The Post Podcast

USD 489 settling into school year

On this episode of the Post Podcast, USD 489 Superintendent Ron Wilson shares updates from the Hays Public School district. 
 
Transcript:
EDITORS NOTE: Transcripts are provided by an automated service and are not verified for accuracy.
 
James Bell 
USD 489 has kicked off their school year and they're settling into a routine superintendent Ron Wilson stops by to share some of the details on this episode of the Post Podcast.
 
Ron Wilson 
If you count my days, we've just completed two weeks, of course, we started in the middle of the week. So we're just on the next day of two weeks, one day.
 
James Bell 
You know, I'm glad you mentioned that maybe that's a perfect way to start. Because I've always been curious. And this has been the way since I was in school. It always seems like it starts on Wednesday or Thursday. Is there a reason for that?
 
Ron Wilson 
Well, there's not particularly reason that we we try to start on a Wednesday or Thursday, sometimes there is make some sense, you know, you have to consider that people have been off for a couple of months, sometimes, kind of just easing back into it is always a good thing for kids, especially younger kids, as they kind of transition from the summer, summer lifestyle to school lifestyle. And so when you get in that Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, it makes for a nice, three day increment that then you get a two day break and kind of didn't get back after it. So it's not always intentional, but it does make a lot of sense.
 
James Bell 
Okay, very cool. So how has things been going the first couple
 
Ron Wilson 
of weeks? Boy, it's really been awesome. I mean, things are starting to fill fairly normal, I always say the key to starting the school year is just finding our groove. And I feel like you know, I don't know if that's all we found our groove, as you know. And I say that because schools are probably one of the unique organizations, businesses, whatever you want to classify us as, because we shut down for for two months, two and a half months, and then we have to restart, which is very exciting in a lot of ways, because it's new, it's fresh, all those things that come with it, but also there's some other sides to it, when you shut something down for two and a half months and have to restart it brings on some other elements that sometimes creates a lot of work. But now things are good. And like I said, we're just trying to find the groove. And I think we're almost there and things activities are starting of course, and that makes it feel very normal. You know, of course, high school football kicks off Friday night, a lot of our other activities with cross country volleyball. Those have already started. Middle School has some activities tonight. So very, very normal things going on in our world. So
 
James Bell 
very cool. You know, and you mentioned easing back into it. I think about two you've had some not a whole lot. But some staff changes, and especially in the school level administration, I think that probably those folks are taking the reins and kind of making that their own.
 
Ron Wilson 
You bet. I think a couple, a couple of people, especially on our administrative side, we have Chris Romic, our new principal at Roosevelt Elementary, Chris was a school psychologist at Roosevelt. So she just moved down the hallway to a different office. But I think Chris will be a great addition that Roosevelt in a leadership capacity she's done has has a lot of experience and a lot of great ideas. And we're very excited about Chris being the building principal at Roosevelt Elementary. Also at our West Side school, we've had some changes this this summer, with the district taking on the role as the as the lead in that in that school. Previously, for the last many, many years. The district partnered with high plains mental health over the summer, we we decided that we would, you know, split and go a different direction with that. And Lindy McDaniel, who is Assistant Director for our special ed cooperative here in the district is taking on that role in addition to her assistant directors for the for the cooperative as well. And we're very excited because Lindy has a lot of background and working with kids and structures and things that we feel are important to adding to Westside school. So I think Lindy will be a great addition there as well.
 
James Bell 
Very cool. Any other differences as we're going into the year that you think people should know about?
 
Ron Wilson 
Well, you know, I don't know if there's, I don't know if I'll be able to pull all of them off there. All of them are fairly small or minor. One of the things that we did, but changes are what was always known as the Learning Center of Ellis County is now referred to as the Hayes virtual school. It was a small change, and it really doesn't change anything in terms of how we're operating. But we just really wanted to get the message out to people that that we do offer a virtual school sometimes when you say the Learning Center, people didn't really know what that meant and what kind of what actually went on there. And sometimes we were missing families that maybe wanted a virtual option. So making that small little change and calling ourselves Hayes virtual school identifies the people immediately of what we do and what we offer. So that's a minor change, but that's one thing that come was to the top of my head and thinking of some of the things that are different.
 
James Bell 
You know, have you seen? No, no, we're, you know, but a full year out of COVID at this point or the worst of it anyway, and the lockdowns and all that, etc. Do you find that you still have a lot of students taking that virtual option? Or are you kind of back to normal or enrollment wise? Well,
 
Ron Wilson 
I would say we were we have seen a return to to the majority of our students, of course, we still have students who do choose the virtual option. And that's definitely if that's what they feel is best for their family and their their students. Yeah, I think that's we want to be able to offer that. And so for the most part, I think we've we have most of our students back that we had pre COVID. And, you know, as far as enrollment numbers, our enrollment numbers are good. Of course, nothing is official until September 20. And there's so much that goes into an enrollment count. It's not as simple as UA on September 1, counting how many heads are in school? I
 
James Bell 
think it'd be an easy process, but absolutely not.
 
Ron Wilson 
It's, it's really fairly intricate. And lots of things go in to that in terms of weightings, what we call weightings in terms of what we offer to students and the additional costs that come with some of those things, in terms of some transportations and special education. Some those have received some help with meals at during lunches and those kinds of things. So there's lots of different things that go into figuring out your enrollment. But we'll be doing that over the next couple of weeks and September 20 is when we send everything into the state and then we kind of know what direction we're going for the school year.
 
James Bell 
Yeah. And that really, that's just a function of funding, right? They have to know exactly how many students so you know how much money you're getting in. And that's a multi year complicated process that just kind of snowballs as it's going along.
 
Ron Wilson 
Yes, it is. But right now, I would say that just headcount we're, we look really good. And we've we're, that's we're very optimistic about that. Now, I would tell you looking around the state, a lot of districts have have seen some decline in numbers. And a lot of that is just because as, as the state of Kansas has decreased in population in terms of, you know, burst live births coming into the, into the, into the state of Kansas. So we're, we're, we're, we're feeling fortunate that right now, our enrollment seems to be holding steady.
 
James Bell 
Okay. You know, before we run out of time, I'm gonna hit on this. I think, as we're wrapping up the school year, last year, we were talking about the bond issue, and now we're past the summer, I wonder if you want to update us with any activity going on there with the as that process kind of moves forward?
 
Ron Wilson 
Oh, absolutely. We're always loved to talk about the bond and the future of high schools and just the future for the Hayes community in the things that we're going to be able to see and experience together as this all comes together. Of course, this summer has been a lot of design work, we have spent a lot of work and basically focusing on the new high school at this point, with with the architect group, and have had lots of meetings with high school staff, including administration and teachers. We've did some work in terms of going around and seeing other schools that have have recently built new high schools that by our architect company, DLR. And so that was an exciting part of the summer. We've though like I said, we've had some design meetings where we, we've started the process of trying to put together what it's going to look like and what what's important to us, and what do we feel like our direction in terms of educating kids and Hayes and so some really great conversations this summer. And we're we're very excited, I think, as far as our community being able to see anything specifically that would say, oh, yeah, it started, I think we're looking at possibly as a target date of November that you'll start seeing some dirt moved out there east of the current high school. Of course, that will be the first piece and it's very important piece, because you got to get that foundation laid out exactly right. For the for to put a building that's going to be there for hopefully, 100 years or so that will take several months of of moving dirt and making everything the way it should be. And then we're hoping that we would see some actual construction starting in the spring. And then of course, it's gonna be a couple of years before that building is completely ready to move into but that was what we indicated during the bond. And I think everyone understands that, but it'll be an exciting piece coming coming down the road as everyone starts to see the future.
 
James Bell 
Absolutely. So is that the that's the first piece the big focus, but I'm wondering, are you Is there going to be any work going on the smaller kind of side projects at the schools or is that just going to be it for now and then it all rolls behind it?
 
Ron Wilson 
Now what you'll also see coming next summer, so just a year, just a little year, about a year from now is that you will will see some things being done and some of the other schools, the idea is that we'll do little pieces and all of our schools during the summers over the next two to three summers. And then of course, there might be some some different layouts as we, you know, as the as the new high school is completed, we move students out of the current high school, there will be a period where that building will be empty, and they will go in full force and do some things there. But of course, we'll be working on smaller projects that don't disrupt the the next school year and we that can be done during the summer. So yeah, there'll be lots of work going on for the next two to three summers.
 
James Bell 
Okay. Yeah, I'm there's so many moving pieces. I just imagine that's a crazy, complicated process. It
 
Ron Wilson 
is that there's some really smart people, it's not myself, that put this all together and figure things out. And I think it's, it's, it's really it's fun to watch. It's fun to be a part of, I think it's, it's, it's just something that it's just hard to imagine, you know, we can visualize it, but we don't really can't, but I think and going back to what I talked about with the tours, that's the thing that I realized, you know, and I had seen pictures and I've envisioned what it might look like but when I started walking in those high schools that had been built recently, kind of gave me goosebumps, to fit to know that our community will see something, something that's going to be looked very similar even maybe even a little better. And it's just it's unbelievable once cycles, souls

Thunder on the Plains returns to Hays Sept. 17

On this episode of the Post Podcast Thunder on the Plains organizers Shelby Doty and Jackie Lang share details about the upcoming event.

Work begins on the 2023 Hays Chamber Community Guide

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger and vice president of marketing and communications Mariah Legleiter share information about the 2023 Community Guide.

Work begins on the 2023 Hays Chamber Community Guide

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger and vice president of marketing and communications Mariah Legleiter share information about the 2023 Community Guide.

Mix 103.3’s Friday Night Finds: August 26, 2022

The latest Friday Night Finds from Mix 103.3 FM.
Play the song at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcWE6jWSIi8

Grow Hays’ latest RHID presented to USD 489 Board of Education

On this episode of the Post Podcast Grow Hays, Executive Director Doug Williams shares information about an RHID planned for downtown Hays.
Transcript:
EDITORS NOTE: Transcripts are provided by an automated service and are not verified for accuracy.
 
James Bell 
Grow Hays, Executive Director Doug Williams recently presented before the Hays Board of Education about and RHID planned for downtown Hays, he stops by to share some of the details on that and more on this episode of the Post Podcast.
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
Michael Graham rentals, proposing or is going to put in a apartment complex that fourth and fourth right behind the old Washington School location 33 or 36 units and he had applied to the city for a row housing incentive district incentive. And on July 28, the City Commission approved that and then it goes to a veto period for 30 days for the school district or the county can veto that act and stop that from happening. And so we're on the homestretch of that veto period and should be finalized like next week, and then he'll be free to start construction down there to get some much needed housing going in. Hayes. Very good.
 
James Bell 
I like to hear that. Do you expect any of these? Well, first, maybe we want to talk about this? Why do you have to go to the school board and the county for that? Why can't he just take care. But well, the way
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
incentives work and the myths, I think a lot of people don't understand exactly how it works, a lot of a lot of people have the impression that it takes away the part of their tax dollars go to pay for these quote unquote, incentives. And that's really not the case, what it what it does, it allows the developer to recover some of his development costs, through the property taxes, he pays going into the future. So each year, the owner of these properties will pay property tax just like everybody else, but a portion of that will be routed back to them to pay for some of the street improvements, the underground, you know, sewer, water, electric, some of those kinds of things, that they can recover some of their costs on that through a portion of those tax dollars. The reason the city, the county and the school district participate in this process is because they're all affected by it. If if this incentive was not granted, they would get a portion of those property taxes that he would pay on an ongoing basis. So they have to say, Okay, we believe that the benefit of the additional housing is better for the community, then the property taxes we might receive on this project, not to mention the fact that without those type of incentives, the project probably wouldn't be done. So there's the trade off and kind of the bet that most governments make is that we are betting that we're going to this is going to happen, and in the long run, we're going to get our property taxes from it. And it's going to add much needed housing. And we're willing to give up a little bit along the way to make that happen.
 
James Bell 
Yeah. Do you expect any of those boards to take issue? I know you I'd say you've been in front of the school board already? Do you? Do you see any? Anybody saying no, I
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
think I think they understand the need, I think they understand that the impact of them is really doesn't exist, it's not going to hurt their current budget. In the long run, they're going to get additional tax dollars from this asset that is developed in the community. So I don't anticipate any issue from from either of those organizations.
 
