Issuu

E D I TO R’S L E T T E R

A Year in Review: Our Readers Make it Happen BY V I C K I E S T E S

With the seven cooperative principles as our compass, Kansas

SHARE WITH US!

Country Living brings to you each Have an event you would like to run in Around Kansas? month articles designed to shed light A story idea or comments you want to share with the on topics that impact rural electrificaeditor? A recipe and photo for us to consider publishing? tion. This magazine is a cost-effective Let us know: communications channel your local ffevents@kansascountryliving.com electric cooperative uses to keep you ffletters@kansascountryliving.com informed of the latest industry news, ffphotos@kansascountryliving.com energy efficiency tips to help you save ffeditor@kansascountryliving.com money, and electrical safety information to keep you and your family safe. ffrecipes@kansascountryliving.com In 2016, we brought you stories We would not have known about many of of our rural Kansas youth who have the stories we pursued without input from you— become leaders in their communities and in our readers. I appreciate your emails, letters organizations and who aspire to be future voices and phone calls offering story ideas and suggesfor rural Kansas. We highlighted the many tions. Keep them coming! We also welcome your ways in which Kansas electric cooperatives have photos and recipes you may want to share. Our become the driving force for improving the email addresses for these items are listed above. quality of life in the communities they serve. We Thank you for your loyal readership. The brought you stories of small businesses with tireKansas Country Living staff wish you and your less leaders who desire to maintain firm roots in the state. We introduced you to co-op members family a magical month of celebrations with your loved ones. KCL who have dedicated time, treasure and talent to make a positive difference in the lives of their friends and neighbors as well as strangers. And we provided you with a mixture of features and columns that tap into your inner chef and aspiring gardener. VICKI ESTES, EDITOR

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

DECEMBER 2016

(ISSN 0091-9586) DECEMBER 2016 VOL. 66, NO. 12 © KANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, INC., 2016 WWW.KEC.COOP

Bruce Graham

Chief Executive Officer

Doug Shepherd

Vice President, Management Consulting

Shana Read

Director of Communications

Vicki Estes Editor

Carrie Kimberlin

Manager of Creative Solutions

DECEMBER

Jackie Moore

Communications Specialist

Blake Miller & Nevada Finton-Millis Interns

Officers Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc.

Kathleen O’Brien President

Keith McNickle Vice President

Patrick Riley Secretary

Terry Hobbs 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 Kaw Valley, Topeka Lane-Scott, Dighton LJEC, McLouth Lyon-Coffey, Burlington Ninnescah, Pratt Pioneer, Ulysses Prairie Land, Norton Radiant, Fredonia Rolling Hills, Mankato 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.

12| LEDs Light the Way Winfield’s Isle of Lights goes LED, saving kilowatts

“LIKE” Kansas Country Living on Facebook.

D E PA RT M E N T S

14| Equal Distribution

Kansas 4| Around Gift ideas galore

Advances in technology call for refined rate structures

6| Commentary Grinch alert

19| Opening Act

Talk 8| Guest Bell ringers bring hope

Youth Tour alumnus opens for Clint Black

20| Pet-Proofing Tips Keep your four-legged friends safe this season

My Way Home 24| Cooking Yuletide nog

28| Safety Preventing mishaps 29| Monthly Recipes ON THE COVER A City of Winfield employee helps raise an Isle of Lights display.

Postmaster Send address changes to Kansas Country Living, P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604-0267.

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.

Place in the Garden 18| Your Less traditional holiday plants

26| Marketplace

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.

Your Utility Bills 10| Cut Efficient kitchen remodel

DECEMBER 2016

P H OTO BY SKYLER LIVINGSTON

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

T H I N G S TO D O

FRIDAYS IN DECEMBER E mma Chase Friday

Night Music, Cottonwood Falls. Enjoy these Friday night jam sessions—a Flint Hills tradition—from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Prairie PastTimes: DEC. 2 - Gospel Music Night DEC. 9 - Bluegrass DEC. 16 - Country & Folk DEC. 23 - Old Time Rock-n-Roll & Vintage Country DEC. 30 - Special 5th Friday Music 220 ½ Broadway. For more information visit www. facebook.com/EmmaChaseMusic or call 620-273-8301.

THROUGH DEC. 31 R ocky Pond

Christmas, Belleville. View the spectacular nightly light displays Sunday through Thursday 6 to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 6 to 10 p.m. Visit www.bellevilleks. org or the Rocky Pond Christmas Lights Park Facebook page.

THROUGH JAN. 31 L ester Raymer’s

THROUGH JAN. 1 F estival of Lights, Manhattan. Fourth annual lighting of Blue Earth Plaza and 50-foot tree as Manhattan ushers in the holidays. 315 S. Third St. Call 785776-8829 or visit mhkfestivaloflights.com.

Christmas Toys Exhibition, Lindsborg. L ester Raymer began the tradition of giving his wife, Ramona, a handmade toy every year for Christmas. This tradition continued for 30 years and became a collection of more than 50 carved and costumed gifts known as “The Christmas Toys.” Red Barn Studio, 212 N. Main.

THROUGH JAN. 1 H istoric Christmas

DEC. 2-3 F estival of Nativities, Palco.

Tree and Ornament Display, Lecompton. Enjoy 100 indoor Christmas trees with antique, vintage and themed decorations at the Kansas Territorial Capital Museum. Call 785-887-6148 for group reservations. Visit www.lecomptonkansas. com/christmas-in-lecompton-nov-1-jan-1. THROUGH JAN. 3 C hristmas City of

the High Plains, Wakeeney. This annual tradition is considered the largest Christmas tree and lighting display between Kansas City and Denver. The entire display is made up of approximately 3 miles of electrical wiring, 1,400 lbs. of fresh greenery, and 1,100 yards of fresh greenery roping. 200 Main. Call 877-962-7248 or visit wakeeney.org. THROUGH JAN. 15 H oliday Gift Show,

Lindsborg. More than 30 selected artists are represented in the show. Art includes paintings, prints, hand-made cards, small

quilts, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, blown glass, Swedish inspired folk art, and woodcarvings. Perfect for holiday gift giving. Birger Sandzen Memorial Art Gallery, 401 N. First St.

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

DECEMBER 2016

View Nativity scenes from around the world, enjoy a cup of warm cider, and get in the Christmas spirit at this two-day festival at Palco United Methodist Church. Displays are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All are welcome, especially senior citizen vans! 804 E. First St. For more information, contact tsteeples@ hotmail.com or call 785-737-4536. DEC. 2 A Taste of Christmas, Salina.

V isit this holiday market and soup supper from 4 to 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church. 122 N. 8th St., 785-825-4804. DEC. 3-4 C hildrens Small Mall,

Leavenworth. C .W. Parker Carousel Museum hosts this event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Elves help children ages 3-13 holiday shop and wrap selected gifts. Shoppers get a free ride on the 1913 carousel, reindeer food and movies. 320 S. Esplanade. www.

firstcitymuseums.org, email cyndi1536@ yahoo.com. DEC. 3-4 F estival of the Nativities,

Lincoln. Get in the spirit of the season with nearly 250 Nativity scenes displayed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at the Denmark Community Hall. Have a chance to win a Nativity. Seven miles west of Lincoln on Highway 18 and three miles north on 120th Rd. Call 785-524-5352. DEC. 3 2 5th Annual Christmas Bazaar,

Wakefield. We offer shopping for handcrafted items; homemade cakes, pies, candy, “white elephant” shopping area, lunch, displays and more! Raffle drawing at 4 p.m. 604 6th St., 785-463-5321, wakefieldmuseum@ eagle.com.net. DEC. 3 A rtists’ Studio Open House,

Lindsborg. This Christmas event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. offers an opportunity to see the artists in their working studios and visit local art galleries and museums. There will be an abundance of art available in all mediums to purchase for yourself or anyone on your list. Holiday treats will be served at many locations, and musicians will entertain as you browse and enjoy the artwork. Pick up maps at Red Barn Studio, 212 S. Main St. DEC. 3 C adence, Lindsborg. This mens a cappella group from Kansas State University will perform at 7 p.m. at SVHS Auditorium. Cadence was founded in 1998 by a small group of students who love to sing, and it’s been

going strong ever since. It is a very versatile group, with men from every class and many different majors. Cadence sings barbershop, popular music, oldies, du-wop, and country. 1 Viking Blvd.; www.visitlindsborg.com.

be held at the Woodlawn Methodist Church from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy the Snowflake Café, silent auction, bake sale and 100 craft booths. All proceeds benefit missions. 431 S. Woodlawn; call 316-788-1507.

DEC. 3 C hocolate Festival, Alton. Don’t miss this annual event set at the American Legion Hall from 1 to 3 p.m. Prize money for cookie and bar cookie baking contests, both youth and adult divisions. There will be music, games, free coffee and hot chocolate and a bake sale. For details contact dcarswell@ ruraltel.net or call 785-984-2341.

DEC. 3-7 A nnual Christmas Bazaar,

DEC. 3 C hristmas Bazaar, Lyons. Rice

County United Way will hold this annual event at Celebration Centre. 1145 E. 56 Highway. Call 620-257-5390 or email office@ celebrationcentre.net for more information. DEC. 3 F ive Places of Christmas,

Harvey. This traditional holiday open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. includes the venues of Kauffman Museum, Bethel College Women’s Association, Carriage Factory Gallery, Warkentin House and Harvey County Historical Museum. Free admission to all venues, with refreshments and activities at some. 203 N. Main. For more information, contact museum director Debra Hiebert at info@hchm.org or 316-283-2221.

