more than enough natural ventilation from outside air leaking into the home. If you suspect this isn’t adequate, the best way to know for sure is to hire an energy auditor to do a blower door test. Many experts recommend sealing the home as tight as possible and using mechanical ventilation to ensure a consistent and adequate supply of outside air. The most energy efficient ventilation system is a

heat recovery ventilator (HRV), which pulls in fresh air from outside and captures the heat from indoor air before it is exhausted to the outside. The third and final strategy is to clean the air. The easiest step is to simply change your furnace filter at least once every three months and keep your furnace supply and return air registers free of obstructions. If any rooms do not have an air return, keep the doors open. There are several home air cleaning systems available — some are effective, and some are not. The EPA offers a handy online guide: www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/ air-cleaners-and-air-filters-home. We hope these suggestions will be helpful as you seal air leaks in your home and enjoy fresh, healthy indoor air. KCL This column was co-written by PAT KEEGAN and BRAD THIESSEN of Collaborative Efficiency. For more information on surprise energy hogs, please visit: www.collaborativeefficiency.com/energytips.

NOVEMBER 2020

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

UTDOO O R •

THERAPY • BY M E L I N D A S C H N Y D E R

Kansas wounded warrior gives back to program that changed his life Matt Amos’ friends and family know what’s coming: For the first half of December this year, he’ll be unreachable. Just like every deer rifle-hunting season, the 40-year-old will be on the land he owns in southeast Kansas. “I prep for whitetails year round, and I’m pretty much a ghost during rifle season,” said the Sedgwick County Electric Cooperative member who lives with his wife and two daughters in Mount Hope, about a mile from Cheney Lake. “I’m out at my cabin and while I may not necessarily take a deer, I’ll watch them and study patterns to see if what I’ve done that year as far as food plots and nutrition are working for them and what I need to do better for them.” In the past eight years, he’s hunted bear in British Columbia, moose in Canada, big horn sheep in New Mexico, nilgai antelope in Texas along with other majestic hunting and fishing sites across North America, but whitetail deer in Kansas remain his passion. That passion was what filled his thoughts in 2011 while he was in a hospital bed at the Naval Medical Center – San Diego recovering from a traumatic amputation of parts of both legs. The question on his mind wasn’t how would he walk again, but how would he hunt again. “Being from Kansas, being outdoors was a big part of my life,” said Amos, who grew up hunting

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

NOVEMBER 2020

and fishing around Cheney Lake and attended schools in Andale. “I love hunting, fishing, anything outdoors.” The answer for the Marine Corps Sergeant came less than a year after a June 2011 improvised explosive device blast in Afghanistan that led to the below the knee amputation of his left leg and above the knee amputation of his right. Amos was one of about 50 wounded warriors invited in 2012 on a therapeutic expedition with Wounded Warrior Outdoors. When he went on the bear hunt in British Columbia in spring 2012, he was still working through physical therapy and having a tough time transitioning from using a wheelchair to using prosthetic legs. He had both with him on the trip, but the legs were uncomfortable and he wasn’t confident using them. As the first bear appeared in a field, the volunteer guides hauled out Amos’ wheelchair and he tried to navigate the rocky terrain. The noise scared off the bear. A few days later, Amos was lucky enough to see a second bear and, with encouragement from the

A A R O N PAT T O N

NOVEMBER 2020

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

There’s a great American story that’s seldom told — a story of battle-scarred heroes we’ve yet to meet. It’s a story of wounded warriors trying to find their place in the world and to feel ‘normal’ again. This is a story about Americans we owe a debt of gratitude to. QUOTE FROM THE WOUNDED WARRIOR OUTDOORS ANNUAL NEWSLETTER

volunteers, he forced himself to stay on his legs while crossing rocks and grass to set up at a boulder and take down his first bear. “That was when the lightbulb clicked on for me,” Amos said. “I could do it. They pushed me to the limit and showed me what I was capable of.” He came home with a different mindset. If he could succeed on mountainous, uneven terrain, he could succeed at home on sidewalks and even terrain. And, importantly, he could still do the things that made him happy before the injury. He wrote this message to Wounded Warrior Outdoors volunteers and it appeared in the nonprofit’s annual newsletter: “To the folks at WWO, ‘Thank You’ does not even begin to convey the amount of gratitude for everything that you have done for me and fellow brothers this past week. Who would have thought that only 11 months after being injured that I’d be on the most amazing hunt of my life.” Besides writing that note, Amos wanted to be a part of giving other wounded warriors a chance to have the same life-changing experience so he became a volunteer with the nonprofit.

ADVENTURES ENABLED

Amos said he had to plead with the founder of Wounded Warrior Outdoors, Ron Raboud, to let him volunteer because Raboud didn’t want it to appear he was exploiting a warrior. You’ll find little media about the group’s efforts for this reason, and most volunteers do not have military service backgrounds. “It’s phenomenal to be a veteran and see all these people serving those who have served,” Amos said. “It’s the best of both worlds coming together.” Florida-based businessman and longtime hunter Raboud started Wounded Warrior Outdoors in 2009 after striking up a conversation on a commercial flight with a group of wounded warriors who were eager to figure out how to get back to hunting. “Ron’s father served in World War II and his father was a wounded warrior,” Amos said. “He saw the challenges that his father went through, and when he met that group in the airport his mind started working on a way to make hunting happen.” WWO started out working with three United

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Matt Amos, left, on his first bear hunt with Wounded Warrior Outdoors in 2012, 11 months after an improvised explosive device blast in Afghanistan that led to the below the knee amputation of his left leg and above the knee amputation of his right.