James Bell 
Yet, really, I don't know. You know, as you talk about these, it sounds like it's a win win win. Everybody takes out of this deal. It's just delaying a little bit of tax revenue. I don't know why. Because it is sometimes contentious, when you set up an Rh ID or a program like this, people have that misconception that somehow they're paying extra taxes for it. Right?
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
They do. And I think it is a win win. But you know, there are rules and regulations that have to be met their statutory UL requirements to get one of these, one of them being a housing study, in the case of an Rh ID, you have to have a housing study that shows you have a need for housing. Because not only is the you know, the local taxing entities are not receiving some dollars, but some of the state dollars are not generated. Some of your property tax that goes to the state is not generated in some cases. And so they have some requirements where you have to show a need, the Secretary of Department of Commerce has to sign off on these things. And then they you know, the local taxing organizations have to look it has to meet some criteria for them to so it's not like they're given willy nilly to just anybody that applies. They do have to meet some requirements. And in the long run, it is good. But there obviously are are those who don't feel any incentives or an order that nobody should ever get any incentives because maybe well, I didn't get any. But the case may be there's you didn't ask for any now they're available to anybody that wants to apply for him. Anybody that's willing to go out and do and invest, I believe the projected number that was put on the application for this apartment complex was three and a half to $4 million. Anybody that wants to go out and do that is more than welcome to apply for these incentives. And, and I'm sure that they would be looked upon favorably by the governing bodies.
 
James Bell 
Yeah, it's really all about just developing what we need. Because we've talked time and time again, there is a massive need for housing here in Ellis County, and, and far beyond. But definitely here, notice County,
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
we certainly have a large need in Ellis County. Sometimes these are the things you know, development costs are extremely high. And in order to make it work financially, for somebody willing to put up that amount of money, and they've got to get some incentives anywhere they can.
 
James Bell 
You know, on the flip side of this something else we've talked about, it's been in the news pretty recently, the microfactory project, I hear you have some, some updates there as well,
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
we are moving along, although you don't see it on the surface. But plans have been finalized. Architects are working with all the various entities that they have to work with mechanical engineers, structural engineers, civil engineers, all of the things that are going on to get that going. We're anticipating a groundbreaking sometime in October. And so we're excited about that with completion sometime by end of year 2023. And so we're eager to get going on the construction we're talking with, we've talked to half a dozen potential tenants in the building that may have an interest. And that's great, because we definitely want to use it as the incubator, it's supposed to be for manufacturers. And so we're making headway, it just never happens as fast as you would like. And we also are going to be in front of the City Commission asking for some industrial revenue bonds to help with that project that allows the developer which in this case, is gro Hayes to avoid the sales tax on the materials that are purchased to construct the facility, and then potentially a property tax abatement for a period of time to try and help us get on our feet with that project, get some tenants in place, and get it operating at a financial break even point, which is what our goal is also, the project, as you may recall, it's about a three and a half to $4 million project, the base grant from the state of Kansas was 2.6 million. So we're 900,000 to a million dollars short, we did get a nice donation of the land from Heart of America, but we still got a deficit that we're going to have to either raise some funds, or we're going to have to borrow that money. And obviously, it's important that we have some means to pay that back over the life of the building. And so we can get it going. So you'll anybody who watches the activities of the City Commission and and that kind of thing will see that application coming forward pretty quickly.
 
James Bell 
For a building like that is there a lot of extra considerations you have to take to get that facility up and running, I'm just imagining all of the industrial efforts that are going to be going on in there probably require a little bit different layout and structure than a traditional commercial building
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
about a zillion when you're talking about a structure like that, that's going to be focused on manufacturers, all kinds of other considerations come into play things like getting product in and out of the building, you know, raw materials in and then finished goods out? Where are you going to store them on site? How thick does a concrete floor need to be? Because how heavy is the equipment that's going to be in there? How tall do the ceilings need to be? What type of electrical capacity do you need? Are there any specific heating and cooling and air handling situations that go on, it just goes on and on. And it's been I've been around the residential construction, pretty much all my adult life, but not a whole lot of commercial, but particularly industrial construction. And it has been an eye opener for me just a lot of things that I never would have thought that you had to consider and people that you would have to involve. And that's one of the reasons why it's expensive. You have to do things a lot differently. You have a lot more engineering expertise that you have to bring into the into the mix. And so it's complicated.
 
James Bell 
You know, you mentioned you were talking to some organizations that might be interested in moving in there. I wonder, you know, is that is out quickly, is it going to be ready once the the facility is up and running? Are you going to be able to move those guys in immediately or is it going to be a little bit of a waiting period as you set up for those individuals?
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
Not really sure but our goal is To have these people pounding on the door wanting to get in and operating, when by the time it's finished, that's one of the luxuries we have, you know, we've got basically a year to year and a half here to find tenants find tenants that have similar type operations, one of the ongoing challenges will be one manufacturer is a kind of a dirty process generates a lot of hazardous smoke or whatever in their process next door to and I'll use an extreme example here, I don't anticipate this, but somebody who's doing microchips, you know, you you can't cohabitate with somebody having a dirty process with somebody doing a very clean process. So we think that, that our challenge is not going to be to find tenants, because I think we're going to have lots of people interested, it's going to be matching up those tenants in a compatible way that don't cause each other problems.
 
James Bell 
Yeah, I'm curious, you know, can you kind of alleviate those concerns with construction, or is that something that's just gonna have to be like, oh, you know, what, you have to pass on some organizations, maybe,
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
depending on the organization and the kind of the opportunity that they pose, we may be able to deal with some of it through construction, you know, separation walls, or something like that. I think you and I have talked before, my original thought was, there would be these individual spaces with walls all the way and this would be your space, and this would be your space. But in talking with the experts in manufacturing, there are no walls planned to be inside that building, it will be open, you will have your space, you will do your thing here. But the guy next to you, you know, I don't know if it's a Wk RP in Cincinnati piece of yellow tape on the floor that you don't cross this space. And but there will be designated space for each operation. And they will, they will operate that space. And so things like air handling and the type of processes they're going through become critical to make sure those are compatible.
 
James Bell 
Okay. You know, we've got just a couple minutes left, you've got some events coming up at gro Hayes I think we want to talk about right,
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
we do we have our think like an entrepreneur class, which starts on September 14, that's an eight week course it will be taught by Chris Munch. And always a good course, always a lot of fun, and always very worthwhile to anybody. You've been a past participant and and anybody who has an interest in owning and operate their own business, I would highly recommend it, I think we've got an early bird special for 100 bucks prior to September 1, to sign up. And after that, it's like 150 bucks, we feed you eight meals, you know, we feed you every time. So for the price of entry is just really cheaper than what you could eat for for that. And all the content is basically free if you look at it that way. And it's really good. And then we have our quarterly luncheon coming up on September 7, at Breece base where we're going to be calling Belzer, the assistant city manager and myself, we're going to be talking about the housing study that was conducted by the city of Hayes and came out in June. So a couple things going on in the near future.
 
James Bell 
Very cool, very exciting stuff. And if you want to find out more about those events, we'll get signed up for that class and information available on your website,
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
website, Facebook page, call us, whatever you want to do, because we're we got a lot of ways to get that information. And we'd love to see a lot of people in the class and obviously a lot of people in the in the quarterly lunch and I think we've got 40 signed up already for that we got a capacity of about 45 So if you if you have an interest in coming call us to reserve a spot
 
James Bell 
very good. You will also have the Zoom meeting link available right
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
put the zoom out there on our website and on Facebook. So if if somebody can't make it down, you can certainly join us on Zoom and and ask questions on Zoom. So join us that way if you can't be there in person

Cottonwood extension district offers resources for producers dealing with drought

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Cottonwood extension district agent Stacy Campbell shares information about the impacts and resources available to ag producers during the ongoing drought.
Transcript:
EDITORS NOTE: Transcripts are provided by an automated service and are not verified for accuracy.
 
James Bell 
The area drought is having an impact on area producers from the Cottonwood Extension District agent Stacy Campbell stops by to share some information for those dealing with the dry conditions. On this episode of the Post Podcast.
 
Stacy Campbell 
There is a well it says thirsty cattle. We've got solutions. It's next Tuesday, August the 30th. Over in Russell County at the Blunden farms, there's going to be a demo and field day about kind of some alternative ways to get water to your livestock that are feasible, doable that have been done. Stacey Minson, who's our watershed specialist has put together that program, she's got some guest speakers, Hershel George, retired watershed specialist, but very, very knowledgeable on how to get some alternative water sources to your pastures is going to be speaking and I think they might have a little demonstration. And then they're also going to talk about management strategies for Johnson grass, haying, and grazing conditions, managing feed stuffs and drought conditions, even some incorporating some cover crops into livestock operations to save on feeding days. That's next Tuesday, August 30. Beginning at 830, and Russell County, at the Blunden farms, the directions are a quarter mile north of Fairfield road, and then 170/9 road if you've got and I guess you do need to kind of believe let them know if you're coming by calling or texting Stacy Minson at 785-769-3297. So that's 7693297 If you want to come to that demonstration and Field Day on on watering sources and some grazing drought management for your livestock next Tuesday on the 30th.
 
James Bell 
Probably a very important topic if Yeah, yeah, even for a refresher, I would think probably a good idea. Yep. Yep, for sure. For sure. And speaking of water, yeah, the lack of thereof is causing all kinds of havoc for our producers. Yes,
 
Stacy Campbell 
yes, because of the drought, you know, yields aren't going to be great on our crops. And because of that, there's probably going to be some leftover nitrogen phosphorus nutrients in the soil. So before farmers plant the next wheat crop, it would be very, very beneficial to take proper soil samples to see how much is left over, could definitely save you some money by knowing instead of guessing. And we have the soil probes, the the bags, the forms and everything. And we'll even mail them off for you if you'll take them and bring them back in. And if you've got any questions on doing that, give me a call, ideally, recommended to take two different samples, one from zero to six for your phosphorus, and one from zero to 24 for your nitrogen, sulfur and chloride. So for your before your next wheat crop, it's advisable to do that. And then you've got some time if you want for your summer crops you know, you can do that either after harvest this year or early spring but something that will definitely definitely pay big dividends each and every year by doing that and taking the guesswork out. And then yeah, because of the drought. No guys are worried about nitrates in their feed and their hay. Just remind them that even though you might lose a little bit of tonnage, I don't think you'll lose much. In the no the feed is short, but if you can raise the cutting height the cutting bar up, those nitrates accumulate in the typically in the very lower portion of the stem. So instead of cutting it to three inches, if you can raise that up to six, seven, maybe eight inches, you can sure reduce the amount of nitrates in your forages in your feed and your hay and then also we've got probes that you can come and borrow the hook on to a drill that you can probe into your bales you can bring that hay back in and will send it off to the Soils Lab at K State they can also test for nitrates and test for protein if you want and then you'll know what you have there and you know you can probably if it is still turns out to be high in nitrates even after raising the cutting height you know no one what you have you can if you have some low nitrate how you can always grind it in dilute it so that is kind of the deal is dilution is the solution. If you got high nitrate Hey, but you've got some low nitrate Hey, you can blend it together by grinding it and you can usually make that work so and then just a couple of key I guess pointers because of the drought, call cows wean early preg check those are all things that can help extend extend your feed stuffs in the in the grazing season. And then wheat variety selection that's coming up planting wheat we've got information on our website triple w.cottonwood.ksu.edu click onto the crops and livestock tab and then look under hot topics. We've got our local test body Information, the K State Experiment Station, we perform its variety test plots. Colorado State has a neat little decision tool that's easy to use. That is pretty cool, I would advise you to look at that. So we've got our resources there on our website for looking at your next wheat variety if you're looking at changing, getting a different wheat variety. And then lastly, I mentioned this before, but since we're in a drought, good opportunity to clean out livestock ponds, if you do that, it's advised to put the dirt on the backside of the dam, if you put it up by the pond, it's gonna go back into the pond eventually. So and then also, if it's leaking a little bit, if you'll pack it with a, with a sheep's foot roller, really, really, really well that will generally do it. But you can also take a soul texture test if you need to, if it is leaking quite a bit and see how much clays in that soul, we can send that off to the souls lab. And then that'll help you figure out if you need to add some, some some basically some salt. We've got information we could talk about that if you need some assistance on your pond leaking, and I'm probably about out of time and that's probably it.
 
