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F E AT U R E S
D E PA RT M E N T S
12 | Mingo Madness
4 |
Geocaching, the art of finding hidden treasures using GPS coordinates and hints, turns 20 years old in May. There will be special events worldwide, including in Mingo, Kansas, where they will celebrate two decades of maintaining the cache that keeps Kansas on the must-find list for any serious geocacher.
20 | Self-Preservation
6 | 8 | 10 |
As a frequent judge for food competitions at county and state fairs, Karen Blakeslee is on the front line seeing where Kansans are excelling and where they are struggling when it comes to home food preservation. She shares safety guidance and tips so you can be smart and safe when preserving your garden bounty.
A RO U N D K A N S A S
April events: call ahead to verify CO M M E N TA RY
Opportunity to reset priorities E N E RGY W I S E
Window replacement considerations 4 factors to think about before replacing.
18 |
YO U R P L AC E I N T H E G A R D E N
May Day baskets spread love
Welcome spring and share your garden.
19 |
12
E D I TO R’S L E T T E R
Taking care of our neighbors
24 |
NEWS BRIEFS
Co-op news around the state CO O K I N G M Y WAY H O M E
The crossroads of eggs and potatoes Deviled egg and potato salad fans unite.
26 | 28 |
M A R K E T P L AC E
New products to meet your needs SAFETY
COVID-19 common sense
Protect the healthcare system, neighbors.
29 |
M O N T H LY R E C I P E S
Easter eats
From breakfast to confections.
ON THE COVER
20
Mingo, Kansas, will bring the geocaching world together, celebrating the game’s 20 years of existence. PHOTO CREDIT: JANICE HUESKE
APRIL 2020
MIN
O MADNG ESS Self-Pres ervation
APRIL 2020 | BROUG HT
Food for the COVID future Protect the-19 Common Sen health care system, neigh se bors HILLS
TO YOU BY ROLLIN G
ELECTR IC
CO-OP | WWW. KEC.CO
KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING
OP
3
E D I TO R’S L E T T E R
Cancellations, Social Distancing = Taking Care of Our Neighbors
(ISSN 0091-9586) APRIL 2020 VOL. 70, NO. 4 ©KANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, INC., 2020 WWW.KEC.COOP
Bruce Graham
Chief Executive Officer
Vicki Estes
Director of Communications, Editor
Carrie Kimberlin
Manager of Creative Solutions
Shaylee Arpin
call for unprecedented measures. What first began halfway around the world now threatens the rural areas of Kansas. Kansas electric cooperatives and their leadership have responded with one main concern in mind: the health and wellbeing of co-op members. COVID-19, or better known as the novel coronavirus, is changing the way we live in the short term. God-willing, this too shall pass and Americans will return to normal activities. With the 24-hour news cycle and media wars we witness everyday, it’s easy to brush off this virus narrative as the media overreacting again. Yes, the vast majority of cases (80%) experience only mild cold or flu-like symptoms according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In fact, symptoms can be so mild, the CDC says people have the virus but don’t know it. And that is where the real concern lies. We could unknowingly be passing it on. COVID-19 can be deadly to those with underlying health conditions, especially the elderly. With an estimated 10-15% of those infected requiring hospital care, our country will be short the UNPRECEDENTED TIMES
required number of hospital beds if the virus gets a foothold in the U.S. as it has in Italy and China. Rural communities already face hurdles in accessing health care; a surge in COVID-19 cases could be life-threatening. Infectious disease experts say now is the time for social distancing measures, putting distance between you and other people as much as possible. This can help stem the rapid transmission of the virus and stagger the rate of coronavirus cases so hospitals can treat everyone who requires care. In response, large gatherings across Kansas have been canceled or postponed, including several electric cooperative annual meetings. Please look for your co-op’s specific information beginning on Page 16A, or visit the co-op’s website and social media channels for more information. You can also find updates at www.kec.coop and Facebook/ KansasElectricCooperatives, Inc. Whether you call them nanna, grammy, papa or popo, let’s work together to protect our most vulnerable. Caring for our communities — our friends, neighbors and our fellow co-op members — is, after all, the cooperative way. KCL
VICKI ESTES, EDITOR
Multimedia Communications Specialist Officers Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc.
Terry Hobbs
President
Craig Kostman
Vice President
Teresa Miller Secretary
Kirk Thompson
Treasurer
You receive Kansas C ountry Living as a service of the following electric co-ops as a cost-effective way to share important information about services, energy savings, electric safety, director elections, meetings and management decisions. It also contains legal notices that otherwise would be published in other media at greater cost: 4 Rivers, Lebo Alfalfa, Cherokee, OK Bluestem, Wamego Brown-Atchison, Horton Butler, El Dorado CMS, Meade Caney Valley, Cedar Vale Doniphan, Troy DS&O, Solomon Flint Hills, Council Grove FreeState, McLouth & Topeka Lane-Scott, Dighton Ninnescah, Pratt Pioneer, Ulysses Prairie Land, Norton Rolling Hills, Beloit Sedgwick County, Cheney Sumner-Cowley, Wellington Tri-County, Hooker, OK Twin Valley, Altamont Victory, Dodge City Western, WaKeeney Wheatland, Scott City Your co-op’s board of directors authorizes a subscription to Kansas Country Living on behalf of the membership at a cost of $5.58 per year. Individual non-member subscriptions are $10 per year (tax included).
Co-op Members: Please report address changes to your local electric co-op. Postmaster: Send returns to Kansas Country Living, P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604-0267. Kansas Country Living is published monthly by Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604. Periodicals postage paid at Topeka, KS, and additional entry offices. Editorial offices: P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604-0267; 785-478-4554. Advertising: Kansas Country Living is a member of American MainStreet Publications (www.amp.coop), collectively reaching an audited circulation of 9,378,177 monthly. Advertisers call 512-441-5200. Acceptance of advertising by Kansas Country Living does not imply endorsement by the publisher or Kansas’ electric cooperatives.
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THROUGH MAY 15 Art Exhibit, Ellsworth. B ev Simonson and Nancy Rogers, artists from Great Bend, will be displaying their paintings and quilts. Ellsworth Area Arts Center, 223 N. Douglas Ave. APRIL 1, 4, 8, 11 Greater Prairie-Chicken Booming Tour, Manhattan. S pend time outside in a blind observing the dance of the greater prairie-chicken during booming season. Tours provided by the Flint Hills Discover Center. 312 S. Third St., 785-587-2726, flinthillsdiscovery.org/prairiechickens. APRIL 1 April Fools Day Event, Lucas.
C elebrate the quirky art of Lucas. Galleries and studios open with special events. Search Grassroots Art Center on Facebook. APRIL 3 First Friday, Atchison. E njoy live
music, kids activities and more. This week includes a wine walk and artist stroll. Search Facebook, First Friday Downtown Atchison KS. APRIL 4 Artist Reception, Alma. S ee the Prairie and River work of the Flint Hills from artists Lisa Grossman and Erin Wiersma. Reception from 2-4 p.m. The Volland Store gallery, 24098 Volland Rd., 913-522-6270. APRIL 4 Car Cruise on State Street,
Phillipsburg. C ruise into Phillipsburg and hang out with fellow car enthusiasts. Show at 6 p.m., cruise at 7 p.m. Phillips County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 785-543-2321. APRIL 4 Flint Hills Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation Annual Banquet, Council Grove. D oors open at 4:30 p.m. fhquwf.com. APRIL 4-5 Northern Exposure Steer &
Heifer Show, Belleville. C ome enjoy the cattle show, bringing in more than 100 youth exhibitors in 2020. NCK Fairgrounds, 901 O St., 785-527-5524, mainstreet@nckcn.com. APRIL 4 Tree Festival, Wichita. H osted by
Sedgwick County Research and Extension, visit the tree festival to learn about the right tree for Kansas growing conditions. Admission is free and 25 trees will be raffled off throughout the day. Vendors full of tree-related crafts, furniture
6
KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING
APRIL 2020
Please check prior to the scheduled date of an event to make sure it has not been canceled due to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) concerns. and decor will be available. Demonstrations, presentations and youth activities throughout the day. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sedgwick County Extension Education Center, 21st and Ridge Rd. APRIL 4, 5, 18, 19 Barn and Cellar Tours,
Alma. V iew the unique arched roof cellars and the traditional barns of the Flint Hills. Tours 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., included lunch. The Volland Store, 24098 Volland Rd., 913-522-6270. APRIL 5 Handels’ Messiah Concert, Wamego. C oncert by Flint Hills Messiah Chorus and Chamber Orchestra. Concert begins at 2 p.m., tickets available at the door. First United Methodist Church, 600 Lincoln Ave., flinthillsmessiah.org. APRIL 6 Book and Gift Fair, Fredonia.