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States military medical centers to provide therapeutic-focused outdoor adventures to active-duty servicemen and women in transition who were injured during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001-2014) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (20032011). Warriors are selected for participation by the medical staff at each hospital (Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Bethesda, Naval Medical Center San Diego and San Antonio Military Medical Center), and each is paired with the adventure that provides them the greatest therapeutic potential. The organization still focuses on the wounded from those operations who received treatment at one of those facilities. Amos said many of the warriors coming through the program now may have not been able or willing to participate sooner. “For some, not being surrounded by military folks any longer can wear them down over time and they need to reconnect for their mental wellbeing,” Amos said. “When you get out of the military and you go back home, you’re surrounded by people who don’t necessarily know the things that have gone on or the challenges faced. This is one way of bringing them back together with others who have served and allowing them to reconnect.” As a lead volunteer, Amos helps organize WWO’s 10 or so annual group adventures along with a few individual trips throughout the year. In a typical year, WWO takes about 110 wounded warriors on expeditions from salmon fishing in Alaska to hunting gators and hogs in Florida.

Kansan Matt Amos (bottom right) accompanying a Wounded Warrior Outdoors salmon fishing expedition at Hoodoo Lodge in Alaska.

The five- to seven-day excursions are called “Adventures Enabled,” and they are all-inclusive: transportation, lodging, meals and equipment needed. Private donations ensure no cost is passed along to the warriors, their families or taxpayers. Amos said the trips costs about $5,000 per warrior and WWO remains run completely by volunteers so 96 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to the wounded warriors. Continued on page 19

As a lead volunteer with Wounded Warrior Outdoors, Kansan Matt Amos helps organize therapeutic outdoor adventures across North America like this quail hunt at Heritage Ranch in Florida.

NOVEMBER 2020

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

THE PRESIDENT ’S PEN

A Time for Reflection, Humbleness, and Appreciation BY T E R RY H O B B S

as the story goes, was in favor of the turkey over the eagle as our national bird. Can you imagine if that would have happened and the altered linguistics of common phrases? You can play around substituting the word turkey instead of eagle and actually get a chuckle or two. When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first to reach the moon, they would’ve uttered the words “the turkey has landed.” The patriotic march song would’ve been “Under the Double Turkey.” Football fans could root for The Philadelphia Turkeys. The Boy Scouts of America’s highest honor would be a Turkey Scout. At any rate, the eagle prevailed as a symbol for so many virtues that our country stands for. I can’t leave the turkey alone. The turkey remains with its own steadfast symbolic place in American history, culture and cuisine. Although it tastes mighty good accompanied by cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie, the symbolism it stands for as it headlines our Thanksgiving meals across our nation is so endearing to the simplicity of just giving thanks. When the pilgrims and native Americans first sat down to share a meal with the purpose in mind to give thanks for a bountiful harvest, I’m sure they had no idea how meaningful this special time would become. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN,

Terry Hobbs

It is so important that we give thanks not only at Thanksgiving, but every day.

HUNTER

SAFETY around electricity

It is so important that we give thanks not only at Thanksgiving, but every day. We as individuals, as families, as a nation, have much to be thankful for. We can be thankful for our ancestors who built this country, our veterans who protected this country, our heritage that has made us who we are today. Thanksgiving is just such a special time for reflection, humbleness and appreciation. In all of our lives we have stages of work, toil, sacrifices, and accomplishments. Farm life for me was and is no different. Working the land, planting the crops, praying for rain, and harvesting the results of our labor. Pretty simple but very easy to have a reason to give thanks. As the long days of summer turned into the long nights of winter on the farm, it allowed for other memories and a time for thankfulness. My dad played five string banjo. He would get out his banjo regularly during the winter months and play for an hour or so. For banjo enthusiasts, he picked, did not strum. One of his favorite tunes to play was what else but “Turkey in the Straw!” Everyone, have a very Happy Thanksgiving! KCL TERRY HOBBS is the board president for Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. He is also a member of Western Cooperative Electric’s Board of Trustees in WaKeeney.

With hunting season in full swing, the woods are full of anxious hunters, watching and waiting for the perfect opportunity to take their shot. While hunting season is an exciting time for the outdoor enthusiast, it’s imperative that safety be priority No. 1. Remember, before you head out: f Check the weather report to ensure you’re not caught off guard by inclement weather. f Communicate your plans. Let a friend or relative know where you’ll be and when you expect to return. f Follow ﬁrearm safety practices. Always expect a ﬁrearm to be loaded and only point in the direction you plan to shoot.

When it comes to safety, the old adage is true: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 16

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

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In Honor of Veterans Day Across 1

November 11 holiday, 2 words

Day before a big day

Giving up one's life for one's country

___ to be forgotten

The lady who designed 1 down, 2 words

State where the Walter Reed Military Medical Center is

__ and dear

Do very well (at)

Time of remembrance, 2 words

1944 legislation which gave benefits to vets, 2 words

Action, in war

For sure!

