Do you have a story to tell? Call or email us for details on how to get it published in The EDGE.

800-950-8742 • email editor@hometownedge.com

Hom

etown

Russell CountyOctober, 2011Volume 2, Issue 1

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

RUSSELL, KSPERMIT NO. 2012ZIP CODE 67665

PATCH A LABOR OF LOVE

Also inside• Community calendar,

page 2

• Paradise lost?

page 2

• What’s up at the Senior

Center, page 3

• Flatland Car Show results,

page 5

Bob Dole earns state honorspage 3

Area artisans pay tribute to 9/11page 6

page 4

2 Hometown EDGEOctober 2011

Hom

etown

Hometown Edge-Russell County Edition is published monthly at The Great Bend Tribune, 2012 Forest Ave., Great Bend, KS 67530-0228. Bulk class postage paid at Russell, KS 67665 permit number 2012. Please send address changes to Hometown Edge, PO Box 228, Great Bend, KS 67530.

Phone number: 800-950-8742website: hometownedge.com

email: editor@hometownedge.com

Mary Hoisington, Publisher publisher@hometownedge.comDale Hogg, Managing Editor editor@hometownedge.com

To advertise advertising@hometownedge.com

For circulation issuescirculation@hometownedge.com

To submit a photo or storyeditor@hometownedge.com

To submit a news tip or story ideaeditor@hometownedge.com

BY DALE HOGGeditor@hometownedge.com

PARADISE – Paradise lost?Perhaps not, but it may become a little

harder to find, at least by mail. The United States Post Office in this small northwest-ern Russell County community made the U.S. Postal Service’s short list for potential closure.

The residents are not happy. At a meeting called by the USPS Tuesday

night in the Paradise Methodist Church, 50 folks vented their frustration with the plan they feel would place a severe hard-ship on the town. The census lists the population at 49.

“We had a lot of unhappy people there,” said Dan Hoisington, a local insurance agent and meeting attendee. “They were all very concerned.”

In addition, both Kansas Republican Senators Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts had representatives at the gathering.

It was an informational meeting, said Lucy Shearer, Paradise postmistress. The Postal Service is legally obligated to hold such gatherings in each targeted commu-nity following a survey mailed to custom-ers.

The manager of post officer opera-tions from Salina lead the meeting since Paradise is one of the 120-some northern Kansas post offices from Hays to Concor-dia that fall under his jurisdiction. Forty of those are on the list.

“This is really hitting western and central Kansas hard,” Shearer said. She stressed that just because an office is being considered, it is too early to write its obitu-ary.

Should the office close, Paradise resi-dents would have to travel nine miles west to Natoma, a town of 335 in Osborne County, to handle any in-office postal business. And, “Everybody would have to put up mail boxes as if they lived out in the country,” Hoisington said.

“They’re just trying to come up with ways to save funds,” he said. The Postal Service has been hit hard by the rise of e-mails and on-line bill paying, and it is burdened with a burgeoning payout of retirement and health benefits.

However, Hoisington cited informa-tion from Moran’s spokesperson. A 2010 annual report to Congress by the Postal Regulatory Commission claimed that for Fiscal Year 2009, only 0.7 percent of the USPS’s total budget was allocated to main-taining rural post offices.

In late July, the USPS released a list of 3,653 post offices across the nation that will be studied for potential closure. Of those, 156 of are in Kansas with most located in rural communities.

Wednesday in Tampa, Fla., Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe addressed the annual gathering of the Postal Customer Council where he outlined the “new real-ity” facing the service. What he called short-term measures, such as cutting back to five delivery days per week and resolv-ing the benefit issue are not enough.

“Short-term solutions will not help the Postal Service or this industry,” Donahoe said. “We need long-term, comprehensive legislation and our expectation is that Congress will pass comprehensive legisla-tion by the end of this calendar year.”

These long-term measures include the possible closing of the post offices and 252 mail processing centers, increased deliver-ing efficiency and more innovation.

“Our goal is to keep our post office open,” Hoisington said. Now, it is open all morning and most of the afternoon Monday through Friday and mornings on Saturdays for total of 36 hours each week.

But, they suggested it be open only two hours each day, possibly in the morning. “That would satisfy the people of this com-munity,” he said. Besides, he added, the USPS just paid for a five-year lease for the blonde brick building on Paradise’s Main

Street.“I think this is a good idea,” Shearer said.

Although it would cut her paycheck by two thirds, she said she could still make a living in Paradise. “I’m not worried about hours.”

With the office remaining open, the large, blue mailbox would remain, allow-ing patrons to drop off mail all day and still have it go out that day. The box would also allow for daily delivery to Paradise.

Otherwise, customers would have to wait until the next day for the mail to be picked up from their personal mailboxes. In addition, these would have to be in-stalled by the individual at their expense.

“It’s going to make a difference,” Shearer said. The delays could create hardships for businesses and the work involved in putting in a box could be a burden for the many elderly residents.