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fredonia Regional Hospital, 1527 Madison St.
APRIL 7 Hospice Fun-D Dinner and Auction, Phillipsburg. H elp Hospice Services of Northwest Kansas during their annual fundraiser smoked pork chop dinner and auction. Begins at 5:30 p.m. Phillips County Fairground Building, Hospice Services, Inc. 785-543-2900. APRIL 7, 9 Tips for Shade Garden Plants,
Wichita. L earn what plants to add to your shade garden and help them thrive. Tuesdays hosted at Rockwell Branch Library, Thursdays at Evergreen Branch Library, attend one class, wichitalibrary.org/gardening. APRIL 8-10 Farm and Ranch Expo, Great
Bend. T he 2020 Great Bend Farm and Ranch Expo promotes state-of-the-art agricultural technology! With more than 700 booths inside and outside the complex, this is one of the largest farm shows in the U.S. Wednesday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Great Bend Expo Complex.
APRIL 8 The Mitchall Runnells Story, Garden City. S teve Quakenbush, Finney County Historical Society executive director will tell the story of a young man whose famous local grave is marked by the engine of his beloved Chebrole in Valley View Cemetery. Noon. Finney County Historical Museum, 403 S. Fourth Street. APRIL 10 Games of Deception, Topeka. ew York Times bestselling author Andrew N Maraniss will share the incredible story of one of the world’s most popular games, basketball, from its invention to joining the Olympics in 1936. 6:30 p.m. Kansas Museum of History. APRIL 10 Spring Bake Sale, Fredonia. 9 a.m.-noon. Fredonia Regional Hospital, 1527 Madison St. APRIL 10-26 Tulips at Twilight, Topeka. A luminary event featuring more than 50 illuminated, larger-than-life floral displays and more than 40,000 tulips, daffodils and spring annual flowers. Live music in historic Old Prairie Town on Friday and Saturday events. WardMeade Park, 124 N.W. Filmore, 785-640-1482. APRIL 11 Concert at the Grand Ottawa Opry, Ottawa. S pecial guests Duke Mason, Ginelle Esry and Paul Root. Tickets only available at the door. Show begins at 7 p.m. Grand Ottawa Opry, 301 S. Hickory, Dale Reese 785-214-0013, grandoopry@gmail.com. APRIL 11 Easter Egg Hunt, Phillipsburg. unt begins at 10 a.m. Phillips County H Courthouse Square, Phillipsburg Chamber and Main Street, 785-543-2321, phillipsburgchambermainstreet.com. APRIL 11 Stores Pay the Tax Sale, Great Bend. S hop local! All shoppers receive an 8.25% discount on purchases at select stores
downtown. Details may vary. Downtown Great Bend. APRIL 14, 16 Designing Drought Tolerant Landscapes, Wichita. D roughts come and go, but you can drought-proof your garden and landscape to minimize damage. Class is free, registration required. Tuesdays hosted at Rockwell Branch Library, Thursdays at Evergreen Branch Library, attend one class; wichitalibrary.org/gardening. APRIL 15 Applications Due for Kansas
State University Animal Sciences Leadership Academy, Manhattan. T ake part in the 12th year of the animal sciences leadership academy for students grades 9-12. Academy occurs June 24-27. Sharon Breiner 785-532-6533, sbreiner@ksu.edu, www. YouthLivestock.KSU.edu. APRIL 18 Indian Artifact Show, Holton.
Indian artifacts and related items displayed by exhibitors from Kansas and surrounding states. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Kansas Heritage Complex, 12200 214th Rd., David Schock 785-364-3238.
APRIL 19 Czech Spring Festival, Cuba. inner served at noon, dance the afternoon D away to the Kevin Coopmann Band from 2-5 p.m. Community Hall.
APRIL 18 Dance Party, Garden City.
APRIL 19 First City Spring Tea, Leavenworth. E njoy Afternoon High Tea with a delicious sweet and savory plate, tea prepared by Queen’s Pantry and a program including silent auction, live entertainment and 25 decorated tables provided by merchants and individuals. 1-4 p.m. 913-682-3924, leavenworthmainstreet.com.
C ome enjoy the dance from 7-10 p.m. and potluck dinner at 6:30 p.m. Eagles Lodge, search Country Dancing in Southwest Kansas on Facebook. APRIL 18-19 Quilt Show, Wamego. V iew quilts made by the Wamego Kaw Valley Quilt Guild, held in conjunction with the Wamego Tulip Festival. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. Wamego Senior Center, 501 Ash St. APRIL 18 Spring Crank Up! Tractor
Show, Alta Vista. T ractor show and barn quilt drawing. Ag Heritage Park, 620-767-2714, agheritagepark.com
APRIL 19 Sporting Clay Shoot Event, Claflin. B arton Community College Foundation welcomes you to join the event featuring a 12 station course, three-person teams or individual shoot available. Lunch included if registered by April 8, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Continued on page 16
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KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING
7
C O M M E N TA RY
Pandemic is Opportunity to Reset Priorities, Help Less Fortunate
BY B R U C E G R A H A M
Bruce Graham
We are committed to our communities and nothing is more important than the health and well-being of those we live and work around.
8
I AM WRITING THIS column on St. Patrick’s Day — a day that any other year would be marked by parades and maybe a pint of green beer and a bowl of Irish Stew or Lucky Charms. Today though, bars and restaurants are closed and there aren’t any parades unless there are fewer than 10 people gathering. I have no idea what will have taken place by the time you read this column in April. After all, less than a week ago the first round of the Big-12 basketball tournament was underway. By April, I am hopeful we are seeing the fruits of social distancing and an end to the extended spring break. I look forward to greeting the change of seasons with a spirit of appreciation for our health and the work many must do to keep essential services running smoothly while the country shelters in place. In a crisis, it is critical to meet people’s basic needs and provide a sense of safety. While a case of toilet paper may go overboard, electricity is clearly an essential service. Your cooperative may have implemented restricted office access and perhaps postponed its annual meeting, but these steps were prudent and necessary. We are committed to our communities and nothing is more important than the health and well-being of those we live and work around. Amid the tidal wave of bad news, we needed the bits of good, the funny posts, creative YouTube channels, and I finally valued those Netflix recommendations from friends. I also subscribe to the Morning Brew, a free email that delivers important news and interesting facts as a witty and concise wake-up call. During the crisis, Morning Brew published its “Guide to Living Your Best Quarantined Life” that compiled everything we need to remain a functioning member of society while working from a living room. Regardless
KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING
APRIL 2020
of the state of the pandemic, it is still worth reviewing. For example, it provides links to 450 free Ivy League online courses, 50 best non-fiction books, effective at-home workouts, some great casserole recipes (in case we can have pot-luck gatherings again) and lots more. Certainly, families will have spent lots of quality time together and maybe even brag that they whipped that 1,000-piece puzzle brought home from the Christmas white elephant exchange several years ago. These events though give us the opportunity to be better citizens, neighbors and reset our priorities. Most likely, we all know someone who has been hurt by the pandemic events. Some will lose their health, some will lose their income, and fortunes big and small have disappeared. Some will be so busy taking care of others that they can’t adequately consider their own health and wellbeing. We need to look for little ways to help those less fortunate when and where we can. It is probably too much to hope that the pandemic will be a fix for our country’s political differences — the frustration, anger and blame will extend through the election cycle. But there will be thousands of inspiring, creative community responses to this pandemic. These stories must be told, widely shared and inspire us to do our part to make the world a better, happier and safer place. So, on St. Patrick’s Day, it seems appropriate to end this column with the traditional Irish Prayer: May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand. KCL BRUCE GRAHAM is Chief Executive Officer of Kansas
Electric Cooperatives, Inc. in Topeka.