Pilot's announcement, briefly

Type of bag

Slang term for a US Marine, 2 words

Down 1

____ Veterans Memorial pays tribute to veterans of a foreign war Even, as a score

4 5

Personnel who serve periods of time in the military each year Empire State building locale, briefly Police inspector title in Brit. crime dramas, abbr.

Hospital for vets

Capable of causing death

Military alliance of nations, abbr.

Ramp sign

Sandwich shop order

Go out, as a flame

Commanded

Sergeant or corporal, abbr.

Tolkien dwarf

Shout out

Berth or bunk

Enduring forever

Strength

Put out, as a base runner

Nutritional abbreviation

Trust

Compass point

Battling something, say

Provide weapons for

ANSWERS CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE 26 NOVEMBER 2020

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

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

Seasonal Arrangements Bring Natural Beauty Indoors

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

Cynthia Domenghini, Ph.D.

REGARDLESS OF LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES, with proper care, plants continue to progress through their stages of life. This visual reminder of the passing of time was particularly evident during the recent summer months when days often felt monotonous as many of us worked from home and were restricted from traveling. There was an influx of people who turned to gardening last summer seeking some recreation to fill their days. It is common to gush over the beauty in the garden during the active growing season. This fall take time to reflect on the relief the garden has brought during a very challenging year by creating a natural fall arrangement and find the beauty that exists even when all of the blooms are gone. A natural fall arrangement can be made up entirely of pieces found in nature or it can be supplemented with purchased flowers and greenery. The key is to create a unified piece by ensuring the basic design elements are achieved. This includes maintaining a balanced design where all of the components fit together in harmony. You can incorporate various textures but they should be repeated throughout the design. The same is true for color. I prefer to work with odd numbers. This means each component of my design is repeated elsewhere in the layout three, five or even seven times, depending on how large the final arrangement will be. The container used to hold your arrangement should not have holes in the base so it will hold water to keep the arrangement fresh. It may be decorative or plain and of any size and composition. Many floral designs cover the container, but if your container will show you should select one that will complement the colors in the design. Once you

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know what container you will use, you are ready to gather your design pieces from nature. Begin your adventure with a trip out to the landscape. This can be in your private garden space or in a park or other natural area. Search the ground and plants for seed pods. Gather pods of varying shapes, sizes and colors. Some of your best specimens may be on plants that have not been dead-headed. Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) has an intriguing seed head once the spent petals have been removed. Sunflower (Helianthus spp.) is another plant with attractive seed heads. As a natural fall design, the colors should be on the warm side of the spectrum. This includes typical fall colors such as oranges, reds, browns and yellows. Fortunately, these colors abound in the landscape right now, but if you purchase additional items for your design remember to stick with your color scheme. Look for leaves of varying colors and also twigs that can add height to the arrangement. Avoid pruning branches off shrubs and trees at this time of the year as that can allow frost damage. After gathering your materials, you can begin designing the arrangement. Typically, the height of the arrangement should be about one and one-half to two times the width of the container. Following this guideline will keep the arrangement from being either top heavy or overshadowed by the container. Choose smaller-sized buds, seed pods or other components for the higher positions in the arrangement and maintain the focal point with the larger blooms at the base and center of the design. Place the primary features such as seed heads and flowers first. Then fill in the spaces between these stems using leaves or other filler. Be sure to cover the mechanics, including the container, if desired with greenery. Finding the beauty in less obvious scenes is a healthy exercise in general. In the garden we can extend the joy we find beyond the growing season by paying attention to the details that nature expresses as the seasons change. KCL CYNTHIA DOMENGHINI is an instructor and coordinator for K-State’s horticultural therapy online certificate program.

Continued from page 15

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Amos’ transition wasn’t easy, despite coming home from his WWO bear hunt with renewed faith that he could participate in activities he enjoyed before the injury. Although he stayed in shape and worked hard during two years of physical therapy, he struggled with using the legs for the first three years and mostly walked using canes. Amos had returned to the Wichita area after a 10-year career and medical retirement from the Marines in 2013. Like others in his situation, he figured that was as good as it was going to get until in 2014, he met Steve Peeples, an orthotist and prosthetist who owns Peeples Prosthetics in Wichita. Because Peeples makes its sockets in-house, they were able to refine Amos’ until he could walk comfortably on his prosthetic legs. “That’s opened up what I’m able to do,” said Amos, ticking off some of his accomplishments that wouldn’t have been possible, such as a oncein-a-lifetime wild bighorn sheep hunt in 2018 that required hiking mountains and mesas in New Mexico. He believed so strongly in what Peeples was doing to help amputees live with their injuries that he joined the company in 2015 as director of patient relations. He’s still in that role of mentoring patients, and Peeples has become a volunteer with WWO. Witnessing others have the same aha moment he had on his Adventure Enabled is rewarding for Amos. He tells the story of leading a completely blind bilateral amputee Marine in taking down two hogs. He shares details of a trip when another blind Marine shot two quail-dove out of the sky, something the warrior didn’t think was possible. That success leads the warriors to open up and