What’s more, mail from Paradise used to go to Hays for processing and now it goes to Salina, Hoisington said. If someone in Paradise mailed him a birthday card, he said it go to Salina before winding up at his home. “That’s the government’s way.”

It goes beyond the inconvenience, how-ever. “Anything closing in a small town is another nail in the coffin,” he said. “Before long, we’ll just go by the wayside.”

Customers in the communities served offices on the list have 60 days to file com-ments, Shearer said. After that, all the information gathered at the meetings and the collected comments will go to USPS in Washington, D.C., where a final determi-nation will be made by the Postal Regula-tory Commission, but there is no set date for this. The countdown started Sept. 12 with the initial announcement by service.

According to Brian Sperry with the USPS office in Denver, the post office study will take into account the effect on the community served, workload, effect on employees, customer impact, economic savings, service alternatives, and other factors.

“The Postal Service is in dire financial situation,” Sperry said. “In the past five years, mail volume has declined by 43.1 billion pieces due to the poor economy and electronic diversion, such as e-mail and on-line bill payments have really cut into our business.”

Despite reducing costs by $12 billion and reducing the number of career em-ployees by 110,000 in the last five years, the Postal Service lost $8.5 billion last year and projects to lose $10 billion this year. Sperry said the Postal Service receives no taxpayer dollars.

If an office is to be closed, there will be a 30-day window to file a protest, but Shearer said there is little chance a closing will be reversed. Then, within 60 days, the office will close.

Shearer believes that since Paradise residents are putting forth an option, their request to keep the office open may be bet-ter received.

OTHER TARGETSOf the 3,653 being studied by the

United States Postal Service for pos-sible closure, 156 are in Kansas. The area offices are listed below.

Alexander BelpreBrookville Catharine Garfield HudsonIukaOfferle Olmitz Paradise Pawnee Rock Sylvia Waldo Windom

DALE HOGG Hometown EdgeThe post office in Paradise is on the list for potential closure by the United States Postal Service. At a meeting Tuesday night, concerned residents offered a compro-mise they hope will allow it to remain open.

RETURN TO SENDERParadise residents offer compromise

to keep their post office open

Hom

etown

01 7 a.m. - 3rd Annual Timeless Values Classic Fishing Tourn a.m.ent at Wilson Lake10 a.m. - RHS Tennis NCAA League10 a.m. - RMS Volleyball Tourn a.m.ent at Larned10 a.m.-6 p.m. - Granny Mae’s Pumpkin Patch Open11 a.m. - Gamma Theta Annual Poker Run

02 Big Creek 4-H Meeting in Gorh a.m.7 a.m. - 3rd Annual Timeless Values Classic Fishing Tournament at Lake WilsonNational 4-H Week1-5 p.m. - Granny Mae’s Pumpkin Patch Open

03 9 a.m. - City Commissioners Meeting1 p.m. - RHS Girls Golf at TMP6 p.m. - RHS JV Football with Beloit at Russell7 p.m. - VFW BingoLone Star 4-H MeetingWolf Creek Valley 4-H Meeting in Lucas

04 Noon - RotarySES Vision/Hearing Screenings3 p.m. - RHS Girls Varsity Tennis at Hoisington4:30 p.m. - City Council Workshop5 p.m. - RHS Fr/V/JV Volleyball at Minneapolis6:30 p.m. - BES/SES PTO Meeting at SES LMC

05 7:30 a.m. - 1st Impressions Meeting at City Court ChambersStorytime at Russell Public Library5 p.m. - Russell Sr. Center Board Meeting7:30 p.m. - VFW & VFW Auxiliary MeetingSES Vision/Hearing Screenings

06 7 a.m. - Sunrise Kiwanis9 a.m. - Morning Coffee at Sr. CenterNoon - Noon Kiwanis1 p.m. - Bingo at Sr. Center4 p.m. - RHS V/JV Cross Country at Sterling4:15 p.m. - RMS Volleyball with Sacred Heart at Russell5 p.m. - RMS Football with Sacred Heart at Russell

07 10 a.m. - RHS Girls Tennis Regionals at Russell7 p.m. - RHS Football at Republic County

08 8 a.m. - RHS JV Volleyball at Ellsworth9 a.m. - RMS Volleyball NCAA Tournament at SE Saline10 a.m. - RHS Girls Tennis Regionals at Russell10 a.m.-6 p.m. - Granny Mae’s Pumpkin Patch Open

09 1-5 p.m. - Granny Mae’s Pumpkin Patch Open

10 Columbus DayNo School - Teacher Inservice Day8:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. - Defensive Driving Class at the Sr. Center (registration required)9:30 a.m. - RHS Girls Golf Regionals4 p.m. - RHS V Volleyball at Elyria Christian6 p.m. - RHS JV Football at LaCrosse7 p.m. - VFW Bingo

11 8:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. - Defensive Driving Class at the Sr. Center (registration required)Noon - RotaryMiracle Ear at the Sr. Center in the Afternoon5:30 p.m. - RHS Site Council Meeting at Library6:30 p.m. - Alzheimer’s Support Group at Sr. Center