Hope. E njoy breakfast and lunch and shop for the holidays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with our retail and craft vendors at the Bank Annex Building on Main Street. The local 4-H club will also have a bake sale; raffle at 1:45 p.m. 431 S. Woodlawn; call 316-788-1507. DEC. 4 B urlington Holiday Homes Tour, Burlington. Five homes will be decorated for the holidays from 2 to 5 p.m. Contact Burlington Recreation at 620-3648484 or contact sallistew@hotmail.com. DEC. 4 H oliday Homes Tours, Great Bend and Ellinwood. From 1 to 5 p.m. tour the homes decorated for the holidays. For more information call 620-797-FAIR or

visit bartoncountyfair.com, click “Yearly Events” and look for Holiday Homes Tour. DEC. 4 J ultide Concert: A Festival of Lessons & Carols, Lindsborg. The concert begins at 4 p.m. in Presser Hall. A free will offering is suggested. Bethany College Presser Hall, 335 E. Swensson. See www. visitlindsborg.com for details. DEC. 6 G ame Night, Emporia. Adults

are invited for a night of fun and games at the Emporia Library. An assortment of table top games will be available along with refreshments. 110 E. 6th St. Call the library at 620-340-6450 with questions. DEC. 10-11 J ourney to Bethlehem, Jetmore. The play tells of the events that took place leading up to our Savior’s birth, acted out with stunning cast, vibrant costumes, and live animals. All are welcome. Continued on page 22 

DEC. 3 O ld Fashioned Christmas:

A Celebration of Christmas Past, Lindsborg. You don’t want to miss this wonderful, nostalgic celebration of the season! Experience a 1880s prairie Christmas from 1 to 5 p.m. Old Mill Museum, 120 Mill St. www.visitlindsborg.com. DEC. 3 T our of Homes, Fort Riley.

T ransport yourself to days gone by as you tour historic Fort Riley homes fully decorated for the holidays. This is a self-guided tour. This event begins at the U.S. Cavalry Museum; 1 to 5 p.m. Advance tickets are $10 and tickets bought the day of will be $12. Call 785-2392737 for more information. DEC. 3 W interfest Bazaar and Craft

Fair, Derby. This 18th annual event will DECEMBER 2016

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

C O M M E N TA RY

Beware of Grinches Trying to Steal Christmas Spirit BY B R U C E G R A H A M

As joyous as our world can be at

Bruce Graham

Christmastime, an abundance of grinches await in the shadows ready to scam unsuspecting victims with their suspicious schemes. Even during this season of giving, thieves are attempting to swindle customers of all organizations including members of electric cooperatives. In this publication, we regularly address suspicious activity reported by Kansas electric cooperatives to help combat crooks and protect members from fraudulent activity. I recently heard Frank Abagnale Jr. speak on fraud and identity theft. Abagnale’s story was the subject of the movie “Catch Me If You Can,” which documented the five years of his youth spent writing fraudulent checks and other escapades. Abagnale was convicted and served time but has since spent more than 40 years in dedicated service with the FBI. He is a foremost authority on forgery, embezzlement and secure documents and warns that the opportunity for fraud is much easier than ever because of technology and social media. Among his advice is to invest in a micro-cut shredder, use a credit card rather than a debit card (which limits personal risk), and enroll in a credit monitoring service that checks all three major credit bureaus. He says prevention is key because resolving fraudulent activity is personally time consuming and law enforcement authorities have trouble cracking these types of crimes after the fact. Recently reported scams on utility customers include emails that prompt the user to “click here,” which then directs them to a site designed to capture usernames, passwords and credit card numbers. Another ploy starts with a phone call from an individual claiming to represent the electric co-op asking the member to pay his/her bill with a MoneyPak or another payment card— or face disconnection. Abagnale said crooks have become technologically sophisticated making it even more difficult to uncover potential fraud. They now have the ability to create caller IDs that display the phone number of your electric co-op. I would much rather share good tidings and

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

DECEMBER 2016

holiday cheer this time of year, but it is important for our readers to be attentive to red flags. If you receive a phone call, be wary if: ffThe caller becomes angry and says your account is past due and service will be disconnected if a large payment isn’t made— usually within an hour. ffThe person instructs you to purchase a prepaid debit or credit card—widely available at retail stores—then call back to supposedly make a payment to the electric co-op. ffThe caller asks for the prepaid card’s receipt number and PIN number, which grants instant access to the card’s funds.

How to protect yourself

Electric co-ops never ask for or require a member to purchase a prepaid debit card to avoid disconnection. Rather, electric co-ops offer several ways to make payments: online, by phone, automatic bank draft, mail or in person. Members with delinquent accounts receive an advance disconnection—not a single notification shortly before disconnection. Some scams even claim a utility crew is on the way to disconnect unless payment is received over the phone. If you suspect someone is trying to rip you off, hang up and call the local police then the customer service number on your electric cooperative bill. Often, if you ask for a number so you can return the call, the criminal will be the one who hangs up. If you get a phone number it could be useful to the authorities, but don’t call the scammers back yourself. It has been estimated that 90 percent of those who have received a suspicious call reported it and did not fall for the ploy. That still leaves many potential victims. Kansas electric cooperatives along with other utilities are working together to keep members safe from scammers. Our hope is that no one else falls victim—especially during the holiday season. KCL BRUCE GRAHAM is Chief Executive Officer of Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. in Topeka.

How Does Harbor Freight Sell GREAT QUALITY Tools at the LOWEST Prices? We have invested millions of dollars in our own state-of-the-art quality test labs and millions more in our factories, so our tools will go toe-to-toe with the top professional brands. And we can sell them for a fraction of the price because we cut out the middle man and pass the savings on to you. It’s just that simple! Come visit one of our 700+ Stores Nationwide.

SUPER COUPON

WOW

26", 4 DRAWER TOOL CART ITEM 61634 61952 95659 shown

SAVE 219 $

comp at

$319.01

$9999

• 580 lb. capacity

Customer Rating

$15999

LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/5/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

170 AMP MIG/FLUX WIRE WELDER

R PE ON SU UP CO Item 62429 shown

SUPER COUPON

WITH ANY PURCHASE

6 PIECE SCREWDRIVER SET

ITEM 62570 shown 62728/62583/47770

$797 VALUE

$14999

Customer Rating

SAVE

ITEM 69091/61454 61693/62803/67847 shown

SAVE 469

ITEM 68530/63086 69671/63085 shown ITEM 68525/69677 63087/63088 CALIFORNIA ONLY

SUPER COUPON

WOW

$999

comp at

59999

$52999

Customer Rating

• 76 dB Noise Level

SUPER QUIET

8750 PEAK/ 7000 RUNNING WATTS 13 HP (420 CC) GAS GENERATORS

Wheel kit and battery sold separately.

R PE ON SU UP CO

Customer Rating

20"

RAPID PUMP® 3 TON LOW PROFILE HEAVY DUTY STEEL FLOOR JACK ITEM 61282 shown 61253/62326

9999 $269.99

comp at

185 8499 SAVE $

• Weighs 73 lbs.

WOW SUPER COUPON 2.5 HP, 21 GALLON 125 PSI VERTICAL AIR COMPRESSOR

LIMIT 1 - Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or prior purchase. Coupon good at our stores, HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Offer good while supplies last. Shipping & Handling charges may apply if not picked up in-store. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/5/17. Limit one FREE GIFT coupon per customer per day.

Customer Rating

ITEM 62434/62426 62433/62428 62432/62429

MECHANIC'S GLOVES SIZE MED LG X-LG

YOUR CHOICE

Customer Rating

ITEM 61258 shown 61840/61297/68146

SAVE 65%

ITEM 62515 66911 shown

1999

99 29 $57.55 comp at

STEP STOOL/ WORKING PLATFORM

Customer Rating

R PE ON • 350 lb. SU UP capacity CO

SAVE 47%

$18.98

comp at

$1299

$999

ITEM 69649 61878/61837 46163 shown

MECHANIC'S SHOP TOWELS PACK OF 50

Customer Rating

R PE ON SU UP CO

calling 800-423-2567. Cannot or HarborFreight.com or by LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original be used with other discount Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original day. purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original purchase with original receipt. through 4/5/17. Limit one coupon per customer per coupon must be presented. Valid coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/5/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

347 SAVE $ 99 $ 99 $14.97 5 comp at 73% $17999comp at $497

FREE

QUALITY TOOLS LOWEST PRICES EVERYDAY VALID NOW ON 5,000 + ITEMS

20%

ANY SINGLE ITEM

OFF

SAVE $380

Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, automotive lifts, compressors, floor jacks, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trenchers, welders, Admiral, Badland, Bremen, CoverPro, Creekstone, Daytona, Diablo, Doyle, Drummond, Earthquake, Franklin, Hercules, Holt, Jupiter, Lynxx, Maddox, Portland, Predator, Quinn, StormCat, Union, Viking. Not valid on prior purchases. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/5/17.

