Issuu

GET T YIMAGES/SASIISTOCK

FEBRUARY F E AT U R E S

12 | Grocery Store Survival

When Moran, Kansas, faced a food desert with the potential closure of a local grocery store, the town embraced the cooperative business model to rescue it from extinction.

14 | Animal Healers

D E PA RT M E N T S

4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |

Studies show animal-assisted therapy is effective in treating PTSD and other traumas. These four-legged therapists provide comfort and unconditional love.

“LIKE” Kansas Country Living on Facebook.

E D I TO R’S L E T T E R

Readers catch blunders A RO U N D K A N S A S

Events all will love CO M M E N TA RY

First phase of rate study released E N E RGY W I S E

7 steps to efficiency

Create energy efficiency one step at a time.

22 | Rural Health Concerns The top five causes of death in the country have a higher incidence of death among rural residents. As rural hospitals close, learn actions you can take to protect your family.

17 | 18 |

NEWS BRIEFS

KEC names new CEO YO U R P L AC E I N T H E G A R D E N

Rain Gardens

Create an environmentally friendly landscape.

24 |

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

City mouse, country larder

Bread pudding makes use of pantry items.

26 | 28 |

M A R K E T P L AC E

Barns, buildings and chicks SAFETY

Disaster preparedness for caregivers

Alzheimer’s patients vulnerable in emergencies.

29 |

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

Salad, fruit and tasty pasta Kale is king in this healthful and tasty salad.

ON THE COVER

Illustration by Carrie Kimberlin, Manager of Creative Solutions at Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc.

ACCESSCK OF

CR EATES RURAL DE SERTS

GETTYIMAGES USED IN I L L U S T R AT I O N FEBRUA RY

FEBRUARY 2020

2020 | BROUG HT

Grocer Co-op busin y Store Sur viv ess model rescues groceal rs Rural Take actio Health Scare n to meet challenges Four-Legg ed How anim Therapists als help

TO YOU BY ROLLIN G

HILLS ELECTR IC

heal traum a

CO-OP | WWW. KEC.CO

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

E D I TO R’S L E T T E R

Letters, Emails from Readers Keep Me on My Toes

(ISSN 0091-9586) FEBRUARY 2020 VOL. 70, NO. 2 ©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

editor of this magazine nearly five years ago, my first selfimposed goal was to never print a recipe with incorrect ingredient amounts or incorrect ingredients. I blew that goal with December’s issue. The recipe for Rebecca Howard’s cinnamon candy incorrectly stated 12 cups of sugar instead of the proper 2 cups. This was a copyediting error — not Rebecca’s — and I apologize, especially to those of you who had a difficult time stirring that much sugar into so little liquid. Thank you to our readers who brought the error to my attention, and thanks to Victory Electric member Andrea Stegman who presented a sample of the resulting red slab resembling cement to her co-op’s office in Dodge City. Thankfully, she and the co-op staff had a good laugh over the misprint and resulting food fail. I then learned of an error printed in the January 2020 issue from astute reader Joyce Miller, Goddard, who knows her history. She wrote: “I really enjoyed the information Bruce furnished in this article. However, I think that the last item had an errone-

Multimedia Communications Specialist

WHEN I BECAME

Officers Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc.

Keith McNickle President

Terry Hobbs

Vice President

Craig Kostman

Secretary

A recipe correction from an old unnamed newspaper quickly became a classic in the world of newspaper corrections.

ous date. I do not believe that grasshopper plague happened in 1974. Perhaps - 1874??!!! Congratulations on your successful contests. The photos were incredible. It was so nice that all of those with correct answers were awarded the ornaments, as well. We ALWAYS enjoy your magazine.” Thank you, Joyce and Andrea, as we appreciate all feedback from our readers, the Kansas electric co-op consumer-members we serve. It’s our goal to cost-effectively deliver important information to you from your electric co-op each month, along with the entertaining features and industry information within these pages. Keep on keeping me on my toes! KCL

VICKI ESTES, EDITOR

Teresa Miller 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 FEB. 14 “Kansas Exhibit,” Ellsworth. E njoy

a variety of quilts, paintings, photos, books and more that share the history of Kansas. Honored by Kansas governors, artists Charles Rogers, Betty Kepka Belton and Vernon Brejcha will also be on display. Ellsworth Area Arts Council, 223 N. Douglas Ave. THROUGH MAY 10 American Adventure Exhibit, Manhattan. L earn what it was like settling the shores of America by winding your way through a 2,500-square-foot maze. Flint Hills Discovery Center, 315 S. Third St., 785-5872726, flinthillsdiscovery.org/adventure. FEB. 1-2 Train Show & Swap Meet, Wichita. S how

includes operating layouts, model contests, clinics and more than 100 dealer tables. Held Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Cessna Activity Center, 2744 George Washington Blvd., 316-259-5190, aylward1@cox.net. FEB. 1 Mandy Harvey, McPherson. D eaf American

singer-songwriter Mandy Harvey will share her talents and message of hope, dreams, and to believe no matter what, beginning at 7:30 p.m. McPherson Opera House, 620-2411952, mcphersonoperahouse.org. FEB. 1 I Heart GB Promotion, Great Bend. V isit

participating downtown stores to win an I Heart GB package! Show your local love for downtown businesses. Each week one winner will be chosen and then a grand prize winner will be drawn on Feb. 24. 620-792-2750. FEB. 1 CASA Chocolate Auction, Great Bend.

A uction benefits children in the 20th Judicial District. Enjoy an assortment of cupcakes, fondue, candies and more from 6-11 p.m. Great Bend Events Center, 3111 10th St., 620-786-6001. FEB. 1 Author Brie Arthur, Wichita. I nternational

author and horticulturist Brie Arthur will speak about her bestselling book, “The Foodscape Revolution,” at the 2020 Design and Grow Gardening Workshop. The conference is for both novice and experienced gardeners. Workshop is from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sedgwick County Extension Education Center, 7001 W. 21st St. N., Rebecca McMahon 316-660-0142, rmcmahon@ksu.edu. FEB. 1 Propaganda and the People: Lessons from

Nazi Germany, Courtland. D r. Shelly Cline, historian for the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, will share what we can learn from the acts of Nazi Germany. Hosted

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

FEBRUARY 2020

from 3-4:30 p.m. Courtland Arts Center, 421 Main St., 785-374-9260. FEB. 4 Swine Profitability Conference, Manhattan. F ocus on staying competitive in the swine industry learning from some of the industry’s top individuals. Stanley Stout Center, 2200 Denison Ave., Lois Schreiner 785-532-1267, lschrein@ksu.edu, KSUSwine.org. FEB. 6-9 Scrap Happy Quilt Retreat, Concordia.

T ake pieces of scrap material and turn them into quilts, table runners or wall hangings. Bring your scraps and we’ll toss them in a big pile for all to use. Thursday 5 p.m.-Sunday 1 p.m. Manna House of Prayer, 323 E. Fifth St. FEB. 7 Grower Focus, Dodge City. L earn from Randy Dowdy, a producer with world-record yields in corn and soybeans, through his presentation and a question and answer session. Event begins at 8:30 a.m. Use code KSCL for $5 off registration. United Wireless Arena, 620-225-2233, GrowerFocus.com. FEB. 7 Night to Shine, Manhattan. A n unforgettable

prom night experience for people with special needs ages 14 and older. Hosted by the University Christian Church and Manhattan Parks and Rec, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. University Christian Church, 2800 Claflin Rd., mhkprd.com. FEB. 8 Grand O’ Opry, Ottawa. S pecial guests Duke

Mason, Ginelle Esry and Mike Bland will share their talents with the Opry. Tickets only available at the door. Show begins at 7 p.m. Ottawa Memorial Auditorium, 301 S. Hickory, Dale Reese 785-214-0013, grandoopry@gmail.com. FEB. 8 Terry Barber Trio, Dodge City. “ Around the

World in 80 Minutes” as the Terry Barber Trio will perform world favorites in 10 languages. Show begins at 7 p.m. Dodge City Civic Center. FEB. 8 The Chocolate Affair, Garden City. A

shopping event where each retailer will have a different type of chocolate for shoppers to try. Restaurants may also participate with chocolate beverages as well. Shop downtown from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and enjoy a little something sweet. Downtown Garden City. FEB. 9 Terry Barber Trio, Garden City. A past member

of Chanticleer Soloist at the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall and Moscow’s Svetlanov Hall, enjoy music from Terry Barber, who has recorded with artists from Madonna to

the London Philharmonic. Clifford Hope Auditorium, 1412 N. Main St., Nancy Randolph 620-275-2878. FEB. 9 “Map to My Kingdom,” Alma. T his

play tackles the issues of land transition and will resonate with anyone who owns property likely to be passed through generations. Community potluck at 12:30 p.m.; play begins at 2 p.m. The Volland Store, 24098 Volland Road, 913-522-6270. FEB. 15-16 Musical Revue, McPherson. A musical revue by the McPherson Community Theatre featuring some of the greatest and most memorable music and tuneful skits. McPherson Opera House, 620-241-1952, mcphersonoperahouse.org. FEB. 15-16 Gun and Coin Antique Show, Phillipsburg. S how features almost 100 tables. Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m; Sunday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Concessions by local 4-H groups. Phillips County Fair Building, Toby Griffith 785-533-1061. FEB. 15 Live Music Dance Party, Garden

City. D ance the night away beginning at 8 p.m. E agles Lodge, search Country Dancing in Southwest Kansas on Facebook. FEB. 15 Spaghetti Dinner, Junction City.