12 8:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. - Defensive Driving Class at the Sr. Center (registration required)9 a.m. - Russell Chamber/Russell Co. Eco Devo/CVB & Dept. of Commerce Hospitality WorkshopStorytime at Russell Public Library1 p.m. - Sr. Center Annual Meeting3:40 p.m. - PDC Meeting at USD 407 Central Office3:45 p.m. - SES/BES Site Council at BES LMC5 p.m. - RMS Site Council

13 7 a.m. - Sunrise Kiwanis8:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. - Defensive Driving Class at the Sr. Center (registration required)9 a.m. - Morning Coffee at Sr. CenterNoon - Noon Kiwanis1 p.m. - Bingo at Sr. Center4 p.m. - RHS V/JV Cross Country NCAA League at Downs4:15 p.m. - RMS Volleyball at Ellsworth5 p.m. - RMS Football at Ellsworth6:30 p.m. - KU Honors Program at Hays High School

14 Girls Tennis StateROAR Art Show6 p.m. - RHS Booster Club Tailgate Party7 p.m. - RHS Football with Clay Center at Russell9 p.m. - Ronnie & The Rockets playing at the Swingin’ Door

15 Girls Tennis State9 a.m. - RHS Volleyball at AbileneROAR Art Show10 a.m.-6 p.m. - Granny Mae’s Pumpkin Patch OpenMystery Tour at Midland Railroad Hotel

16 Happy Boss’s Day!New Horizons 4-H MeetingSunflower 4-H Meeting in MilbergerROAR Art Show1-5 p.m. - Granny Mae’s Pumpkin Patch Open

17 9 a.m. - City Commissioners MeetingGirls Golf State5:30 p.m. - USD 407 Board of Education Meeting6 p.m. - RHS JV Football with Plainville at Russell7 p.m. - VFW BingoFossil Creek 4-H Meeting

18 Noon - Rotary4:30 p.m. - City Council Meeting5 p.m. - RHS Fr/V/JV Volleyball at Ellsworth

19 Storytime at Russell Public Library11 a.m. - Angel’s Care Home Health Blood Pressure & Glucose Test at the Sr. Center

20 7 a.m. - Sunrise KiwanisFFA National Conference at Indianapolis9 a.m. - Morning Coffee at Sr. CenterNoon - Noon KiwanisLinus Sarver Playing Piano at the Sr. Center and Birthday Lunch1 p.m. - Bingo at Sr. Center7 p.m. - RHS & RMS Fall Choir Concert

21 FFA National Conference at Indianapolis6 p.m. - RHS Booster Club Tailgate Party7 p.m. - RHS Football with Concordia at Russell9 p.m. - Dash Rip Rock Playing at the Log Cabin Banquet & Lounge

22 ACT TestsFFA National Conference at IndianapolisRHS Cross Country RegionalsVolleyball Sub-State10 a.m.-6 p.m. - Granny Mae’s Pumpkin Patch OpenNoon - “Bike, Barbeque, Beirock, Band, & Beer Bash” at Midland Railroad Hotel

23 FFA National Conference at Indianapolis1-5 p.m. - Granny Mae’s Pumpkin Patch Open

24 4-7:30 p.m. - RHS Parent Teacher Conferences4:30-8 p.m. - RMS Parent Teacher Conferences7 p.m. - VFW Bingo

25 Noon - Rotary4-7:30 p.m. - RHS Parent Teacher Conferences4:30-8 p.m. - RMS Parent Teacher Conferences

26 7:45 a.m. - Russell Area Ch a.m.ber of Commerce Board Meeting10:30 a.m. - Russell Co. Health Dept. Blood Pressure Checks at the Sr. CenterStorytime at Russell Public LibraryWichita Children’s Theatre - SES “Chicken Little”, BES “Tom Sawyer”

27 7 a.m. - Sunrise Kiwanis8 a.m. - BES Picture Retakes9 a.m. - Morning Coffee at Sr. Center10:30 a.m. - SES Picture RetakesNoon - Noon Kiwanis1 p.m. - Bingo at Sr. Center7 p.m. - American Legion Stag/Stagette7 p.m. - RHS Football at Colby

28 SES & BES Fall PartiesVolleyball StateRMS Basketball Pictures

29 Cross Country and Volleyball StateRussell Co. 4-H Achievement BanquetElk’s Halloween Party10 a.m.-6 p.m. - Granny Mae’s Pumpkin Patch OpenHalloween Costume Party, Ouija Board Workshop, and Ghost Tours at Midland Railroad Hotel

30 1-5 p.m. - Granny Mae’s Pumpkin Patch Open

31 Happy Halloween!No School7 p.m. - VFW Bingo

HUTCHINSON — As part of the state’s commemo-ration of the Kansas ses-quicentennial during 2011, Governor Sam Brownback today announced the last five of 25 Notable Kansans at an event at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson Sept. 15. The notables honored this morn-ing were Bob Dole, Dwight Eisenhower, Jack Kilby, Carry Nation, and William Allen White.