R PE ON SU UP CO

68885 shown

16999

comp at

18499$549.99

Customer Rating ITEM 61888

WOW

LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/5/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day. coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/5/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

R PE ON SU UP CO

comp at

8999 $159.99

LIMIT 8 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/5/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

At Harbor Freight Tools, the “comp at” price means that the same item or a similar functioning item was advertised for sale at or above the "comp at" price by another retailer in the U.S. within the past 180 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of "comp at" should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.

LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/5/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

• HarborFreight.com • 800-423-2567

calling 800-423-2567. Cannot or HarborFreight.com or by LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original be used with other discount Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original day. purchase with original receipt. through 4/5/17. Limit one coupon per customer per Valid coupon must be presented.

SAVE 105

16 OZ. HAMMERS SUPER COUPON WITH FIBERGLASS HANDLE 2500 LB. CLAW RIP CTRIC WINCH ELE WITH WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL ITEM 47873 shown 69005/61262

YOUR CHOICE

$17.99

comp at

$399 $5499

$ 99

ITEM 69006 60715/60714

SAVE 77%

Customer Rating

On All Hand Tools

• 700+ Stores Nationwide • Lifetime Warranty

LIMIT 9 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/5/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

• 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed • Over 30 Million Satisfied Customers • No Hassle Return Policy

SAVE 63%

$60.95

$ 99 2199 39

comp at

ITEM 60658 97711 shown

R 3/8" x 14 FT. GRADE 43 PE ON SU UP • 5400 lb. capacity TOWING CHAIN CO Not for overhead lifting.

Customer Rating

comp at

$34.99

$ 99

ITEM 69594/69955 42292 shown

AUTOMATIC BATTERY FLOAT CHARGER

LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/5/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

R PE ON SU UP CO

SAVE 82%

HIGH LIFT RIDING LAWN MOWER / ATV LIFT

ITEM 61523 shown 60395/62325/62493

8999

comp at

$179.99

$9999

SAVE $ $90

• 300 lb. capacity

R PE ON SU UP CO

Customer Rating

ITEM 61969 61970 69684 shown

comp at

19999 $399

$13999

SAVE $259

12" SLIDING COMPOUND DOUBLE-BEVEL MITER SAW WITH LASER GUIDE

R PE ON SU UP CO

Customer Rating

LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/5/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

G U E S T TA L K

Salvation Army Offers Hope at the Holidays

Chris Dimaso

When you put money in the red kettle at Christmastime, you are supporting your neighbors in need.

BY C H R I S D I M A S O

Ring! Ring! Ring! It is that time of year again dispirited. Today, The Salvation Army helps more and The Salvation Army red kettles are out at than 294,400 Kansans and Missourians, who your favorite stores. Throughout Kansas, these have nowhere else to turn for help, providing kettles are collecting money to support the good nearly 536,100 meals, more than 1,153,200 nights work being done in your community. The Red of shelter and a wide range of other critical serKettle campaign has been a part of Christmas for vices for the less fortunate each year. It features a generations, but the idea of what that ringing bell complex network of programs serving people of means has faded away. every age. In 1891, Salvation Army Captain Joseph When you put money in the red kettle at McFee was distraught because so many poor Christmastime, you are supporting your neighindividuals in San Francisco were going hungry. bors in need. Every penny stays in your commuDuring the holiday season, he resolved to nity to provide hope to those who need it most. provide a free Christmas dinner for the desThe next time you pass a kettle, tell someone titute and poverty-stricken. He only had one about The Salvation Army and what your money major hurdle to overcome—funding the project. does in Kansas. Help us share our legacy with Captain McFee placed a pot at the Oakland Ferry another generation, so they will know that The Landing at the foot of Market Street. Beside the Salvation Army bell rings for those in need and pot, he placed a sign that read, “Keep the Pot is the sound of hope to many. Boiling.” He soon had the money to see that the To get more information about how you needy people were properly fed at Christmas. can get involved or make a donation, call Mary Through the years parents have taught their Scott at 800-336-4547. Find us online at www. children to place money in The Salvation Army salarmymokan.org. KCL red kettle, but the reason why has become less well known. During World Wars I & II, The CHRIS DIMASO is the campaigns manager of The Salvation Army Kansas and Western Missouri HeadSalvation Army was in the trenches and at the quarters. USO serving the men and women. During the Great Depression, The Salvation Army fed and sheltered people who lost everything. These stories were passed down from generation to generation, but eventually the stories weren’t relevant any longer. Today, The Salvation Army is in every zip code in America and we are still providing service to men and women in need. The Salvation Army is the single largest provider of social services of its kind in the United States. It arrived in Kansas and Missouri more than 125 years ago to feed the hungry, clothe the Through the years parents have taught their children to place money in The poor and bring hope to the Salvation Army red kettle, but the reason why has become less well known.

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

DECEMBER 2016

Health

How a Chicago Doctor Shook Up the Hearing Aid Industry with his Newest Invention New nearly invisible digital hearing aid breaks price barrier in affordability - 90% LESS

down to their base components, and then created his own affordable version - called the MDHearingAid AIR® for its virtually invisible, lightweight appearance.

Reported by J. Page

Chicago: Board-certified physician Dr. S. Cherukuri has done it once again with his newest invention of a medical-grade, ALLDIGITAL, affordable hearing aid. This new digital hearing aid is packed with all the features of $3,500 competitors at a mere fraction of the cost. Now, most people with hearing loss are able to enjoy crystal clear, natural sound—in a crowd, on the phone, in the wind—without suffering through “whistling” and annoying background noise.

Digital Hearing Aid Outperforms Expensive Competitors This sleek, fully programmed, light-weight, hearing aid is the outgrowth of the digital revolution that is changing our world. While demand for “all things digital” caused most prices to plunge (consider DVD players and computers, which originally sold for thousands of dollars and today can be purchased for less), the cost of a digital medical-grade hearing aid remains out of reach. Dr. Cherukuri knew that many of his patients would benefit but couldn’t afford the expense of these new digital hearing aids. Generally they are not covered by Medicare and most private health insurance plans. The doctor evaluated the high priced digital hearing aids on the market, broke them

Affordable Digital Technology

Nearly Invisible!

Using advanced digital technology, the MDHearingAid AIR® automatically adjusts SAME FEATURES AS to your listening environment — prioritizing EXPENSIVE HEARING AID speech and de-emphasizing background noise. COMPETITORS Experience all of the sounds you’ve been missing at a price you can afford. This doctor designed and Mini Behind-the-Ear hearing approved hearing aid comes with a full year’s aid with thin tubing for a supply of long-life batteries. It delivers crisp, nearly invisible profile clear sound all day long and the soft flexible ear Advanced Noise Reduction to make speech clearer domes are so comfortable you won’t realize you’re wearing them. Feedback Cancellation



 eliminates whistling Wide Dynamic Range Compression makes soft

sounds audible and loud sounds comfortable Telecoil setting for use with compatible phones, and looped environments like churches 3 Programs and Volume Dial accommodate most common types of hearing loss even in challenging listening environments



Can a hearing aid delay or prevent dementia?

A study by Johns Hopkins and the National Institute on Aging suggests older individuals with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing. They suggest that an intervention—such as a hearing aid—could delay or prevent dementia by improving hearing!

“Satisfied Buyers Agree AIR is the Best Digital Value!” “I am hearing things I didn’t know I was missing. Really amazing. I’m wearing them all the time.” —Larry I., Indiana “Almost work too well. I am a teacher and hearing much better now.” —Lillian B., California

“I have used many expensive hearing aids, some over $5,000. The AIRs have greatly improved my enjoyment of life.” —Sam Y., Michigan

Try it Yourself at Home With Our 45-Day RISK-FREE Trial Of course, hearing is believing and we invite you to try it for yourself with our RISK-FREE 45-DAY HOME TRIAL. If you are not completely satisfied, simply return it within that time period for a full refund of your purchase price.

For the Lowest Price

Plus FREE SHIPPING

800-813-4528 Buy a Pair and SAVE $50 Use Code

CZ44 to get

FREE BATTERIES for a Full Year!

GetMDHearingAid.com

C U T YO U R U T I L I T Y B I L L S

Modernize Kitchen for Efficiency, Convenience

W A R M LY Y O U R S

Dear Michael: Typically, the most convenient kitchen is also the most efficient. Newer appliances with programmable controls reduce energy consumption while providing more precise controls. A convenient kitchen layout results in using less water, lighting, heating and ventilation and less time preparing and cooking. The three primary kitchen activity areas are the refrigerator, stove and sink. This is referred to as the “kitchen triangle.” For convenience, each primary area should be within 4 to 9 feet of each other. The total should not exceed 26 feet. In a large kitchen, adding a second sink will create a secondary triangle to keep it under the 26-foot maximum for each. Consider the typical traffic patterns through the kitchen and keep in mind that the kitchen often becomes the center of activity when entertaining. Position the kitchen triangle to provide at least 2 feet of traffic space outside the triangle. If possible, locate the refrigerator at the farthest tip of the triangle because it is most often accessed by others not preparing food. Locating the sink under a window is wise. This provides adequate brightness from natural

This electric floor radiant heating kit has the heating cable spaced properly in the mesh for easy installation.

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

DECEMBER 2016

MIELE

Dear Jim: I am completely remodeling my kitchen. I want it to be convenient but also energy efficient. What are some of the basic design concepts and efficient appliances/fixtures to consider—Michael T.