Matt Amos says both of his daughters, including his oldest Lily, shown here, have taken two bucks each in their young hunting careers. Whitetail hunting in Kansas remains his passion, though he’s had the chance to hunt many species in a variety of locations.

fully participate in the group, then take that confidence home. Sometimes it’s not until Amos and other volunteers receive the thank you notes from the warriors that they realize what an impact the WWO experience had. “For some, you read their letter and realize that they were actually at the end of their rope and being around other warriors actually saved their life,” Amos said. “That’s ultimately why we do what we do. We believe that the outdoor therapy you’re going to get is better than anything you’ll get in a hospital type setting.” Learn more about Wounded Warrior Outdoors at woundedwarrioroutdoors.com. KCL

AMOS’ SIDE HUSTLE: ADMIRAL’S PENNANT BEARD OIL

In addition to his volunteer work with Wounded Warrior Outdoors and a full-time job at Peeples Prosthetics in Wichita, veteran Matt Amos and his wife, Audrie, make beard oils out of their home and sell them online and through veteran-owned barber shops across the country. He launched Admiral’s Pennant in 2014 out of necessity. Finally out from under the military guidelines, he’d grown out a beard and couldn’t find an oil that wasn’t too harsh on his skin. He developed his own recipes using just the right ratio of all-natural essential and base oils. The name is inspired by a descriptive term for an impressive beard used by a U.S. Navy sailor in Herman Melville’s book “White Jacket.” The names of each oil are based on significant dates in American history. For example, 1783 is a blend of sandalwood, cedar and tea tree that commemorates the end of the American Revolution. Buy it direct from Amos at admiralspennant.com.

NOVEMBER 2020

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

T H E I M P O RTA N C E O F

BY D R . T Y F R E D E R I C K S O N

WELCOME TO AUTUMN, my friends, one of my favorite times of the year in Kansas. As the summer heat begins to wane and the green landscape of our world slowly transitions to a golden amber, we have an opportunity to reflect on our good fortune. We are compelled to humbly think about the generosity of others and the importance of family, friendships, and the preciousness of time. I am often equally humbled and inspired by the generosity of others in my life. As a fellow Kansan, it is abundantly clear that we embrace author Nelson Henderson’s metaphorical assertion that we “plant trees under whose shade [we] do not expect to sit.” As I have written about over the last few months, there are many opportunities to explore and enjoy the offerings of our beautiful state. Accordingly, I have committed to creating as many adventures as possible with my own children, their friends, and our nieces and nephews because my wife, inspired by her own family, instilled in me that it is our responsibility to weave a fabric of memories throughout the childhoods of those who will lead our family and communities going forward. I suspect that many of you are doing the very same things in your homes and with your loved ones. After all, as Kansans, we tend to prioritize others and share an interest in preserving our shared future. Just this weekend, my youngest son and I were sitting in a blind waiting hopefully, yet fruitlessly, for a flock of turkeys to happen by. Over the three

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hours, I thought often of my gratitude for time with him, and Henderson’s mantra of building a thing we may never see resonated. Harvesting a turkey for the Thanksgiving table would indeed be a remarkable accomplishment; however, watching the world come to life, sitting in (near) silence, being still in the moment, and feeling the presence of history, present and future, is a far greater reward. Throughout my life I have had my own influences that fostered a love for the outdoors. In particular, one man, who generously took me on every outing he could manage, instilled a love for a sunset walk through the draw that cuts the field, the waking woods, and the meandering Flint Hills bass streams. That wisdom and experience has been carried forward with both of my sons hundreds of times over the years, and the hope is that they will learn the value of creating space with their own children when the time comes in their own way. The activity is, of course, of less value than the generosity of time. During our latest outing, I couldn’t help but be reminded that the blind in which we were sitting was hand-built as a surprise for me and my boys by my cousin. After many months of generous design, he brought it to our home as an entirely unexpected gift. This was his “shade tree,” which he offered as his contribution to that fabric we are weaving for the future. We will care for this physical structure not so much because of its monetary value but because it is a venue in which memories will be built that will far outlast ourselves.

Ty Frederickson pictured with family (and a hunting blind) enjoying the outdoor activities he describes in his monthly column.

My family and I live in a community along a lakeshore, and our neighbors are guided by the principle of serving others over self. That our blind sits on the land of a close friend and neighbor who is among the most generous and thoughtful people I have ever known, underscores my fortune. He provides access to the land that makes this all possible. In turn, we take great care to ensure that it is left better than we found it. He deserves our very best, just as my children deserve to understand our appreciation for him so that they may also know the value of “planting trees” for others. This is the last published article before we all sit down to break bread with our respective loved ones at the end of November. When you do, revel in the opportunity you have to be with them. Enjoy the food, but savor the time. Plant the proverbial tree. It will make all the difference. Stay safe. Be well. See you in the country. KCL is a graduate of Emporia State University, Wichita State University, and Wilkes University where he is an assistant professor. He is a FreeState Electric Cooperative member and a U.S. Navy veteran. KEC and its member co-ops thank Ty for his dedicated service to our country.

DR. TY FREDERICKSON

NOVEMBER 2020

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

A Diverse Fuel Mix Ensures

Reliability BY PA U L W E S S L U N D

How co-ops keep electricity reliable — the traditional way, and the digital way “DON’T PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET.”