Bob Dole was born in Rus-sell. He was a second lieuten-ant in the army during World War II and received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Dole served as a United States senator from 1969 to 1996 and was two-time senate majority leader and minority leader. He was Gerald Ford’s vice presidential running mate in 1976 and was the Republican presidential candidate in 1996. Dole re-ceived the American Patriot Award in 2004. At the event, Dole’s biography was read by Dave Kerr, president of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce. Kerr is a former Kansas Senate president and has a longtime friendship with Dole.

Dwight Eisenhower was born in Texas and grew up

in Abilene. He liked football as a student, and his favorite subject was history. Eisen-hower served as chief of staff of the U.S. Army. He was also commander of the al-lied forces in Europe during World War II and became a five star general. Eisen-hower also served two terms as president of the United States, from 1953 to 1961. At the event, Eisenhower’s biog-raphy was read by Meredith Sleichter of the Eisenhower Foundation in Abilene.

Jack Kilby graduated from Great Bend High School. He invented the integrated circuit, or microchip, and co-invented the pocket calculator and the thermal printer used in portable data terminals. Kilby received the Nobel Prize in Physics in the year 2000 and held more than 60 U.S. patents. At the event, Kilby’s biography was read by his high school classmate, Glenn Opie, who worked to create Jack Kilby Square in Great Bend, where a bronze memorial to Kilby will be installed next spring.

Carry Nation grew up in Kentucky and Missouri. After her first husband died from alcoholism, she worked against the drinking of alcohol through the women’s temperance movement.

Nation moved to Medi-cine Lodge in 1890 and led her “Home Defenders” to smash bars and saloons. The hatchet she used to destroy these businesses became her symbol. At the event, Nation’s biography was read by Dorothy Reed, president of the Carry Nation Home Museum in Medicine Lodge.

William Allen White was born in Emporia and bought the Emporia Gazette news-paper in 1895. He hosted several U.S. presidents at his home and was known as the “Sage of Emporia.” White

wrote influential editori-als and several books. He received two Pulitzer Prizes and a children’s book award is named for him. At the event, White’s biography was read by his great grandson, Chris Walker, who continues the family legacy as editor and publisher of the Empo-ria Gazette.

Events commemorating the top 12 events in Kansas history will be held later in the fall.

The 25 Notable Kansans were selected by the gov-ernor’s blue ribbon panel

for history. The panel is comprised of: Don Chubb, Topeka; Dr. Virgil Dean, Kansas Historical Society; Gayle Garrelts, Hays; Dr. James Hoy, Emporia State University; Bob Keckeisen, Kansas Historical Society; Nathan McAlister, Royal Valley High School;

Dr. Leo Oliva, Woodston; Mary Regan, Finney County Historical Society; J. Schafer, Kansas Public Radio; Dr. James Shortridge, University of Kansas; and Dr. Raymond Wilson, Fort Hays State University.

3Hometown EDGEOctober 2011

Post Insurance, Inc.106 Main Street • Paradise, KS

800-569-3572www.postinsuranceinc.com

As a Trusted Choice® insurance agent, we offer a broad selection of insurance services. We are committed to treating you as a person not a policy. Because a Trusted Choice® insurance agency has access to multiple insurance companies, we are able to offer you competitive

pricing, a broad choice of products and valuable advocacy.

OFFICE SUPPLY, INC.“YOUR FULL LINE OFFICE SUPPLY DEALER”

www.tri-central.com

1101 Main • HAYS, KANSAS 67601BUS: (785) 625-5666 • TOLL FREE: 1-800-794-4626THE CHESTNUT STREET DISTRICT IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN HAYS

• Offi ce Supplies• Furniture• Copiers• Printers• Service

WANTED!Homes to Side!

CONTEMPORARY HOMES• Siding & Trim Work

• Steel & Comp. Roofi ng• Windows • Seamless Guttering

• 20 Years ExperiencePratt, Kansas

CALL TOLL FREE1-888-934-9591

620-672-2649

Jagged Edge Salonhas moved to its new location: 7th & Main

Full Service Salon (785) 483-3772

New Clothing LinesLA Idol Jeans

Jewelry/Purses

OPENING THIS THANKGIVING through Christmas Eve every weekend in December! The Fantasy Village that made every Christmas so special to the Zorn Family Christmas Tradition will be a dream come true again

starting this Christmas! Lana Zorn and her family will be opening a Christmas Park and huge Christmas store at the TRIPLE J RV PARK in

Russell. 187 Edwards Russell, KS. 67665• Christmas store• entertainment for kids• smores by the fi re• thousands of lights

Join us on Facebook - Kansas Christmas

Wonderland

Waudby & Company Clothiers713 Main Russell, KS 67665

785-483-5600

Where Timeless Fashions Meet Today’s TrendsHours: M-F 9:30am-5:30pm;

Sat. 10:30am-3:30pm

Fall ArrivalsAre Here!