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4
Considerations Before Replacing Windows
BY PAT K E E G A N A N D B R A D T H I E S S E N
D E AR PAT AN D B R AD : Our home’s
windows are very old, and when the weather is cold, we can feel a chill when we stand near them. Do you think it’s worth replacing them? – Grace D E AR G R AC E : First, prepare yourself for a bit of sticker shock when you get your first bid for replacing windows. To help you decide if replacement is the right move, you’ll want to consider a few factors.
radiant heat loss in the winter and can even block some unwanted heat gain in the summer. Another aspect to comfort is the sun. If you have cold winters but lots of winter sunshine, you might enjoy the comfort and warmth of the sun streaming through your windows on a cold clear day. If that’s the case, you should take this into consideration as you ponder window replacement. Some windows are better at letting the sun’s heat into the home than others.
Increased Comfort
Appearance and Function
The chill you feel near your windows when it’s cold out is likely due to radiant heat loss. When you’re near a cold surface, such as a window, you can feel chilled even if the temperature inside your home is over 70 degrees. Your body is much warmer than the surface of the window, and heat radiates from warm to cold. The inside surface of an inefficient, single-pane window will be much colder on a winter night than that of a double- or triple-pane window. Window coverings are one unique approach to increasing the comfort level of your home. Curtains and blinds are very effective at reducing
Since your windows are older, new wood- or vinylframed windows can act as an exterior facelift. But keep in mind, if you own an older home with classic wooden windows, vinyl replacements might look out of place. It’s possible to buy new windows that match the style of some older wooden windows, or you could decide to apply a little elbow grease to get them back into shape. Wooden windows, even if they were built before 1960, can last the life of the home. Windows can provide ventilation, which sometimes improves comfort more cost-effectively than air conditioning. Windows also need to be cleaned occasionally. If your existing windows don’t provide ventilation or they are hard to clean, replacing them could solve these problems.
Resale Value
S COT T VA N OS D O L
Windows are a major point of interest for most prospective homebuyers, which is why we often hear that window replacement is good for resale value. But a 2019 study by the National Association of Realtors found that on average across the U.S. installing new vinyl windows costs about
Curtains can be an affordable strategy to increase comfort and reduce energy use.
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Only 4% of realtors said the new windows helped close the sale, so if resale value is your main objective, the costs could likely outweigh the return on investment.
$22,000 per home but only increased resale value by $16,500. Only 4% of realtors said the new windows helped close the sale, so if resale value is your main objective, the costs could likely outweigh the return on investment.
This column was co-written by PAT KEEGAN and BRAD THIESSEN of Collaborative Efficiency. For more information on the four main benefits of new windows, please visit: www. collaborativeefficiency.com/energytips.
Old wooden windows may be worth sanding and repainting, and can sometimes be retrofitted with more efficient glass.
STEVE ANDERSON
Homeowners often believe the best way to reduce energy use is to replace their windows, but this is rarely true. Companies that sell new windows sometimes advertise greater energy savings than the new windows can actually deliver. The amount of energy you save really depends on the efficiency of your existing windows compared to the efficiency of the replacement windows. An energy auditor can estimate potential savings, but most audits show that there are much more cost-effective efficiency investments than replacing windows. On average, according to ENERGY STAR, replacing single-pane windows in a 2,000 square-foot home with ENERGY STAR-certified windows will produce an average savings of $125 to $340 a year, depending on where you live. At this rate, it would take a decade or more to pay off your initial investment. Replacing old windows can provide a number of benefits, but it’s a costly endeavor. By considering these factors and how long you plan to live in the home, you’ll be able to make the right decision. Next month we’ll provide information that will help you decide what to look for in a replacement window. KCL
M I K E S C O LT O C K
Energy Savings
Vinyl windows are often the most affordable replacement and come in a wide variety of styles. APRIL 2020
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MINGO MADNESS
STEVEN PIERSON
BY M E L I N DA S C H N Y D E R
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N 39° 16 .67 7’ W 100° 56.62 1’ Tiny Mingo, Kansas, helps the world celebrate 20 years of geocaching have never heard of Mingo, a western Kansas farming community just off Interstate 70 where there are fewer than 20 houses, a church, a grain silo and some gas pumps. But there are millions of people around the globe who know exactly where Mingo can be found: N 39° 16.677’ W 100° 56.621.’ Those are the latitude and longitude Global Positioning System coordinates that pinpoint the exact position of a container hidden underneath a rock and partially submerged in a well casing not far from Exit 62. Hidden might be an exaggeration: There’s a well-worn path from the side of the road to the fence line where you’ll find the container, known as a geocache. When you arrive at this waypoint, you are at ground zero for the world’s oldest active geocache. The act of finding these hidden treasures using GPS coordinates and hints, if needed, is geocaching. This hide-and-seek game turns 20 years old in May. There will be special events worldwide, including in Mingo where they will celebrate two decades of maintaining this cache that keeps Kansas on the must-find list for any serious geocacher. “Mingo brings a lot of attention to Kansas within the geocaching world,” says Chris Ronan, a Kansas native now living in Seattle and working for Geocaching.com. “It has this place in the history of the game, it’s like a mecca for someone who is really into caching. There are certain things that you just have to do: you have to go visit Geocaching headquarters in Seattle, you have to go to where the first geocache was placed in Oregon, you have to go to the oldest current cache, which is Mingo.”
MOST KANSAS RESIDENTS
How did Mingo get there?
Civilian GPS devices became 10 times more accurate on May 2, 2000, when the U.S. government turned off Selective Availability, an intentional degradation of public GPS signals implemented for national security reasons. This made GPS more responsive to civil and commercial users worldwide, and a computer consultant in the state of Oregon decided to test the system. The consultant created a game by hiding a navigational target — a black bucket — in the woods in
Beavercreek, Oregon, near Portland. It contained a logbook and pencil, along with some prize items. He posted the coordinates for what he called the “Great American GPS Stash Hunt” in an internet GPS users group on May 3 and three days later two different people used their GPS receivers to find the container. The idea took off that week and more people began stashing containers for others to find, including a land surveyor in western Kansas. He placed a container on May 10 and published its coordinates on May 11, making it the seventh known geocache. The first person to find that original geocache in Oregon decided to log his experience on his personal website and within the first month, he had started publishing the online posts of coordinates from around the world. By September 2000, enthusiasts had formed a hobby website for the activity and adopted the term geocaching because it sounded more positive than stashing. When they launched geocaching.com, there were 75 known caches in the world, including that one in Mingo and two others in Kansas hidden by a user known as The Kansas Stasher. He prefers to stay anonymous, and while he doesn’t actively log new finds or hide caches, he’s still involved with the geocaching To community, says Ryan get Semmel, a devoted cacher started living in the Manhattan area. geocaching, Semmel has been in go to www. geocaching.com, touch with The Kansas create an account Stasher as he works on a and download the commemorative plaque to official Geocaching app install near Mingo as part or use a GPS device. APRIL 2020
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L A R RY H O U STO N
MINGO MADNESS
Larry Houston, for whom Mingo was his 10,000th find.
of the 20th-anniversary event. Semmel started a geocaching group in the Flint Hills region, one of a handful of unofficial geocaching groups, after discovering the game while on active duty with the U.S. Army in Germany. Mingo became the oldest active geocache in 2002, according to Semmel’s history gathering, when the last of the first six caches went missing. It’s taken a community effort to keep Mingo active in the face of vandalism, theft and muggling, a term to describe removal by an unsuspecting non-player. The owner has repaired and replaced it as well as other groups of people over the years. The geocaching community across the state feels a sense of ownership when it comes to Mingo. “Geocachers are very conscientious,” says Kathie Peyton, whose husband Tom is the pastor at Mingo Bible Church. “Five years ago when they celebrated 15 years at Mingo, they were sure to leave everything the way they found it. If they saw garbage they would probably pick it up. They are a good group of people.”