It’s a familiar saying, and believe it or not, that age-old piece of wisdom is used by electric utilities to make sure you receive a reliable supply of electricity. Michael Leitman, senior analyst at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, translates that saying into utility-industry terminology this way:

Other

38%

Wind

Natural Gas

Hydro Power

ic other ety of merican 20% esses. This Nuclear supplies with the affordable Nationally, electric cooperatives and other nd on. utilities use a variety of fuels

mation a)

Mind-Boggling Energy Changes

Solar

POWERFUL ENERGY SOURCES

to power American homes and businesses. This diverse fuel mix supplies co-op members with the safe, reliable and affordable power they depend on.

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“You don’t want to be too reliant on any one energy source,” says Leitman. “The goal is if one resource becomes constrained, others are there to fill the gap and keep the lights on — it’s about managing risk and priorities.” Following that advice has been pretty straightforward for decades. A mix of four energy sources provide nearly all generated electricity: coal, natural gas, nuclear and hydroelectric power.

23% Coal

SOURCE: U.S . ENERGY I N F O R M AT I O N A D M I N I S T R AT I O N ( 2 0 1 9 D ATA )

But these days, there are a lot more options — the variety of electricity generation is higher than it’s ever been, and not just because of more renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Batteries are getting cheaper and powerful enough to supplement wind turbines during calm weather, and solar when the sun’s not shining. Energy loadcontrol programs can shut off water heaters for short periods during times when electricity use is highest. Rapid technological advances across the power industry have also been key for unprecedented opportunities, allowing utilities to manage the electric power systems in ways that make energy resources more useful. While a broader mix of fuels could potentially bring even greater reliability to your electric service, coordinating all the new and old equipment of the nation’s electric grid requires new skills and careful management. For years, the electric utility industry’s main fuel source has been coal. Coal traditionally provided about half the electricity in the country because

it was reliable, plentiful and relatively inexpensive. That backbone was supplemented by nuclear power, hydroelectric power and natural gas. But that’s changed radically over the last 15 years. The supply and price of natural gas fell dramatically with fracking and other drilling technologies. Natural gas plants offer other advantages — they can be built smaller, faster and cheaper than coal stations, and they can be controlled more quickly as power demand changes from day to day. Coal costs rose with environmental regulations, and renewable energy sources received more attention because of their benefits to the environment. As a result, by 2016, natural gas replaced coal as the largest source of electricity. In 2019, natural gas made up 38% of the electric utility fuel mix; coal, 23%; nuclear, 20%; and hydroelectric power, 7%. The non-hydro renewable energy share of electricity production has risen from almost nothing 10 years ago, to 7% for wind and 2% for solar — and both continue to increase rapidly. Those statistical trends hide two revolutionary changes. One is that renewable energy doesn’t act like the more traditional power plants. A coal plant can run all the time, while wind and solar shut on and off as Mother Nature makes changes every hour — meaning the wind doesn’t always blow, and the sun doesn’t always shine. But with the second revolutionary change — the smart grid — the use of these complex renewable energy sources can be managed better.

The Smart Grid Arrives

The digital transformation began more than two decades ago, and disruptive forces have had an impact on the power sector ever since. Electric utility dreamers foresaw a shift from an analog network of levers and switches to a digital system that includes automated

power management and new ways to manage the flow of electricity. That smart grid has arrived. Power outages can be detected more quickly, and you can even track the repair process on your smartphone. Digital software can more effectively manage the output of rooftop solar panels, sending electricity back to the utility when the homeowner isn’t using all the electricity they produce. The smart grid can also make solar and wind energy more useful through the use of batteries. It’s a lot of technology that helps ensure you receive uninterrupted, reliable service. Managing the smart grid brings improvements, as well as requirements for new ways of doing business. “The smart grid brings new opportunities to increase reliability and resil-

iency, but it has to be more actively managed,” says Leitman. “You’ve still got to have folks that know how to climb utility poles, and now we need those who also understand programming and working with computers and control systems.” The need for that new expertise will benefit electric cooperatives and their consumer-members well beyond more reliable electricity. New skill sets will be needed, and that will create additional job opportunities in the local communities served by electric co-ops. KCL writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric cooperatives, serving 42 million Americans across 56% of the nation’s landscape.

PAUL WESSLUND

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NOVEMBER 2020

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

Pondering Pie Crust Part 2: Try Patience — Not Panic — When Rolling Out Dough

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

MY FIRST PIE, made at age 10 or 11, was far from perfect. I used unpeeled (and under-sweetened) green apples filling a crust that was cracked and so tough and dry, an asphalt roof shingle would have been more tender. Despite getting some of the most common pie-dough pitfalls (too much flour, over-handling and under-baking)) out of the way early, I remained a little haunted by what could go wrong. But over the years, the pleasure of making pie crust — particularly at Thanksgiving — overrides any source of “pie anxiety.” Erin Jeanne McDowell, a Lecompton and Lawrence native and author of “The Fearless Baker: Simple Secrets for Baking Like a Pro” (Rux Martin/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 2017) and “The Book on Pie: Everything You Need to Know to Bake Perfect Pies” (to be released on Nov. 10), began baking pies with her grandma as a youth