Russell Senior Center news

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback announced last week that former U.S. Senator Bob Dole will be the first Kansan to be honored on the Kansas Walk of Honor. Sen. Dole and his wife, Elizabeth, joined Governor Brownback and the First Lady to witness the unveiling of the bronze plaque on Friday, Sept. 30, at the southeast corner of the Statehouse south lawn. The event is open to the public.

The Walk will be located within the sidewalks on the Statehouse grounds and feature people who have con-tributed on a state and national level and have significant connections to Kansas.

“It is important for Kansas to recognize those who have made incredible contributions to our state and nation. The Kansas Walk of Honor will raise awareness of the accomplishments of Kansans and help begin a discus-sion about civic duty,” Gov. Brownback said. “It is fitting to acknowledge Senator Dole’s outstanding civic duty. He dedicated his life to serving the public through his work in the military and as a statesman. I hope the Senator’s many Kansas friends and supporters are able to join us for the unveiling.”

Kansas Historical Society Executive Director Jennie Chinn said the plan is for up to three plaques to be added each year to the Walk.

“Those who wish to submit names of those to be con-sidered for future plaques can send them to the Kansas Historical Foundation. A small committee will be ap-pointed that will make nominations and selections,” Chinn said.

The Kansas Historical Foundation, a 501(c)(3), will serve as the caretakers of funds for the Kansas Walk of Honor. People can donate to this fund. The Historical Foundation, which supports the Kansas Historical Society, a state agency, will establish the Walk fund so that people can offer donations to cover the cost of plaques. The cost for each plaque is $2,000, including shipping.

Russell native Bob Dole one of five ‘notable Kansans’

Bob Dole

Kansas Walk of Honor to recognize Sen. Bob Dole

BUNKER HILL – The Bunker Hill Historical Society will hold a Waffle Feed Fund Raiser from 5 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 2 at the Bunker Hill Community Center. Waffles, sausage, juice and coffee will be served for a free will do-nation. A drawing for the picture quilt of Bunker Hill will be held at 7 p.m.

Waffle feed to be held

4 Hometown EDGEOctober 2011

Do you enjoy reading about your neighbors in the Hometown Edge?

Do you look forward to receiving your FREE copy in the mail each month?

If so, please thank the local businesses who have supported the Hometown Edge this past year.

The Hometown Edge is distributed FREE to Russell County residents. It is supported by local advertising, so ask your local businesses to help support it by advertising in the Edge.

Call today to place an ad in your Hometown Edge! 1-800-950-8742 or call Joni Pasek at Getting Noticed; 785-483-1605

828 Elmhurst, Salina, Kansas 67401Phone: 785-827-2500 Fax: 785-827-2515

www.heartland-derm.com

TM

620 Winchester Ave., Kinsley KS 67547(620) 659-2156

A P.E.A.K. Award Winner

We Serve and enhance the lives of others with caring hands.

Providing Quality Care in a Quiet Rural Community

Services Include:- Long Term Care- Residential Care- Respite Care- Adult Day Care

Granny Mae’s makes many memories

BY DALE HOGGeditor@hometownedge.com

DORRANCE – For Tonya Buehler, Granny Mae’s Pumpkin Patch southwest of Dorrance is all about memories.

There are hers of her grandmother and patch namesake Sara Mae Herber and those she hopes to cre-ate for others who visit her autumnal attraction.

“We recreate the special atmosphere I remember so distinctly from my childhood, and we enjoy nothing more than shar-ing it with all the delightful friends who come for a visit,” she said.

Wearing jeans, boots and a denim shirt, she spoke on a recent afternoon, just a matter of days before the patch opened on Saturday, Sept. 24. It remains open through Oct. 30.

There is no admission fee, but there are charges

for the concessions and some of the special activi-ties.

Surrounded by scare-crows, shocks of grain and, of course, lots and lots of pumpkins, there was just a couple days remaining before the public would be meandering through the acres upon acres that make up the patch. A lot of details remained to be checked off the “to-do” list.

“It’s a labor of love,” she said. In the 12 years she’s operated the patch, it has grown from humble begin-nings to a fall wonderland.

Now, visitors can pick pumpkins, gourds of all shapes, sizes and colors. There are also colorful Indian corn and mums available.

There is pumpkin deco-rating, a live corn maze with scavenger hunt, a “gently” haunted forest, a straw jump, bonfires with smores, hayrack rides, car-nival games, a train ride for the children, a gift shop, a candy shop and live music.

For refreshments to take the edge off the fall chill, there are roasted peanuts and hot cider, and other concessions.

“There are thousands who go through here ,” she

said. Of course, weather plays a huge role on atten-dance. “We’ve been rained out, mudded out and snowed out.”

Her and her husband, Ken (who is sometimes a reluctant partner) plant each of the 4,000 pumpkin plants by hand around Memorial Day. This year, the temperature was 105 and the wind blew about 40 miles per hour. “We’ve learned to work with na-ture.”

There have been other improvements over the years. A floor was put in the Harvest Barn which now houses the gift shop. Sheds were built to house the Cider House conces-sion stand and Belly Acres’ Old Time Candy Store.

But, the original intent remains.