C hili, soup and spaghetti with many desserts to choose from. Meal is free-will donation, and active duty military and law enforcement and their families eat for free. Enjoy the time at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 9719 Clarks Creek Rd., Lynn 785-482-3213. FEB. 16 Student Art Month, Ellsworth.

A collection of art featuring work from the students at Ellsworth County Schools. Exhibit continues through March. Ellsworth Area Arts Council, 223 N. Douglas. FEB. 21-23 “The Prodigal Son,” Garden

City. P resented by Garden City High School theater. Show begins at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Garden City High School, 2720 Buffalo Way.

FEB. 22 Chamber & Main Street Banquet Celebration, Belleville. A ll are invited to celebrate the successful year in Belleville. Social hour at 6 p.m, meal at 7 p.m. Belleville Country Club, 2208 Country Club Dr.

community together to support children and adults with developmental disabilities. Dinner, games and a live auction will bring the night to life. Great Bend Events Center, 3111 10th St., Connie Oetken 620-792-1325.

FEB. 22 Mardi Gras Dinner with Karaoke Contest, Fredonia. E njoy an evening of authentic Cajun food, King Cake and New Orleans-style cocktails followed by a karaoke contest, all to celebrate Mardi Gras. New this year, a costume contest! Dinner starts at 6 p.m. 620-378-3221, search Fredonia Chamber Mardi Gras Dinner & Karaoke Contest on Facebook.

MARCH 2 Republic County Youth

FEB. 22 Flat Track Races, Great Bend.

Sedan. Enjoy, play and sing along. Light appetizers at 8 p.m. Begins at 6:30 p.m. 1224 E. Main St., Jim Smith 417-499-4110.

ave fun at indoor flat track motorcycle and H cart rates. PIT passes available. Gates open at 2 p.m., practice begins at 3 p.m., races start at 6 p.m. Expo III Arena at Great Bend Expo Complex. FEB. 22 The Gatlin Brothers, McPherson. rammy Award-winning trio Larry, Steve and G Rudy will dazzle the audience with their more than 60 years of musical experience. Begins at 7:30 p.m. McPherson Opera House, 620-2411952, mcphersonoperahouse.org. FEB. 22 Chamber of Commerce Banquet, Great Bend. T he annual Chamber of Commerce banquet includes cocktails, social hour and a catered dinner. Great Bend Events Center, 3111 10th St., 620-786-6001. FEB. 23 Kansas Heritage Series: Kansas Legends and Folktales, Fredonia. E njoy folktales and legends told by Jim Hoy beginning at 2 p.m. Wilson County Old Iron Club, 10392 Jade Rd. FEB. 29 Jim Brickman, McPherson. T he award-winning hit-maker, pianist and recording artist presents one of his most entertaining and romantic events of the year at 7:30 p.m. M cPherson Opera House, 620-241-1952, mcphersonoperahouse.org. FEB. 29 Sunflower Diversified Services Gala, Great Bend. T he gala brings the

Entrepreneurship Challenge, Scandia. Youth from across the county are invited to discover what it takes to become a business owner. Open to the community to view the kids work at 5 p.m. Pike Valley High School, 785-527-5524, mainstreet@nckcn.com. MARCH 3 Community All Gospel Jam,

MARCH 5 Carl Myers Racquetball Tournament, Garden City. A tier 4 event with pro and open divisions. Garden City YMCA, 1224 Center St., Stacy Castoe 620-275-1199. MARCH 5-8 Toes in the Water, Concordia. C reate a Toes in the Water Quilt. Thursday 5 p.m.-Sunday 1 p.m. Manna House of Prayer, 323 E. Fifth St. MARCH 6-8 Equifest of Kansas, Salina. A ll

breed horse fair and expo. Ranch rodeos, battle of the breeds, farrier competition, clinicians, wall-to-wall shopping and more. Tonys Pizza Event Center & Salina Co. Expo Center, equifestofks.com. MARCH 7 Dance Party, Garden City. 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. KCL

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

FEBRUARY 2020

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

C O M M E N TA RY

First Phase of Kansas Retail Electric Rates Study Released BY B R U C E G R A H A M

ON JAN. 8, LONDON ECONOMICS INTERNATIONAL LLC (LEI) released its study of retail electric rates in

Bruce Graham

This is a shortcoming the electric co-ops identified last year and, in fact, introduced SB 181 that calls for appointment of a task force consisting of legislators and other stakeholders to develop just such a plan.

Kansas as authorized by the Kansas Legislature in 2019. The enabling legislation, Sub. SB 69, included 29 topics that could assist future legislative and regulatory efforts toward regionally competitive rates while providing the best practicable combination of price, quality and service. The study was divided into two sections with different deadlines. LEI’s 324-page report covered about two-thirds of the topics and one of the subjects was whether electric co-op ratemaking processes are “in the public interest.” Our January issue of Kansas Country Living described the self-governance ratemaking authority granted to not-for-profit electric co-ops in 1992 by the Kansas Legislature. Co-op boards, elected by their fellow members, conduct a thorough process to set rates that recover only the cost of power supply and expenses to build, maintain and operate the delivery infrastructure. Beyond that, any margin is allocated back to the consumer-members on a patronage basis. LEI validated our ownership nature and rate-setting process as a benefit to the members stating that “ ... there are sufficient organizational and economic incentives for co-ops to set rates in a way that prioritizes the public interest.” In addition, because co-ops evolved to serve less populated areas, more infrastructure investments are needed to reach load centers, and the consultants recognized the economic realities of providing reliable rural service. The report does recommend several near-term steps the consultants believe would improve the competitive position of electric rates in our state. The first recommendation is to establish a state energy plan. LEI correctly notes that Kansas lacks a collaborative strategy on energy development and policy. This is a shortcoming the electric co-ops identified last year and, in fact, introduced SB 181 that calls for appointment of a task force consisting of legislators and other stakeholders to develop just such a plan. Apparently, we were a year ahead of our time because, besides the consultant’s pitch, Gov. Laura Kelly has also called development of an energy policy a priority for her administration. The study also recommended that utilities produce an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to meet

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

FEBRUARY 2020

overall state objectives once those are established. LEI suggests that a part of the IRP process should include review of competitive procurement for new, large-scale generation or transmission assets. The report notes that some of the tax rates on Kansas utilities are relatively high compared to our neighboring states. For example, Kansas assesses the value of utility property at a rate of 33% and the regional average is 23%. Of course, all state and local taxes are passed along through rates. The report also recognizes the rate impact of environmental regulation. “The increase in electricity rates in Kansas can be attributed to several key drivers, namely, flattening demand, investments in environmental retrofits at fossil fuel-fired plants to meet federal regulations, and increasing transmission costs.” The report touches on industry restructuring or customer choice, but we believe it did not fully comply with the legislature’s call to examine the impacts of retail competition on “all” customers. Too often, residential and small consumers are losers under retail choice and other states have experienced countless consumer protection issues in their competitive markets, some of which we have documented on the website KSEnergyFacts.com. Nevertheless, the report notes that “most stakeholders seem averse to the notion of retail competition. Of the options to be assessed as part of this study under Sub. for SB 69, retail choice is seen as the least viable option by some. Others are cautious, pointing to the lack of consensus in research showing that retail competition benefits residential customers. As a whole, the overwhelming perception among stakeholders is that implementing retail competition is a time-consuming, complex process, and that it may not be as good of a fit in Kansas as it has been in other states that have implemented it.” AECOM Technical Services of Los Angeles is conducting the second phase of the study, due by July 1, 2020. It is too early to predict what the legislature does with the LEI recommendations but it seems logical that the complete report would start the agenda for the energy policy task force electric cooperatives envisioned in SB 181. KCL BRUCE GRAHAM is Chief Executive Officer of Kansas

Electric Cooperatives, Inc. in Topeka.