This efficient dishwasher uses dual pumps and three spray arms to clean all the dishes from many directions.

light and a pleasing outdoor view when doing mundane sink-related tasks. Experts recommend 60 inches of counter space, split evenly on each side of the sink. The stove should be located away from a window and direct drafts moving through the kitchen. The efficiency goal is to get as much heat as possible into the cooking utensil and food. A cooling draft drifting across the stove is counterproductive. Counter space of 36 inches around the stove is adequate for a standard fourburner/element range. A refrigerator requires adequate air flow through the condenser coils for maximum efficiency, so don’t tuck it away in a corner or surround it by tall cabinets or closets. Also, select a location that is not in the direct sun from a window. Stainless steel can get quite warm in the direct sun. Install a variety of lighting fixtures on many switch wiring circuits to provide flexibility. OverContinued on page 17 

Drug Companies Nervous as Doctors and Patients Demand the AloeCure

Big Pharma execs stand to lose billions as doctors and their patients abandon drugs like Nexium® and Prilosec®. Drug free remedy could put Big Pharma out of the digestion business. By David Waxman Seattle Washington: 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”! And others call it “a miracle!” 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 out of Texas recommends Aloecure before she decides to prescribe any digestion drug. Especially after the FDA’s stem 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. 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 in special Asian soil 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 Acemannan has many of other health benefits? ... Helps Calm Down Painful Inflammation According to a leading aloe research scientist, the amazing Aloe plant has a powerful antiinflammatory effect. Aloe Vera calms the fire in your belly like it does the sunburn on your skin and in many ways helps heal damaged cells. Inflammation is your body’s first reaction to damage. So whether it’s damage that is physical, bacterial, chemical or autoimmune, the natural plant helps soothe inflammation - rapidly reducing redness, heat and swelling. Rapid Acid and Heartburn Fix 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. Debilitating brain disorders are on the rise. New studies show PPI’s are linked to an increased risk of dementia. Cutting edge research shows that the health of your brain is closely linked by the state of healthy bacteria that comes from your gut. The things happening in your belly today might be deciding your risk for any number of brain conditions. Studies have been ongoing since the 1990’s. New studies suggest that taking PPI’s at both low and high dosage also disrupts a healthy human gut! 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

Drug companies are understandably upsetsince the AloeCure® delivers quicker and better health beneﬁts.

what you may not realize is the reason why you’re not sleeping. I sometimes call it “Ghost Reflux”. A low intensity form of acid 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 One of the Best-Kept Secrets in Hollywood. Certain antacids may greatly reduce your 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, balances body fluids, forms urine, and aids 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. Special Opportunity For Readers of this Magazine With this introductory offer the makers of the AloeCure are excited to offer you a risk-free supply. Readers of this magazine are pre-qualified for up to 3 FREE months of product with their order. Take advantage of this special opportunity to try AloeCure in your own home and find out how to test AloeCure for a full 90 days. But that’s not all... If you don’t see remarkable changes in your digestion, your body, and your overall health ... Simply return it for a full refund less shipping and handling (when applicable). Just call 1-800-334-5467 to take advantage of this risk free offer before it’s too late. This offer is limited, call now.

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. INDIVIDUAL RESULTS MAY VARY ALOECURE IS NOT A DRUG. IFYOU ARE CURRENLTY TAKING A PRESCRIPTION DRUG YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE USE. FOR THE FULL FDA PUBLISHED WARN LNG ON PROTON PUMP LNHLBITORS PLEASE VISIT HT TP://WWW.FDA.GOV/D0WNL0ADS/F0RCONSUMERS/CONSUMERUPDATES/UCM213307

Light the Way If you’ve ever wondered whether switching to LED lights is worth it, consider this: The Isle of Lights display in Winfield cut its kilowatt usage in half since swapping out incandescent bulbs for LEDs. And they aren’t done yet.

A City of Winfield employee adjusts framework on one of the Isle of Lights displays.

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

DECEMBER 2016

SKYLER LIVINGSTON

The switch to LEDs began in 2013, and according to Rick Meyer, maintenance foreman for the City of Winfield, the remaining incandescent bulbs will soon be replaced with LEDs. Every year, the net income from the freewill donations collected during the event are invested back into the light show for LED bulbs and new displays. However, the higher cost of the LED bulbs and LED displays has required a gradual conversion as the budget allows. Meyer estimated the incandescent bulbs cost about 17 cents each while the LED replacement bulbs run nearly a dollar more. But it’s clear the benefits of switching to LEDs far outweigh the price differential. “By just changing out two-thirds of them so far, we’ve cut our usage in half. It’s pretty amazing,” Meyer said. Dan Torrence, president of the Winfield Isle of Lights Board of Directors, explained that when the board and the city first began discussing the switch to LEDs, they knew it would save money, but the results have far exceeded their expectations. The first year the kilowatt hour usage dropped approximately 10,000 kWh. In 2014, it plunged nearly another 13,000 kWh. By 2015, the conversion to LED bulbs had cut the Isle of Lights usage in half from 2012. “We were very surprised,” Torrence said. “We really didn’t have a goal in mind but we knew they (LEDs) were more energy efficient, last longer, and are not as fragile as the incandescent bulbs, which helps with storage because there is less chance for breakage.” Torrence said the public noticed the changes immediately. They wanted to know why some displays were more vivid than the others. “We had a few displays with rope lighting, then we purchased a display that came with LED bulbs, and the difference was amazing,” he said. City of Winfield employees handle the bulk of the work in setting

CO W L E Y CO U R I E RT R AV E L E R

SKYLER LIVINGSTON

Above: Winfield employees set up one of the Isle of Lights displays in Island Park. Top Right: Members of the Walnut Valley Association volunteer each year to assemble displays and greet visitors at the entrance. Right: Mrs. Claus’ Bakery display was added in honor of Donna Homan DeMint, one of the founders of the Isle of Lights, who died in 2015.

up the Isle of Lights, using heavy equipment to raise the larger displays, but the event also requires dozens of volunteers—from 80 to 100 according to Meyer—who have also been instrumental in helping to make the switch to LED bulbs. Meyer said that in 2013—the first year of the conversion—volunteers re-bulbed the displays one bulb at a time as they assemble them for the seasonal event. The following year, groups of volunteers—mostly college students—replaced the bulbs during the summer and fall months, a tedious task according to Meyer. For example, the lighted wreath at the entrance of the park comprises 3,600 bulbs alone. “There’s a lot of screwing the bulbs in and out, kind of like the Karate Kid—wax on, wax off.” Torrence said the re-bulbing effort has paid off and will continue to do so for years to come. To demonstrate to the Winfield Isle of Lights Board the positive impact the switch to LEDs has had on kilowatt usage, James Ging, the city’s director of electric and water, presented them with a graph that illustrates the decline in kilowatt usage between 2012 and 2015. “We were very impressed at the effect of the change, and the city showed us that we were definitely making an impact,” Torrence said. Torrence, who has served on the Isle of Lights Board of Directors since its inception in 1993, credits Donna Homan DeMint, the board’s founder who died in 2015, with the vision to create an annual display that helps retailers in the downtown area and the people of Winfield

and surrounding areas. By offering free admission, everyone can enjoy the beauty of the lights during the Christmas season at Island Park. The Isle of Lights continues to grow exponentially because of the support of the event’s visitors, according to Torrence. The gate receipts are all free will donation, and everyone who can has chipped in to ensure it remains successful. “We get people who drive through in a car that you don’t think is going to make it through the display and they’ll throw in a handful of change or sometimes dollar bills,” he said. “It’s pretty heartwarming to see everybody so excited about the displays and trying to give back to be a part of it.” The Isle of Lights attracts between 33,000 and 36,000 cars each year transporting wide-eyed children of all ages and walks of life leisurely through the park to view the magnificence of the lighted displays. Some drive through several times in one night; others visit nightly to capture the beauty that unfolds each evening between Nov. 20 and Dec. 30. While those involved in organizing the annual Isle of Lights expressed the importance of conservation and savings through the switch to LEDs, it was evident that their true motivation is to bring families and the community together. “For a lot of these kids, the only Christmas they have is going through to see the lights,” Meyer said. “That’s the whole purpose in doing this. There’s a lot of work but there’s a lot of joy and excitement in people’s eyes.” KCL DECEMBER 2016

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

Changing

Technologies BY J U ST I N L A B E RG E

Bring Changing Costs to Power

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

DECEMBER 2016

Advances in technology are bringing major changes to the energy industry. We are generating a growing portion of our electricity with renewable resources, and advances in automation and communications technology are making our power grid smarter and more reliable than ever. These advances are exciting news for American energy consumers, but they’re also changing the cost structure of the industry. Since electric cooperatives use costs to determine their rates, changing costs require corresponding changes to rates.

Not-for-profit electric cooperatives

work hard to ensure their rates are fair to all members. To accomplish this mission, cooperatives design their rates so that the bill each member receives matches the cost of serving that member as closely as possible. But just because your local electric cooperative’s rates are designed to be fair doesn’t mean they’re always easy to understand. In fact, rate structures that do the best job of fairly assigning costs are often the hardest to understand. As the energy sector continues to move through this unprecedented period of innovation and change, cooperatives across the U.S. are exploring new rate structures to figure out the best way to recover costs and pay for the electric grid in a manner that is fiscally responsible and fair to all members. Here is a quick look at three of the approaches electric cooperatives are using.