The patch was created in honor of her grandmother,

Sara Mae Herber. “Granny Mae was a teacher and avid gardener, who found inspi-ration in the changing of the seasons, the beauty of nature, and the innocence

and wonderment of child-hood,” Buehler said.

In 1942, the Herbers purchased a plot of land in

DALE HOGG Hometown EdgeTonya Buehler poses outside the entrance to Granny Mae’s Pumpkin Patch near Dorrance. It is open on weekends through Oct. 30.

A LABOR OF LOVE

Granny Mae’s Pumpkin Patch is located at 3871 198th St., Dorrance. It can be reached at 785-483-9667 or grannymaes.com. The patch is open every weekend now through Oct. 30. Hours are Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m.

Granny Mae’s location

DALE HOGG Hometown EdgePictured above is a variety of produce from Granny Mae’s Pumpkin Patch near Dorrance. Vistiors are allowed to pick from the produce while enjoying many activities the patch offers.

See PATCH, 5

Here are the results from the 2011 Flatland Car and Cycle Show in downtown Russell Saturday, Sept. 27: Kids Choice, James Hartman ‘72 Chevy Chevelle, Hays; Best Mopar, Paul Simpson, ‘69 Dodge Charger , Hays; Best Ford, Terry Zvolanek ‘56 Ford F-100, Osborne; Best Truck, Ned Brack, ‘29 Ford Roadster pickup, Great bend; Best Home-built, Glen Hoffman, ‘72 Pon-tiac Lemans, Gorham; Best Motor, Diane Newkirk, ‘80 Mercedes, Great Bend; Best Interior, Ed Randolph, ‘32 ford 3w coupe, Waldo; Best Other, Jim Matney, ‘72 MG Midget, Salina; Best Paint, Tom and Andrea Krauss, 1946 Willys Jeep, Russell; Best Original (non-restored), Steve Karst, ‘80 Corvette, Russell; Best Import, John and Sharon Jenkins, 2000 Honda, Great Bend; Best Rat Rod, Scott Rogg, ‘30 Dodge Brothers Sedan, Russell; Russell Police Choice, Eldon Burouehs, ‘68 Camaro, Sa-lina; and Best Of Show, Janet Flickinger, ‘39 Ford, Salina. Organizers also gave out participant choice top five in

cycles, top 3 in power sports and top 30 cars/trucks.

Sponsors included: Jakes Sales and Service Fossil Creek Hotel and Suites, Bass-X AutoSound, Royal Drilling Inc, Stoppel Supply, Huxman Oil, B&C Auto Repair, Russell County Economic Development & CVB, Klema Apple Mart,

Nex-Tech Rural Telephone Service, Doerfler’s Harley Davidson, Home Depot, Bos Motorsports,LLC, Hometown Brand Center, Deans Auto Repair, Edward Jones-Brad Wagner, Rick’s Pipeline, A&W of Russell, Encore Antiques and Col-lectables, LMC TRUCK and S&W Supply-Russell.

5Hometown EDGEOctober 2011

Storm Team Weather CoverageRussell Broncos, KU, K-State

KIN, KAN and AP News

Be watching our

krsl.comwebsite for an all new look!

Bunker Hill Historical Society Fundraiser

Waffl e FeedSunday, October 2 • 5-7Bunker Hill Community Center

Free Will Donation

Saturdays 10am - 6pm & Sundays 1 - 5pm Living Maze Hayrack Rides Bonfires Fun Fall Foods Old Time Candy Gift Shoppe

Take I-70 to Dorrance Exit 199 and follow the signs south.

Call 785-483-9667 or go to www.GrannyMaes.com

Open Weekends Now Thru October

Bigger and Better Than Ever!

rural Russell County to grow crops and a family. Today, that same land grows pump-kins and memories. “I’d like to believe Granny Mae’s Pumpkin Patch is the person-ification of her memory and the values that defined her life; a legacy left and defined by love – of people, nature, and life.”

For Buehler growing up, the beginning of the fall harvest season was a truly magical time of year. “It was something I anticipated with unbelievable excitement. The foods, festivities, and events were absolutely unique to the season.

“When these things - and many more - were combined with the astonishing natu-ral beauty surrounding my family’s home, they created a wonderful feeling and sensa-tion, unlike anything else I had experienced.”

Today, Buehler uses those childhood memories as an inspiration. “My family and I have created the same vibrant ambience and sense of inno-cent adventure so many of us associate with autumn.”

PATCH, from page 4

DALE HOGG Hometown EdgeAT LEFT: There are many pumpkins of all shapes and sizes on display at Gran-ny Mae’s Pumpkin Patch southwest of Dorrance. One popular activity at the attraction is for children to pick an orange gourd and decorate it.BELOW: There are several buildings on the grounds of Granny Mae’s, from concession stands to gift shops to homes for the many scarecrows that “live” there.

COURTESY PHOTOShown are is a scene for the 2011 Flatland Car and Cycle Show Saturday, Sept. 24, in Russell.