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Your 7-Step Efficiency Upgrade Checklist

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 : I used to live in a

newer, energy-efficient home, but I recently moved into an older home that’s definitely not as efficient. I want to make some upgrades, but I’m not sure how much work to do or what steps I should take. Can you offer any advice? — Katie D E AR K ATI E : Making your home more energy efficient can be done one step at a time, or you can take it on all at once as a larger project. Either way, it’s helpful to have a plan in place before you dive in so you don’t end up doing unnecessary work or repeating steps along the way. Here’s a seven-step checklist we’ve compiled to help you get organized.

STEP 1: Set goals and constraints.

Start by setting your primary goal. Are you mainly looking to save money on your home’s energy bills, make it more comfortable, increase the resale value or help the environment? Then, set a deadline for when you need the project completed. This may affect whether you do some of the work yourself and which contractor you choose. Last but not least, set your budget. How much is it worth to you to live in an energy-efficient home? One way to look at this is to review your annual energy bills. If they’re around $2,000 per year, you might ask yourself how much you’d be willing to spend if you could cut that expense in half. Maybe you’d be willing to spend $10,000 to save $1,000 each year? That would be a 10% rate of return on your investment. Or, if your home is drafty and cold, how much are you willing to spend to make it more comfortable?

STEP 2: Educate yourself.

This step is crucial so you can weigh the costs and benefits of each potential improvement. There are many helpful lists of small and large energy efficiency upgrades available online. There are also great resources like the Department of Energy, ENERGY STAR® and Consumer Reports. Your electric co-op may have a home energy adviser on staff or available literature that can help.

STEP 3: Schedule an energy audit.

An energy audit will help you prioritize so you can spend money on the projects that will bring the most benefit. And an energy auditor can help in other ways. My neighbors hired a contractor to do major energy efficiency upgrades. They asked an energy auditor to review the work before they paid for it, and the auditor found it wasn’t close to the level agreed to in the contract. It took several return visits for the contractor to complete the work as promised. So, the energy auditor saved the day!

STEP 4: Plan your projects.

Now that you have set your budget and priorities and have a sense of the work and costs involved, make a list of the items you want to include in your energy efficiency upgrades.

STEP 5: Are there tasks you can take on yourself?

Some work, like caulking windows or adding weather stripping to doors, can be done by the homeowner, especially with the help of online tutorials. Other work, like insulating an attic, can be dangerous and may require special equipment.

STEP 6: Identify and select contractors.

You want a contractor who really knows how to do energy efficiency work. You may need two or more contractors, such as one for your heating system and another for insulation. In some rural areas, contractors may not specialize in the efficiency measures you are interested in. Are they willing to learn what they don’t know? Get several quotes, and references from past clients. Create and sign a contract with guaranteed work and completion dates, with payments due only as work is completed and inspected.

STEP 7: Oversee the work.

The quality of the work makes a big difference in the amount of energy savings and added comfort you desire. Keep an eye on the project and ask questions — lots of questions. Remember, it’s your home, and you’re the one paying the bills! KCL This column was co-written by PAT KEEGAN and BRAD THIESSEN of Collaborative Efficiency. Visit: www. collaborativeefficiency.com/energytips.

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

FEBRUARY 2020

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Grocery Store SURVIVAL BY S A R A H T Y R E E

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

FEBRUARY 2020

Rural Towns Fight Back, Find Success With Local Co-ops IN MAY 2018, residents of the small town of Moran, Kansas (pop. 558), faced

a big decision. The local, independently owned Stubs Market had been up for sale for some time, but no buyer had come forward. There was a very real possibility it would be closed. For years, Stubs served as the only grocery store in this eastern Kansas community and the go-to food destination for all of Allen County. Life-altering is the only way to describe what the impact would have been had the people of Moran lost the only viable grocery store around. Other than Stubs, the nearest store to buy fresh groceries stood in Iola, some 13 miles away. That’s when a local nonprofit came to Moran’s aid. The group, called Thrive Allen County, supports rural revitalization and focuses on quality of life. In short order, they hired an expert in food co-ops, who pulled in another nonprofit organization, the Food Co-op Initiative (FCI), for free training and technical assistance in creating a co-op. The good people of Moran took it from there. United in their cause, teachers, businesspeople, church members, retirees, students and others, signed up dozens of owners for the new co-op, secured financing and opened the doors to a grocery store they could call their own. And name it they did, the Marmaton Market. Nowadays, the store is doing just fine, with ample supplies of fruit, vegetables and other fresh food lining its shelves.

The “Food Desert” Phenomenon

While the local grocery marketplace successfully fought for survival and things are looking up in Moran, that’s not the case in many farm communities now trapped in wide swaths of land known as food deserts. The growing problem of small-town grocery store closures is gripping many towns in rural America. For instance, in 2007 there were more than 200 rural grocery stores in Kansas; since then about a quarter of those rural Kansas communities have lost their stores. It’s estimated that one-third of Kansas’ 105 counties suffer from lack of available grocery stores, affecting some 800,000 people who have to travel 10 miles or more to buy groceries. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that about 5 million people living in rural areas suffer in food deserts.

Co-ops to the Rescue

Rural America, particularly Midwestern states, have Continued on page 19

It’s estimated that one-third of Kansas’ 105 counties suffer from lack of available grocery stores, affecting some 800,000 people who have to travel 10 miles or more to buy groceries. FEBRUARY 2020

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

J U DY S C H N E I D E R

This Women’s Empowerment Retreat at Healing Through Horses helps women increase their self-confidence and heal from past trauma.

Animal Healers

BY A R I A N A K R A M E R

How Animals Help Us Heal from Trauma

It also heals. If I have a difficult day, my dog, Shlomi, will lick my face, place her paw on my arm, and let me know she’s there. When my pitbull mix, Amigo, was still alive, he would curl his body next to mine and cover me with kisses. Over and over again, the companion dogs and cats I have lived with, and other animals who have crossed my path, have helped me through rough moments. So, when I was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) six years ago, it was natural for me to turn to animals for help. And, that’s where Healing Through Horses came into my life.

THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND IS STRONG.

Healing Through Horses

I found Judy Schneider and her animals through serendipity. A friend of mine had picked up her Healing Through Horses brochure and shared it with me. Schneider lives in Abiquiu, New Mexico, and is a member of the Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative. My friend and I drove down together to attend one of Schneider’s all-women retreats with horses. I was hesitant at first, because it was difficult for me to be among groups of people, but Schneider welcomed me warmly. With the horses looking on, I soon felt my anxiety lessen. In the months that followed, I worked with

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

FEBRUARY 2020

Schneider and her horses in group settings as well as one-on-one. I bonded with Buster, a large sorrel draft horse who beamed strength and solidity. Then there was Einstein, a mischievous black horse who liked to knock people’s hats off and play other tricks. Other horses included Jack, Madonna and Guapito. PTSD can cause a person to feel different and distanced from others, leading to social isolation. In my own case, the acceptance of the horses helped alleviate this. If the horses could accept me, maybe I could accept myself — and, maybe other people would accept me, too. I remember one day when Schneider asked me if I would like to climb onto Buster’s back. This was unusual, but I did it. Then, she suggested I lay down on Buster’s bare back. This was even more unusual. I lowered myself down, placing my spine against his, my chest open to the sky. I felt the horse breathe under me, and my whole body relaxed. His broad back supported me completely. It felt like I was lying on a warm beach, or a whale — lulled by the gentle rise and fall of Buster’s breathing. It was a strong reminder of all the support that I have in this world, even when I cannot feel it. Buster gave me hope in the natural rhythms of life, again, and in my abilities to heal from my wounds.