kets or other small treasures. Cachers carry their own swag and leave something when they take something from the cache. There are at least 16 different types of geocaches now. The multi-cache that takes you to one site to find a clue for the next stage. Some caches require you to solve a difficult puzzle to find the correct coordinates for the cache. It’s not uncommon for some of the more complicated versions to take more than 10 hours, or multiple attempts. But the legacy of Mingo still carries weight. Being the oldest current cache means there are 20 years of stories to tell. There’s the time an entire Greyhound bus stopped to see Mingo because a passenger talked about it for four hours. Some cachers schedule an airline layover in Denver or Kansas City long enough to rent a car, drive to sign the logbook at Mingo and return to the airport for their next flight. There are also numerous milestones celebrated at the site. “The first time I went out to Mingo, it was my 2,000th find,” Semmel says. “It’s a bucket list cache and a lot of people work hard to make it a milestone cache, whether it’s their 100th or 1,000th.” Geocaching.com is still the official website of the game, and it shows there are now 3 million active geocaches in 191 countries on seven continents. In 2019, more than 1.6 million geocachers found at least one cache. In Kansas, there were 11,179 active geocaches as of March and among those hidden caches there were approximately 92,200 “Found It” logs posted in 2019. While Mingo gets the attention worldwide, there is another 20-year-old active cache in the state. On May 31, 2000, The Kansas Stasher hid
By today’s caching standards, Mingo is a little boring. It’s not hard to find for most people and its container is white with its name written in black marker. Finders can comment on Mingo’s logbook at geocaching.com, and some will say they love Mingo for its straightforwardness while others want something more challenging or flashy. Mingo was standard in May 2000 but today it falls into the traditional category. All caches contain a logbook for finders to sign, and if the container is large enough they typically have trin-
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ERNIE CANTU
Interest in Geocaching, Mingo Continues
Geocachers gather at the “Sitting on a Spider” geocache site near Wichita. This site is rated 5-star in difficulty and terrain.
one near the Arikaree Breaks The 15th anniversary of the Mingo cache attracted a large following of geocachers. in the far northwest part of the state. It’s one of the Kansas favorites of Ronan, who grew up in Overland Park and worked in Kansas City before moving to Seattle five years ago to work for Geocaching headquarters. He got started when the concession stands, educational sessions, vendor Kansas State Park system put a geocache in each booths, family-friendly games and activities, and of its parks and he found all of them. Now in music, including a one-man band from Colorado his ninth year of geocaching, he has more than who performs geocaching songs. 30,800 finds. All three days, visitors can explore a GPS adven“For me, these 30,000 geocaches that I’ve found tures maze in the 4-H building at the fairgrounds. represent 30,000 little adventures that I wouldn’t This educational exhibit travels the country to teach have had if it wasn’t for this game. I can’t even people of all ages about navigation, GPS technology measure how much it’s enriched my life,” said and how those tools are used for geocaching. Ronan, who is the community relations manager for Of course, those who haven’t yet found Mingo Geocaching.com. — and even some who have — will want to visit the legendary site and sign the logbook. Mingo Mingo Madness May 1-3 Bible Church is allowing visitors to use its parking Semmel is among a group of Kansas geocachlot, and the church family there plans to serve free ers teaming with the communities of Colby and homemade cookies and drinks. Mingo to hold Mingo Madness May 1-3. A comThere’s a website (mingo2020.com) and a mittee, with the help of more than 100 additional Facebook page (facebook.com/MingoMadness) that volunteers, is planning events and activities for is updated with new information as available. newbies to veteran geocachers. The hope is that people who come to find Based on a “will-attend” log used on geocaching. Mingo will venture north and south of the intercom, the official website of geocaching, organizstate and meander through more of the state, ers are expecting as many as 2,000 to attend at least either geocaching or visiting attractions, having a part of the weekend celebration, including visitors meal or staying overnight. from across the U.S. plus New Zealand, Canada and “I’m so proud that the oldest active several European countries. An RSVP isn’t required, geocache is just in our backyard,” says though, so it’s tough to estimate how many people Julie Saddler, executive director of will show up. the Colby Convention and VisiJudging from attendance at a 15-year celebrators Bureau. “Sometimes people tion held at Mingo, the committee decided to think the state ends in Salina; hold most of the festivities in Colby, about 9 miles they forget about western northwest of Mingo and the nearest city with full Kansas. So every little thing we amenities. As of early March, the Colby Convencan have in western Kansas, tion and Visitors Bureau reported that the city’s like Little Jerusalem Badlands 700 hotel rooms were 98% sold out. There are also State Park and this geocache, camping and RV options. brings people to drive to that one The schedule of events includes meet-and-greet spot and as they are driving they opportunities on Friday and Sunday, when they realize there is more here than they expect fewer attendees, and a full day of events on thought. They can find all kinds of gems Saturday. Most activities are at the Thomas County out here to visit.” KCL Fairgrounds, where they’ll have food trucks and
ERNIE CANTU
N 39° 16 .67 7’ W 100° 56.62 1’
Mingo Madness May 1-3
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Continued from page 7
C amp Aldrich, 620-792-9306, mccormickd@ bartoncc.edu. APRIL 21 Spring Fling and Recognition Day, Fredonia. B lue Zones and Vietnam Family Culture Presentations from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Wilson County Courthouse, 615 Madison St. APRIL 21 The 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment, Garden City. E xplore the history of the suffrage movement, giving women the right to vote in 1912 in Kansas and 1920 throughout the nation. 7 p.m. Finney County Historical Museum, 403 S. Fourth St. APRIL 21, 23 An Introduction to
Container Gardening, Wichita. F acing poor growing conditions, limited time or space for conventional gardens? Look no further than a container garden. Learn how to make one and tips to successfully grow vegetables, herbs and ornamentals. Class is free, registration required. Tuesdays hosted at Rockwell Branch Library,
Please check prior to the scheduled date of an event to make sure it has not been canceled due to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) concerns. Thursdays at Evergreen Branch Library, attend one class, wichitalibrary.org/gardening. APRIL 22 Mountain Main Nuts & Fruits Sale, Fredonia. 1 0 a.m.-4 p.m. Fredonia Regional Hospital, 1527 Madison St. APRIL 23 History and Environmental Fair, Topeka. F ourth through sixth graders are invited to learn about how Kansans “live green.” The fair celebrates the state’s natural resources and explores opportunities for kids. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. K ansas Museum of History, kshs.org/p/ history-and-environmental-fair/14803. APRIL 23 Northwest Kansas Preparedness Summit, Oakley. Conference is free and includes lunch, vendor show and continuing nurse and respiratory therapy education. Keynote address by Secretary of Health Dr. Lee Norman. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Pre-registration required. ks.train.org. APRIL 24 Catholic Charities Wine
Tasting, Great Bend. W ine samplings available for all visitors and live auction presented. Must be 21 or over to attend. 7-10 p.m. Great Bend Events Center, 3111 10th St. APRIL 24 Girls Night Out, Phillipsburg.
rab a special woman in your life and join us G for a night of fun, sisterhood and celebration. Spend the evening shopping downtown and enjoy sales, door prizes, cocktails and more. One night only, special event. Phillipsburg Chamber and Main Street 785-543-2321, phillipsburgchambermainstreet.com.
Tim Lowry Regi Carpenter Dan Keding Adam Booth Anne Rutherford Register online at
APRIL 24 North Central Kansas
Preparedness Summit, Salina. Conference is free and includes lunch, vendor show and continuing nurse education. Keynote address by Secretary of Health Dr. Lee Norman. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Pre-registration required. ks. train.org.