Time-of-use rates

When co-op members embrace this model, they can lower their monthly bills and help the cooperative reduce its costs—which can save members even more money in the long run.

Demand charges

Perhaps the most confusing concept in energy billing is the demand charge. Historically, most residential consumers have not paid demand charges. But as our power grid becomes smarter and our network of generation resources gets more complex, it’s likely that more electric cooperatives will incorporate demand changes into their residential rate structures. Demand measures the highest amount of electricity you demand from the system at one moment in time. The higher the demand, the more it costs to build, operate and maintain the equipment delivering that energy to you. To understand demand charges, imagine you’re at a party chatting with two guests you’ve never met before, and you ask them how they got to the party. Betsy tells you she drove 150 miles per hour to get to the party. David says he drove 150 miles to attend the party. There’s a big difference between a car capable of traveling 150 miles and a car capable of traveling 150 miles per hour. If you obey the speed limit, any car can take you 150 miles. But if you want to go 150 miles per hour, you’ll need an expensive car with extra horsepower. The same thing is true with electricity. If you demand large quantities of electricity be delivered to you all at once, the electric cooperative

With time-of-use rates, when you use electricity is just as important as how much you use. Rather than paying the same price for electricity at all times, time-of-use rates charge different prices based on the time of day when the energy is used. The goal of this system is to encourage consumers to reduce their energy use at the times when demand for energy is highest. For most electric cooperatives, demand for electricity spikes in the afternoon and early evening hours as air conditioners battle rising temperatures and families return home from school and work and go about their evening routines. When demand for energy spikes, electric Continued on page 16  cooperatives must purchase extra electricity to meet the demand. That extra power typically comes from more Electric cooperatives are generating a growing portion of our nation’s electricity with renewable resources, expensive power plants. and advances in automation and communications A time-of-use rate technology are making the power grid smarter and ensures there’s always power more reliable than ever. available when consumers need it but provides price incentives to shift certain activities—such as running the dryer or dishwasher— to times when demand for electricity is lower. DECEMBER 2016

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

But even if we all consume less energy, we still need the power grid. has to build larger, more expensive equipment to accommodate that demand. Even if you only demand that much energy every once in a while, the cooperative has to ensure its system is capable of handling that request when it comes. If Betsy and David use electricity the same way they use their cars, Betsy is going to be paying a lot more than David each month, even if their total energy use is the same.

Fixed monthly charges

Most electric cooperatives charge a fixed monthly fee to be connected to the co-op’s lines. The name of that fee varies, but common terms include customer charge, service availability charge or access charge. No matter what it’s called, the goal is to recover the cost of the poles, wires, bucket trucks, computers, switches and people that bring electricity to your home or business. Those costs are the same every month whether you use a lot of electricity or turn off everything in your house and go on a month-long vacation. Most utilities, including electric cooperatives, have never charged the full monthly cost of service as a flat fee. Often, the fixed portion of a member’s bill is only a fraction of the actual cost to build and maintain the power lines to their home or business. The remaining cost includes a separate delivery charge that varies based on how much energy you consume. To understand the difference between these structures, imagine a new vehicle with a sticker price that would require a monthly car payment of $500. Now, imagine if instead of charging $500 per month, the car company structured your payment so it was $250 per month, plus an additional 25 cents for every mile driven. If your mileage remains the same each month—1,000 miles, for example— you’d end up paying the same amount. However, if drove more than 1,000 miles, your payment would be higher; similarly, if you drove less than 1,000 miles, your payment would be lower. Most cooperatives currently charge for the delivery of electricity to your home using the fixed charges model. It’s a model that’s worked

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

DECEMBER 2016

for years, and most co-op members are familiar and comfortable with that approach. But as renewable technologies become more popular and consumers make better energy choices, this model doesn’t fully cover the cost of maintaining the grid. As not-for-profit, member-owned organizations, electric cooperatives want to help their members find the best energy solutions to meet their needs. If members want to install solar, cooperatives want to help. If members want to reduce their energy use through home improvements and efficient appliances, cooperatives are eager to give advice. But even if we all consume less energy, we still need the power grid. The interconnected nature of the grid allows you to feed extra energy back into it when you don’t need it, but more importantly, the grid is there to make sure you always have enough power when you need it. But it costs a lot of money to operate and maintain that grid. By lowering the variable delivery charge and increasing the fixed charge, electric cooperatives can keep the grid running safely and reliably while allowing members to make the energy choices that work best for their lives. This system does a better job of fairly charging each member for the actual cost of their service. The total amount of money raised by the cooperative remains unchanged, but some members end up paying a bit more, and some a bit less.

The Future

The coming years will bring many changes to the way we generate, deliver and use electricity, and advances in energy technology promise to greatly improve our quality of life. America’s electric cooperatives are working hard to ensure that whatever the future may bring, you’ll be connected to that future through a modern energy grid that is safe, reliable and fairly priced for all. KCL writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.

JUSTIN LABERGE

C U T YO U R U T I L I T Y B I L L S

head LED PAR-type bulbs are ideal above the counter areas. LED strip lighting hidden under cabinets works well for ambient lighting. A low-cost T8 ceiling fluorescent fixture is still effective and reasonably efficient for overall general lighting, but a couple of 2x2-foot LED ceiling panels complement more modern decor. Choose efficient appliances. Although a top-freezer refrigerator remains the most efficient, with new materials, seals, compressors, etc., the style efficiency differences are not as great as they used to be. Always compare the yellow energy labels and look for Energy Star products. Because kitchen water usage is significant, select a dishwasher with an efficient two-pump design. Install a convenient touch-control faucet with a long hose. This allows you to turn the water on and off with the touch of a hand or elbow without having to This gas electric dual-fuel range includes charbroiler, griddle and waste water readjusting the temperafour burners. It is shown here with the main oven door open. ture each time. Select a multispeed range hood with LED adding electric in-floor radiant heat is ideal for lighting. Some have variable-speed controls to zone heating a kitchen. Some companies, such minimize excessive conditioned air loss from the as WarmlyYours and Heatizon offer systems house. Its size should be 50 cfm (cubic feet per designed for laminate and hardwood floors. KCL minute) of air flow capacity for each lineal foot of stove top. The hood should be as wide as the Send inquiries to James Dulley, Kansas Country Living, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 stove and about 2 feet above it. or visit www.dulley.com. If you are also installing new flooring,

WOLF RANGE

Continued from page 10 

Dear Jim: My closet has a light fixture with a pull string hanging from the ceiling. It is hard to find the string. I got so frustrated once, I yanked it right off the fixture. How can I attach a wall switch? - Sue A. Dear Sue: You have several options. The easiest is to buy a remote switch at your hardware store. You just screw the receiver into the light socket and screw the bulb into it. Mount the transmitter switch anywhere on the wall. You can also buy a motion-sensing device that screws into the fixture. This will switch on the light whenever you open the door. If you are handy with tools, use standard grounded two-conductor wire and install a regular wall switch. DECEMBER 2016

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

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

Holiday Spirit is in the ‘Air’

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

Poinsettias are a well-known plant

Cynthia Domenghini, Ph.D.

These natural wonders can be turned into intriguing holiday displays for your next gathering.

commonly associated with the winter holidays. Though incorporating these attention-grabbers into your home is a quick, festive touch, here are some less traditional ideas to consider as you plan your parties and gifts. Air plants (Tillandsia sp.) are low-maintenance members of the Bromeliad family. Known for their unique cultural requirements, air plants can grow on a variety of surfaces including rocks, trees and walls completely void of soil. Air plants are classified as epiphytes because they are supported by other structures without causing harm as a parasite would. The name “air” plant comes from the fact that the nutrients and water needed for plant growth are taken from the air into the leaves through small scales. The spiky leaves of air plants grow in a rosette formation and are greyish in color because of the scales. Full grown air plants are 2 to 3 inches tall and can do well indoors when provided with adequate light, water and good air circulation. Air plants do best in bright, filtered light. They should be misted, ideally with distilled or rain water, every two to three days until the water runs off the leaves. Good air circulation will allow the leaves to dry out between watering and prevent rot. These natural wonders can be turned into intriguing holiday displays for your next gathering. For live decorations, or guest favors, insert an air plant into a clear, glass ornament. The air plant can rest on the inside base of the ornament and does not need to be attached in place. Add small twigs, fake snow, or other decorative features inside the ornament and a ribbon or clear string to hang your ornament. Hang multiple air plant ornaments for a whimsical effect. If your guest list includes children, you may consider setting out all of the supplies and letting them create their own air plant ornaments to take home. Air plants can grow on a wide variety of bases such as cork, shells and pieces of wood using glue or wire to fix them in place. Several air plants can be hung, a few inches apart, from a single string without being attached to any support structure to create a floating, vertical decoration. Air plants come in various shades of

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

DECEMBER 2016

green and some tinged with red. Select a variety of air plants and attach them to a wreath frame with wire for an eye-catching living wall adornment. Use caution when handling the plants to avoid rubbing the scales off the leaves. For the table, you can create a centerpiece using a glass bowl with air plants and accessories to complement the holiday theme. Remember to monitor your air plants. If you notice curling leaves they are likely not receiving enough water. Many varieties of air plants can be ordered online and some are sold locally at garden shops. This holiday season be creative as you incorporate air plants into your decorating. Gardening in the air may become a new hobby. KCL CYNTHIA DOMENGHINI is an instructor and coordinator for K-State’s horticultural therapy online certificate program.