MARCIA TROUTFETTER

Schneider, a licensed social worker, has worked as a therapist since 1986. She founded Healing Through Horses in 2007 to inspire wellness through the power of the equine spirit. Schneider said horses can help those who have PTSD because they tune in quickly to what is going on with a person and are well-grounded. Schneider gave an example of how she might work with someone with PTSD who was feeling overwhelmed. She might have them walk in the corral among the horses. As their heart rate drops and the person feels calmer, the horses may feel safe enough to approach, positively reinforcing the person’s behavior. For someone showing signs of distress, Schneider might guide them to place their hands on one of the horses. “Eventually they will come back to themselves because they have contact,” Schneider said. For some people, the size of the horses and their power can be frightening, even terrifying. Schneider told a story of a young girl in foster care who came to see her for therapy. The girl had been badly hurt by the adults in her family of origin. The horses were another large, ominous presence to her. The girl was so frightened of the horses she expressed anxiety whenever she came near one. “She thought anything bigger than her was going to kill her,” said Schneider. “Eventually, she learned that big people, adults, are not all dangerous. But, she only learned that through the horse. ... That was what we worked on for a long time. Touch the horse — and you survive. Brush the horse — and he likes you, he doesn’t move away, he’s not going to hurt you. For her, that was monumental.” Eventually, the girl was able to get up on the horse.

Students love to read to therapy dog Bernie owned by Marcia Troutfetter, a DS&O Electric Cooperative consumer-member and retired teacher, who regularly used therapy dogs in her classroom.

Numerous studies show another effective PTSD treatment is animal-assisted therapy ... “It was a surrendering,” said Schneider. “She surrendered to the fear of death. She learned that trusting something is OK.” The girl not only conquered her fear, she made friends. The horses would follow her around, said Schneider. They became her companions and confidants.

Trauma and PTSD Basics

The term “trauma” comes from the Greek word for “wound.” The American Psychological Association (APA) defines trauma as “an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape or natural disaster.” Healing takes time, but a few months after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, most people can resume their normal activities and functioning. However, some people develop PTSD. The term was first used in 1980 in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) published by the American Psychiatric Association. PTSD is commonly associated with the Vietnam War, and its veterans who returned home. Earlier terms for the same phenomenon include “shell shock,” “soldier’s heart” and “battle fatigue.” We now know PTSD is an anxiety disorder that affects people of all ages, genders and backgrounds. The onset of symptoms can happen months or years after a traumatic event. Research shows it is unlikely the symptoms of PTSD will resolve on their own without treatment. The good news is there is help. According to the National Center for PTSD, run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, effective treatments include trauma-focused psychotherapy and medication. Numerous studies show another effective PTSD treatment is animal-assisted therapy, in which a trained therapist or animal handler works alongside a dog, horse or other animal to provide support for a person.

Canines to the Rescue

Across the country, another woman has been immersed in the healing power of dogs. For 25 years Marni Bellavia has worked with the Humane Society of Broward County in Florida. Her current title is Manager of Animal Assisted Therapy FEBRUARY 2020

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

M A R N I B E L L AV I A

Therapy dog JR provides motivation for a child with disabilities to walk.

M A R N I B E L L AV I A

(AAT), and she trains volunteers and their companion animals to provide comfort to those in need of extra support. The program serves three counties and helps people in hospitals, hospice settings, senior retirement homes, mental health care facilities, children’s facilities, foster homes, group homes, libraries and schools. On Valentine’s Day 2018, Bellavia heard the news of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School which took place in Parkland, only 30 minutes away. She sprang into action. The very next day she had dog/person teams deployed to the high school as well as nearby schools where they could offer support for students, faculty and families. Throughout the year, 20 dog/person teams attended community vigils, visited people at their homes, came to school, and continued to be a resource for those affected by the shooting. There was a profound loss of hope, said Bellavia. “Most of the kids, honestly, didn’t want to talk to anybody. I mean, it was horrific,” Bellavia emphasized. Working with the counselors and psychologists at the school, Bellavia and her teams took the dogs to therapy sessions. With the animals present, students were able to cry and talk to the animals about what had happened and how they felt. The dogs worked with students individually, and sometimes with groups. “The animals were providing comfort and that unconditional love and non-judgment that you don’t normally get from people,” explained Bellavia. Though Bellavia responded to the school shooting by making her dog/person teams available to others, she was working in new territory. It made her realize there was not yet an animal-based trauma-response effort that could serve her

A child who was admitted to a pediatric hospital is visited by therapy dog Karma to provide comfort and unconditional love.

community. She knew that needed to change. On a sleepless night about two weeks after the shooting, Bellavia came up with the idea for the Canine Community Resilience program. The new program provides canine support to 911 dispatchers, first responders, and those affected by a traumatic event such as a fatal car accident, or domestic violence situation. Bellavia partnered with fire stations and police departments and with the Broward County Sheriff ’s office to develop the program. Together, they trained dogs and their handlers to be able to participate in traumatic situations. The dogs learned how to tolerate, adapt and cope with the physical and emotional stress that comes with a crisis. The Canine Community Resilience Program was born out of the horror of the Parkland shooting, and a dog named Karma played a part in it. Karma is Bellavia’s own companion dog and has worked next to her for years providing love and healing to others. Bellavia said watching Karma and her other dogs comfort people in need has been profound. “It means everything to me. It’s the reason why I continue to do this work 25 years later. It’s the reason why I dedicated my life to animals that can help people,” said Bellavia. “It takes a special animal to be able to intuitively be that for other people,” Bellavia added. “What I saw my dog doing this last year at the high school has completely revamped everything I’ve thought about animals, and I’ve been doing this, literally, my whole life.” Bellavia said Karma had an innate ability to seek those people out who needed her support. “She felt it,” said Bellavia. “She went to them. It was just an amazing, beautiful thing.” Animal-assisted therapy programs exist across the United States and the world. Animals and Society Institute maintains a list of these programs and other resources at animalsandsociety.org/human-animal-studies/animal-assistedtherapy-programs. KCL is a freelance writer and poet. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s in education with a concentration in Leadership for Ecology, Culture and Learning. Visit www.arianakramer.com, or email arianakramer@hotmail.com.

ARIANA KRAMER

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

FEBRUARY 2020

NEWS BRIEFS

Tafanelli Tapped as New CEO of KEC has accepted the position as chief executive officer of Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. effective on or about May 1, 2020. Tafanelli currently serves as the Kansas Adjutant General, responsible for three primary duties: ensuring the wartime readiness of over 7,000 soldiers and airmen of the Kansas Army and Air National Guard, coordinating the overall emergency preparedness for the state’s response to natural disasters and emergencies, and serving as the Homeland Security Advisor for the state of Kansas. Tafanelli served in the Kansas House of Representatives from 2001-2005, when he took a leave from office to command the 891st Engineer Battalion in Iraq. After his deployment, he resumed his legislative post in 2006 where he served until January 2011, when he was appointed Kansas Adjutant General. During his time in the Kansas Leg-

MAJOR GENERAL LEE TAFANELLI

islature and as Adjutant General, Tafanelli developed a deep interest and focus on issues affecting rural Kansas. “I‘m honored and excited to Lee Tafanelli have the opportunity to lead a group that does such important work for Kansans in rural areas,” he said. “I have deep respect for the complex challenges faced by KEC members who work hard every day to provide critical and reliable service for Kansas communities.” Tafanelli will replace Bruce Graham who has announced his plans to retire as CEO of KEC. Graham has 40 years of association and electric cooperative industry experience and has served as KEC CEO since 2012. He will continue to lead KEC until the transition date.

KEPCo Board Elects Officers THE KANSAS ELECTRIC POWER COOPERATIVE, INC. (KEPCO) Board

of Trustees unanimously re-elected Dale Short, manager of Butler Electric Cooperative in El Dorado, as president during its Nov. 21 meeting. The KEPCo Board of Trustees annually names seven trustee representatives to serve as its executive committee. Other officers unanimously re-elected were: Vice President – Doug Jackson, Manager of Rolling Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Beloit; Secretary – Steve Foss, Manager of

FreeState Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Topeka and McLouth; and Treasurer – Dean Allison, Director on the DS&O Electric Cooperative, Inc. Board of Directors in Solomon. Elected to the Executive Committee, in addition to those listed above, were: Mike Morton, General Manager of Bluestem Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Wamego; Charles Goeckel, Manager of Flint Hills Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Inc. in Council Grove; and Kirk Thompson, Manager of CMS Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Meade.