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APRIL 25 Benton Day Marketplace, Benton. E njoy a family atmosphere at this
craft and homemade vendor show. Lunch available, horse/pony rides and archery activities outside. Plenty of vendors to explore. Come early for the Lions Club Pancake feed and stay for the afternoon parade at 2 p.m. 14300 S.W. 20th St., bentondaysmarketplace@ gmail.com. APRIL 25 Concert at the Grand Ottawa Opry, Ottawa. S pecial guests Jim Winters and Rex Peterson. Tickets only available at the door. Show begins at 7 p.m. Grand Ottawa Opry, 301 S. Hickory, Dale Reese 785-214-0013, grandoopry@gmail.com. APRIL 25 Main Street Drags and Car Show, Norwich. T he home of Kansas Main Street Drag Races will display all-day entertainment and fun for the whole family! Gene Rich 316-210-1731. APRIL 25 Rhythm and Ride Bicycle and Music Festival, Ottawa. E njoy the weekend-long celebration of bicycles, music and the outdoors! Go on a bicycle tour with music at each destination. 130 S. Main St., 913-951-1070, ottawabikeandtrail.com/rhythm-and-ride. APRIL 25-26 SC Showdown Livestock
Show, Scott City. L ivestock show for youth. Indoor Arena, visitscottcity.com. APRIL 25 Spring Ranch Rodeo, Sylvan Grove. Four-person teams compete in double mugging, trailer loading, branding and an optional wild cow milking event. Admission by donation, begins at 6 p.m. Sylvan Grove Fair Grounds, 301 S. Main, 785-531-1066. APRIL 28 Community Concert, Dodge
City. L isten to the sounds of Presidio Brass, a bold, new generation of brass entertainment. Begins at 7 p.m. Dodge City Civic Center. APRIL 29 Senior Boomer Expo, Dodge City. V endors, giveaways, entertainment, games, ice cream social and $300 mega blackout bingo. Lunch served. Event sponsored by the Continued on page 17
Continued from page 16
Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging. Knights of Columbus Hall, 800 W. Frontview, Lori Gerard 620-225-8230. APRIL 29-30 KCAC Championship Tournament, Great Bend. T he Kansas Collegiate Association Conference hosts the baseball and softball championship each year in Great Bend. Great Bend Sports Complex. APRIL 29 Make It Happen Economic Development Seminar, Fredonia. Presented by CityMark from 8 a.m.-2:15 p.m. Wilson County Old Iron Club, 10392 Jade Rd. APRIL 30 Barton Community College Job
Fest, Great Bend. R egional job fair allowing you to network and find a career. 3-6 p.m. Great Bend Events Center, 3111 10th St. MAY 1-3 Flea Market, White Cloud.
p.m., Sunday 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. 710 W. Woodside, Brett Whitenack 620-242-6003.
join us at the festival! 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Search Scott City Ren Fest on Facebook.
MAY 1-2 KCAC Championship
MAY 2 Cinco de Mayo in the Square, Great Bend. C elebrate Mexican-American culture in Great Bend. This yearly event includes a parade and activities throughout the day. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Jack Kilby Square.
MAY 1-AUG. 16 Photo Ark Exhibit, Logan. Award-winning photographer, speaker, author, conservationist and the 2018 National Geographic Explorer of the Year, Joel Sartore will be on display. Hansen Museum, 785-689-4846.
MAY 2 Flatland Big Band Clinic and Concert, Scott City. M usic clinic during the day, concert in the evening. visitscottcity.com.
Tournament, Great Bend. T he Kansas Collegiate Association Conference hosts the baseball and softball championship each year in Great Bend. Great Bend Sports Complex.
MAY 1-2 Red Line Cruisers Annual Cruise
Night and Car Show, Plainville F riday cruise 6-10 p.m., Saturday car show 8 a.m.-3 p.m. L inda Hagan 785-425-8181, clkhagen@ ruraltel.net. MAY 1-3 Renaissance Festival, Scott City.
Charles Messner 402-245-5367.
F ood, fun, costumed actors and artisans market. Find your inner pirate, Viking, queen or king and
MAY 1-3 Gem & Mineral Club Sale,
McPherson. F riday and Saturday 9 a.m.-6
MAY 2 Kentucky Derby Party, Concordia. H osted by the NCK Saddle Club. Time TBA. Broadway Plaza, 785-243-2010, broadwayplazaconcordia.com. MAY 3 Discover Salina Naturally, Salina. et outdoors and celebrate your place in G nature! Learn about sustainability at the one-ofa-kind festival with something for every family member. Explore more than 60 exhibits, booths and activity stations. Free to enter. From 11 a.m.4 p.m. Lakewood Park, Nona Miller 785-8338023, nona.miller@salina.org. KCL
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APRIL 2020
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1/25/20 5:22 PM
YO U R P L A C E I N T H E G A R D E N
Welcome Spring with May Day Baskets for Neighbors, Friends
BY C Y N T H I A D O M E N G H I N I , P H . D .
and heard the phrase “April showers bring May flowers” more times than I can count. Did you know there was a time in our nation’s history when the start of May was actually celebrated with baskets of flowers? Some still celebrate this lovely occasion by gracing their friends’ and neighbors’ front porches with baskets of beautiful flowers. May Day (May 1) has been celebrated for centuries as a time to welcome spring. With the more pleasant weather and the garden coming to life, boys and girls would surprise the object of their affection with a May basket left secretly. May baskets were typically handmade out of paper. Though flowers were a common gift, anything could be placed in the baskets including candy, cookies or trinkets. The giver would hang the basket on the door, knock and then run off to hide before the door was opened. This would sometimes ensue a chase between the smitten children. May baskets have been hung on doors since the 19th century. Over time, the baskets were used for friends and neighbors as well as love interests. In the early 1900s two different first ladies were surprised by children bringing May baskets to the front door of the White House. Unfortunately, by the mid1900s, the tradition of May baskets was fading. One of the more charming features of May baskets is the simplicity. Children could gather flowers from their yard and make a holder out of paper or even a milk carton requiring little to no financial input. The sentiment was pure innocence and creativity, leaving out the commercialization of many holidays. In an effort to preserve the history of this celebration, here are some simple steps to make your own May basket. f Choose a piece of paper for your cone basket. Ideally the paper will have a colorful design, but even plain paper can make an attractive basket that showcases the contents.
I HAVE PERSONALLY SAID
Cynthia Domenghini, Ph.D.
This is a quick project to get the children involved while also teaching the importance of taking time to remember our friends and neighbors.
f Make a cone shape with the paper and staple
to secure the shape. Line the inside of the cone with plastic. The cone-shaped bags used for frosting a cake work perfectly, but sandwich zipper bags can also work well. This step allows the basket to hold a small amount of water for
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the flowers. You can skip this step if you don’t plan to fill your basket with flowers. f Create a handle for the basket using a strip of
paper about 12 to 18 inches long. Staple this to the top of the cone on opposite sides also securing the plastic bag in place.
f Select the stems for your basket. A trip through
the garden will yield a variety of options. Don’t be limited by blooms. Look at the greenery around the landscape as well and think creatively. Even a bouquet of dandelions is lovely when given as a gift of admiration. Place the stems in the basket and carefully add water to the liner.
f Choose your recipient and quietly hang the
basket from their doorknob.
What better way to welcome the spring sunshine and warmer weather than spreading love to the community? This is a quick project to get the children involved while also teaching the importance of taking time to remember our friends and neighbors. The garden is meant to be shared. Happy May Day! KCL CYNTHIA DOMENGHINI is an instructor and coordinator for K-State’s horticultural therapy online certificate program.
This May Day basket, made by by the author’s nine-yearold, is made with a piece of scrapbook paper and filled with daffodils.