Flatland Car Show results posted

The Russell County Area Community Foundation an-nounced grant applications are being accepted now through Oct. 15 for the Fund for the Better Russell County Area. Appli-cants from qualified non-profit organizations, individuals and groups of individuals will be considered.

Organizations receiving grants last year were: Gorham Community Development Association, Lucas Area Com-munity Theater, Post Rock Family Services, USD 407, Russell County Community Partnership, Russell County Food Pantry, Russell Sunrise Kiwanis, Safe Night After Prom, Summer Kids Intervention Program, and Smoky Hills Public Television.

“This year, about $10,000 in total grants are available through the Fund for a Better Russell County Area. Funding for these grants comes from the generosity of donors who contribute to the Foundation’s unrestricted grant fund,” said Angela Muller, executive director of the foundation. Donations to this fund receive a 50 percent match through the GROW endowment challenge sponsored by the Kansas Health Foun-dation.

Grant applications are available online at www.rcacf.net or at the Community Foundation offices at 507 N. Main Street, Russell. For more information, call 785-445-3611.

The Russell County Area Community Foundation was es-tablished in 2001 to create a permanent source of philanthropy to address current and future community needs through grant making and partnerships. Over the years, the Community Foundation and its generous donors have directed more than $800,000 to meaningful causes and issues – from the arts and childhood education to historical preservation and hunger relief. The Foundation is the largest provider of grants and scholarships in Russell County.

RUSSELL – Bright yellow entry forms announcing this year’s Russell Original Art Review have begun to flood the Kansas art world. Since 1969, the ROAR Show has given Kansas artists the opportunity to show and sell their work of art by professional and amateur Kansas artists in categories of Oil, Watercolor, Other Two-Dimension, Sculpture, Ceramics, Pastels, Pho-tography, and Computer Generated or Manipulated Original Composition. This year’s show dates are Oct. 14-16, at the 4-H Building in Russell.

All professional and amateur artists 16 years of age and older living in the State of Kansas are eligible. All work must be origi-nal and not previously exhibited in a ROAR Show. Entries will be judged only in their own category.

Entries may be brought to the 4-H building from 1 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 9, 10, and 11. No entries will be accepted after 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11. There will be no limit on the number of entries.

The show will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 14 and 15 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16. Admission is free.

Approximately $3,200 in non-purchase cash prizes will awarded at the discretion of the judge.

Inquiries may be addressed to: ROAR, P.O. Box 94, Russell, Kansas 67665; in Russell by calling Patty Driscoll, 785-483-4039; in the Wichita area by calling Lewis Clancy at 316-722-2916; in Topeka by calling Tori Tomlinson, 785-483-1883; in Lindsborg by calling Aimee Gfeller, 785-483-1903; or by visit-ing the web site at www.ROARART.org.

Community foundation grants now available

ROAR raring to go

Area residents create projects that help us remember

BY NADENE ALBRECHT

Special to the Hometown Edge

“I double dare you.” Remember that game we used to play? Well, this is not a game, and I DO double dare you to even give the slightest hint to the fact that we Kansans failed to remember back ten years ago, when our nation witnessed a most horrific attack on our American soil. That day was Sept. 11, 2001! The memory of that day is so ingrained in our lives that we will always remem-ber where we were, what we were doing and the emotions we felt when we heard the terrible news that the United States of America was under attack!

For those of you fortu-nate enough to attend the Kansas State Fair, and the opportunity to view the display in the Oz building will fortify the fact that two gentlemen, true Kan-sans with the true Kansans patriotic spirit, who, with the work and love of their God given gifts, gave full tribute to honor all the public safety and military personnel who lost their lives on that day of heart-ache and sorrow. The two gentlemen, Tom Humburg who grew up in the Bison area and John Stettinger, whose home was located on the Russell-Barton County line (and who I proudly call my godson, my nephew and my birth-day chum) are certainly to be commended for their contribution to the Ameri-can people!

John, a 31-year veteran of the Great Bend Fire Department and EMS, using his favorite DeWalt 788 20-inch scroll saw, created two wood carvings as his own memorial, in this display. One is a Mal-tese cross, the recognized badge of the firefighters everywhere. It bears the words, “In Memory of NYFD”, the date “9/11” and the number “343”, depicting the number of firemen who died on that date. The second carving is the shield shape that denotes the law enforce-ment and shows the New York skyline with the Twin Towers, a U.S. flag and again the date of 9-11-01. Following the events display, John plans for these two items to be sent to New York, for display at a fire station or police station as John so appro-priately stated, “God has given me the ability and skills to use my hands and make things and if you lose a fireman somewhere, it is one of us,” thus justi-fying his creation of these memorial plaques.