James Bell 
We're okay. I do have one follow up. How do they the producers out there? What's the easiest and best way for them to get ahold of you for your resources? Yes,
 
Stacy Campbell 
just give us a call 6289430 Monday through Friday H 12. One to five we also have voicemail so I understand farmers work many many hours so if you think of something after five you know if you'll call it you should be able to get over to my voicemail and leave me a message or you can just leave the message with Teresa and she'll give it to me. email. My email is s Campbell with just one L so it's S C A M P as in Paul B is in boy e l@ksu.edu. But yeah, give us a call at 6289430 and then if you want to look on our website, just type in Cottonwood exten

Senior group living influences area economy

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger along with Brookdale Senior Living Sales Manager Brandon Taylor discuss the impact and availability of retirement communities.
Transcript:
EDITORS NOTE: Transcripts are provided by an automated service and are not verified for accuracy.
 
James Bell 
Senior Living Centers can play an important part in the area economy. From the Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger along with Brandon Taylor from Brookdale Senior Living stopped by to talk to us about that on this episode of the Post Podcast.
 
Brandon Taylor 
The common misconception I hear around town is that all this livings in Hays are full, which is not the case at Brookdale Hayes. We do have openings for apartments for seniors here in Hays and I wanted to come on the air today, and especially highlight that.
 
Sarah Wasinger 
So talk a little bit maybe about the types of people that you serve. And maybe some of the services that are offered that maybe are kind of special for Brookdale.
 
Brandon Taylor 
Absolutely. So we we care for a wide variety of residents at Brookdale either some that we provide very little cares for all the way up to some that that we provide a lot of cares for as well. And so whether that be maybe helping with bathing, dressing, and helping the restroom, and we also do housekeeping and laundry, as well, and also med management form, too.
 
Sarah Wasinger 
So you guys have some, and I always get the terminology. Incorrect. So what medical staff do you have on hand to help your residents?
 
Brandon Taylor 
Absolutely. So we have two full time nurses that are always on call at our community, as well as our certified nursing assistants and our certified med aides as well that are always on each shift.
 
James Bell 
Very good, you know, what I like about places like this, it's the escalating, you know, services that are available, but also the camaraderie, you know, you go into a facility like this one. And then people, you know, they're separated from their families to some degree, but they kind of build their own family. And they, you know, they get to know each other. And it's such a kind of neat experience to see that interaction, I think,
 
Brandon Taylor 
yeah, absolutely. I'd say we all are a family, I'd say we're small enough to we only have about 33 rooms in our community. So we all get to know the residents very well. And just again, like you said, that camaraderie that you know, what's going on in their life, and they know what's going on in my life, as well as other staff members lives. Like for instance, I just got married. So they all were really excited to see my ring when I came back after the honeymoon. So things like that, make it really make it special.
 
Sarah Wasinger 
So speaking of honeymoons and weddings, you guys actually have a couple of married residents there. Is that right?
 
Brandon Taylor 
Absolutely. We do have we're going to are we actually have a couple moving in this Friday, actually. So we'll have five couples living with us at our community.
 
James Bell 
Wow, that's amazing. I imagine that's a probably a much preferred living situation for those seniors than having to do this one thing.
 
Brandon Taylor 
Yeah, absolutely. And, you know, especially now we can help them cook, we can help them do those things, they can still maintain their level of independence. And you know, we are in assisted living and we know not as skilled nursing facilities. So many get us confused with that, or nursing home. But what's nice at Brookdale is that they can age in place there as well. And so they can have physical therapy come in hospice commands, you know, depending on that level of care that they need. Very cool.
 
Sarah Wasinger 
So you guys have a so beautiful kitchen area. And in a nice dining room. You have a very wonderful chef on hand today. You want to talk a little bit maybe about the meals and the food services that you guys have her residence.
 
 
Yeah, absolutely. So we do provide three meals a day with snacks in between as well. And we have an awesome Cook, Pam Burghardt, who used to own the rose garden here in Hays, so she really spoils up with us with her good food. I know I had some of her cake yesterday, actually, that was really, really good. And, and if there's something that a resident doesn't like that's on the menu, we can be have a standard side menu as well that we can make them you know, for lunch or dinner. So whatever they want to eat. So
 
James Bell 
very cool. You know, Brandon, I'm curious if someone out there is listening, and maybe they're on the, they've been kind of thinking about doing a facility like yours, what do they need to know to take that first step to kind of explore that option.
 
 
So I would say come for a tour like so they can come see our place, I can show them the different rooms, they can meet the staff at our community and see if it's a good fit for them. Except the best way to get a hold of us is either calling your main number at 785-628-1111 and asking for myself, Brandon, and I love to talk with them more about their situation, um, just kind of depends on their, their, their financial situation as well. We are capped on how many Medicaid beds we have as well. So I have to take that into consideration. But for the most part, we're all private pay, there are other benefits so they can tap into such as if they're a veteran, they have benefits they can use for that or if they have a long term care policy as well, they can definitely start looking into that as well. And that's what I love to do is help these families through that process, um, to get them to become residents at our community.
 
Sarah Wasinger 
Now you have an activity person. Do you want to talk a bit on the activities that you offer? There?
 
 
Yeah. Absolutely. So Lisa Olson is our activities director and she does an amazing job with our residents. They do a wide variety of activities, such as bingo crafts, they have an exercise class. And they do it for an outings as well. So they go out and do coffee, they go out to eat. I know this month, they're going to Dairy Queen. So I might tag along with them on that as well. They go to different stores, they go to Hobby Lobby, in different area attractions as well. I know they went to Wilson Lake, they go to all the Go overdrive by all the historic Catholic churches here in Ellis County, too. So just a lot of fun activities. But if there's something that they enjoy doing or enjoy doing, they should always incorporate that into what they do as well. They're
 
James Bell 
very cool. Yeah, no, and not to put it in kind of a bad way. But I would think that the size you guys be in a smaller finding kind of facility helps facilitate some of that personalized, you know, meal service and activities where if you were in a much larger facility, it kind of just be go with the flow and do it do what's going on?
 
 
Yeah, absolutely. There are lots larger book deals across the country, you know, some that have hundreds and hundreds of rooms. And that's what I think is the most unique about us here in Hayes's week. So we're small enough that we get to know everyone, and that's what I feel like, it's so special about it.
 
Sarah Wasinger 
And the nice thing is, too, is you know, if you have a family that wants to take the resident out for an event, or just supper or something like that nature to they've got flexibility to do that. So there's still a nice balance of having care at the assisted living facility, but also still having that quality of life with your family, too.
 
 
Yeah, absolutely. We do have a son that comes in and eats with his mom every day, so And even after hours, too, we have Hill members come in. And we also have residents that still drive to like said you can park your car, you know, at our community as well. So we do have several residents that take advantage of that.
 
James Bell 
I love that. And you know, I hear this quite a bit and especially with senior women, that, you know, they're in that family home, they're in that home, that's, you know, five bedroom, six bedroom, and you know, it's not the right size for that stage of life. And I love that places like this kind of provide an option where they can, they can remain independent, but I have the services thereof when they need it. But also help them right size that home, which is great, as Sarah is we know, great for Ellis County to help get some families into those homes that they are looking for, you know, that maybe are on the market otherwise,
 
Sarah Wasinger 
absolutely. Sometimes it's just too much of a burden to take care of a house that big, especially if you're by yourself. So this is a wonderful option. And I can attest to the fact that every single person had a big smile on their face when we were there at our chamber chat. And so the environment is definitely family friendly. It's warming it. It feels I'm very inviting. And I think any family would be pleased to kind of learn about the experience that they could have there. But definitely reach out to Brandon and give them a shout and see if that could be a good fit for your family if you're looking for that care.
 
James Bell 
Yeah, very good. We got to talk about the weekly events but Brandon, do you want to share the contact information one more time somebody's listening and wants to wants to give you a shout. Yeah, absolutely.
 
 
So they can get the community to direct call. The number is 785-628-1111 or they can call my business cell directly at 785-554-2849. Very cool.
 
James Bell 
All right, Sarah, what do we got going on down the chamber? I know you got a lot going on. I don't have the list this week. But I'm sure there's a lot of stuff there always is.
 
Sarah Wasinger 
Well, I didn't want to run out of ink. So ribbon cutting today at clink scales elder law practice pa they are celebrating their new location. So come join us at 1407 Main Street at 3pm are hazy and professionals will have their MDC meeting on August 24 at 4:30pm at defiance Brewing Company's downtown location. Our chamber chat this week will be at Hayes Public Library at 9am at 12 five main street, and we are excited to wrap up the week with our membership lunch. It will be sponsored by you guys actually Eagle radio. And the topic is going to be the United Way of Ellis County kickoff. We love that partnership and know how much that means to you guys. So Erica Burgess, the executive director will be talking about how folks can get involved in supporting that campaign for this year. And I know that we have weekly events usually but because we don't meet with you until next week, Tuesday, a couple of events early on next week that we want folks to have on their radars. Our child care taskforce of Ellis County will meet next week, Monday evening at 5:30pm at the Welcome Center. If folks have not been a part of that group, and they want to be a part of that group. We are an open door we want people to get involved in that project. So please feel free to call me at the Chamber office at 785-628-8201 If you want to get added to that contact list and be invited to attend meetings. And outside of that our 34th annual education appreciation is next week Tuesday. So we are turning in RSVPs today, if for any reason educators out there in Ellis County did not give their RSVP to their administrator for their school. Please reach out to us we can make sure we have enough one they're fulfilled to serve everything and that'll be at Roseburg catering

Hays Board of Education recap August 23, 2022

On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Post reporter Cristina Janney recaps this week USD 489 Board of Education meeting with superintendent Ron Wilson.

Students and staff settle in for academic year at Holy Family Elementary

On this episode of the Post Podcast Holy Family Elementary principal, Rachel Wentling and assistant principal Gene Flax share updates from the school as the year begins.
Transcript:
EDITORS NOTE: Transcripts are provided by an automated service and are not verified for accuracy.
James Bell 
Holy Family Elementary in Hays has kicked off the school year, principal Rachel Wentling, along with Assistant Principal Gene Flax, stopped by to share some updates on this episode of the post podcast.
 
Rachel Wentling 
Instead of going well feel like we're starting to hit that. That coasting mode. Good in
 
 
a routine. Yeah.
 
James Bell 
Love to hear that. You know, we talked about this every year as you guys kick off the year, but down there Holy Family, you got a theme every year and I'm wondering this year, maybe a good way to start this is what are we thinking for this year?
 
Rachel Wentling 
So this year, we are our virtue for the year is hope. And so we're using a scripture that those who hope in the Lord will soar on wings like eagles. So we're really focusing on that soar word, virtue of hope, but we're kind of using that soar as an image for the students to, you know, to really, you know, challenge them to rise up and to do the best that they possibly can to fulfill their potential. Then at the diocesan level, Mr. Jeff Andrews, our superintendent has been really focusing on the Lord, it is good that we are here. So recognizing that it's good that we're all together.
 
James Bell 
Yeah, you know, it's it. Think about those kiddos now that are in like, first second grade, they're gonna miss that pandemic. And then those older kiddos that experience they had, it's gonna be so different. And of course, all of the educators are going to remember that. And and I would think there's, I know it's in my world. I just continually remain grateful that we're not dealing with that, as well, or, you know, continuing and hopefully never have to do anything like that again. But
 
Gene Flax  
absolutely. I don't think people realize just how setback much of a setback those two years were, it was a huge, huge gap in there. And I think that personally, I've noticed that those kids that those young kids that weren't in school, aren't as receptive, maybe if they're the adults outside, as well as those that have been in school. But those that missed that first year. Really, it really affected. Yeah,
 
James Bell 
I mean, the everything at that age is such a progression, and you have one little setback and not named a little setback, and this is a huge setback, but every setback kind of impacts the rest of their educational experience. You faces meet a lot. Yeah. Well, anyway, as on a more positive note. How's everybody getting back into the schools room? Enrollment? Looking good?
 
Rachel Wentling 
Yeah, enrollment looks good. We have you know, we have openings throughout the building, but we have real nice class sizes and our preschoolers are starting today. We've got a nice group this morning getting started. So yeah, I feel like we're in really good shape this year.
 
James Bell 
With with those preschoolers, I bet that's just a madness. Every year, my little boy, he's starting to send my preschool down to Tiger tots. And they're here to meet some of the other kids. And I just think about all those little four and five year olds, we get together for the first few times, and just the fun and excitement that is just permeated, but probably also a lot of nervousness with little kids. Right.
 
 
I think it runs the whole gamut.
 
Gene Flax 
I think you find out really quickly, who's got siblings at home and who doesn't, because there is that pecking order, so to speak. And, and but it's exciting. And like some of those kids came in just thrilled this morning. Some of them came in a little bit apprehensive.
 