and shared, via email, that the challenges are one of the things she likes best about pie-making. “Baking is thought of as being very precise — and that’s true, to an extent. But pie-baking (and bread-baking too, in my opinion) is as much about feel and muscle memory as it is about that science. The dough will change in a matter of moments, and if you’re paying attention to it, you can respond in kind. If you’re not, or if you try to rush the process, it’ll show,” McDowell said. Rebecca Howard “That’s the thing I love most about it — even the prettiest pies are a little wonky, and even the not-so pretty-ones still taste incredible.” In her book, “Made in America: A Modern Collection of Classic Recipes” (Andrews McNeel Publishing; 2015), which she co-wrote with her husband, Colby, Megan Garrelts, proprietor and executive pastry chef at Bluestem and Rye restaurants in Kansas City and Leawood, writes that “patience and practice are the key,” to making good pie pastry. So if you care to practice your piemaking skills this holiday season, consider the following tips for success. One great pie crust tip — follow a good recipe: Basic pie crust consists of USE GOOD INGREDIENTS: “Never flour, salt, fat (butter, lard, shortening, oil) and water, with some recipes skimp on quality and freshness of ingreusing a little sugar, egg or even vinegar (which can combat toughness and prevent oxidation). An all-butter pie pastry will give you better flavor, and dients,” Garrelts advised, via email. “Use the steam from large bits of butter creates a flaky texture, but it’s slightly high quality fats — high butterfat butter, more challenging to work with (it needs to be cold, but still be warm fresh lard and shortening, fresh spices, enough to roll out). All-shortening crusts are a little easier to roll and hold rich cream, large fresh eggs, fruit for their shape, but can lack flavor or taste slightly greasy. I use both in this fruit pies in the right season.” adaptation of the old tried-and-true “Never-Fail Pie Crust” (of which there KEEP EVERYTHING CHILLED: For great are numerous versions) that has been in my mom’s recipe box for as long as I pie pastry, Garrelts also said keeping can remember. everything cold is key. “The butter, lard f 3 cups of all-purpose flour f 1/2 cup butter, chilled and cut into cubes or shortening should be cold when f 2 Tbs. granulated sugar f 1 egg working with your pie crust in addition f 1 tsp. salt f 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar to everything else — even the bowl!” f 1/2 cup shortening, chilled f 1/2 cup ice cold water she said. “I generally scale out all my and cut into cubes pie ingredients: the fat, flour, sugar, Combine flour, sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl. Cut in the shortening and butter with a salt and ice water, then refrigerate the pastry blender until it resembles coarse crumbs with some of the butter in larger pieces (this all ingredients, the bowl, the bowl scraper can also be done by pulsing in a food processor). Beat the egg and vinegar with the cold water. and any other utensil or equipment that Slowly add liquid to the flour mixture, blending lightly with a fork, just until everything is evenly I plan to use.” distributed and moist. Gather the dough together in a ball on a lightly floured board or a sheet of parchment and divide the dough in half. Make each half into a flat disk about 6 or 7 inches in MIX DOUGH MINIMALLY AND LET diameter, making sure the edges are smooth. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap. Chill for at least one IT REST: In their cookbooks, both hour or up to two days. Makes one 9-inch double-crust pie or two 9-inch single-crust pies. McDowell and Garrelts emphasize NOTE: This recipe can be made with all shortening (1 cup), leaving out the butter, if desired. not over-mixing or overworking pie

Half-Butter Never-Fail Pie Crust

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NOVEMBER 2020

dough. Most pie dough recipes call for just enough mixing and kneading to bring everything together. “Remember, once you begin to incorporate the ingredients for the crust, you will create friction and friction equals heat, which can impact the performance of your flaky crust,” Garrelts said. Dough should be shaped into flat disks (with smooth edges to avoid needless cracking when rolling out) and should be chilled for one to two hours or up to two days. The chilling time allows the dough to relax. CHILL — YOURSELF AND YOUR PIE — AT ANY POINT IN THE PROCESS: McDowell suggested chill-

ing at any point can offer the baker a break, too. “Sometimes I think folks panic because parts of the process take longer than they expect them to. But that’s one of the beautiful things about pie, if you ever need a break, just throw the pie (whatever stage it’s at) in the refrigerator,” McDowell said. “A pie can never be too cold. Cold dough is also easier to handle. So there’s also that element of patience, not rushing the process.” EASY ON THE FLOUR WHEN ROLLING: McDowell offered these tips for rolling out pie pastry: f “Don’t use more flour than you need to — remember that flour will work its way into the dough, which can ultimately make it tough!” f “Start in the center and apply even pressure

pushing away from you, then return to the center and roll toward yourself. This can feel awkward at first, but helps you to get more even rolling.”

f “Move the dough around as you work — rotate

it, flip it upside down on your work surface, etc. Moving it around helps prevent it from sticking without necessarily needing to use more flour.”

f “Use the pie plate as a guide — you want it to

extend 1 1/2 to 2 inches from the edge of the pie plate if it’s turned upside down on the dough.” DONENESS AND SOGGY BOTTOMS: Making sure the pie is done and not soggy on the bottom are often concerns of pie bakers. One tip is to use a clear glass pie plate (also good for heat conduction) for a window to doneness, which McDowell also suggests in “The Fearless Baker.” Garrelts offered some creative tips to avoid soggy pie bottoms:

f “For fruit pies or any custard baked pie, it’s

important to par bake your crust with a light, even coat of egg wash to make a barrier from the bottom to the filling.”

f “For fully baked crusts that have a pastry

cream or similar baked and cooled custards filled over top, evenly coat the baked crust first with a thin layer of white, milk, or dark chocolate and chill to set before adding the custard.” 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.”