NEWS BRIEFS
Ayers Inducted into the KCC Hall of Fame the Kansas Cooperative Council (KCC) inducts individuals into their Hall of Fame. Individuals are nominated and honored for their substantial engagement in the cooperative industry. This year, Charles Ayers, retired board member from Wheatland Electric Cooperative, was honored as an inductee for going above and beyond in advancing the cooperative philosophy. Ayers has served elecCharles Ayers, a retired Wheatland board member, tric cooperatives for several was recently inducted into the years, serving on the Kansas Cooperative Hall of Fame. Wheatland board of trustees from 1986 to 2017. During that time, he also served on boards for Sunflower Electric Power Corporation, Western Fuels Association, ACES Power Marketing and the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation. EACH YEAR,
“On the evening of my induction, I suggested that really the greatest honor began when the board was moved to put my name forward in consideration,” Ayers said. “In the evening, it was really clear, what the cooperative council has put together is a marvelous way to lift up the importance of the cooperative community and to identify the value of strong leadership to keep that a vibrant dynamic. I really appreciated the effort that they’ve gone to create that history.” Ayers was nominated by fellow inductee Earl Watkins. Watkins is a retired Sunflower president and CEO and was inducted into the KCC Hall of Fame in 2017. The KCC has created a permanent home for the Hall of Fame at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. The Pride of Kansas Building plays host to the display of achievements by some of Kansas’ greatest co-op leaders and shares in educating the public about the cooperative industry. Since established in 1999, 46 individuals from all different types of cooperatives have been inducted into the KCC’s Hall of Fame. KCL
Sumner-Cowley Electric’s LongestTenured Manager Retires Sumner-Cowley Electric Cooperative CEO, announced his retirement last fall and will be succeeded this April by newly named CEO Coni Adams. Rains started his career with Sumner-Cowley in 1977 as an apprentice lineman. He worked his way up the ranks to journeyman lineman and crew leader before he began working in the warehouse. The warehouse job gave Rains the opportunity to attend college at night and on the weekends. Rains was promoted again in 1994 to assistant manager. In 1996, Rains graduated from college and was also named CEO in December of that year. He is currently the longest-tenured manager at Sumner-Cowley. “I think rural cooperative people are the best people you’ll ever meet, no matter where you go,” Rains said. “I’ve met some of the best people ever. It’s been a real honor and a privilege to work in the rural electric industry and have all the interaction with the rural people.” Rains has worked in the electric cooperative
CLETE RAINS,
Coni Adams will succeed Clete Rains as CEO of Sumner-Cowley Electric Cooperative in April. Rains announced his retirement in fall 2019 after 43 years in the electric cooperative industry.
industry for 43 years. While he’s still deciding on his plans for his time during retirement, he’s taken advice from a previous manager and will have plenty of time to think about what’s next. “One previous manager told me that when you retire, every day is a Saturday and you never face a Monday again,” Rains said. “I thought ‘well that’s a good way to look at it.’” KCL APRIL 2020
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loy these tips f or emp
g
saf in e ho me food cann
BY M E L I N DA S C H N Y D E R
AS A FREQUENT JUDGE for food competitions at county and state fairs, Karen
Blakeslee is on the front line seeing where Kansans are excelling and where they are struggling when it comes to home food preservation. That experience led her to create resources that we can find at local K-State Research and Extension offices or on the extension’s website dedicated to preservation: rrc.k-state.edu/preservation. Blakeslee is a sort of agent for the agents. She is an extension associate based in Manhattan and she coordinates the Rapid Response Center, where agents call in if they need help answering food-related questions, whether it’s about food safety, preparation or preservation. She puts together how-to videos and guides for preservation methods that local agents use or the public can access on the website. She also gathers tested recipes and other resources from trusted sources around the country. She’s noticed a resurgence in interest in food preservation tied to movements involving buying
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local, lowering food waste and having more control over food sources. Preserving food by canning, freezing or dehydrating allows home gardeners or even those who buy from others to save more of what is grown and enjoy it yearround. Preserving food at home allows consumers to control the sodium and sugar content in some preservation recipes they choose. She’s also noticed a trend in fermenting vegetables. This uses salt to pull moisture out of the food to create an acidic brine with the help of good Lactobacillus bacteria and an anaerobic environment. With increased interest comes the need to share safety guidance to prevent foodborne illness from improperly home-canned food. Blakeslee’s key message: “Food preservation is not something that can be done quickly. Make sure you take the
time that’s needed to do it safely and properly so vegetables and all meats, must be you end up with good, safe products.” processed in a pressure canner to The time you set aside should begin in the get the temperature up to 240 F to spring, she says, as gardening season gets underway. 250 F and to destroy the bacterium “Think about what you are going to plant or Clostridium botulinum. The boiling buy from the farmers market, then look through water method will safely can highrecipes; I have links to good resources for tested acid foods, such as fruit, pickles, jams recipes on my website,” she says. “It’s important and jellies, and destroy any yeast and for people to understand there are recipes on the mold present. internet that have not been tested and can give One of the most often confused foods to unsafe results. So be mindful about your source can is plain tomatoes. Whether you’re canning for recipes.” whole tomatoes or tomato juice, you need to add Selecting recipes early in the season allows you extra acid. This is required for either pressure to gather the correct supplies and equipment so canning or water bath canning tomatoes. you’ll be ready when the produce is ready to be “There is a misconception that tomatoes are preserved. a high acid and don’t need extra acid. They can How you choose to preserve food comes down actually be a low-acid food. To can all tomatoes to personal preferences, the type of food and how safely, however, it is important to add either much food and storage space you have available, bottled lemon juice, citric acid or even vinegar,” Blakeslee says. Most people have more space to Blakeslee says. “We have guidelines in our store canned food in their cupboards. Freezing takes less time than canning but depends on freezer space. Use freezer-safe plastic bags and containers for best freezing quality. Her K-State website has tips for dehydrating and freezing foods in addition to the canning information. One of the biggest misunderstandings when it comes to canning is using the wrong processing method. The recommended method is based on the type of food being canned. LowKaren Blakeslee, K-State Research and Extension associate, has noticed a acid foods, such as plain
KAREN BLAKESLEE
Whether you’re canning whole tomatoes or tomato juice, you need to add extra acid.
resurgence in an interest in food preservation and fermenting vegetables. APRIL 2020
KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING
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loy these tips f or emp
g
saf in e ho me food cann
KAREN BLAKESLEE
1 Choosing the wrong processing method (water bath versus pressure canning) 2 Using outdated or
untested recipes The water bath canning method is the correct process for canning jams and jellies, which will result in a better-tasting product and a longer shelf life.
3 Modifying tested recipes 4 Not adjusting for altitude
‘Preserve it Fresh, Preserve it Safe: Tomatoes’ publication on our website.” Another common mistake is using old processing methods passed down from previous generations, such as heating canned food in an oven, dishwasher or outside in the sun. “Jams and jellies, one of the most commonly canned foods, are easy to do with kids to teach them about food preservation,” Blakeslee says. “Some people still do an old-fashioned method called open-kettle canning. This is filling the jar, putting the lid and ring on it, turning it upside down, then right side up. There is not a final heat processing step. This is not recommended because yeast or mold could still be present and grow.”