Rachel Wentling 
Yeah, there's always a few tears. And I have to say that I am overly impressed with our kindergarteners. I thought our kindergarteners rocked it last week, they were we lunch is always the hardest part with kindergarten when they haven't done lunch before. And you know, I think By the third day, they were they really didn't need our help anymore. And that was I just was really impressed. They did a great job. So it's been fun, love, love watching them. Just their minds are just sponges and they just grow and develop and where they are at the beginning of the year. And where are they at the end of the year. It's It's amazing. I think that's why people who work in schools love working in schools because you just watch that growth and development and it it's a lot of fun. Yeah,
 
James Bell 
it's just got to be tremendously rewarding to just every day is a new, every little benchmark or checkmark you get to get with those kids probably just warms the
 
Rachel Wentling 
heart. Yeah, those light bulb moments are really important. And for
 
Gene Flax 
me going into the classrooms on a regular basis, when they first learn how to read and Mr. Flex. Come listen to me and that's like said rewarding. I don't know if that's even the proper word. It's so fulfilling to me. And but it's fun. Like I said, watch him grow. Incredible.
 
James Bell 
So yeah, you're into the first week he's kicking off his second weekend you're Back to School Bash and With can in conjunction with a TMP, right, how'd that go?
 
Rachel Wentling 
Um, I was blown away with the event that they put together the number of activities for the kids was they had a blast. Mr. Flax was a little bit more over. I was with the volleyball scrimmage. I had a daughter playing volleyball. But I think you were over with the younger kids.
 
Gene Flax 
Yeah, there were more bounce houses than I've ever seen. And my grandchildren is what through Him and through Him and through Him and through Him and, and, but there were activities for I think every age group basically and well attended excitement. And I didn't think it was extremely hot, which was a positive. So, but I'm not gonna lie to you. I was apprehensive last year of having this Back to School Bash. I had never been to one since I was not coaching. And so I had nothing to do with him other than coaching football. Right. It's that time. So but it's I think it's something that was needed to be brought in back in and a lot has been brought back hadn't I don't know if it's ever totally left. But the the way it's grown? I think it's really incorporated the whole both schools very well.
 
Rachel Wentling 
Yeah, we are parents, they put a lot of pictures on our Facebook posts. We have asked them and it sounded like our our students had an absolute blast and my high schoolers, they had a great time too. So I think Job well done to Kim stick line and Joe rose with the TMP advancement office. They kind of headed that up. But Amy and Brian church are the hFB volunteers that kind of support the the grade school side and wow, they just knocked it out. It was great.
 
James Bell 
Awesome. Yeah, we had Joe and Kim with us last week, and they kind of give us a little preview of that event. And it really did sound fun. And what I always love about events like that with the Catholic schools here in Hays is it's it's inclusive, it's not just your students or your you know, affiliations, it's open to the community. And that's something that I think is really special for Hayes, that we have two independent school systems that are really just so connected and concerned about each other in the community and work together. So
 
Rachel Wentling 
well. Yes, everybody was invited. And we had a lot of community businesses and members who made it possible. So yes, it's definitely an inclusive event. It's for everybody to be there to really, you know, to kick off to celebrate the start of the school year.
 
James Bell 
Very cool. And then we get to talk about this. You've got your parent info night that is coming up. Oh, looks like tomorrow, right?
 
Rachel Wentling 
Yes, it is. Yeah, well, you know, every year we invite all the parents to come in, they hear a message from me, then we send them to their teachers. They get to hear from the homeroom teachers, the rest of us are just around to answer questions and be a presence to just help everybody, you know, get what they need for to kick off the school year.
 
Gene Flax 
And it's really big for me, and the fact that Well, I think Rachel too, and the fact that a lot of these parents we had in high school at DMP when we were both there. And so just the reminiscing may be so to speak. Was it a lot of fun?
 
James Bell 
I was hearing the other day about? Well, it was a matter of fact, it was it was my preschool instructor. She's on that generational gap where now she is taking care of little kids of kids that she took care of, you know, X amount of years ago, and I don't know it's gonna make you feel a little old. But also, it's gonna be like years old. And believe me, like, yeah, I've got I've got friends now that they've got high schoolers that are getting they're coming into college. And and I'm feeling that too. But it's got to be like, I don't know, how do you describe that feeling to get to that second generation and know that you've impacted a family at that point for so long?
 
 
They do grow up?
 
Rachel Wentling 
Yeah. For those who don't know, Jean, and I worked together for 12 years at TMP, and we were assistant principals together for five of those years. And we were on discipline duty together. We were good cop, bad cop.
 
James Bell 
I can't imagine which was,
 
Rachel Wentling 
Well, I think it would switch depending on the situation. Sometimes I was bad cop. And I think we still do that from now even
 
 
we do. Yes.
 
Rachel Wentling 
But um, we I would say I think Jean would agree with this, that it is one of I think our greatest blessings when our students, our former students, entrust their kids to our care. That is a a wonderful blessing to us. And we're so grateful for that and get to see them grow up and become professionals, you know, from when they were in high school. And you once again, it's just like the preschoolers and kindergarteners and those little kids watching them grow and develop. We love watching our former students grow up and develop and yeah, you know, it does the time I marches on. But I think it's fair to say I think we probably both still feel like we as young as we were when we started teaching. For the most part,
 
Gene Flax 
I do feel younger. Now, it's more relaxed atmosphere for me than it had been for years. But I got the best of both worlds because I get to work with young kids, but I also have six grandkids in the school. So what a blessing. Absolutely.
 
James Bell 
Okay, so this event coming up, tomorrow night, you're going to talk about update your policies and procedures and show them in the classrooms. But anything else that that you think that folks out there listening, maybe need to know about that event before? Rolling?
 
Rachel Wentling 
Yeah, we love to see parents, we want to see you, we know that your child's education is a partnership with us, it's not, you know, us versus them, sort of, we want to see you there, this helps strengthen that relationship. And that partnership, our IT director will be there to scan parent fingerprints, if that's how they're able to get themselves into the building during the school day. So probably an important thing to have on record. It's one of those things you have to come in person to do, we cannot do that online. So he'll be there to he'll be set up. And we just love seeing parents have great conversations and answer questions. So please, please come We look forward to meeting with them.
 
Gene Flax 
And our school can't function without the parent involvement, their volunteerism and stuff like that. And so it's an opportunity to try to coerce parents into getting more involved in their students education.
 
Rachel Wentling 
Yeah. So it's, uh, yeah, that's a great night. Looking forward to it.
 
James Bell 
Very cool. Again, let's kick it off. Does it does everybody need to be there at seven or is that a stagger can open house feel?
 
Rachel Wentling 
Every we start at seven in the gym, and then all dismissed after my prep portion of the evening to their home rooms, there's two sessions. So if they have four kids in the school, if they come with two parents, they can potentially get to four homerooms.
 
James Bell 
Okay, so make sure you there by seven if you're if you want to attend that by any and do attend, because that's going to be an important way to help kick off the year. Yes. All right. Well, we've got about a just under a minute or so left. Any other last thoughts or anything else we want to hit on before we go?
 
 
Well, we're one day closer to winter.
 
 
That's my hot blooded friend over there.
 
James Bell 
So they're sneaking back up. I think it's gonna hit 90 today. Oh, is it was
 
Rachel Wentling 
beautiful this morning. Wow. That I went out early this morning. Needed a jacket. That was great. Yeah. So going off in the evenings call is around the corner. Yeah. No, we're happy to be back in school. I think it's always I think letting the seeing the summer come to an end is always kind of a, you know, there's a sadness associated with it. But I do think that there's a certain amount of satisfaction when we're all back into a routine. The kids are doing what they're supposed to be doing learning and everything is back and right and normal again.
 
Gene Flax 
I think the teachers are excited. I think the kids are excited. We're gonna have a great year.

Art, music and fun to fill downtown Hays Friday

On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Arts Council executive director Brenda Meder shares details of the upcoming Fall Art Walk.

Hays housing report to be released soon, discussed at Grow Hays Quarterly Luncheon

On this episode of the Post Podcast Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams shares information about a Hays housing report.
Transcript:
EDITORS NOTE: Transcripts are provided by an automated service and are not verified for accuracy.
James Bell 
A housing study completed earlier this summer in Hays is about to be released and an upcoming Grow Hays quarterly luncheon will share some of those results. Executive Director Doug Williams stops by to give us a preview on this episode of the Post Podcast.
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
We're gonna have our quarterly luncheon it's gonna the topic is going to be this housing study will be on September 6, September the sixth the day after Labor Day.
 
James Bell 
Okay, very good. A lot of interesting stuff in here. And I don't think we're gonna get to even a fraction of it. But maybe I think maybe a good way to start is what's uh, what's the overview? Is it good news, bad news. So how we look at?
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
Well, I think it tells us what we already know that we have housing shortage in Ellis County or in Hayes. This is specific to Hayes, but it extends beyond Hayes and Ellis County. And it just kind of verifies that it talks about how we compare to other communities. We're certainly not alone with the our housing woes in Ellis County. But it also tells us why we have housing prices like they are which are higher than they maybe should be. But also, more importantly, looking forward, it tells us that what i The biggest thing I glean out of it is it tells us what we need to be building per year, at certain growth levels in our community. And the fact that we have put ourselves in a deficit of the number of housing units that we have, and how many we need to build on an ongoing basis.
 
James Bell 
Yeah, that was one of the things that I was under is trying to find it in here. Because it's you know, it's a 50 page document. But I was trying to find the numbers, that it really it did seem like if we don't get on it now, and I know a lot of people are working on this, but we're going to be it's going to be a growing problem. If you don't take action now, which we've talked about over and over and over again in the segment, the actions come and it's just slower than we want,
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
why it's slower than it than we can afford it to be, is the problem at 1% growth. The city of Hays needs 88 new units per year. We haven't built 88 units in a year, we got close, I believe in back in 2013. Since then, we've been in the 25 to 40 range per year, which has created this deficit that we have, which I talk about from time to time, you know, we've got a three to 400 unit deficit in this community in terms of housing units, and that's single family residences, apartments and that kind of thing. And I have people all the time to me, Doug, you're crazy, there's no way that we're three to 400 units short, but the reality is we are. And what's that's resulted in is missed opportunity. We've had people that maybe wanted to move to this community or would move to this community, but haven't because we don't have sufficient housing. And then we have people living in substandard housing, that they really shouldn't be living in. And if they had alternatives, they would choose not to live in that housing. So you couple those two things together the missed opportunity, as well as the people living where they maybe shouldn't, as well as housing be more expensive than it should be. All of that is a function of supply and demand. And we don't have enough supply. And we have the demand for it. So we put ourselves in a tough spot. And we've chosen the worst time in the history of construction to try and work our way out of this problem. So it's a challenge, but we just have to figure out how to overcome it.
 
James Bell 
Yeah, you know, one of the conversations I hear pretty regularly and this taken us out of the survey a little bit, but over and Victoria, about the right size, they've had a lot of seniors in big houses for five bedroom houses that would love to be in a smaller setting. But they don't have anywhere to go and they don't want to leave Victoria. So they're stuck in these houses. And then the families don't have the opportunity to move in and no constructions really going on in a large scale anywhere over there.
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
Right that that real problem in smaller communities. And appropriate housing is another thing that this this housing study tells us that retiree friendly housing, more affordable housing on the lower end, both are in strong demand. And we've got to figure out ways to meet that. Now fortunately, the one opportunity exists the state of Kansas has come out with some programs that are focused on communities 8000 And under, where they have some grants and that type of thing. And we're going to we're working on trying to figure out how we take advantage of those. But the other challenge is is builders and subcontractors that can can meet the demand. We these guys are as busy as they can be. They're They're backed up for months. And so the thought process of going in and starting new construction, when a framer may not be available or the electricians are backed up and that kind of thing. Make it a challenging building environment as well, whether it's in Hayes or Ellis or Victoria, or wherever, but we just we just got to figure out a way. You know,
 
James Bell 
one of the other things that I thought was interesting in this is the the financial bet. And I mean that by household income to housing. And I wonder if you can speak to that a little bit? Or are we out of whack in that department as well? Or are we okay, here, no one's counting for that.
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
Now, we're housing is too expensive here relative to median family income. And so that's a problem. We don't have enough housing that is priced appropriately for the level of income that we have, and in many cases, so that's a struggle, that's also a function of supply and demand. You know, you can go back to that. And, you know, you I, I chuckled, when I sometimes read in social media that, you know, the realtors have driven the price up on houses, that's the most ridiculous thing you could ever think because they don't, they don't set the
 
James Bell 
price to say yeah, like, well, they don't have any control over that, really, it's what people are going to pay. It's
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
the marketplace and supply and demand. And while we would like to think that that's not the case, it is. And until we add more supply to the market, this demand is going to drive prices up. Now, we've had another outside factor that's affecting our market as well. And that's interest rates have risen considerably over the last six months to a year. And that's making affordability more difficult as well, making new construction more difficult. And so just one more thing we have to deal with and try and overcome.
 