SUNFLOWER MERGES WITH MID-KANSAS

THE MERGER of Sunflower Electric Power Corporation with Mid-Kansas Electric Company, two cooperatively operated, wholesale electric utilities, was effective Jan. 1, 2020. Sunflower is owned by six distribution cooperatives that serve in western Kansas. In 2005, Sunflower’s members formed Mid-Kansas to bid on the sale of Aquila’s Kansas Electric Network properties. Member-owners of Mid-Kansas include five distribution cooperatives and one wholly owned subsidiary of a distribution cooperative that serve in central and western Kansas. Mid-Kansas began operation on April 1, 2007. “The formation of Mid-Kansas by the Sunflower members gave more Kansans the opportunity to be served by the cooperative business model,” said Stuart Lowry, president and CEO of Sunflower and Mid-Kansas. “The success of Mid-Kansas has benefitted everyone — the members of Sunflower and MidKansas and the thousands of Kansans they serve.” Savings will result from operational efficiencies and access to lower financial lending rates due greater financial stability of the merged entities. “Merging Sunflower and Mid-Kansas results in a single wholesale rate that can better sustain our recent rate decreases for our end-users,” said Steve Epperson, Mid-Kansas’ board chairman.

Lyon-Coffey, Radiant Electric Become 4 Rivers RADIANT ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE AND LYON-COFFEY RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE merged effective Jan. 1, 2020, and

are now known as 4 Rivers Rural Electric Cooperative. The new entity is the product of a nearly two-and-half-yeareffort by both co-ops to consolidate their services into one. According to 4 Rivers General Manager and CEO Dennis

Svanes, the merger will bring estimated cost savings between seven to $10 million over the next 10 years and limit future rate increases in the next one to three years. 4 Rivers serves roughly 7,000 customers with 12,500 meters stretching from just south of Topeka to the Oklahoma border. FEBRUARY 2020

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

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

Rain Gardens Create Environmentally Conscious Landscape

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

designed to gather and absorb runoff water from rainstorms to reduce the amount of pollutants that enter our waterways. Contrary to a water garden or pond, a rain garden is often dry. Water that collects in a properly designed rain garden typically drains within a day or two. Rain gardens can be an attractive, functional and environmentally conscious landscape solution. Rain gardens reduce runoff, absorbing up to 30% more rain water than a traditional lawn or landscape. The soil and vegetation in rain gardens provide filtration removing upward of 80% of the pollutants accumulated in the runoff from roofs and roads. To achieve the most functional rain garden, consideration should be made for the location, soil structure, plant selection and maintenance. Rain gardens should be situated in an area where rain water gathers; however the site surroundings are important. The garden should not be a space closer than 10 feet to a house or other building. It’s best to avoid planting a rain garden on a steep slope or an area where water flows quickly and heavily. The runoff should accumulate slowly to allow absorption and avoid erosion. Identify the impermeable surfaces on your property, such as a driveway, sidewalk or rooftop, where water is draining into the landscape. Observe the flow of water during a rain storm and identify locations where a rain garden could collect this water. Determine the soil composition by performing a soil test through your local extension agent. Soil with heavy clay or sand will need more amending than soil with good absorption rates. Remove the top 6-8 inches of soil from the area where your rain garden will be located to create a flat-bottom depression with gently sloped sides. Amend the remaining soil with the appropriate ratio of compost and topsoil based on what was discovered from the soil test. Till the amendments into the rain garden soil. After planting, a 3-inch layer of mulch can be placed over the soil bringing the garden surface slightly below the existing landscape surface. Native plants are typically best suited for a rain garden. Their root systems are able to absorb the nutrients and water in the soil and can better withstand the weather extremes. Natives don’t require supplements and can attract butterflies

RAIN GARDENS ARE SPECIALLY

Cynthia Domenghini, Ph.D.

Native plants are typically best suited for a rain garden. Their root systems are able to absorb the nutrients and water in the soil and can better withstand the weather extremes.

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

FEBRUARY 2020

and bees. Perennials, shrubs and wildflowers can be good candidates, but always avoid using invasive species. Plants with greater tolerance for moisture should be placed in the lower lying areas of a rain garden. To increase visibility, position taller growing species in the center with lower species toward the outer borders. As with any garden, weeding is necessary especially during the first two years. Mulch can help inhibit weed growth and once the rain garden plants fill in, the weeds will likely be crowded out and minimized. Supplemental watering should only be necessary during dry spells of the first year of the garden, if appropriate rain garden plants were selected. After this, the rainfall amount should be sufficient to sustain the garden. There are many detailed guides that offer instructions for establishing a rain garden. You can also work directly with a professional landscaper to incorporate a rain garden into your overall landscape design. The rain garden can be as simple or grand as you want but it does not need to be overcomplicated. It is quite simply a beautiful solution to an environmental problem. KCL CYNTHIA DOMENGHINI is an instructor and coordinator for K-State’s horticultural therapy online certificate program.

Rain gardens can be beautifully landscaped spaces that incorporate a wide variety of perennials, shrubs, grasses and even container plants and garden art.

Continued from page 13

Left: Rural grocery co-ops, like the Marmaton Market in Moran, are on the rise across America. Below: The Marmaton Market in Moran offers ample supplies of fresh food.

a long history of banding together to overcome adversity. In the early days, community members came together to raise barns because many hands were required, especially in areas that were sparsely settled or on the edge of the frontier. Later, townsfolk pooled their money and formed co-ops to ensure that electricity would get to every household. In that spirit of collectiveness, residents of small towns in places like Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, and Great Scott, Illinois, have come to realize that the only way to save their only local grocery is to adopt the food co-op model, through which they assume control of that grocery. Food co-ops are member-owned groceries that follow certain core principles such as democratic control among members, economic independence and a desire to strive to find a better quality of life for their communities, in large part by offering fresh, quality food locally. Stuart Reid, executive director of FCI, says that in order to succeed, grocery co-ops have to be championed by local community members who can organize and quickly understand the ins and outs of the grocery business. It’s a daunting challenge for sure, but it can be made a whole lot easier with the FCI’s help. By reaching out to FCI staff for phone consultations, technical support and materials, residents can get on a solid path toward opening a sustainable co-op grocery. All the services of FCI are available free of charge. Startups may find it

LOOKING TO SAVE YOUR LOCAL GROCERY?

necessary to hire consultants for in-depth services as the co-op project progresses, but FCI is always there to answer questions and point people in the right direction. Rural grocery co-ops are on the rise. It’s vital we continue to hear their success stories, not only in rural towns like Moran but also in communities large and small across America. This is important not only because these innovative new stores provide access to healthy food for those who may otherwise do without, but because co-ops rally people together around a terrific cause. And that kind of can-do civic pride is always good food for thought. KCL directs policy and public affairs for CoBank, a cooperative bank that serves agribusinesses, rural infrastructure providers and Farm Credit Associations throughout the U.S.

SARAH TYREE

For those who seek to rescue their hometown grocery from extinction, there are plenty of resources and organizations to turn to for help. Start with the Food Co-op Initiative. Since 2005, FCI has assisted 156 startup food co-ops with technical support and training. Tax credits and loans are available to help stores finance construction projects and build or resurrect stores in underserved locales. For more information, go to www.fci.coop.

FEBRUARY 2020

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

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Doctor urges seniors to carry medical alert device Seniors snap up new medical alert device that comes with no monthly bills People don’t always do what their doctor says, but when seasoned veteran emergency room physician, Dr. Philip B. Howren says every senior should have a medical alert device, you better listen up. “Seniors are just one fall away from being put in a nursing home,” Dr. Howren said. “With a medical alert device, seniors are never alone. So it keeps them living independently in their own home. That’s why seniors and their family members are snapping up a sleek new medical alert device that comes with no monthly bills ever,” he said. Many seniors refuse to wear old style help buttons because they make them look old. But even worse, those medical alert systems come

with monthly bills. To solve these problems Universal Physicians, a U.S. company went to work to develop a new, modern, stateof-the-art medical alert device. It’s called “FastHelp™” and it instantly connects you to free unlimited nationwide help everywhere cell service is available with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills ever. “This slick new little device is designed to look like the pagers doctors wear every day. Seniors love them, because it actually makes them look important, not old,” Dr. Howren said. FastHelp is expected to hit store shelves later this year. But spe cial newspaper promotional giveaways are slated for seniors in select areas. ■

■ NO MONTHLY BILLS: “My wife had an old style help button that came with

hefty bills every month and she was embarrassed to wear it because it made her look old,” said Frank McDonald, Canton, Ohio. “Now, we both have FastHelp™, the sleek new medical alert device that our grandkids say makes us look ‘cool’ not old,” he said. With FastHelp, seniors never have to worry about being alone and the best part is there are no monthly bills ever.