NOVEMBER 2020

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

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KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

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KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

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1. Publication Title, Kansas Country Living. 2. Publication No. 290-440. 3. Filing Date, 09-2920. 4. Issue Frequency, monthly. 5. No. of Issues Published Annually, 12. 6. Annual Subscription Price, $10. 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication, P.O. Box 4267, 7332 SW 21st St., Topeka, KS 66604. 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Offices of Publisher, same as above. 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor. Publisher, Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604. Editor, Vicki Estes, P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604. Managing Editor, same as above. 10. Owner, Kansas Electric Cooperatives, P.O. Box 4267, 7332 SW 21st St., Topeka, KS 66604. 11. Known Bondholders, None. 12. The purpose, function and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for Federal income tax purposes has not changed during preceding 12 months. 13. Publication title, Kansas Country Living. 14. Issue date for circulation data below, September 2020. 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation. Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, (No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date). A. Total No. Copies, 133,161 (133,468); B. Paid Circulation (by mail and outside the mail). 1. Mailed OutsideCounty Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541, 131,665 (132,071); 2. Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541, none (none); 3. Paid Distribution Outside the Mails Including Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid Distribution Outside USPS, none (none); 4. Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS, none (none).C. Total Paid Distribution, 131,665 (132,071); D. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution. 1. Free or Nominal Rate Outside-County Copies Included on PS Form none (none); 2. Free or Nominal Rate In-County Copies Included on PS Form 3541, none (none); 3. Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at Other Classes Through the USPS, none (none); 4. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution Outside the Mail, 1,477 (1,397). E. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution, 1,477 (1,397). F. Total Distribution, 133,142 (133,468). G. Copies Not Distributed, 25 (0). H. Total, 133,167 (133,468). I. Percent Paid, 98.90% (98.95%); 16. No electronic copies; 0. This Statement of Ownership will be printed in the November 2020 issue of this publication. 18. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner. /s/ Vicki Estes, Editor. Date, 09-29-20.

NOVEMBER 2020

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

SAFETY

Buckle Up or Face Serious Injury, Death WHETHER DRIVING THROUGH city streets or rural back roads, seat belts are the single most effective way to stay alive in a car crash. According to the Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office (KTSRO), the national use of seat belts in 2019 was 90.7% and Kansas’s seat belt usage was below that at 85%. KTSRO would like 100% compliance. The three highest-rated counties for seat belt usage in Kansas in 2020 are Johnson (96%), Douglas (95%) and Reno (92%) counties. The three lowest-rated counties in Kansas were Chase (64%), Lyon (65%) and Gove (66%). A study conducted from 2015-2017 showed that 100% of unrestrained vehicle passengers involved in car accidents in Comanche, Greeley, Jewell and Hamilton counties were either killed or injured. “Any time you are in a vehicle that has a seat belt, wear it,” Patricia Middleton, Traffic Safety Specialist from KTSRO, said. “No matter how slow you’re going or how short the trip, it is important because you never know when a crash will happen. You never know when that other driver is going to hit you, so it’s important to be prepared.” The most common seat belt myths are that trucks keep people safer, that passengers sitting in the back seat don’t have to wear a seat belt thinking it’s safer, and that driving through rural areas is safer and doesn’t require wearing a seat belt because there are fewer people. KTSRO busts those myths. No matter the type of vehicle, seat belts will always be the first thing to protect someone in a crash, whether the occupants are in a truck or a smaller passenger car. KTSRO says that in 2018, 59% of pickup truck

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

NOVEMBER 2020

BY B R I A N N A M A G E E , I N T E R N

occupants not wearing a seat belt were killed compared to 42% of passenger car occupants who were not wearing seat belts. Although the back seat of a car may seem safer, it is in fact deadlier than the front seat, according to data. In 2018, 46% of front-seat passengers killed were unrestrained, versus 56% of back seat passengers who were unrestrained. Rural areas are no safer than urban areas when it comes to seat belt use. In 2018 rural areas experienced 12,068 passenger vehicle fatalities with 49% of passengers killed from being unrestrained versus urban areas with 10,330 crashes and 45% of passengers killed. Here are four ways Kansans can be safer while driving:

1 2 3

BUCKLE UP. IT’S THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO STAY SAFE IN A VEHICLE. Seat belts provide

security and safety during a crash and keep occupants from being ejected. AIR BAGS. These are meant to work in conjunction with seat belts. Air bags can cause harm while rapidly deploying if a seat belt isn’t worn. CHECK TO SEE IF YOUR SEAT BELTS FIT. If buying a new vehicle, make sure the seat belts fit correctly for all passengers, big and small, while test driving. Ask for seat belt adjusters from the dealer or manufacturer if needed. If you drive a “classic” car with lap belts only, check with the vehicle’s manufacturer about retrofitting your car with safer lap/shoulder belts.