James Bell 
Yeah, you know, you mentioned the interest rates. And that is something else I wanted to get into today, we heard a little bit on the news this morning. And our news breaks, there was a study come out or story by the New York Times, and they were highlighting the drop in the sales because of the interest rate. And it looks like I've got the number here. 5.9%. Last month, home sales dropped. And that's a national number. But I wonder how much of that is actually impacting local sales and real estate.
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
What is and talking to local realtors, you know, last February, I think we had as low as maybe 10 homes on the market. Now it's more in the 40 to 50 range, I think. So that's a function of interest rates, certain people get priced out of the market, the challenge is they have to live someplace. And so they're just priced out of maybe buying a home. But that puts additional pressure on the rental market. And we have not added many new units to the rental market. We do have a project there St. Joseph school, you know, that's going on. And Michael Graham is putting in 36 units down behind the old Washington School, those will be rental units added to the market, we have a duplex here, a duplex there that are being added. And so that helps somewhat, but we haven't had anybody build a complex in our community for a long, long time, like what Michael Graham is doing, or even, we are talking to a couple of developers outside the community that are considering larger complexes, 80 to 200 units, which would be great. But they face the same challenges, they've got to find people to build them. And then they have to be able to build them at a price point where they can make it work. And unfortunately, that with construction costs where they are, that's difficult to do too. So there are no magic bullets. And there's no silver bullets in this situation. It's a challenge.
 
James Bell 
You know, I'm curious, why don't we have more of those in Hayes hour and Ellis County, I would think, you know, I can think of two or three of those larger apartment units. But how can we have just built those over the years, like you see in some other especially I think college towns,
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
I think it's a function of the willingness for local developers, local builders to take on that level of a project, you know, a couple 100 units, you're talking, it's costing 150,000 plus per unit to build right now, some big muscle, if you're gonna build 100 units, that's $15 million, you're gonna build 200 units, that's $30 million at $150 per doors, that is the terminology they use in the industry. And there just aren't many local developers investors willing to take on that level of, of risk and that level of a project. And outside investors typically are leery of communities our size, we think we're larger community, college town, that kind of thing. But they're looking at Wichita, Kansas City and that type, you know, Lawrence, Manhattan, even for those type of projects, we have a hard time attracting outside investment. And so that combination makes it the fact that we just don't see many of them in our community. We don't see any of them in the last long period of time.
 
James Bell 
Yeah, so I you know, I'm curious, we get it. We talked about the problems. Wait, how do we how do we move forward? How do we use the data that's in this the survey to push us into where we need to be?
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
Well, we have to have an organization, you know, part of our responsibility that I view is is driving Housing, Construction, driving things and understanding the programs that exist that the city, the county, the school district can offer like RH IDs, and some of these moderate income housing grant programs, and utilizing those tools, towards the construction of property and finding land, and property owners that are willing to sell at a price that will make these things feasible. We're working on as I said, we've got probably three or four different projects, I guess, I wouldn't even call them projects, I call them concepts, that at various locations around the community that that really, we would like to make happen. We're working with potential developers. But you know, of those three or four we're working on, if we get one to happen, it would be a great because they're challenging, they're, they're expensive, and they're hard to make work financially. Also working with not for profits, like heart of America and what they did at Easter, the technical college, that's that's a win win the the ultimate winner in that scenario are the people that are living out there, the homeowner, and we need to utilize not for profits, if we can for maybe apartment construction, where the ultimate winner is the tenant? You know, that's the type of construction we need to focus on. And we are it's just, it's just complicated.
 
James Bell 
Sure. You know, we talked a little bit about the nonprofit's before we want to honor on air as well helping out with them. I wonder if you want to share the What's that? What's the role in those organizations? Like we've talked about a heart of America with your 22nd, Wheatland development, you know, how much are they going to be able to drive this in the coming years,
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
they need to be a part of it, they can't be the total solution, but they need to be part of it. You know, those organizations that are dedicated to community good, and are not necessarily profit motivated? You know, I look at, we've got an opportunity here, we've got outside investors who come in, and they're pretty much their motivation is profit. They want to make money, I get that that's, that's great. Well, I wouldn't be in business for long if you didn't, right. But the profits they do make, where do they go, they leave the community, the long term profits that they make, when they sell or whatever, they leave the community. And then you've got local investors, who they're, they're out this, they're in this to make a profit as well, again, that's good. And the good news there is the the operating profits and the long term profits that they make, they stay in the community, they buy cars, they buy furniture, they spend their money locally, that's great. And then you got the not for profits, who are not in this to make money, they're in this for community good. And if we can figure out ways to assist them with some of these programs, and if they're willing to take on some risk and projects, that can be a part of the solution as well. And we're absolutely working with those organizations like Heart of America, and trying to make some of these things happen.
 
James Bell 
When I think it would be true as well, that those local developers, those local nonprofits, they're going to have a lot more interest in hiring local contractors, people locally, they can actually make the project come off the ground.
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
Sure. I mean, they're focused on the community, they're focused on community good, and, and that's great for the community, they can't be that they can't be the only solution. They just need to be part of it. And so that's what we're trying to do.
 
James Bell 
You know, how much of this also is, is just finding that help finding those people to do that
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
work? Well, that's a big part of it right? Now. We hope we work our way out of that. And, you know,
 
James Bell 
we build the houses, then we get more workers, then we can build the houses,
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
right? I mean, it's one of those kinds of deals, but we're gonna fight that for a few years here. I think I don't think there's any quick fixes to that. You know, everybody always says, we'll just get somebody come out of town to do that, you know, framing company from out of town. It's not that simple, because they're all busy where they're at, too. And there's, there's there's a lot of demand. But bit by bit, I think we can work ourselves out of this situation. We can add units to the marketplace. But it has to be a proactive thing. We do we did. It clearly has not happened on its own, just with the marketplace supplying this. We've got to be more forthright in our efforts to make this happen. Because just waiting for the market to correct itself has not worked yet. So we've got to we've got to force some things to happen.
 
James Bell 
Okay. Well, Dave, we've got just about a minute left. Before we got to get over the news. But you can hear more about this at the quarterly luncheon. I wonder if you want to share with everybody like what do they need to do if they want to get involved and hear more about this at that event? Well, we're
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
going to post this study on our website at grow hayes.com For one thing, so they can go out there and read it and we'll put it out on our Facebook page. And then the quarterly luncheons, they're open to the public, we just ask that you call our office and And RSVP. So we know how many people to get food for. We can handle about 40 to 45 people. So once we fill up, we do fill up, but we ask that you do RSVP, you know, call our office to reserve a spot and, and we'd love to have a good cross section call and Belzer assistant city manager is going to be doing part of the presentation. I'm going to pitch in on some of the things that we're doing. So it should be pretty interesting, and we'd love to get feedback from it.
 
James Bell 
Do you still do the online portion of that as well?
 
Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams 
We will we will do a zoom deal that we'll put out there and our website and Facebook page if some people want to attend the Zoom

Return to school marks good opportunity to check fire prevention equipment

On this episode of the Post Podcast Ellis County Fire Chief and County Administrator, Darin Myers shares tips for keeping safe through preventative measures.
 
Transcript:
EDITORS NOTE: Transcripts are provided by an automated service and are not verified for accuracy.
 
James Bell 
As Fort State University students move back into Hays for the upcoming semester, it's a good time to check those fire prevention measures. Fire Chief and County Administrator Darin Meyers stops by to share with us some safety tips on this episode of the Post Podcast.
 
Darin Myers 
October 9 through the 15th is fire prevention this week, and state fire marshal starting to send out information in regards to what is going to catch capsulate this year, but I think time fire prevention week and just general fire safety topics is kind of a good thing to bring in, we got a lot of people moving back into the area for Fort Hays. And I thought it'd be good just to kind of mention is, you know, some of the new freshmen are moving into a new apartment new dorm, new fraternity sorority is just make yourself familiar with the place that you're living. Now, where the fire alarm panels are at how to activate the fire alarm, and one of the biggest savers lifesavers is smoke detectors. So if you're in an apartment, make sure you have them, they should be in every bedroom, in your in the residence, and then they should be outside of every living area, as well as on every floor. So make sure you have them. And then the second step is make sure they actually work. You know, if you can't reach them, you know, get you a broom handle or something and push the test button on there and make sure that they work and make sure the batteries are in there. And if not contact your landlord and get the batteries replaced. And it's the best thing that can happen in the middle of night. And the best way and the fastest way to detect a fire in the residence is having the smoke detectors in there.
 
James Bell 
Absolutely. And what a simple and small measure. I mean, I'll give you an example in my home. Last time I moved in or not, I think it was the place before but I never tested them. They were there. They looked good. And I thought oh, okay, I finally after like three or four months oh my gosh, should hit that button. I did and it didn't do anything. There was no battery yet. There was no battery in it.
 
Darin Myers 
Don't Don't don't assume that just because someone else isn't there before you that they didn't pull out the detectors or the batteries. Like you said. One thing to also consider nowadays, they always used to teach or we always used to teach as you change your batteries in your smoke alarms twice a year, every time you change your clock for spring and fall you replace your batteries. Smoke detectors nowadays, we're coming out with a lithium ion batteries that last you know, they're saying 10 years, we never have to replace them. But don't take that for granted that they are still working. If they you know their batteries do become faulty and they don't last always as long as you expect them to so you still want to test them. And you know, testing them drains the battery and it'll start chirping at you if it's not a full full alarm, but it will just do little chirps. And I'll let you know that the batteries are dead on. And to get the to get it either replace the battery or replace the smoke detector as well. And in the other piece to that is not just your smoke alarms, but your co detectors detecting the carbon monoxide, we get a lot of calls starting the city in the county, but throughout the nation about this time of year, not quite yet. But once it starts cooling down, everybody starts turning their furnaces on. And a faulty furnace or a hot water heater or stove can emit carbon monoxide in your home. And so it's nice to have a carbon monoxide detector as well. And make sure that those were actually working, some of them actually plug in down on the floor. But those those are are typically placed as was Frequenters. As often in your home as a smoke detector. Those are supposed to be just one on every floor. don't necessarily want them close to your kitchen or your furnace room though you want them separated more likely in your living area and sleeping area. But you don't want them close to those areas because when it is common to have carbon dioxide actually in your home at all times. But if they're too close to those servers like the the furnace, the sensors can actually become saturated. And then they can give you false readings and maybe not go off as when they're supposed to or go off too quickly because they're saturated. So make sure you have your smoke detectors and make sure you have your carbon monoxide alarms in your home.
 
James Bell 
You don't want those carbon monoxide alarms to I wonder what's the best placement Do you want them high up near the ceiling Do you want to towards the floor I and I've seen it kind of everywhere in the in all the years that I've moved around.
 
Darin Myers 
You're testing me on that one because I don't remember what the the vapor did stupid the the relation of carbon dioxide is to air if it's heavier or lighter. You always have smoke detectors up top because smoke rises so you just fold detectors up low. However, I've always seen carbon monoxide detectors, usually about a foot two off the floor and plugged into your your power outlets. And so it may be that it's best to have but you caught me on that one. I can't. I might be able to Google that while we continue to
 
James Bell 
talk about you I think probably the most important thing is just have them in the house. Yeah, right. If it gets to a point where you're in danger, I would think no matter where it's at, it's gonna be beeping at you in one way or another. Yep. Very good. And you know, another question I had and when it comes to the fire safety in the home fire extinguishers, I've lived in places that have the little tiny ones I've lived in you don't they have the big full on ones, what's the what's the best recommendation there for you
 
Darin Myers 
definitely have one just like.
 