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KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING
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Water bath canning method is the correct processing method for jams and jellies, which will give a bettertasting product with a longer shelf life. Blakeslee wants to remind you that even if you don’t know the science behind food preservation, K-State has resources and hands-on classes to make it understandable, whether it’s learning about recipes, or getting comfortable with operating a pressure canner. “Food preservation has been around for a long time, and research has discovered the best methods,” she says. “We’re here to ease the fear behind food preservation, to show them it can be fun and to give them tools so they are smart about safely preserving food to enjoy throughout the year. KCL
5 Incorrect headspace in the jar 6 Using the wrong jar size or
reusing one-time-only lids
7 Processing tomatoes without acidification
8 Improper processing times 9 Getting fancy with how you pack food in a jar 10 Using a new appliance with recipes not developed for the appliance Source: Karen Blakeslee, K-State Research and Extension
NEWS BRIEFS
Kansas Co-ops Recognized Nationally to the electric cooperatives across the state! Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (KEC) and its 30 member co-ops were recently recognized by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) for receiving 5-Star Co-op status statewide. Currently, Kansas is one of only three states to have every electric cooperative qualify for this honor through the Co-ops Vote program. The Co-ops Vote program is designed to inform members on key issues and encourage them to engage with policymakers, including efforts to get them to participate in the election process. NRECA began the 5-Star Co-op Program as a way to applaud co-ops for their engagement in the Co-ops Vote program and increasing rural voter turnout. As cooperative legislative efforts change each year, the Co-ops Vote events follow the same pattern. This year, electric co-ops hosted 21 individual Co-ops Vote events to support statewide cooperative legislative efforts. Tara Mays, KEC’s director of government relations, helped organize the events and explained the success of the program throughout the state can be directly attributed to the multitude of local events. “In 2019, we included more events at the electric co-ops and invited state, federal, and local elected officials to join us to learn about issues facing rural electric co-ops,” Mays said. During these events, policymakers learned about policy issues important to the electric co-op and their members. These issues included ensuring affordable and reliable power in rural
CONGRATULATIONS
areas and local economic impact. Many Kansas co-ops also discussed the potential of rural broadband access and distribution for rural residents. Overall, Kansas Co-ops Vote events helped reach more than 75 state legislators, two statewide elected offices, 40 local officials, and seven U.S. ongressional and senatorial staffers. Jim Matheson, NRECA CEO, was able to address Kansas’ electric co-op trustees during the KEC annual meeting on Jan. 27. Matheson spoke about the co-op’s involvement in Co-ops Vote and readiness to participate. “Kansas embraced Co-ops Vote more than any other state,” said Matheson. NRECA has evolved the Co-ops Vote program to a two-year cycle which allows cooperatives to become 5-Star qualified during the entirety of an election cycle. With these changes, Kansas co-ops will retain their 5-Star status reached in 2019 for the 2020 year. As KEC looks ahead, staff will continue to encourage co-op involvement in Co-ops Vote. “This year, we’re looking at hosting more regionalized events with electric co-ops,” Mays explained. “We are grateful to everyone who helps us organize these important efforts and we hope to participate with new partners in 2020. “We’re looking at other ways to engage with all elected officials and how we can incorporate youth programming into the Co-ops Vote program to build on our grassroots efforts.” KCL
State Representative Dave Baker, R-Council Grove, (center) speaks with Flint Hills Rural Electric staff during the 2019 Co-ops Vote events.
From left: KEC’s Tara Mays, Representative Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, State Senator Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, and manager Chuck Look of Prairie Land Electric Cooperative in Norton at a 2019 Co-ops Vote event. APRIL 2020
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C O O K I N G M Y WAY H O M E
Devil(ed) at the Crossroads of Eggs and Potatoes
BY R E B E C C A H O WA R D
at Easter time, we usually maximized our efforts. This meant boiling and dyeing not one mere dozen eggs, but several. Most of my years growing up, eggs were plentiful, and if you were going to spend the Saturday afternoon (and into the evening) before Easter Sunday decorating eggs, the more, the merrier. A large stockpot of eggs was cooked and cooled, then my mom, my sister and I broke out the crayons and the PAAS egg dye and got down to business. My sister, the artist, relished in mixing colors and even employing watercolor paints; my mom and I stuck to simple crayon designs, including her popular “back-of-thebunny” (with droppings) drawings.
The finished eggs filled cartons and wooden egg baskets and waited in the fridge for the Big Bunny to hide them. At the culmination of these spring festivities, we were left with joy and a whole heck of a lot of hard-cooked eggs. And there were only so many you could crack, peel and sprinkle with seasoning salt. Ultimately — and likely even the same day — the eggs (or their colleagues that cracked during the cooking process) were either turned into Rebecca Howard potato salad or deviled eggs. Both prospects were so appealing, neither my sister nor I protested the sacrifice of our Easter booty. A big bowl of potato salad, crisp with celery and onions, made extra rich with chopped egg yolks and whites and laden with a mustardy-mayo dressing, was always a welcome sight on the spring or summer buffet table. And a humble platter of deviled eggs, with their creamy, flavorful golden fillings, often sprinkled with vivid, fiery-red paprika as a finish, usually overshadowed anything else served — and disappeared first. German settlers have been credited Fans of deviled eggs and potato salad will find the best of both worlds in with bringing potato salad to America, this recipe. While herbs and crumbled bacon are suggested as garnishes, the first versions a mix of potatoes and you can customize the toppings (try olives, fresh dill or sliced scallions) to other veggies, along with vinegar in a suit anyone’s tastes. dish that was served warm. With the f 8-10 small (2-inch) red potatoes f 1 Tbs. Dijon mustard advent of jarred commercial mayonf 45 hard-cooked eggs, f Several dashes of hot sauce naise becoming popular in America in peeled and chopped f Salt and pepper the 1920s, a cold potato salad with a f 1/2 cup finely chopped onion f Paprika for garnish creamy dressing was born. f 1/4 cup finely chopped celery f Fresh herbs (chives, parsley) for garnish Deviled eggs, or the process of f 3 Tbs. sweet pickle relish f 2 strips crumbled, cooked “deviling” (which has over the years bacon for garnish f 1/2 cup sour cream included everything from kidneys to f 1/4 cup mayonnaise ham) as a culinary term was first used In a large saucepan over medium heat, cook potatoes in salted water (covering potatoes) until as a verb in the early 19th century, just tender with a fork, but still firm. Drain potatoes and allow to cool completely. according to “The Oxford Companion to Food,” (Oxford University Press: 1999). Cut each potato in half and using a small spoon, remove a teaspoon or two from the center of the potato and put the removed potato pieces in a mixing bowl. Place the cut potato halves in To devil, meant “to cook something with a serving dish (you could even use a deviled egg dish) or 13-by-9-inch pan. fiery hot spices or condiments.” Fillings for deviled eggs, generAdd the chopped egg, onion, celery, relish, sour cream, mayo, mustard and hot sauce to the potato in the bowl, mix thoroughly. Add salt and pepper to taste. ally made of hard-cooked egg yolks, mayo, mustard and seasonings, can be Scoop mounds of the potato-and-egg mixture (a cookie scoop works well here) into the as varied as one can imagine, keeping hollowed potato halves. Sprinkle each with a little paprika and top with fresh herbs and/or bacon. Makes 6 to 8 servings. them so silky they can be piped fancifully into egg white cups or chunkWHEN WE COLORED EGGS
“Deviled Egg” Potatoes
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KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING
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ing them up a little texturally with the same elements as potato salad, such as onions and celery and pickle relish. Top the eggs with everything from crumbled cooked bacon, olive slices, chopped parsley and chives or even candied walnuts. If you have extra hard-cooked eggs, you can’t really go wrong with either potato salad or deviled eggs. But why not do both? A few years ago, I ran across a recipe in Southern Living magazine for “deviled potatoes” — small red potatoes cooked, cut in half, hollowed and filled with a cross between traditional deviled egg filling and potato salad. I decided to adapt my own version of this delightful twist on two classic favorites. The mashup of a firm, but tender potato bite filled with egg-y filling is a winner (think handheld potato-salad-in-a-cup … no fork required). And this take means if you’re feeling “devil-ish” you don’t have to go with eggs alone. KCL REBECCA HOWARD grew up in Kansas and has written for the Los Angeles Daily News, the Los Angeles Times and LA Parent Magazine, and currently writes the food blog, “A Woman Sconed.”
TIPS
In my process of developing “Deviled Egg” Potatoes (recipe shared here), I was reminded of some important, tried-andtrue tips when working with potatoes and eggs for salads and deviling:
Eggs f A basic hard-cooked egg method that prevents
overcooking (and the green rind that develops on the yolk) is placing the eggs in a large heavy pot, covering with cold water, then bring the water to boil. Allow a brief (one to two minutes) boiling, turn off the heat, cover the pot and allow the eggs to steep for 15 minutes. Drain, rinse the eggs with cold water, dry and refrigerate. f “Extremely fresh eggs are the most difficult to peel,”
writes Debbie Moose in her 2004 book, “Deviled Eggs” (The Harvard Common Press). Eggs that are a week to 10 days old peel better, as they have a larger air pocket
(in their larger end) to crack and start the de-shelling. Roll eggs against a hard surface to crack the peel. Submerging the egg in a big bowl of cold water helps release the shell keeping it from sticking to the egg. f To be safe, do not use hard-cooked eggs that have
been colored and hunted if they have been out of refrigeration for a long period.