Seniors born before 1956 get new medical alert device with no monthly bills ever It’s just what seniors have been waiting for; a sleek new medical alert device with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills that instantly connects you to free unlimited nationwide help with just the push of a button for a one-time $149 price tag that’s a real steal after today’s instant rebate The phone l i nes a re ringing off the hook. T h a t ’s b e c a u s e f o r seniors born before 1956, it’s a deal too good to pass up. Sta r ting at precisely 8:30am this morning the Pre-Store Release begins for the sleek new medica l a ler t dev ice t h at comes with the exclusive FastHelp™ One-Touch E 911 Button that instantly connects you to unlimited nationw ide help ever ywhere cell service is available with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills ever. “It’s not like old style monitored help buttons that make you talk to a call center and only work when you’re at home and come w ith hef t y bi l l s ever y month. FastHelp (Continued on next page)

■ FLYING OUT THE DOOR: Trucks are being loaded with the new medical alert devices called FastHelp. They are now being delivered to lucky seniors who call the National Rebate Center Hotline at 1-866-964-2952 Ext. HELP1874 today. Everyone is calling to get FastHelp, the sleek new medical alert device because it instantly connects you to unlimited nationwide help everywhere cell service is available with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills ever.

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(Continued from previous page)

no monthly bills,” said Lawrence. The medical alert device slugfest was dominated by two main combatants who both offer old style monitored help buttons that come with a hefty bill every month. But now Universal Physicians, the U.S. based heavyweight, just delivered a knockout blow sending the top rated contenders to the mat with the unveiling of FastHelp. It’s the sleek new cellular embedded medical alert device that cuts out the middleman by instantly

connecting you directly to highly trained 911 operators all across the U.S. There’s absolutely nothing to hook-up or install. You don’t need a land line and you don’t need a cell phone. Everything is done for you. “FastHelp is a state of the art medical alert device designed to make you look important, not old. Old style monitored help buttons you wear around your neck, or require expensive base station equipment or a landline are the equivalent of a horse and buggy,” Lawrence says. “It’s just

outdated.” Millions of seniors fall ever y yea r a nd spend hours lying on the f loor helpless and all alone with no help. But seniors who fall and get immediate help are much more likely to avoid getting sent to a nursing home and get to STAY living in their own home independently. Yet millions of seniors are still risking their safety by not having a me d ica l a ler t dev ice. That’s because seniors just can’t afford to pay the

monthly bills that come with old style medical alert devices. That’s why seniors born before 1956 are rushing to cash in the whopping $150 instant rebate before the 7 day deadline ends. So there’s no need to wait for FastHelp to hit store shelves later this year because seniors born before 1956 can get it now just by using the $150 instant rebate coupon printed in today’s newspaper before the 7-day deadline ends. If lines are busy keep trying, all calls will be answered. ■

HOW TO GET IT: IF BORN BEFORE 1956: Use the rebate coupon below and call this Toll-Free Hotline: 1-866-964-2952 EXT. HELP1874 IF BORN AFTER 1956: You cannot use the rebate coupon below and must pay $299 Call: 1-866-964-2955 EXT. HELP1874

THE BOTTOM LINE: You don’t need to shop around. We’ve done all the leg work, this deal is too good to pass up. FastHelp with the instant rebate is a real steal at just $149 and shipping and there are no monthly bills ever.

PROS: It’s the sleek new medical alert device that comes with the exclusive FastHelp One-Touch E 911 Button that instantly connects you to free unlimited nationwide help everywhere cell service is available with no contracts or deposits. It connects you to the vast available network of cellular towers for free and saves seniors a ton of money because there are no monthly bills ever making this deal irresistible. Plus it’s the only medical alert device that makes seniors look important, not old.

CONS: Consumers can’t get FastHelp in stores until later this year. That’s why it’s so important for seniors born before 1956 to call the National Rebate Center Hotline within the next 7 days. For those who miss that deadline, the sleek little medical alert device will set you back over $300 bucks. P7201A OF21565R-1

REBATE COUPON

comes w ith state - ofthe-art cellular embedd e d t e c h n o l o g y. T h at means it works at home or anywhere, anytime cell service is available whether you’re out watering the garden, driving in a car, at church or even hundreds of miles away on a tour or at a casino. You are never alone. With just a single push of the One-Touch E Button you instantly get connected to free unlimited help nationw ide w ith no month ly bills ever,” said Jack Lawrence, Executive Director of Product Development for U.S. based Universal Physicians. “We’ve never seen anything like it. Consumers absolutely love the sleek new modern design and most of all, the instant rebate that practica lly pays for it and no monthly bills ever,” Lawrence said. FastHelp is the sleek new medical alert device with the best of combinations: a quality, high-tech engineered device that’s also an extremely great value because there are no monthly bills ever. Better still, it comes w ith no contracts , no deposits and no monthly bills ever – which makes FastHelp a great choice for seniors, students and professionals because it connects to one of the largest nationwide networks everywhere cell service is available for free. And here’s the best part. A ll those who a lready have an old style monitored medical alert button can immediately eliminate those monthly bills, which is why Universal Physicians is widely advertising this announcement nationwide. “So if you’ve ever felt a medical alert device was too complicated or expensive, you’ll want to get FastHelp, the sleek new medical alert device with

EXPIRES

7 Days From Today’s Publication Date

After Coupon Expires: The FastHelp is $299.00 plus shipping & handling

$150 Off

FastHelp

™

One-touch help. Anytime. Anywhere. With no monthly bills ever.

HELP1874

FastHelp, the new medical alert device that instantly connects you to free unlimited nationwide help everywhere cell service is available with no contracts, no deposits and no monthly bills ever.

USE THIS COUPON: To get $150 off FastHelp you must be born before 1956 and call the National Rebate Center Hotline at 1-866-964-2952 EXT. HELP1874 before the 7-day rebate deadline ends. FASTHELP IS COVERED BY A 30-DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE LESS SHIPPING AND A 1 YEAR LIMITED WARRANT Y. FASTHELP IS A 3G GSM CELLUL AR DEVICE. FASTHELP WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE 911 CALLS WHEN CELLUL AR SERVICE IS NOT AVAIL ABLE SUCH AS IN REMOTE AREAS. FASTHELP USES GPS TRIANGUL ATIONS TO APPROXIMATE YOUR LOCATION WHEN YOUR DEVICE IS TURNED ON. DR. HOWREN IS A COMPENSATED MEDICAL ADVISOR AND FRANK MCDONALD IS AN ACTUAL USER AND COMPENSATED FOR HIS PARTICIPATION. OH RESIDENTS ADD 6.5% SALES TAX. UNIVERSAL PHYSICIANS 7747 SUPREME AVE, NORTH CANTON, OH 44720.

Rural Americans HE ALTH CARE

HEART DISEASE, cancer, unintentional injuries, chronic lower respiratory disease and stroke. These top five causes of death in the United States all have a higher incidence of death among rural residents and research points to lack of access to health care as a culprit. Today, rural hospitals are closing at a rapid pace, expanding an already vast health care desert (defined as inhabited areas more than 60 minutes away from an acute care hospital) across the country. According to the University of North Carolina’s Rural Health Research Program, since 2010, more than 105 of America’s 1,700 rural hospitals have closed. Closer to home, between Jan. 1, 2010, and Aug. 21, 2019, five Kansas hospitals closed or no longer provide inpatient care. Additionally, a Navigant report found that 21% of rural hospitals are at high risk of closing unless their financial situations improve. Every day, rural Americans find themselves farther from medical care.

Practical Challenges Facing Patients

Fatal injuries and illnesses aside, rural residents face other practical concerns related to the health care in their communities.

One solution to fill the gap in rural health care is air medical services, which can transport patients to critical care facilities in minutes.

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

FEBRUARY 2020

SOLUTIONS F R

f Doctors are more concentrated in urban areas,

while there are shortages in rural communities. A shortage of doctors can mean less availability for appointments, difficulty capturing enough attention from a busy provider, longer distances to reach a physician and limited access to specialists.

f Statistically, rural residents tend to be older

and need more frequent visits to their primary doctors and other specialists.

f Pregnant women have to travel even farther to

deliver a baby, leading to an increased risk of complications at birth. Similarly, prenatal and postnatal care are harder to access.

f Rural residents often enjoy more outdoor

activities (such as hunting, hiking and riding ATVs) than urban residents and therefore are at a greater risk of injury that requires treatment at a trauma center.