James Bell 
Again, the most important thing is have one Walmart and Home Depot may
 
Darin Myers 
like us after this, everybody's gonna be running into the store and pick up some more. Yes, definitely have one one of the best place to always keep it to good places, but the best and the most common place to put it underneath your kitchen, sink your your base cabinet there. But an ABC fire extinguisher. And what an ABC fire extinguisher is it is acceptable use for three different types of fires a type A fire, which is natural, so woods and trees, and then Class B is liquids and Class C would be electricity. So you have that ABC that will lay this electrical fire grease fire. Or if you just light your fire on a stove, your pizza in the stove on fire, you can use it. So definitely have that. They usually make him there, they're about biggest size you'd probably need is they're about four inches in diameter. They make home versions at the at the store, you can buy as big as you want. Because it just depends on how much space you want to take up. But they also make an extinguisher specifically for kitchens, which is a class que so it's more designed for your kitchen fires. If you want to buy one of those there, they are a little bit more expensive than a regular ABC extinguisher though.
 
James Bell 
Alright, for safety, what's the what's a few dollars for safety? Exactly. I always I always love to be more prepared. My my wife teases me all the time, because I'm always like about that stuff. But anyway, that maybe that's just me. Well, before we run out of time, we've got our shift gears here. You've got a Fire School coming up from what I understand, right?
 
Darin Myers 
Yeah. So each year, well, every month actually. So the Kansas State Firefighters Association has host different fire schools around the state. Not every single month because we have a conference in April, which we actually just hosted the annual State Conference here this year. But here in September, the 10th and 11th. We're hosting the regional Fire School. And so I guess it's somewhat of an invite if there's any fire departments for firefighters that are listed in this morning. We welcome everybody to come out on September 10 and 11th. And we'll be hosting it again this year at the high school. While vehicle extrication class, we'll have some chief officer classes, some skills training, we'll have a live burn trailer. Then we're also we'll be cooking up the day before a couple of pork butts to be able to feed everybody for lunch. So we'll have some free food for everybody for the lunch period. But one of the neat things this year's our fire school that we got approved for is on September 10 and 11th. But you know, it's been over 20 years now since 911 happened and last year was the first year that Fort Hays started it but they started a memorial stair climb out of Lewis field. And we're partnering up with Fort Hays this year. So it won't be on the 11th just because it's a Sunday, but on September 10 That morning, registration will start out at the Fort Hays lose field. And for registration of the stair climb, because everybody registered and at 747 which is our time for when the first tower was hit. We'll start the stair climb. And if you just want to do a walk around the track or he can actually climb the stairs and they'll have it all set up on the on the bleachers that you'll be able to climb 110 flights of stairs in honor and remembrance of those who sacrifice their lives back on 911 of 2001.
 
James Bell 
But are good you know what a powerful way to help remember all of those victims?
 
Darin Myers 
They are they are I've never actually attended one, we usually send our firefighters because I believe it's good to let them go out and promote that and experience that and fire departments from around the state to around the nation that happens that weekend every year. And we usually send several most we've ever sent was about seven down to a one time down to the one in which top but hopefully we'll have quite a few area firefighters joining us this year and come out to Lucasfilm It's a free event. It's just a you got to put some blood sweat and tears into climbing, climbing the stairs and walking the track to to complete it.
 
James Bell 
Sure. Do they need to sign up at all? Or is it just kind of a show up and be
 
Darin Myers 
there just show up. You don't have to for the stair climb. We actually don't even have to be on the fire department if you just want to come out and take part of the event. It's just registrations at seven and we'll give it about 30 minutes. Everybody lined up ready to go.
 
James Bell 
Very good. We've got about a minute or so left. I want to hit on this. I saw you guys driving around. I think you're probably heading to a fire. He got some new vehicles in the fleet, right?
 
Darin Myers 
Yeah. Not too long ago since well, it's been a while since we've actually Been in near to visit but we did get a new fire truck. We ordered it actually last January so about a year and a half ago but with the production delays and everything it took to get the actual the chassis up to South Dakota where they built the truck. We finally got it and the fire department, the members of company five here in Hayes spent about a month training on it they had to go out and do driver training and pump training, draft training and a lot of drills driving it around and etc. To make sure that they were fluent with the truck driving it safely and then operating it during a fire so got it in it's nice it's a very nice truck. I appreciate the County Commission support letting us purchase it it was well needed it replaced a truck that was about 27 years old. And got it and service. It's out and about it's it's a neat truck the let the firefighters have a lot of input on it and it's kind of a new color scheme that will have county fire departments black over red so the top of the cab and everything is black and the bottom half is red and looks pretty sharp and like said I'm appreciate appreciative that we got it. The firefighters are liking it, enjoying it. And it's kind of neat because it's it's a 27 year newer truck, but it's simpler to operate and kind of stopped us a few times because we thought it would be more complicated. It was simpler than it was. So that's I guess that's good news.

Fajitas, red wine and ice cream pie combine into one tasty day

On this episode of the Post Podcast Fort Hays State University's Glen McNeil share some tasty facts about some of these favorite menu items.
 
Transcript:
EDITORS NOTE: Transcripts are provided by an automated service and are not verified for accuracy.
 
James Bell 
What do fajitas red wine and ice cream pie have in common? They're celebrated on the same day here in the US. For our nutrition, health and wellness segment Fort State University's Glenn McNeil stops by to share with us some of the nutritional implications of those menu items. On this episode of the Post Podcast.
 
Glen McNeil 
National Ice Cream Pie,
 
James Bell 
ice cream pie love ice cream ice cream pie.
 
Glen McNeil 
And you know a lot of people when you say ice cream pie, think about you know, an Ice Cream Sandwich type thing. Okay, well, this is ice cream pie today, which basically means take a pie crust and fill it with your favorite type of ice cream, and then refreeze it and slice it up and eat it. Or you can do what has become popular over the years as you you can take a pie shell and you soften your ice cream. And then you can add things like Cool Whip and cream cheese to your ice cream and blend it real well put a little fruit in it and then put it back put it into a pie shell and make you a ice cream dessert item. Okay, but you know so it's it's just a different way to to bring a refreshing dessert. Okay in and a dessert most of us like is ice cream. So we have national soft serve ice cream day. We have National Ice Cream Pie Day we have national hard dip ice cream, they so make yourself an ice cream pie today. And the most popular crust from ice cream pie is what
 
James Bell 
I would imagine like the Oreo crust.
 
Glen McNeil 
Well, you're you're close it's the old style graham cracker crust. Okay, were you just crushed up graham crackers and mix it with a little bit of butter and then pack it into a form it into a pie tin or glass pie dish. You can use that or you can do the simpler thing today is just go buy them.
 
James Bell 
That's That's my MO I just, well let's be real, I don't buy the I don't buy any of the shells or the ingredients I just buy pies.
 
Glen McNeil 
And you know, it's it's a different way to sample into dry ice cream. Is that's that's all it is. But it's an opportunity to to celebrate it in an ice cream has some calcium. Unfortunately, real ice cream has more sugar and fat to it. You know, that's what makes it rich and smooth and creamy when you put it in the mouth is that that fat that's in that particular product. So just have to kind of one of those things that you work into your diet. And you go back to that occasionally. It's good moderation. It's good. So
 
James Bell 
absolutely. You know, honestly, I can't remember the last time I had ice cream. It's been a while.
 
Glen McNeil 
I would say probably last week for me. I had some oh gosh, oh, we stopped at a chocolate factory. And we're looking at all that I don't know how people could work in a chocolate factory, right? I really don't but at least we stopped at the Chocolate Factory. And they had we're just bringing out some mint chocolate chip ice cream and that's one of my favorites. So I had some mint chocolate chip ice cream had a small dip though. Instead of the large dip or instead of the two dip. You know I'm trying to be conservative a little bit and what I do in terms that process but enjoy it, you know, that's all part of what we do what we eat. It's different things that you want to enjoy and an ice cream has some value, you know to it that like I said it's got some calcium in it. And so we do get a small benefit from it. In terms of that process, I think I just dropped something. Okay,
 
James Bell 
the headphones, the headphones fall down all day long, they get knocked over. No worries.
 
Glen McNeil 
We go back you know we go back to here today and you talked a little bit about him this morning. And and basically it's it is a it's a Tex Mex dish is what we call it in and it's normally made with stripped peppers, and stripped meat and in in terms of that process or grilled stripped meat. So they do some people make it with ground beef, ground beef, but it's then it's more like a taco than it is here. And the thing about fajitas are they are a great way to add flavor, texture and color to the diet. Now the color comes from using red peppers and I like to use red peppers, green peppers, yellow and purple onions. Okay, and then I've also when I make the heat isn't home, I dress them a little differently because I like to use Squash. Squash him just for different flavor. You can use anything you want. Okay, traditionally there they were made from a kind of meat called the skirt and it's on the lower portion of the belly more towards the front. It is a well it's on. It's called a plate if you're, you know, in carving meat, which is the lower portion of the belly in towards the front, and it's a it's not very tender. You can cook it by stripping it and and treating it with seasonings and sometimes marinating it you can make it more tender, but it's one of the more flavor Over four pieces of meat on on a beef cow. Okay, so and you can buy a lot of that's what fajita meat is when you go to the store and buy it, but you can make it with chicken you can make it with shrimp, you can make it with fish, you can make it with any kind of meat protein source that that goes with that and it's just a great way to to do to serve a blended anywhere from a mild to a highly seasoned product and introduce some new flavors to people. Okay, it's you know, so it's kind of a nice cultural thing brings different food cultural items into what we do and what we eat.
 
James Bell 
Yeah, you know what I like about fajitas kid friendly, because then you don't ache you can just kind of put a little bit a little bit a little veggies, a little meat on the plate and they can just fingerfood it and and what used to my house, the kids have always fajitas are a staple at my house. And they always enjoy just because of that it's easy for them,
 
Glen McNeil 
it's very easy to to eat and fajitas to me is one of those things if you decide to go out and buy for us at a meal they are generally served on a large platter. Okay, and there's there's plenty of meat and vegetables there for most time. And then usually, you get a secondary platter that's got lettuce, maybe some pickled Guile, or diced tomatoes, then it's cheese, some sour cream that you can use to dress them up, I can usually get three meals out of a big heated platter. Okay, back in the younger days, I can get one meal out of them. Okay, nowadays, it's kind of one of those meals where I can go order fajitas. And at the same time, I get my meal, I asked for a take home box, and I take it and I just kind of cut everything in half and put it in and then I get my lunches out of it the next day. But it's a it's a great way to alter taste, you don't have to use just one form of protein source and someone's popular day or simply just vegetable fajitas no meat. And yet some you know some people just have to have that meat product in there. Okay, but I like just plain vegetable fajitas with with guacamole and different flavorings on them, because it's, it's a great way to bring those colored vegetables in, you know, to bring that mix of from my standpoint to bring that mix of water soluble vitamins and fiber into your diet. Okay, so they are good contributors to that process. So I would say go out and get some they're easy to make at home. You can buy fajita meat in the store already. Or you can buy some people use a flat iron steak to do it. Some people will take leftover roast, and strip the roast, cooked roast and then just cook their vegetables and blend the media in with that. So you can use leftovers in the product and it does impart and make things taste really good. So I would say you know, go get you some tortillas and just mix up a bunch of fajita meat vegetables tonight, and it's gonna be beautiful sit out on the deck and
 
James Bell 
I need some Yeah, and nobody especially if you got one of those Blackstone's you got and cook, cook outside just do the whole thing outdoors?
 
Glen McNeil 
I don't have one of those.
 