Tom, with a spark of pride in his voice as he re-layed the fact of a son who plans a career as a service-man for his country, as well as being a Navy vet-eran himself, let it be fully known that his patriotic spirit abounds in this proj-ect as he told of the 3,300 people who lost their lives that tragic day, as well as the thousands of men who have given their lives in service of our great coun-try, giving special credit to those from Kansas. His patriotism is truly exhib-ited by the work displayed to the public in Hutchin-son! The original display was first made public at the Barton County Fair in 2010. Built to scale of l 1/2” totalling 12’, set on a 32 foot platform, 16.000 wooden blocks were cut and sanded by these two friends, and are stacked (using no glue) to repre-

sent the World Trade Cen-ters and the Pentagon. A 12x18-foot United States Flag backdrop emphasizes further the patriotism portrayed by these two friends in Mid-America, Kansas! The majestic pre-sentation of this display held the viewers in awe as they stood before the towers, flag and plaques in the middle of the United States on a hot summer afternoon, remembering a very sad day of ten years past!

Giving further docu-mentation to the true Kansas spirit, those of you traveling our grand I-70 roads on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, will attest to see-ing the very same thing that I, personally, expe-rienced as I journeyed to the Capitol city that day. Leaving Russell about 9 0’clock, a few miles down the way, my eye saw, sil-houetted against a bright Fall morning, groups of proud American citizens, waving the American Red White and Blue Colors, with the same flags grac-ing the bridge railings of the overpasses! Several groups were joined by Fire Department personnel and trucks, with flashing lights! Cars were sounding their horns, people were rolling down their win-dows, waving in recogni-tion of this display, and some even flew their own private flags from within their personal vehicles. I certainly was glad that I had packed a few extra tis-sue that day!

But did you know that on the peninsula at Bay-onne Harbor, in New Jer-sey, lined up with the State of Liberty, and down in the shipping yards across from “The Lady”, standing in direct view of the for-mer World Trade Center is a monument, created by a famous Russian sculptor Zurab Tesereteii, which was given to the people of the United States as a gift from the Russian people, by the President of Russia, Vladmir Putin, honor-ing those who died just 10 years ago on Sept. 11, 2001?

This monument, is known as ‘The ‘Tear Drop’. Standing more then 100’ feet tall, weighing 175 tons and containing a nickel and bronze plated teardrop weighing four tons and hanging 40 feet high within the tower that holds it , along with the memorial reading, “To the Struggle Against World Terrorism.” The base of the memorial bears a similar-ity to the Vietnam Memo-rial Wall as it has engraved on it, the names of those killed as a result of this attack. One has to wonder why more news media attention was not directed to this wonderful gesture by the citizens of Russia to the people of the United States of America!

Congressman Tim Huelscamp, in a recent news release stated: “In the next 10 years, Amer-ica must remain vigilant about the threats that con-tinue to face our nation.

Despite the successful protection of our country from terrorist threats at home, the reality remains; there are individuals and organizations that would like to destroy our nation and way of life. We must, therefore, remain vigilant in opposition to terrorist attacks.”

The impressive memo-rial services and state-ments against terrorism, the patriotic works of art displayed from such art-ists as John and Tom and Tesereteii, those citizens proudly waving their flags on the overpasses, to the “Tear Drop” being proudly displayed near the Statue of Liberty and on down to every proud citizen of the United States of America who proudly flew their flag on 9/11 representing sadness and grief over the loss of life, DARE to offer hope to a future free from terrorists while showing compassion from a loving, caring people the world over!

Time cures everything, but there are things we cannot and must not forget and Sept. 11, 2001, is one day in the history of the world that will never be forgotten, double – dar-ing us all as a reminder that we must always be vigilant as well as thank-ful!

God Bless America!

6 Hometown EDGEOctober 2011

����������������

������������������������� ��������������� ������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��� �­������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������� ���������

�����������������������

�� ���������������������������������� ����������������������������������������� �������

������������������������� ����� ��

�������������������� �������������������������� �����

��­��������������������������

�

��� ������������������������ ­ �� ��

������������������������������ ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� � ���������������­������������������������������ ����������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������­������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������ ���������������������������� ������������������������ ��������������������������­���������������������������������������������������������� � ���� ���������������­����� � ������ � ���������������­����������� ������������������������������������������ ����������������������������������������� ���������������������������� ������������������������ ������������������������������������� � ���� ���������������­����� � ������ � ���������������­����������� ������������������������������������������

A0B010XCU2F49847

CARRICO IMPLEMENT CO., INC. 3160 US 24 HWY

BELOIT, KS 67420-1577 (785) 738-5744

����� �������� ����������

��������������������

��������� ������ ���

������� ���� ���

www.fhsu.edu/sternberg877-332-1165

Hays, KS

COURTESY PHOTOABOVE, Shown is Tom Humberg’s block-stacking display at the Kansas State Fair, creating a replica of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. He paid tribute to 9/11.

HOMETOWN EDGE FILE PHOTO LEFT, Battalion Chief John Stettinger from the Great Bend Fire Department shows his scroll-saw wood carvings that pay tribute to firefighters and law enforcement officers of Sept. 11, 2001. The carvings were included in the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson. After that, they were sent to firefighters in New York.

NADENE’S THOUGHTS

Have Hometown Edge news

or story ideas? FAX them to (620)

792-8381 attention Dale Hogg

or email them to editor@home-townedge.com

Nadene Albrecht