Air plants make a great live holiday ornament to decorate your home or give as a gift.

from Youth Tour to the

J A I D A N R OYA L

BIG STAGE BY M I C H A E L W. K A H N

“I think for me it was a lesson in not being so shy, and being forced to meet new people and get to know them over the week,” said Stoll, who was sponsored by Nemaha-Marshall Electric Cooperative. And what’s next for the senior studying mechanical engineering? He has been interning with Westar Energy, the investor-owned utility serving the university, and upon graduation will join the company full-time as a plant engineer at its Lawrence Energy Center. Shana Read, director of communications at Kansas Electric Cooperatives, who escorted Stoll on Youth Tour, said the hope is always that “our students will gain some awareness of how our electric cooperatives work and how important it is for them to be involved in their community. “Bryton has demonstrated that he has the dedication and the talent to make a difference in his community through his music.” KCL To learn more about BRYTON STOLL visit his website: http://brytonstollmusic.com.

SONJA STOLL

It’s a long road from Youth Tour to opening for country music sensation Clint Black. But Bryton Stoll has made the journey. Stoll came to the nation’s capital in 2012, and by that time he was already immersed in music. “I’ve been singing all my life, just to the radio and in school musicals. I first learned to play the guitar when I was about 11. I started on a bass guitar and picked up the normal six-string from there,” said Stoll, 21, a native of Marysville, Kan. By junior high, he was writing songs and a high school class gave him the chance to perform them before an audience. When he was invited to enter a music video contest, he promptly made a video—and won. Now a senior at the University of Kansas, Stoll played at the 2015 and 2016 editions of the amateur show “KU’s Got Talent.” One of the judges both years was the executive director of the university’s Lied Center theater, who called last spring to ask Stoll if he’d like to be the opening act for a male country artist. Of course he would, but he was told he’d have to wait until an official announcement was made to see who that star would be. “I waited until May 1, a month or so, and then they finally announced that it was Clint Black. And I realized what I had gotten myself into.” On Oct. 22, Stoll stepped out on stage at the nearly 2,000-seat theater and nailed it. Stoll did get to chat a bit with Black before the show, and the star later tweeted him, “Great having you on the show!” Stoll credits Youth Tour with helping build his confidence.

Country music star Clint Black takes a photo with Bryton Stoll before their Oct. 22 concert at the Lied Center in Lawrence, Kan. DECEMBER 2016

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

Pets view tree ornaments and other decorations as edible items to taste and potentially ingest. Keep your furry friends safe by keeping decorations out of paws’ reach.

PET PROOF Your Holidays Holiday preparation and precautions for our four-legged friends The holiday season is upon us, and many pet parents plan to include their furry companions in the festivities. As you gear up for the holidays, it is important to try to keep your pet’s eating and exercise habits as close to their normal routine as possible. Also, be sure to steer pets clear of the following unhealthy treats, toxic plants and dangerous decorations. 20

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

DECEMBER 2016

Be Careful with Seasonal Plants and Decorations

ffOH, CHRISTMAS TREE: Securely anchor your Christmas

tree so it doesn’t tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water—which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset— from spilling. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria, and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should he imbibe. ffAVOID MISTLETOE & HOLLY: Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. And many varieties of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe bouquet.

ffTINSEL-LESS TOWN: Kitties love this sparkly, light-

catching “toy” that’s easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It’s best to brighten your boughs with something other than tinsel. ffTHAT HOLIDAY GLOW: Don’t leave lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable surface. And if you leave the room, put the candle out! ffWIRED UP: Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws’ reach. A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock and a punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus, while shards of breakable ornaments can damage your pet’s mouth and digestive tract.

Avoid Holiday Food Dangers

ffSKIP THE SWEETS: By now you know not to feed your

pets chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol, but do you know the lengths to which an enterprising pet will go to chomp on something yummy? Make sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans. ffLEAVE THE LEFTOVERS: Fatty, spicy and no-no human foods, as well as bones, should not be fed to your furry friends. Pets can join the festivities in other fun ways that won’t lead to costly medical bills. ffCAREFUL WITH COCKTAILS: If your celebration includes adult holiday beverages, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them. If ingested, your pet could become weak, ill and may even go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure. ffSELECTING SPECIAL TREATS: Looking to stuff your pet’s stockings? Stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible, Kongs that can be stuffed with healthy foods or chew treats that are designed to be safely digestible. Long, stringy things are a feline’s dream, but the most risky toys for cats involve ribbon, yarn and loose little parts that can get stuck in the intestines, often necessitating surgery. Surprise kitty with a new ball that’s too big to swallow, a stuffed catnip toy or the interactive cat dancer. Please see www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/ people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets.

Plan a Pet-Safe Holiday Gathering

ffHOUSE RULES: If your animal-loving guests would like

to give your pets a little extra attention and exercise while you’re busy tending to the party, ask them to feel free to start a nice play or petting session. ffPUT THE MEDS AWAY: Make sure all of your medications are locked behind secure doors, and be sure to tell your guests to keep their meds zipped up and packed away, too. ffA ROOM OF THEIR OWN: Give your pet his own quiet space to retreat to—complete with fresh water and a place to snuggle. Shy pups and cats might want to hide out under a piece of furniture, in their carrying case or in a separate room away from the hubbub. ffNEW YEAR’S NOISE: As you count down to the new year, please keep in mind that strings of thrown confetti can get lodged in a cat’s intestines, if ingested, perhaps necessitating surgery. Noisy poppers can terrify pets and cause possible damage to sensitive ears. And remember that many pets are also scared of fireworks, so be sure to secure them in a safe, escape-proof area as midnight approaches. KCL Information provided by The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®), the first humane society established in North America and is, today, one of the largest in the world.

DECEMBER 2016

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

T H I N G S TO D O

Continued from page 5 

This is a family event. Special needs tours begin at 5 p.m. 204 Highway St., 620-357-6237. DEC. 10 C hristmas Festival, Wilson. The festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with vendors, food and Santa. Call 785-658-2272 or “Czech” out our website at wilsonkschamber. com for more information. DEC. 10 O ld Fashioned Christmas:

A Celebration of Christmas Past, Lindsborg. You don’t want to miss this wonderful, nostalgic celebration of the season. Experience an 1880s prairie Christmas from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Old Mill Museum, 120 Mill St. DEC. 10 S t. Lucia Festival, Lindsborg.

T his festival celebrates the figure who is the emblem of light and comfort. The day begins at 10:30 a.m. with live holiday music. Swedish folk dancing downtown is followed by the crowning of a local Lucia. 100 block of N. and S. Main St. & Bethany Lutheran Church, 320 N. Main St.; www.visitlindsborg.com. DEC. 10-11 The Nutcracker, McPherson. Ballet Wichita will present this magical Christmas classic at the McPherson Opera House on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets available at mcphersonoperahouse.org . 219 S. Main Street, 620-241-1952. DEC. 11 C hristmas Concert feat,

Lindsborg. The McPherson Brass Quintet/ Chamber Music Series begins at 2 p.m. at the Sandzen Art Gallery. 401 N. First St.; www. visitlindsborg.com. DEC. 11 C hristmas Open House,

Norwich. Norwich Merchants will be hosting this annual downtown event on Main Street from 1 to 5 p.m. with Christmas specials and refreshments. Shoppers will enjoy the small town atmosphere. For questions or if you would like to place orders ahead of time, call Rowan’s Honey Shop at 620-478-2275. DEC. 11 S eason of Lights, Wamego.

An afternoon filled with holiday music, visits

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

with Santa, holiday children’s train, shopping downtown Wamego boutiques and much more from 4 to 7 p.m. OZ Museum and Columbian Theatre will be open and full of holiday spirit. For more information, go to visitwamego.com or call the Wamego Chamber at 785-456-3506. DEC. 16-17 I nfantry Division Band and Holiday Concert, Junction City. A holiday concert full of jolly classics and the traditional sounds of the Christmas season. This event will start at 7:30 p.m. and is free to the public at the C.L. Hoover Opera House. For more information, call 785-238-3906. DEC. 17 C hristmas on the Prairie, Canton. Join the Friends of Maxwell Wildlife Refuge for a fun family outing including a 45-minute prairie tour visiting bison and elk and returning back to the tour center for hot cocoa and cookies, plus story time with Mrs. Claus. Tour departs at 10 a.m. Reservations required. 620-628-4455 or email friendsofmaxwell@yahoo.com. DEC. 17 P ost Rock Country Christmas, Lincoln. Lincoln County celebrates the holidays with a day of local shopping, pictures with Santa, Chamber Buck giveaway, dance recital, a free movie at 1 p.m. and more activities for the family. 916-645-2035. www. lincolnchamber.com. DEC. 18 S ammie King and InsideOut, McPherson. Sammie King and his InsideOut big band will once again swing you into Christmas on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. at the McPherson Opera House. It will also feature Michelle King on vocals. Tickets for COOL YULE are $20. Tickets are available online at mcphersonoperahouse.org 219 S. Main Street, 620-241-1952, mcphersonoperahouse.org. DEC. 25 J ulotta, Lindsborg. Celebrate Christmas Swedish-style with an early morning church service at 6 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church. Julotta in Swedish means Christmas morn; otta is the time which is slightly before dawn. 320 N. Main St.