James Bell 
I don't either. I have some friends that have one. They love them. Yes, I
 
Glen McNeil 
know quite a few people that have them. And I really liked the outdoor kitchen style. Now along with the fajitas you could have a glass of red wine. Today is National. Okay, so if I get this right here,
 
 
nor day, is that right? I have no idea. Which is it is a red
 
Glen McNeil 
wine. Okay. And red wine contains small amounts of vitamins and minerals. We know red wine today more towards the product, the antioxidants and the flavonoid compounds that are in red wine, a group of compounds you know that the health benefits when we look at helping control blood pressure, and what we see the alcohol and the rest of aerosol in the wine, okay, which is one of these antioxidant compounds that gives us these, these health benefits. There's information out there that regular consumption of moderate amounts of red wine gets you these these particular antioxidant compounds in them. And that can help lower your risk of colon cancer that can in for men, it can cause a slight reduction in chances for prostate cancer. You know it, there's some tie into consumption of red wine and type two diabetes these days, saying that a moderate alcohol intake can help to lower the risk of diabetes doesn't go curity factors or anything, but lower the risk. Now that doesn't mean if you go out and start drinking red wine today that you're gonna get all these benefits. These are long term benefits that come from consuming red wine. On the negative side, about 10% of the population has an allergy to wine and most of the wine allergies are a reaction to yeast or mold that may be in the product during the process or sulfites okay which which are naturally occurring compounds in red wine. So, you know we see some differences that that go on there. Other things that go with wine, it's got alcohol in it health benefits because the heart knows was relaxed, but can also cause some liver damage. Okay, when you consume any type of alcohol, you'll find changes in the liver. Okay, and the idea is to keep it moderate. And that helps to moderate those and then gives the body a chance to, to deal with those. So I mean, there's there's some good things and then you know, when you think of everything else that's going on with, with fajitas, and red wine and, and ice cream, we're back to school. Okay, our kids are back in school. So parents, grandparents, now's the time to think about if the kids come home after school, they're going to be hungry. Right, that's this sort of tradition, let school lunches are, are only designed to provide about a third of what's needed. You know, each meal is designed on that, well, you got these growing and active kids. So their chances are, they're going to become hungry during the afternoon and hungry when they come home. So have some snacks, look at things like healthy choice, not healthy choice, but a healthy choice style granola bar, the single serve yogurt packets about, they're about 75 calories, good rich sources of calcium, you can get low fat ones with Reser. Even better than that, you can get some that have fruit in them. And there are single serve packs that can be put in the refrigerator, you know, so you can do that. Apples, oranges, bananas, fresh fruits that can be put on the counter. Research shows that if those things are made available to children, as a choice, when they come home, they are likely to take them over less healthy snacks. So the idea is keep the fruit basket out there rotate the fruit in it. So there's different things, put some fresh fruit and you know, in the refrigerator, so they're gonna get into the refrigerator for that have some of those things around that? That are those healthy alternatives to a bag of potato chips, a bag of pretzels, you know that that type of thing. Now, those occasionally are not bad. But they have some of those things around. So there's lots of things to think about today. Especially as the weather is beautiful. You know, today in that process,
 
James Bell 
yeah. And getting into the routines back to school, this i That's my house right now we're, we're kind of in that mode. One of our children went back the other one starting next week. And it's yeah, it's fun all of a sudden together, and we're recognizing like, hey, let's create these good habits while we're in that transitional period.
 
Glen McNeil 
Let me let me remind you that it doesn't. It doesn't work, to have your children get out, get up and have you say, Okay, you need to eat breakfast, when you're not. Okay, children are more likely to eat breakfast and grow into eating breakfast on a regular basis. If their parents do. It's one of those follow example types of things. And then the choices, you know, if all you're going to have for breakfast as a cup of coffee, until they're maybe they're just going to want a beverage or something like that. Have a small bowl of cereal, eat a piece of fruit, no, toasted bagel, split a bagel with your kids, you know, a lot of different things that you can do to encourage them to eat good, good, healthy items.
 
James Bell 
Should you eat breakfast? I don't I never eat breakfast.
 
Glen McNeil 
Well, you know, the, there's a lot of discussion going on about about that. Probably the best answer, as best answer is what the term breakfast means. And that is to break the fast that you have had for an extended period of time. I think the majority of the information is going to come out and say it's a healthy alternative. It's the healthy choice a small amount of fuel to defeat fuel food to fuel you in the morning to bring your blood sugar levels back up from the lower portion that they become to put a small amount of protein in the gastrointestinal system that in the bloodstream will stave off hunger later in the day. People who tend to eat breakfast, a small breakfast, tend to snack less during the morning tend to feel better two to three hours after their app because they have fuel their body. So the answer is yes, you should eat something for breakfast, but I mean, it can be a cool piece of pizza is one of my favorite drives my wife nuts, cold pizza with mustard on it for breakfast.
 
James Bell 
Oh yeah, had me tell the mustard. Oh, it's really good. And I love mustard, but
 
Glen McNeil 
with yellow mustard. I mean, something we you know, it's like there's nothing wrong with having pancakes and eggs for supper. Okay, so it's just the it's just the idea of fueling your body. So yes, it's it is, you know, at least my opinion in many health professional opinions. It is a very good idea to eat breakfast. A lot of times it's called the most important meal of the day. And you think about it, it's that's a pretty long period of time from the last time you ate in the evening. Through the morning it forces the body to tap into all those stores well. It can help you stay more consistent with your blood sugar with By eating meals on a regular basis, including breakfast, which in turn helps to keep you from overeating later in the day. And for children, very important, because their blood sugar levels are low in the morning. And if they go to school with those blood sugar levels, an hour or so maybe hour and a half after they get to get to school, they have trouble concentrating, they have trouble being active, because of those low blood sugars and low protein levels in the bloodstream. So they should have something for breakfast.
 
James Bell 
My children do. Okay, I'm gonna try. I'm gonna I'm going to incorporate in my diet and I'll let you know how it goes. Next time you hear
 
Glen McNeil 
even, you know, like I said, You could do a cup of yogurt. You could do the pie like sourdough toast, with a little bit of olive oil on it for breakfast. That's good, but my favorite breakfast is take frosted Mini Wheats and layer the bottom of the bowl, one layer frosted Mini Wheats in the bottom of the bowl. And then on top of that about half inch of Raisin Bran. And then on top of that, I sprinkled some Grape Nuts or crunchy nut cereal, and then just enough to kind of fill in the gaps. And right on top of that he put some granola and then 1% milk on it. I put whole milk on it but my wife won't let me have anymore. Okay, and that's why my breakfast it's high in fiber. It's high in B vitamins. It's got good sources of protein in it and you know when I don't eat breakfast, that mid morning, I get a little grumpy. So it's good for me to eat breakfast now. I also like a bagel with some cream cheese on it or locks bagels you know smoked salmon on it. English buff and toasted English muffin with a little bit of either cream cheese or butter. And I'm a butter not margarine user and it's just because of taste. It's nothing health wise in terms of that. Or waffles with peanut butter and syrup. Have you put peanut butter on your waffles?
 
James Bell 
I did and you know I think I think maybe you'd mentioned it to me a while back and I tried it is it wasn't my favorite but it's definitely good.
 
Glen McNeil 
Yeah, you know, so there's lots of things that you can do for breakfast that that are there. Okay, and a lot of times we'll go we'll just buy a bunch of fresh fruit chop up fresh food big bold, fresh fruit in the refrigerator and a bowl that for breakfast is fine. So my breakfast you know rotates around but my favorite is that bowl of cereal. For that nets I grew up eating oatmeal for breakfast that I still like oatmeal I tend to like it more as a cold cereal that hot cereal these days but I still like oatmeal for that process. So a lot of good things we can do today especially garden fresh items that are coming out now we've been eating tomatoes we've been eating zucchini we've been eating not much to Keaney here but Sam lots of cucumbers love sliced cucumbers and he just keeps a big bowl of sliced cucumbers in the refrigerator and vinegar and water. Like that tartness that comes with the with the vinegar and just chop up put them in salads and put them in stir fry the other night so I liked it. My wife didn't but that's okay. You know we have different tastes. So there's a lot of things that you could do to to enhance the nutritional value of the food shooting. Very good. One last thing. You're a music guy. I am your music guy. What is important about August 18 in the music business in the 1960s
 
James Bell 
You're gonna stump me.
 
Glen McNeil 
You've always got all these cool trivia things. 1962
 
James Bell 
I got nothing. I have no idea. Okay.
 
Glen McNeil 
You know who Pete Best was?
 
James Bell 
Pete bet you know the name. Sounds familiar, but I'm drawing a blank. Okay, you're stuck with me on how to he was the
 
Glen McNeil 
first drummer The Beatles?
 
James Bell 
Ah, yeah, there you go.
 
Glen McNeil 
1862 on August 18 are right around that. August 18 is when Ringo Starr replaced Pete Best as a drummer. Very cool. Do I win the pizza?
 
James Bell 
I can get Jackie. You'd have Dini called with mustard though.
 
 
Oh, well, I just put it in the refrigerator and the next day.
 
Glen McNeil 
You know, on days like this. Just go out. Have a good day makes some healthy food choices and enjoy the weather.

Forward Ever: Simpson Farm Enterprises manager Jed Simpson

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with Simpson Farm Enterprises manager Jed Simpson.

Ellis County Historical Society to establish satellite museum in Victoria

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Ellis County Historical Society executive director Amanda Rupp and Museum Space Committee chair and trustee Mary Kay Shippers discuss recent developments in the creation of a satellite museum in Victoria.

Hays Chamber Education Appreciation Dinner set for August 30

On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger along with Rose Garden Banquet Hall owner Kim Barnes discuss the upcoming Education Appreciation Dinner.
 
Transcript:
EDITORS NOTE: Transcripts are provided by an automated service and are not verified for accuracy.
 
James Bell 
The Hayes chambers educators Appreciation Day is scheduled for the end of this month from the Hayes chamber president and CEO Sarah wall singer along with owner and operator of the Rose Garden banquet hall and catering Kim Barnes stopped by to share some of the details on this episode of the post podcast.
 
Sarah Wasinger 
We are so excited. Obviously, our Ellis County educators are a great group of men and women who do such important work to educate our youth in our county. And you know, the byproduct of their hard work is people being able to join our workforce. So we can't think of a better reason to celebrate at the end of this month. So it'll be August 30. And that's going to be at the Rose Garden, banquet hall and catering, the event will kick off at five o'clock and we will wrap up around 7am. But we would be remiss to not share all of the businesses that support this event. Without them this wouldn't even be possible. So I'd like to just give a thank you to M price bank and enter ces as well as Golden belt bank, Midwest energy, of course, Rose Garden banquet hall and catering, sunflower bank, thirsties, brew, Pub and Grill and Walmart. They are our premier sponsors. So they really kind of make sure that this event is wonderful for for our educators. And we also have a few other sponsors, Glassman Corporation, golden plains credit union, the Hays Convention and Visitor's Bureau and our wonderful women link, they actually contribute different things to their backs that we give away that night.
 
James Bell 
Very cool, very cool. Some really good community partners, and I love to hear that so many are willing to help and step up and recognize our area educators. Yes.
 
Sarah Wasinger 
And we would be remiss to not include our chamber ambassadors. They also help plan that event and will be there to greet our guests that evening, as well as our chamber staff.
 
James Bell 
Yeah, absolutely. Love it. But you know, the highlight of the night I think is the teachers. Well, I guess the teachers, obviously.
 
Sarah Wasinger 
But I know you're gonna say because I'm hungry, and I haven't eaten yet. Exactly what I was thinking. So we have Kim Barnes here she is the owner and operator at Rose Garden, banquet hall and catering. And Kim, I'm gonna let you tell us about the delicious meal but the educators can expect to enjoy that night.
 
Kim Barnes 
Well, Sarah, we're happy to have the educators back again this year. Of course, we're going to feature 100 Pecan chicken. If you're not a fan of the sweet chicken, we'll have the country gravy on the side. So you can have your chicken fried chicken, or delicious loaded potatoes, vegetable rolls, salad, and of course, our delicious desserts.
 
Sarah Wasinger 
And you guys work really hard to make that an extra special event. And I think you told us this year, there's going to be a dessert assortment, is that right?
 
Kim Barnes 
That's right, we'll have all different kinds of desserts to choose from.
 
Sarah Wasinger 
And I believe that we are also offering a cash bar at this event. Obviously, you know, it's the start of a school year, maybe it would be a great opportunity to have, you know, a nice beverage. Um, so we'll even have a bartender on hand to make some cold drinks. Of course, coffee, tea and water will also be available of course.
 
James Bell 
Coffee, tea and water. That's okay, I guess but cash bar why? Well,
 
Sarah Wasinger 
I mean, it's almost Kenny. So
 
James Bell 
that's what I mean, like, not even sure why you'd mess with anything other beer in Ellis County, truly. But maybe that's just me. I suppose there's there's some wine drinkers out there got some beautiful wineries here in the area?
 
Sarah Wasinger 
We do we do? Absolutely. Well, one thing that we love is working with our area administrators, of course, we could not put this event together without their help. And we appreciate the opportunity to bring our, you know, people who have been in the educational system for quite a while. It's great to, you know, see faces that you're already familiar with and reacquaint yourself with them. But also it's a nice way for us to introduce our new educator. So we work with each of the schools and Ellis County and they provide us with a list of names of people who will be in attendance who are new. And it's just a nice way for the new folks to kind of feel, you know, welcomed into the educational community for Ellis County, but also kind of meet some of their colleagues that they'll be working with throughout the year.
 