SEAT BELT SAFETY PROCEDURES FOR CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN.

KTSRO provides additional resources including videos that demonstrate proper seat belt usage for children and pregnant women as well as other resources. Check out the website at https:// www.ktsro.org/seatbelts. KCL

NOVEMBER 2020

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

Mustard and Sage Roasted Turkey Breast

Shortcut Garlic Cheddar Biscuits

KANS AS COUNTRY LIVING, NOVEMBER 2020

Classic fall herbs adorn turkey breast for a taste you won’t forget and an aroma that will fill your home.

KANS AS COUNTRY LIVING, NOVEMBER 2020

Cheese and garlic are the food dream team; put them together in this biscuit for a divine complement to your meal.

Pumpkin Pie Cake

Warm and Cheesy Corn Casserole

KAN S AS COU N T RY L IVIN G, N OVE MBE R 2020

Create an easy pumpkin dessert if you don’t plan to make Rebecca’s pie crust on Page 24.

KAN S AS COU N T RY L IVIN G, N OVE MBE R 2020

This may be the ultimate cheesy side dish to your home-cooked holiday dinner.

f 1 box (8.5 oz.) corn muffin mix

f 1 stick (8 Tbs.) butter, melted f 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese

f 8 ounces sour cream

f 1 can (15 oz.) whole kernel corn, drained

Warm Cheesy Corn Casserole f 1 can (15 oz.) cream style corn

Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray 13×9 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, carefully melt the butter in the microwave. Add the dry corn muffin mix, cream style corn, drained whole kernel corn, sour cream, and half the shredded cheddar.

f Fresh parsley, for garnish

f ¼ tsp. garlic powder

Garlic Butter Mixture f 2 Tbs. butter

Shortcut Garlic Cheddar Biscuits Biscuits f 2/3 cup low-fat milk

f 2 ¼ cup baking mix f ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese f ¼ tsp. garlic powder f ¼ tsp. onion powder

Preheat oven to 450 F.

Combine baking mix, shredded cheese, garlic powder, onion powder and milk until just combined.

Drop by rounded spoonful onto lightly greased baking sheet.

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on the top. Bake for 50 minutes, or until the center reaches 165 F on a food thermometer and the top is golden brown.

Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly brown.

While biscuits are baking, melt 2 tablespoons butter and mix in garlic powder.

After removing from oven, brush biscuits with butter garlic mixture. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve warm.

COURTESY E AT WHE AT

f ½ tsp. nutmeg

f 1 Tbs. melted butter

f 4 garlic cloves, minced

f 1 (3 lb.) bone-in turkey breast, thawed

f 2 tsp. kosher salt

f 2 tsp. minced fresh thyme

f 2 tsp. minced fresh rosemary

f 1 Tbs. minced fresh sage

Mustard and Sage Roasted Turkey Breast f 1 box yellow or white cake mix, dry

f 1 Tbs. whole grain mustard

COURTESY HONEYSUCKLE WHI TE

Remove the turkey breast from the oven and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes before carving.

Place the turkey breast in the oven and lower the oven heat to 350 F. Roast the turkey breast for 1 hour, turning halfway. If the breast begins to brown too quickly, form a tent with foil. Check the internal temperature of the turkey breast at the 1-hour point, followed by every 10 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 F at the thickest part of the breast.

Carefully loosen the skin from the turkey breast and rub the herb mixture on the meat under the skin. Pull the skin back to cover the turkey breast. Rub any remaining herb mixture over the skin

Pat the skin of the turkey breast dry with paper towels and place on roasting rack. Set aside. In a small bowl, combine garlic, butter, mustard, herbs and salt. Mix until well combined, forming a paste.

Place oven rack in the bottom third of the oven. Heat oven to 450 F.

f ½ cup margarine (1 stick), melted

whipped topping

f Whipped cream or fat free

f ½ cup chopped pecans, optional

COURTESY E AT WHE AT

Allow to cool about 10 minutes before serving.

Pumpkin Pie Cake 1 (29 oz.) can pumpkin

f 2 (15 oz.) cans pumpkin or f 1 (12 oz.) can fat-free evaporated milk f 4 large eggs, beaten f 1 ½ cups granulated sugar f 2 ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon f 1 tsp. ground ginger

Preheat oven to 350 F. In mixer bowl beat pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, and spices until combined. Pour into ungreased 9 x 13-inch pan. Sprinkle cake mix on top. Dribble melted margarine over cake mix. If desired, sprinkle on pecans. Bake one hour or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. To serve, top with whipped cream or topping. Store in refrigerator.

COURTESY E AT WHE AT

NOVEMBER 2020

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

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H AV E A S A F E T H A N K S G I V I N G Flu shot? Check. Hand sanitizer? Check. Mask? Check. Social distancing? Check. Aunt Emâ€™s famous pumpkin pie? Check. Make sure you have all the ingredients for a safe and healthy Thanksgiving.

Focused on When social distancing is needed to stay healthy, co-op members can depend on their electric cooperative to stay connected. When we work together to keep our communities safe and moving forward. . .

Everyone Wins.

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