DECEMBER 2016

DEC. 26 A nnandag Jul, Lindsborg.

“Annandag Jul” means “another day of Christmas” an official part of the Christmas holiday in Sweden. Annandag Jul marks the middle days between the beginning of the Christmas season and New Year’s. Join the celebration at 10 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church. 320 N. Main St. JAN. 8 T hree Wise Men, Wichita. C elebrate the arrival of the Three Wise Men and have your picture taken with them from 3 to 6 p.m. at Sedgwick County Extension 4-H Education Center Hall A. View cultural tables of different Hispanic countries, crafts; music and food sale. 7001 W. 21st St. N. JAN. 18-19 2 017 Kansas Workforce

Summit, Topeka. A forum for employers, educators, community leaders, chamber representatives, legislators, government officials, and local workforce board members to take action to address employment, workforce and economic development issues in Kansas. Visit www. kansasworkforcesummit.com or call 620227-8082. JAN. 21 A nnual Elk Days, Canton. A

celebration of Maxwell’s Wildlife Refuge’s majestic elk herd. This is a perfect opportunity to see elk and bison on our 45-minute tour followed by lunch served in the warm tour center. Tour at 10 a.m. Free will donation for tour and lunch; reservations required. 620-628-4455 or email friendsofmaxwell@yahoo.com. KCL Send items for your free listing in Around Kansas to Kansas Country Living, P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604 by the fifth of the month prior to publication. Or send an email to events@kansascountryliving.com. Please include a contact phone number. We publish Around Kansas events as a courtesy and as space allows and cannot guarantee publication of your event. To guarantee placement of your event in the magazine, contact ad sales at 785-478-4554 or advertising@kansascountryliving.com.

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

From Oyster Stew to Eggnog, Holiday Traditions Offer Reassurance

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

My mother used to make oyster stew

Oranges, because we got them in our stockings from Santa (and of course they were more on Christmas Eve. Her mother did, too. While extraordinary than your average orange). The I learned later that this soup was served among cedar smell—to any Kansan—should defy explamany households who did not eat meat for the nation, but let me just say that if you grew up holiday, I only knew that the practice in my in rural Kansas and never knew the pleasure of family came from the fact that Christmas was the decorating the lightweight yet painfully prickly one time of year you allowed yourself the luxury feather branches of a cedar tree, then perhaps of such a pricey exotic ingredient. you have not truly lived. For all their trouble as a I liked the soup (made without a recipe), Christmas tree (think dry cactus needles to step creamy and buttery, laced with onions and celery Rebecca Howard on by New Year’s), the cedar aroma makes up for and seasoned with black pepper. The canned it. No pine can compare. In recent years for the oysters themselves made me a little leery— holidays, I find wreaths and boughs with cedar strangely gray, they were too unfamiliar and tucked in or even sprinkle cedar—and orange— lurked darkly beneath the surface of the innooil around the house. cently pale broth. My Christmas traditions now include Still, I ate my whole bowl because I knew how special and rare it was to have it. I no longer allowing time to remember then. Which was the dream of snow that often didn’t happen, of have oyster stew on Christmas Eve, but I concookies filled with jam or shaped like fish (which tinue to associate the tradition with the season. These things begin early and tend to stick, and as my sister and I called “The Holy Mackerel”), of Grandma’s peanut brittle and peanut butter far away as we get from them, we often end up fudge. circling back. It was more than anything the anticipation I’ll always connect Christmas to the smell of on Christmas Eve, after that oyster stew, when oranges and cedar. a nearsighted girl was sure she spotted a sleigh parked in the driveway (and would be wearing glasses a couple of years later), but whose hearing was keen enough she knew by her mother’s tapping test run that her gift one year would be a typewriter. Some things are left to memory, Like traditions, you can tailor a recipe to make it your own. but some traditions continue in an annual stringing of a long familiar ff 4 cups low-fat milk ff 1/2 tsp. rum extract thread. Christmas was then, and now ff 1 cup half-and-half ff 1 tsp. vanilla extract ff 1, 1-ounce package sugar-free ff 4 to 6 packets artificial sweetener (such “The Homecoming: A Christmas instant vanilla pudding mix as Splenda) or natural sweetener (such Story.” Premiering in 1971, the holiday ff 1/2 tsp. cinnamon as Stevia) film classic introduced the Waltons, ff 1/2 tsp. nutmeg Whipped cream for topping a Depression-era family living in the Combine all ingredients in a bowl or plastic pitcher, whisk for one to two minutes. Let chill Blue Ridge Mountains of rural Virginia several hours. Whisk again, stirring in packets of sweetener to taste, before pouring into whose eldest son, John-Boy, scribbled festive glasses. stories secretly in Big Chief tablets Top with whipped cream and an additional sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg. Makes 4 to and inspired a number of youngsters 6 servings. in my generation (myself included) to become writers. On one long and

Yuletide Nog

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

DECEMBER 2016

My Christmas traditions now include allowing time to remember then. snowy Christmas Eve, John-Boy searches for his father, who has been away in another town for work and becomes delayed getting home due to the storm. When John-Boy returns empty handed, except for eggnog given to him by two elderly neighbor ladies who make moonshine, he is met with his mother’s disappointment. Over the years, I’ve kept “The Homecoming,” as an annual holiday touchstone reconnecting me to my childhood and my writerly dreams. For I believe traditions, both given to you by family and those you establish for yourself, are the homing place upon which to return every year for reassurance and strength. Every Christmas Eve, I watch “The Homecoming,” and I have eggnog, which was not a tradition in my family growing up. My mother and father didn’t like the taste (my mother left nutmeg out of any recipe calling for it), and while an old yuletide drink, they considered it as strange as I found oysters. Raw eggs mixed with rum? Yet as I grew older my tastes veered away from the annual oyster stew to a creamy dessert drink heavily spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg and rum extract. The raw eggs and the alcohol have both been discreetly removed from my version (that has lately been winning my mother over). Which makes it both eggless... and nogless, I guess. It sounds odd, but it works. It’s as sweet an accompaniment to both memory and anticipation as one could concoct. KCL

grew up in Kansas and received a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications from Kansas State University. Early in her publishing career, she was a newspaper food editor and later worked as a reporter, newspaper page designer, copy editor, proofreader and fact-checker. She 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.”

REBECCA HOWARD

Editor’s Note: Ms. Howard was honored by the Statewide Editor’s Association with an Award of Merit in the Willie Award’s competition for her February 2016 column, “To Shirr an Egg with Love.” Kansas Country Living magazine congratulates Ms. Howard and is excited to bring reader’s her column each month.

DECEMBER 2016

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

WHERE

TO SHOP

Hanna Construction Manufacturer of Double H Buildings

Fall Special – Get TWO 3x4 windows! Special promo code KL2016 20+ Colors Available • Custom Built to Suit Your Needs Specializing in Post Frame Houses

Any Size • Free Estimates Custom Houses • Barns • Shops • Sheds www.doublehbuildings.com • sales@doublehbuildings.com

800-787-5778

Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TCEC) of Hooker, Oklahoma, is updating its list of Engineering and Construction Contractors for construction and maintenance of distribution electric lines and facilities. TCEC promotes equal opportunity and encourages all contractors including Minority-Owned, Women-Owned, and Small Business Enterprises to provide contact information for TCEC to solicit participation in Requests for Proposals. Please send information regarding your business via email to info@tcec.coop attention Chris Giles or via mail to TCEC, P.O. Box 880, Hooker, Oklahoma 73945.

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

DECEMBER 2016

Acceptance of advertising by Kansas Country Living does not imply endorsement by the publisher or Kansas’ electric cooperatives of the product or services advertised.

Half Price Walk-in-Tubs

Don’t miss your chance to save thousands!

100% Financing American Made Lifetime Warranty For more information call us toll free:

(877) 354-0643

DECEMBER 2016

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

SAFETY

Oh Christmas Tree, How Brittle are Your Branches? Before your family puts up a tree or

hangs the stockings this holiday season, start a new tradition. Put safety at the top of your list. Too often the twinkling lights people see are on top of a fire truck or ambulance—the result of holiday accidents that could have been prevented. Trees and lights are danger-prone holiday decorations. According to the United States Fire Administration, Christmas trees start an average of 260 house fires each season, resulting in more than $16 million in property damage. Another 150 house fires are sparked by holiday lights and decorative lighting, costing $8.9 million in damage. Typically, all of these fires are more severe and damaging, resulting in twice the injuries and five times the fatalities per blaze compared to average winter home fires. Unsafe practices while putting up decorations are to blame for even more injuries. Nearly 6,000 individuals visit emergency rooms each year for falls that occur. Four thousand more are treated for injuries associated with extension cords. But safety steps don’t end with bright decorations. Gifts trigger injuries, too. Toys that are not used as intended or used without proper supervision lead to avoidable accidents. Electrical shocks, burns, or injuries from sharp, pointed, or moving parts are to blame for many of these injuries according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. When it is time to deck your halls, take these precautions to ensure the safety of you, your family and holiday guests:

Trees

Real or artificial, short or tall, Christmas trees are often the culprit for danger. Incorporate these safety guidelines in your decorating routine: ffMake sure an artificial tree is labeled “fire resistant.” Be aware that “fire resistant” does not mean “fire proof.” Exercise caution when it comes to your tree. ffMake sure a live tree is fresh and green. Dry, brittle limbs and shedding needles are a breeding ground for sparks. Water a live tree regularly to prevent it from drying out.