Potatoes f For this recipe or most potato salad recipes, select waxy
(like red varieties) potatoes that will hold their shape and have a smooth, less mealy texture. f Cook the potatoes (don’t forget to salt the water) until
just tender and still very firm so they don’t fall apart when cutting or mixing. APRIL 2020
KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING
25
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is well represented in the
House of Representatives. This month, we’re celebrating the lineworkers who keep our lights on. Remember to #ThankALineworker and move over in work zones.
Census data is used to reapportion the U.S. House of Representatives, determining how many seats our state gets. Look for your 2020 census invitation in your mailbox soon. APRIL 2020
KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING
27
SAFETY
Common Sense and Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) OLDER ADULTS AND PEOPLE with severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes are at higher risk for developing more serious complications from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The Centers for Disease Control offers these reminders to stay healthy. (Please consult with your health care provider about your specific medical condition and additional steps to take to protect yourself.)
Know How it Spreads f There is currently no vaccine to
prevent COVID-19.
Everything we do before a pandemic will seem alarmist. Everything we do after will seem inadequate. MICHAEL LEAVITT, FORMER UTAH GOVERNOR AND SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
f Clean your hands often. f If soap and water are not readily
available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
f Avoid touching your eyes, nose and
f The best way to prevent illness is to
avoid being exposed to this virus.
f The virus is thought to spread mainly
from person-to-person:
mouth with unwashed hands.
f Avoid close contact and avoid close
contact with people who are sick.
f Put distance between yourself and
f between people who are in close
contact with one another (within about 6 feet). f through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. f these droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Take Steps to Protect Yourself f Wash your hands often with soap
and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. View the proper handwashing video at www. kec.coop/covid-19.
other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
Take Steps to Protect Others f Stay home if you are sick, except to
get medical care.
f Cover your mouth and nose with a
tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
f Throw used tissues in the trash. f Immediately wash your hands
with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
STAY INFORMED FROM THESE RELIABLE SOURCES: � www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html � https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 � your local government and emergency management authorities
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KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING
APRIL 2020
f Wear a facemask if you are sick when
you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a health care provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), cover your coughs and sneezes.
IF YOU ARE NOT SICK: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.
Clean and Disinfect f Clean AND disinfect frequently
touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks.
f Cleaning refers to the removal of
germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces. Cleaning does not kill germs but lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfecting. f Disinfecting refers to using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection. Clorox, Lysol and Purell products are on the Environmental Protection Agency’s list of disinfectants that will kill the coronavirus. KCL
APRIL 2020
KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING
29
KANS AS COUNTRY LIVING, APRIL 2020
meat. Try this new technique to ensure a delicious turkey breast.
KANS AS COUNTRY LIVING, APRIL 2020
Mmmm bacon. It doesn’t get much better than bacon for breakfast but when you add mushroom and eggs, perfecto.
Art of the Turkey Brine Brining adds moisture and flavor to any
Bite-Sized Bacon and Mushroom Quiche
Carrot Cake
Tangy Kale Slaw with Cilantro and Honey
KAN S AS COU N T RY L IVIN G, APR IL 2020
Join the bunnies this Easter by enjoying carrots! Add texture and flavor to your cake with pineapple and walnuts.
KAN S AS COU N T RY L IVIN G, APR IL 2020
Incorporate one of the most nutrientdense foods into your diet with a kale slaw.
f 2 cups kale leaves, washed, shredded and stems removed f 1/2 cup red cabbage leaves, washed and shredded
and thinly sliced
f 1/4 cup green onion, trimmed
f 1/2 cup carrot, trimmed and shredded
Tangy Kale Slaw with Carrots and Honey f 2 Tbs. red wine vinegar f 1 Tbs. light mayonnaise f 1 Tbs. honey
washed and chopped
f 1 1/2 tsp. cilantro leaves, f 1 tsp. lime juice f 1/4 tsp. kosher salt f 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
In bowl, combine vinegar, mayonnaise, honey, cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper. Whisk until well blended. Add kale, red cabbage, carrot and onion. Toss to coat.
COURTESY CULINARY.NET
Frosting f 1 tsp. baking soda f 3/4 cup butter, softened f 1 tsp. ground cinnamon f 1 1/2 cups cream f 1/2 tsp. iodized salt cheese, softened f 1/2 tsp. baking powder f 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour f 1 tsp. pure vanilla f 51/2 cups powdered sugar f 2/3 cup chopped walnuts, divided
Cover and keep chilled prior to serving.
Carrot Cake f 1 cup, plus 2 Tbs., vegetable oil f 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar f 3 large eggs f 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots f 1 cup crushed pineapple, with juice
Heat oven to 350 F. In mixing bowl, cream together oil and sugar. Add eggs one at a time. Slowly add in carrots and pineapple. In separate mixing bowl, sift together baking soda, cinnamon, salt, baking powder and flour. Add dry mixture to wet mixture and beat until smooth. Fold in 1/3 cup walnuts. Pour batter into two lightly greased 8-inch round cake pans and bake 25-30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool completely; remove from pans. To make frosting: In mixing bowl, cream together butter, cream cheese and vanilla. Slowly add powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Trim and level cakes. Spread 1 1/2 cups frosting over one cake and stack second cake on top. Carefully frost entire cake with remaining frosting and garnish with remaining chopped walnuts. COURTESY CULINARY.NET
f 1 2/3 cups sour cream
f 5 eggs
(homemade or purchased)
f Pastry for double-crust pie
Bite-Sized Bacon and Mushroom Quiche f 8 slices bacon
f 1/4 pound fresh mushrooms, chopped f 1 Tbs. butter
f 1/3 cup green onion, chopped
f 1 2/3 cups Swiss cheese shredded
Heat oven to 375 F.
On a lightly floured board, roll out the pastry dough 1/16-inch thick. Using a 3-inch cutter, cut out 42 circles; re-roll scraps as needed. Fit circles into bottoms and slightly up sides of lightly greased 2 1/2-inch muffin pans.
Meanwhile, fry bacon slices until crisp, drain; crumble or chop. Chop mushrooms, saute in butter until limp and liquid evaporates. Combine bacon, mushrooms, green onion and cheese. Divide filling equally among muffin cups.
In large bowl, beat together eggs, add sour cream and stir until smooth. Spoon about 1 tablespoon into each muffin cup.
COURTESY KA NS A S P OR K ASSOCI ATIO N
Bake until puffed and light brown, 20-25 minutes. Cool in pans 5 minutes; lift out. Serve warm or let cool on wire racks. If made ahead, wrap cooled quiches airtight, and refrigerate overnight. Reheat, uncovered, in a 350 F oven for about 10 minutes. Makes 3 1/2 dozen.
f 1 5-gallon bucket and lid
with rib cage, cleaned
f 6-8 pounds turkey breast
Art of the Turkey Brine f 5.5 ounces brine mix
cooling and covering turkey, divided
f 2 quarts water, plus additional for
f ice
In pan, mix brine with water. Heat to high 5 minutes to dissolve sugar and salt.
Cool brine mixture; add ice water and mix well. Place turkey in bucket and cover with water and brine.
Place bucket in refrigerator or cooler. Brine 45 minutes per pound. Remove turkey from brine.
Heat wood fire grill to 350 F. Cook turkey 20 minutes then turn temperature to 275 F. Cook 1 hour, 40 minutes until internal temperature reaches 170 F.
Allow turkey to rest about 15 minutes prior to carving to allow juices to settle.
COURTESY CULI NARY.NET
APRIL 2020
KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING
30
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