Airborne Answer

One solution to fill the gap in rural health care is air medical services, which transport patients to critical care facilities in minutes. With nearly 90% of patients transported living in rural areas, air

GETTYIMAGES

ambulance services are an essential part of health care access in these communities. However, just like rural hospitals, air ambulances are threatened as well. Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates have remained steady for decades, while operational costs required for air medical services have increased, creating a financially unsustainable situation. Some private insurers also refuse to cover air medical services or pay minimal costs, requiring patients to assume the balance. Visit globalmedicalresponse.com/protect-patients to learn more about these services in your area.

How to Take Action

The challenges facing rural health care access may be significant, but rural residents can take individual actions to make a difference for themselves, their families and even their communities. f EXPRESS SUPPORT TO ELECTED OFFICIALS. Rural residents can call or write letters to their senators and representatives demanding they keep local hospitals open and protect access to air medical services. Reaching members of Congress at their local offices may be more effective than contacting their federal offices. f SUPPORT EFFORTS TO SECURE GRANTS. Some

universities have been given grants from the Health Resources & Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to create or expand community health initiatives and facilities in rural areas.

f EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF CARE. Many

rural areas have community health workers who complete home visits to assist people with chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. Although their training is limited compared to that of a doctor or nurse, their service increases health care access and they’re able to spend more time with patients.

f GET EDUCATED ABOUT YOUR CARE. One role of

community health workers is teaching patients about how to manage their own medical needs. This education helps residents be proactive and preventative in their health care, which can reduce the need for hospitalizations in certain cases, such as learning how to properly manage diabetes.

f MAKE AN EMERGENCY PLAN. For families who

reside in a rural community, it’s a smart idea to have a plan in place for how to respond in the

Telemedicine allows patients to connect with a doctor or nurse virtually using technology and without having to travel.

event a medical emergency. The plan should include information about the location of the closest hospital, emergency contact information in the community and other details necessary to gain emergency care. f CONSIDER REMOTE ACCESS CARE. Another

option for both rural and urban residents alike is telemedicine, which allows patients to connect with a doctor or nurse virtually using technology and without having to travel. The two-way communication can facilitate evaluation and treatment for minor conditions. The service is offered as a cost-saving incentive through some insurance plans, as well as private providers.

Protecting Against the Unexpected

Increasingly, insurance companies are not covering the full cost of medical emergencies, leaving families with out-of-pocket expenses they didn’t expect. If you need medical transport, and a physician or first responder determines air evacuation is the best or only option to get you to care, you shouldn’t have to worry about the bill you’ll receive afterward. Many air medical companies provide patients access to patient advocates, who work with the patient’s insurance provider to properly cover air medical transport, taking the patient out of the middle. This process can result in significantly lower costs for the patient, often amounting to just the usual copay and deductible. KCL

Closer to home, between Jan. 1, 2010, and Aug. 21, 2019, five Kansas hospitals closed or no longer provide in-patient care.

Courtesy Family Features. Source: Global Medical Response FEBRUARY 2020

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

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

The Tale of City Mouse, Country Larder

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

house well-fed — in the pantry, cupboards, freezers and fridge. Foodstuffs and ingredients were never excessive or frivolous (my childhood was, for the most part, free of “junk,” like chips and cookies, which is probably why I learned to bake) just an efficient laying in of provisions needed to survive “out in the country.” To stay on top of what was needed, they kept lists of what was running low. Along with household items like detergents, paper goods, Rebecca Howard lightbulbs, etc., my parents’ “basic” edible stores of coffee, canned fruits and vegetables, juices and soups, cooking oils and shortening, baking ingredients (flour, granulated and brown sugars, baking powder and soda, yeast, vanilla, etc.), crackers, dried pasta, beans and rice, bottled vinegars, syrups and sauces, spices, salt and pepper, were always maintained, and the fridge and freezer, stocked with the requisite milk, eggs, margarine and meats. (I’d toss one of their many pounds of frozen bacon into my suitcase as a good luck “talisman” before a return flight.) And the house was rarely without an onion or potato. They extended the lives of loaves of bread and other goods like spices, cereal and flour by freezing them. Their stockpiling increased as they got older (perhaps sensing town trips would decrease), and f 4 cups cubed or shredded softf 2 eggs the deep freezer became a catch-all — textured bread (8 or so slices) f ½ cup sugar occasionally in need of purging — that f ½ cup raisins (or other f 1 tsp. cinnamon held sometimes unidentifiable items, favorite dried fruit) f ¼ tsp. salt like the mystery mixes from my dad’s f 2 cups milk f 1 tsp. vanilla phase where he threw away outside f ¼ cup butter, plus additional f 1 cup diced canned pears or packaging to save space. for buttering baking dish peaches, drained (optional) It’s always been reassuring to know Heat oven to 350 F. Butter a 1-1/2 quart baking dish. Place bread in dish, sprinkle with raisins that I could walk into my parents’ evenly to distribute. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, scald (cook just to house and find enough fixings for beginning to simmer) milk with ¼ cup butter to melt. Allow to cool until just warm to touch. everything from a pot of beans or spaWhisk eggs with sugar, cinnamon, salt and vanilla; whisk in the milk-and-butter mixture. Pour ghetti to a bread pudding (my mom’s over bread. Distribute diced fruit (if using) over the bread, pushing down with a spoon to favorite) for dessert. evenly distribute. Allow the bread to sit for 10 minutes or so to fully soak up the liquid. If But becoming a “city mouse” — desired, you can top the bread pudding with a sprinkling of cinnamon-sugar. Place baking spoiled by a supermarket within a dish in larger baking pan with 1 inch of hot water. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until a knife 5-mile radius — has often made me inserted 1 inch from edge comes out clean. lose touch with my own frugal sensiServe warm (also good room temp or chilled) with your favorite sauce, whipped cream or bilities. My parents’ country larder has ice cream. always been a humbling reminder of Makes 4 to 6 servings. my lapsed efficiency. WHEN I FIRST MOVED to California, I lived near a small food market. Right. Next. Door. The fact that food and other sundries were a mere few steps from my own apartment was a bit like stepping into a dream. Growing up rural, the concept of walking a few feet to pick up a solitary pint of Häagen-Dazs was like a fairy tale compared to the reality of my early years of grocery gathering. In my rural upbringing, the nearest store was 11 miles away, so going to town to stock up was infrequent and needed to be well-planned. It took a good bit of the day for the store and other errands. Weather, too, was a factor. One had to get ahead of the ice and snow, and high-heat trips had to be efficiently speedy (at least the run home) for any items that might melt or perish in other ways. My frugal parents knew enough about just what was needed and how to keep it so that regular trips to town for groceries were minimal. Of extremely modest means, they still kept the

GETTYIMAGES/RENA-MARIE

Old Fashioned (Pantry) Bread Pudding

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

FEBRUARY 2020

The full heart that appreciates the full, but humbly basic pantry knows it has always had exactly what it needs.

Visiting home, I’d get reacquainted with what my mom aptly called coming “back to the basics,” and my dabbling in recipes of the less-than-basic variety somewhat complicated (and lengthened) our trips to the grocery, crowding her refrigerator accommodations with my “fancy” ingredients, like when I needed both half-and-half and heavy cream, quinoa, balsamic vinegar and both feta and fontina cheeses for recipes I was making for a family gathering. The country larder teaches the city mouse two important things: f You have to be prepared. f You have to be prepared to do without.

One learns to do without (aka substitute) when one both plans and forgets. Growing up, I learned milk could be turned into buttermilk, flour into cornstarch and saltine crackers into breadcrumbs, among other things. A recent visit to my mother’s home, all stocked with flour and sugar and shortening and all the needed spices and even apples at the ready, inspired me to make an apple pie. Of course, my favorite pie pastry recipe includes lemon zest, so I “flew to town,” and in my haste to gather up any number of other likely unnecessary products, either the lemons never made it into my grocery cart or never made it into the car for the trip home. I panicked momentarily and thought about another 22-mile round-trip. Instead, I did without. But not without pie! I flavored my pie crust with a little cinnamon, and it turned out just fine.

The full heart that appreciates the full, but humbly basic pantry knows it has always had exactly what it needs. Bread pudding is a humble-yet-rich, simpleyet-satisfying dessert, perfect for winter and making use of what’s on hand (nothing fancy), like stale or frozen (and maybe misshapen) loaves of bread. I’ve adapted my mother’s recipe for her favorite dessert by adding diced canned fruit. I think baking this pudding in a water bath is key to its moist, creamy texture. 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.”