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

DECEMBER 2016

ffPlace any type of tree away from heat sources

such as fireplaces, vents and radiators.

Lights

Festive lights give homes a magical glow both inside and out. When decorating this season, a few simple safety tips can keep your spirits bright. ffDo not overload electrical outlets. Most lights are designed to connect no more than three strands. Inspect the wires periodically to make sure they are intact and not warm to the touch. ffNever leave lights on overnight or when no one is home. ffOnly use lights that have been approved by an independent testing laboratory. ffReplace any strands that show signs of damage, such as bare or frayed wires, broken bulbs, or loose connections. Faulty lights can send an electrical charge through a tree and electrocute anyone who comes in contact with a branch.

Gifts

The thrill of holiday presents is quickly forgotten when a gift leads to injury. Here are a few suggestions to keep children safe: ffSelect gifts that are age appropriate for the recipient. Toys recommended for older children pose too many risks for younger children to use safely. ffEducate children on electrical safety when using any new toy or product that requires an electrical connection. ffReview all instructions and safety guidelines included with new products before you allow the child to use it. This ensures the safety of the child and protects the integrity of the product. Make sure safety ranks at the top of your “to do” list this holiday season. Like the old Christmas song says, there is no place like home for the holidays—especially when your family is safe and your home is filled with good cheer. KCL Sources: United States Fire Administration, Consumer Product Safety Commission; and NFPA’s Fire Analysis & Research Division.

DECEMBER 2016

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

Prime Rib Roast with Rosemary and Thyme au Jus

Creamy Corn Chowder

KANS AS COUNTRY LIVING, DECEMBER 2016

Invite elegance to your holiday table with this recipe for succulent prime rib roast.

KANS AS COUNTRY LIVING, DECEMBER 2016

Make the side dish the star of your holiday spread this year using everyday ingredients.

Slow Cooker Chocolate Pecan Pie Cake

Balsamic Glazed Roasted Root Vegetables

KAN S AS COU N T RY L IVIN G, D E CE M B E R 201 6

Let the magic happen in your slow cooker with this simple yet decadent dessert.

KAN S AS COU N T RY L IVIN G, D E CE M B E R 201 6

Easy to make and completely satisfying, this holiday staple is ideal for a crowd.

ff 2 Tbs. balsamic vinegar ff 1/2 tsp. rosemary

ff 2 Tbs. olive oil ff salt ff pepper ff 3 sprigs rosemary ff 3 sprigs thyme

ff 1 cup winter squash, peeled and cut into 2-inch cubes ff 2-3 potatoes, cut into 2-inch quarters ff 1-2 white or gold beets, peeled and quartered

Balsamic Glazed Roasted Root Vegetables ff 2 onions, quartered ff 10 cloves garlic, unpeeled ff 2 cups carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

cut into 1-inch pieces

ff 1 celery root, peeled and

into 1-inch pieces

ff 2 parsnips, peeled and cut

half to about 2-inch pieces

ff 3 turnips, peeled and cut in

and cut into 3-inch pieces

ff 1-2 sweet potatoes, peeled

Glaze: ff 2 Tbs. oil ff 3 Tbs. maple syrup

Heat oven to 425 F. Combine vegetables, olive oil, salt, pepper, rosemary and thyme; toss well. Spread on sheet pan. Cover and bake 40 minutes. Check vegetables and cook another 5 minutes, if needed, or until vegetables are tender but not mushy. Remove rosemary, thyme and garlic skins; add salt and pepper. Combine glaze ingredients and cook 5-10 minutes until thickened. Pour over vegetables before serving; stir to combine. COURTESY CIRCULON GOURMET COOKWARE

Pecan Pie Topping:

Slow Cooker Chocolate Pecan Pie Cake Chocolate Cake: ff 1 package (2-layer size) chocolate cake mix and required ingredients ff 2 tsp. ground cinnamon ff 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

ff 2 cups chopped pecans ff 1-1/2 cups light corn syrup ff 1-1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar ff 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted ff 1 Tbs. pure vanilla extract

Spray inside of 6-quart slow cooker with no stick cooking spray. For the Chocolate Cake, prepare cake batter as directed on package, stirring in cinnamon and vanilla. Pour into greased slow cooker. Place towel over slow cooker and cover with lid. Cook 2 hours on LOW or until cake is almost set. For the Pecan Pie Topping, sprinkle pecans over cake. Beat remaining ingredients with wire whisk until smooth. Slowly pour over pecans. Cover. Cook 10 minutes longer on LOW. Turn off slow cooker. Carefully remove slow cooker insert and place on wire rack. Cool 20 minutes before serving. Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired. Serves 14. COURTESY MCCORMICK

Creamy Corn Chowder ff 4 slices bacon, diced ff 3 stalks celery, finely chopped ff 2 small potatoes, peeled and diced ff 1 medium onion, finely chopped ff 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped ff 2 Tbs. all-purpose flour

heavy whipping cream

ff 2 Tbs. paprika ff 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) chicken broth ff 1 tsp. salt ff 1-1/2 cups half-and-half or

ff 1 can (15 1/4 ounces) corn, drained

In 4-quart saucepan over medium heat, cook bacon until just crisp, stirring occasionally. With slotted spoon, remove to paper towels to drain. Reserve bacon.

COURTESY DAIRYPUR E

Leave 2 tablespoons bacon drippings in saucepan. Add celery, potatoes, onion and pepper, and cook until vegetables are just tender, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in flour and paprika; cook 1 minute. Gradually stir in chicken broth and salt until mixture is smooth and thickened. Stir in half & half (or heavy whipping cream) and corn; over high heat, heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; simmer uncovered 5-10 minutes, until mixture is heated through.

To serve, sprinkle each serving with reserved bacon. Serves 6.

finely chopped

ff 1-1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme,

mary, finely chopped

ff 1-1/2 cups red wine ff 3 cups low-sodium beef broth ff 1-1/2 teaspoons fresh rose-

Prime Rib Roast with Rosemary and Thyme au Jus

into 1-inch pieces

ff 6 pound bone-in prime rib roast ff 3 Tbs. olive oil ff 1/2 cup favorite steak rub ff 5 carrots, chopped into 1-inch pieces ff 5 celery stalks, chopped into 1-inch pieces ff 1 medium onion, chopped

COURTESY OMA HA STE AKS

Heat oven to 250 F. Remove roast from packaging and pat dry with clean paper towels. Coat roast with olive oil and season with rub. Place carrots, celery and onion in even layer on bottom of large roasting pan. Place roast in roasting pan on elevated wire rack. Sprinkle any leftover rub on roast to ensure generous coating. Roast until roast reaches an internal temperature of 125 F (for medium-rare), approximately 3 hours. Remove roast from oven and let rest 20-30 minutes. Meanwhile, heat broiler to high, with rack positioned for roast to sit about 4 inches from heating element. After roast has rested, place in oven under broiler, fat side up, about 5 minutes to brown roast. Remove pan from oven. Remove wire rack with roast from pan and place on carving board. Skim fat from pan. Place pan on top of stove over two burners set on high heat. Add wine to pan drippings and cook over high heat until reduced by half, releasing drippings on bottom of pan with wooden spoon or whisk. Add beef broth and cook until reduced by half again. Whisk or stir in rosemary and thyme. Strain out vegetables and pour au jus into serving vessel. Slice roast and serve with au jus. Serves 10-14.

DECEMBER 2016

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

Tired of struggling on the stairs? Can be placed virtually anywhere in your home.

Introducing the Affordable Easy Climber® Elevator Home Improvement that actually improves your LIFE! SAFE

 Equipped with weight, balance and obstruction sensors  Works even in a power outage

VERSATILE

 Can be placed almost anywhere in your home  Quick professional installation

CONVENIENT

Imagine the possibilities

• • •

 Footprint is slightly larger than a washing machine  Compact and Quiet

Revolutionary elevator can give you– and your home’s value– a lift

“We are tickled about our new elevator. This is the first time I’ve seen the second floor of my home! It’s like an early Christmas present.” Stan W. US war veteran and retired professor

•

professional team. Its small “footprint” and self-contained lift mechanism adds convenience and value to your home and quality to your life. It’s called the Easy Climber® Elevator. Call us now and we can tell you just how simple it is to own. For many people, particularly seniors, climbing stairs can be a struggle and a health threat. Some have installed motorized stair lifts, but they block access to the stairs

and are hardly an enhancement to your home’s décor. By contrast, the Easy Climber® Elevator can be installed almost anywhere in your home. That way you can move easily and safely from floor to floor without struggling or worse yet… falling. Why spend another day without this remarkable convenience. Knowledgeable product experts are standing by to answer any questions you may have. Call Now!

Call now to find out how you can get your own Easy Climber Elevator. Please mention promotional code 104736. For fastest service, call toll-free 24 hours a day.

1-888-568-1481

82807

Elevators have been around since the mid 19th century, and you can fi nd them in almost every multi-story structure around… except homes. That’s because installing an elevator in a home has always been a complicated and expensive home renovation project… until now. Innovative designers have created a home elevator that can be easily installed almost anywhere in your home by our

•

No more climbing up stairs No more falling down stairs Plenty of room for groceries or laundry Perfect for people with older pets Ideal for Ranch houses with basements