James Bell 
Yeah, absolutely. You know, I was kind of surprised I was at an event for for the school. I've got kids in school here in the in the Hayes district and kind of surprised by how many new teachers they had. There was a lot of them there. And that's, I think it's excellent. We're bringing in that young talent. And even my daughter, her teacher last year was brand new out of college local, she'd been here at Hayes I've known her for a while but stepped into the role went through school and and that's awesome that they get to not only do that have those opportunities here, but then you guys putting on an event like this and exactly they get to meet each other and have that interaction outside of the school building, which I think is just so vital for the kind of the I don't know, what's the right word? Good feelings. Yeah. That's not it, but it will goodwill of the school. Well, no, not that either. But
 
Sarah Wasinger 
I don't. Well, we'll keep going.
 
James Bell 
Yeah, exactly. I'll be quiet. Let's talk more about food. Well,
 
Sarah Wasinger 
I want we're gonna talk a little bit about rose garden here in a few minutes. But I did want to share we are doing swag bags again this year. And so those puppies are going to be full of a lot of wonderful merchandise and that our sponsors have provided. And the first 150 People who come that evening will actually get a swag bag. So if you want to make sure you get one of those bags, make sure you come, you know, right around the five o'clock time. And we also have some large cash prizes. And by large, I mean $500.03 of them. So that's a good way to start school year. And then chamber checks and school supplies. Of course, you can't have an education appreciation event without giving away some school supplies. We know our educators spend a lot of their own money to prepare their classrooms, and even get their extra time over this summer to make things right. So, um, hopefully we'll have a few folks who can win some of those goodies and utilize some of their classroom. Absolutely. Now, Kim, I want you to talk a little bit about the photo booth.
 
Kim Barnes 
Oh, thanks, Sarah. Yeah, we have what's called the magic mirror photo booth. It's a five foot tall touch screen, photo booth, you can do digital prints, you can actually print off like a regular photo booth you see in a mall, we are going to have that setup for this particular event. There's lots of props take all kinds of fun pictures.
 
Sarah Wasinger 
So we are going to our sponsors, of course are going to pay for the print. So they can even walk away with a nice photo with their friends that night if they want to.
 
James Bell 
That's so cool. I love that, you know, I've been to a few weddings where they've done that, and they just love it. It's such a neat idea to commemorate the event to remember the event. And I don't know people get in that photo booth and they let loose a little bit slowly to have a little bit of fun. Well,
 
Sarah Wasinger 
one thing I wanted to share with Kim, and just with the listeners at home, we work with Kim throughout the year, whether it be some of our ambassador lunches or a membership lunches, of course, this event, she really does go out of her way with her staff to take excellent care of us. And everything is set up so nice when we get there, um, for our events, and we just want to say thank you for the partnership that we have built together. And I think that might be a good segue to talk about all the different things that you offer at Rose Garden.
 
Kim Barnes 
Well, at the Rose Garden, you know, we're a 14,000 square foot banquet hall, I've got the large banquet room and the smaller room, which is great for your big German weddings and anniversaries. But we also do smaller things, you know, birthday parties meetings, we can accommodate groups of any size, got a large dance floor. And of course, lots of lots of decor items, you know, for all those special events,
 
Sarah Wasinger 
and you even done funeral dinners, I think and you host events throughout the week as well as that right. I think sometimes people forget about those events that happen in the evening during the week,
 
Kim Barnes 
right. And we've even had a lot of options out there. It's just a great space for whatever event you have going on.
 
Sarah Wasinger 
And I think she's even had toy collectors.
 
James Bell 
I was gonna say that's my favorite. The one that sticks out to me is the toy show that's out there. And and from my understanding, they're there. they've outgrown the space because they're doing so well. But I love going down there for the toy show. It's a perfect venue for
 
Kim Barnes 
that. Right. I think we'll have them here one more year. And then they've had to move on to a bigger space, but it's always fun to have them come out.
 
Sarah Wasinger 
Well, Kim, I know that there are a lot of special occasions that happen in the fall. Do you want to talk a little bit maybe about Christmas parties or different things? And are you taking, you know, appointments first scheduling those out in advance.
 
Kim Barnes 
I do have limited spots available for this fall. But there still are a few dates out there if you've got a wedding or a special event coming up. My phone's been ringing in quite a bit trying to get those Christmas parties booked. So give me a call as soon as you can. If you're looking to book a Christmas party, of course we'll have our Thanksgiving Day buffet again this year. We're looking forward to having everyone come out for that as well. And not only do we cater at our place, but we can we can travel and caterer at your place as well.
 
James Bell 
Just out of curiosity cam How far do you go out? Is it just haze or can you go Ellis County
 
Kim Barnes 
we've been the great Ben Ross center, Ross wall Keaney. We've been out to Shiloh vineyard. So usually about an hour is a good distance for us to
 
James Bell 
So most likely anybody listening if you need a gator rose garden banquet, all they're there for you
 
 
will take care of you love it.
 
Sarah Wasinger 
So Kim, before we wrap up, you are on Facebook. So where do people go to pay attention to what you have going on? Um, because I know that you still serve dinners every once in a while on certain evenings throughout the month as well.
 
Kim Barnes 
Right? We'll do takeout meals you can call and order your takeout meal. I do post that on Facebook first and it's Rose Garden event center on the Facebook and or you can always give me a call. We also posted on their size. If you're traveling down the highway, you'll see our sign and we'll post event sets coming up. Very cool.
 
James Bell 
Love it. Love it. Yeah. One of those one of those things, one of those businesses in Hays I think everybody has little connection to everybody's had, you know, been to an event either at the building or had the food catered. And Kim, thanks so much for what you do for the community. Thank you, Sara. We've got we've got just a couple minutes left, we've got to talk calendar because you've got all kinds of cool events coming up.
 
Sarah Wasinger 
We do so today at noon we have our H yp connection lunch, it will be at Thursday's brew pub and grill on their venue side. And Brandon Heinz is going to be our guest speaker. He is the director of the haze Public Library. And this men's lunch is sponsored by Glassman Corporation. And we also have the third Thursday social for the hazing professionals that will be held at the Paisley para wine bar bistro and market on August 18. So Thursday at 5:15pm. We're excited to have our Of course, our chamber chats on Friday at 9am. And we will be with the fhsu athletic auction at the Schmidt bagel indoor training facility. So they have a lot of great items up for grabs. And it'll be a great way to kind of get a sneak peek at those. And then last but not least, our ambassador lunch will be at Rose Garden banquet hall and catering at noon. Want to give a quick plug our deadline for folks to apply for chamber blue of Kansas, that survey window closest this Thursday. A couple days. If you don't participate in that now, you won't be eligible to join the plan at least starting off right away. We have over 23,000 people who are in the pool right now. And that represents over 1500 Different businesses across the state of Kansas. Wow, that's awesome.
 
James Bell 
Huge, but no commitment right now signing up just kind of gets you the information. And it's
 
Sarah Wasinger 
just a business employer surveys so it's a very quick process. Um, so if you're even just curious to see what the prices will come back as now's the time to get that survey taken and that is available on our website as chamber.com as chamber.com

Hays Catholic schools kick off year with Back 2 School Bash

On this episode of the Post Podcast Thomas More Prep-Marian's Kim Stoecklein and Joe Roth Share details of the upcoming Back 2 School Bash.
Transcript:
EDITORS NOTE: Transcripts are provided by an automated service and are not verified for accuracy.
 
James Bell 
Hays Catholic schools we'll be kicking off their year with a Back to School Bash from the Development Office Kim Stoecklein along with Joe Roth stopped by to share some of the details now on this episode of the Post Podcast.
 
Joe Roth 
The Back to School Bash presented by Astra bank and five was started about three years ago and it's just our way to celebrate the beginning of a new school year and help the faculty staff students and parents get it Scott excited for the upcoming school year. There's going to be activities for all ages, including a hot dog feed that's presented by Astra bank laser tag presented by Hermann physical therapy, there's going to be multiple bouncy houses for all ages, but sponsored by Jeff Pinkney, CPA and Danny Dinkle and Associates. There's a giant rock climbing wall that's presented by Diamond Jewelers and DW home improvement. the dunk tank once again is back and that is sponsored by the TMP StuCo. And the first 200 People at the Back to School Bash are going to receive a free snow cone, courtesy of sunrise agribusiness.
 
James Bell 
Nice so many good community sponsors. You know this one of the things I love about the Catholic schools here in Hays is it's not you know, it's inclusive. It's everybody in and is supported. And I think even the folks over USD 49 help support it. And I love to hear that there's so many community sponsors helping you out to get the school year started off right down there. I love that. So again, I don't know if you want to share some of the details when when is this event.
 
Kim Stoecklein 
It's coming this Friday, August 19. And we're starting it off at 545 Father Andy hammock, he is actually coming out and going to do a great blessing for our sports teams and for the grotto just started out and then we're actually ending it at 9pm with a phone dance party. So that's new to the bash this year. We have a big foam machine coming. So we're super excited about the dance party. Yeah, and it's dark. So it's gonna be on the phone goes in the dark glows in the dark, and the people will have glow sticks for everybody. So I'm hoping it'll be a lot of fun.
 
James Bell 
It's gonna make some good pictures. I bet I
 
Kim Stoecklein 
so yeah, I hope it'll be dark enough. And everybody will glow. So that's yeah, we're looking forward to that for sure. We still are looking for volunteers. So if anybody wants to get involved, please contact our office at anytime. And you get a free T shirt from God logo. So that's exciting.
 
James Bell 
That's why I volunteer for things. Yeah. Volunteer, you get the t shirt. But that's very cool. If people are interested in volunteering, what's the easiest way for them to get a hold you guys?
 
Kim Stoecklein 
They can call the advancement office and just ask for camera tmp.
 
James Bell 
Okay, easy enough. Yeah, very cool. And then, you know, again, you know, like, with the Catholic schools, I say this and I already said this, but it's not inclusive. Correct? Yeah. Or it's all inclusive. Yes, everybody,
 
Kim Stoecklein 
everyone to come enjoy this event. You know, it's free, thanks to our amazing sponsors and our support. So we don't want just our schools, we want everybody to come enjoy this, this great event. We're having some new bouncy houses coming from a different company this year, so it's not gonna be the same bouncy houses that you see all over. So we're super excited. Yeah. Very cool.
 
James Bell 
Kids love those bouncy houses. Yeah, I drive by and it'll be like a birthday party. my four year old. He's always in the car. And he's like, pull over and I'm like, no, man that's on our bouncy house. So it's nice private party. Sure. But yeah, it's gonna be a lot of fun having those kiddos there? Yes. Um, and maybe for the high school kids high school kids can can they do bouncy houses, there's that tool? Well, we've
 
Kim Stoecklein 
tried to kind of cater to all ages. So that's where the rock climbing wall comes in. I mean, this thing is huge. And they bring it in on a truck. So we're super, super excited about that. There'll be some Foursquare volleyball setup for them. So we try to have activities for all ages. So it's not just the little kids. So yeah, we're super excited.
 
James Bell 
Very cool. Very cool. Well, you know, as this kicks off the year it was the school year started yet or are you guys going to class next? I don't really I don't remember the dates. I know USD 49. Starting soon, but I don't even know when and that's embarrassing to have.
 
Kim Stoecklein 
So our Holy Family, the little kids, they started this morning, they have a half day today. We have some first students, our new student orientation for our high school today and then tomorrow will be their first official day with everybody in the school. So it's an exciting time. We love when the students come back and the faculty come back. It's just Yeah, it's a really great time. We're excited to start it off with a big bash.
 
James Bell 
Absolutely. Love it. Love it again. This is coming up this Friday. 545 All right, phone dance party kicking it
 
Kim Stoecklein 
off. prayer service kicking off we can do the phone dance party till the end because it's got to glow.
 
James Bell 
Well, that's fair enough. Yeah. Alrighty, guys, well, anything else the public needs to know or that we want to talk about before we go.
 
Kim Stoecklein 
I think that's it. We just want to thank all our sponsors. And again, the support from the community has been amazing. We couldn't do this without you. So thank you so much to everyone who's helped me

FHSU selects next Chief of Police

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Fort Hays State University's newest Chief of Police Terrance Pierce shares his story and how he landed in Hays, along with Hays Chief of Police Don Scheibler and Chief Communication Officer Scott Cason.

Grow Hays plans third Think Like an Entrepreneur series

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams shares details about the upcoming Think Like an Entrepreneur series.