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SAFETY

Disaster Preparedness for Alzheimer’s Caregivers PEOPLE WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE can be vulnerable during severe weather and other emergencies. It’s important for caregivers to have a disaster plan that includes the special needs of those whose impairments in memory and reasoning severely limit their ability to act appropriately in crises. In general, you should prepare to meet the needs of your family for three to seven days, including having supplies and backup options if you lose basic services such as electricity or water. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross provide information about making a general disaster preparedness plan. The Administration for Community Living has a disaster planning toolkit for people with dementia.

f Incontinence undergarments,

f Save emergency numbers in your

f Pillow, toy or something the

f Keep friends and family informed

f Favorite snacks and

f Find a quieter place if conditions

Gather Supplies

If You Must Leave Home

As you assemble supplies for your family’s disaster kit, consider the needs of the person with Alzheimer’s. Be sure to store all supplies in a watertight container. The kit might contain:

wipes and lotions

person can hold and hug high-nutrient drinks

f Physician’s name, address,

and phone number

f Copies of legal, medical,

insurance and Social Security information in waterproof bag

f Recent photos of the person f Warm clothing and sturdy shoes f Spare eyeglasses and

hearing-aid batteries

f Medications in waterproof bag

In some situations, you may decide to “ride out” a natural disaster at home. In others, you may need to move to a safer place, like a community shelter or someone’s home. Relocation may make the person with Alzheimer’s very anxious. Be sensitive to his or her emotions. Stay close, offer your hand, or give the person reassuring hugs.

To Plan for an Evacuation f Know how to get to

emergency shelters.

f If you don’t drive or driving is

dangerous, arrange for someone to transport your group.

f Make sure the person with

Alzheimer’s wears an ID bracelet.

f Take both general supplies and your

Alzheimer’s emergency kit.

f Pack familiar, comforting items.

If possible, plan to take along the household pet.

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

FEBRUARY 2020

cellphone, and keep it charged. of your location. are noisy.

If You Are Separated

It’s very important to stay with a person with Alzheimer’s in a disaster. Do not count on the person to stay in one place while you go to get help. However, the unexpected can happen, so it is a good idea to plan for possible separation: Enroll the person in the MedicAlert® + Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Wandering Support Program — an identification and support service for people who may become lost. Prepare for wandering. Place labels in garments to aid in identification. Keep an article of the person’s clothing in a plastic bag to help search dogs. Identify specific neighbors or nearby family and friends who would be willing to help in a crisis. Make a plan of action with them should the person with Alzheimer’s be unattended during a crisis. Tell neighbors about the person’s specific disabilities, including inability to follow complex instructions, memory loss, impaired judgment, disorientation, and confusion. Give examples of simple one-step instructions the person may be able to follow. And give someone you trust a house key and list of emergency phone numbers. Provide local police and emergency services with photos of the person with Alzheimer’s and copies of his or her medical documents, so they are aware of the person’s needs. KCL Information from the National Institute on Aging, www.nia.nih.gov.

FEBRUARY 2020

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

Gnocchi with Heart Mushroom Bolognese

Fruity Yogurt French Toast Wraps

KANS AS COUNTRY LIVING, FEBRUARY 2020

A stick-to-your-ribs meal for a delicious variation on standard spaghetti and meat sauce.

KANS AS COUNTRY LIVING, FEBRUARY 2020

Combine two breakfast classics for a fun twist on both.

KAN S AS COU N T RY L IVIN G, F E B R U ARY 2020

with all types of chocolate for a sweet end to a special meal.

KAN S AS COU N T RY L IVIN G, F E B R U ARY 2020

Make your winter salads more exciting with citrus, dried fruits and goat cheese.

Fruit and Chocolate Dessert Board Grab your favorite fruits and pair them

Citrus Popping Kale Salad

f 1 cup blueberries

f 1 tsp. ground cinnamon

f 1/4 cup milk

Fruity Yogurt French Toast Wraps

f ¼ tsp. ground black pepper

f 6-8 tortillas

f 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

f 1 cup bananas, sliced

for garnish (optional)

f 2 tsp. butter

f 4-6 tsp. powdered sugar,

COURTESY CULINARY.NET

Dust each with powdered sugar and top with additional strawberry slices, if desired.

Spoon yogurt mixture into center of tortillas. Fold edges over to form wraps.

In skillet, melt butter. Place coated tortillas one at a time in pan and cook 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Move to plate.

Using pie plate, crack egg and whisk. Add milk, cinnamon and nutmeg; whisk until combined Coat both sides of tortillas in egg mixture.

In medium bowl, combine blueberries, strawberries, bananas, yogurt and granola. Mix well and set aside.

f 1 egg

f 1 cup vanilla yogurt f 1/4 cup granola

additional for garnish (optional)

f 1 cup strawberries, sliced, plus

crumbled (optional)

f 4 ounces plain goat cheese,

f ½ cup sliced almonds, toasted

f 5 ounces dried cranberries

f 2 cups diced mango (about 2 mangos)

f ¼ cup sliced red onion

f 12 ounces baby kale, stems removed, sliced

Citrus Popping Kale Salad f 4.9 ounce box Spanish and olive oil quinoa/brown rice mix f 1 ¾ cups water f ½ cup plus 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil, divided f ¼ cup lime juice (about 3 limes) f 1 Tbs. white vinegar f 1 Tbs. light agave nectar f ½ tsp. salt

In a small pot, combine the quinoa, spice packet, water and 1 tsp. oil. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 14 minutes until water is absorbed. Stir, allow to cool for 15 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the lime juice, vinegar, agave nectar, salt and pepper. Gradually whisk in the remaining oil until well combined. Add the kale, onion, mango, cranberries, almonds and quinoa. Toss until well coated. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or overnight to marinate. COURTESY FAMILY FE ATURES , ALDI.US

Add the goat cheese, toss and serve. NOTE: Prepare salad the night before to marry the flavors.

f 1 cup chocolate covered almonds

f 1/3 cup roasted, salted cashews

f 2 ribs celery, coarsely chopped

f 1 carrot, coarsely chopped

f 1 yellow onion, coarsely chopped

f 3 Tbs. butter

f 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce

Portobello mushrooms

f 2 pounds button, Cremini or

Gnocchi with Hearty Mushroom Bolognese

f 1/2 medium seedless watermelon, cut into wedges and cubes

f 1 bar dark chocolate, broken into squares

Fruit and Chocolate Dessert Board f 1 cup fresh raspberries

f 1 pound refrigerated or frozen gnocchi

f 1/2 cup pecorino Romano cheese, grated

f 1/4 cup Italian parsley, coarsely chopped

COURTESY FAMILY FE ATURES , FA RMTOFOR KS A UCE .COM

Cook gnocchi according to package directions; drain. Add to sauce mixture; mix gently. Sprinkle with cheese and parsley

In food processor, pulse mushrooms until coarsely chopped. Add to large pot with vegetables. Cook 10-12 minutes, or until most liquid is evaporated, stirring occasionally. Stir in marinara sauce and butter.

In food processor, pulse onions, carrots, celery and garlic until finely chopped. In large pot over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add chopped vegetables, salt and pepper. Cook 10 minutes, or until softened, stirring occasionally.

f 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

f 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt

f 3 Tbs. olive oil

f 2 cloves garlic f mint leaves, for garnish

f 1 cup coconut chips

f 1 cup fresh red cherries f 1 cup strawberries, trimmed and halved f 1/4 cup dried cranberries

On serving board, arrange watermelon in center and surround with raspberries, cherries, strawberries, cranberries, cashews, almonds, chocolate and coconut chips. Scatter mint leaves around board for garnish.

COURTESY THE WATERMELON BOARD

FEBRUARY 2020

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VISIT ANY OF OUR KANSAS LOCATIONS OR GO ONLINE sutherlands.com DODGE CITY

1510 Soule St. 620-371-0751

EL DORADO

2850 W. Central Ave 316-322-7788

GREAT BEND 5520 10th St. 620-792-2900

OLATHE

16665 W. 151st. St. 913-782-6666

TOPEKA

2210 NW Tyler St. 785-232-3900

WICHITA FOLLOW US 2263-2273 N. Amidon St. @sutherlands_buildings 316-838-8200

C O N N E C T. E N G A G E . E L E C T. At your local cooperative’s annual meeting. Find more information on your co-op’s local magazine pages in the upcoming months.

Focused on Democracy Cooperatives are democratic organizations governed by their members. That’s you. We need you to attend your co-op’s annual meeting to elect your board of directors. When everyone cares enough to get engaged . . . .

Everyone Wins.

Delivering Energy for Life