“Now, Keith quit that. Robert what are you doing? You boys better settle down.”

Actually that’s probably not exactly how Sandy said it, but certainly semblance.

That was every Saturday afternoon in the mid ’60s. Mom and the boys did grocery shopping while dad Billy generally went to the weekly sale barn auction.

Came to mind with passing of longtime friend Keith Bacon. Others may not have such vivid recollection of those days, while remaining fond reflections for one former grocery carryout boy.

Typical of Four Mile community farm families, the hardworking Bacons had diversified cropping and livestock operations. Keith and Robert were rambunctious farm boys who didn’t get to town very often.

One wouldn’t know it on the forefront and certainly not let on by him or any of his family. Keith had an incurable disease in joints forcing hospitalization in an urban hospital as a newborn.

Despite what most would consider serious handicap, Keith’s parents were determined the boy live a “normal life.” Nobody was to feel sorry for Keith or him for himself, and no shirking of any farm chores and responsibilities.

That became Keith’s definitely expressed always pleasant energetic positive attitude for life appreciated and respected completely by younger brother Robert.

“Hello. Kelly Lenz suggested we call you to come and work for the radio.”

Of course, Kelly had been a longtime friend in the media business and had assisted with personal ranch event promotions.

The surprising opportunity call came exactly a decade ago four days after being fired from previous employment. Assistant farm director Greg Akagi heard that personally defeating news, sharing it with Kelly who made recommendation to radio management.

Initially taken aback, first reaction was quite indecisiveness, yet with prodding interview was scheduled and before long a new job.

It must all be credited to now even closer friend and daily work cohort Kelly Lenz. There’ve been a number of airwave and print reports in recent days about Kelly’s retirement as a farm broadcaster.

That’s after a remarkable career serving agriculture around the world for nearly half a century with 41 years in Kansas.

Mention the name Kelly Lenz anywhere and eyes immediately light up appreciatively, recognizing Kelly for his knowledge and engaging congeniality. That’s from every local farm and ranch home to state, national and worldwide agriculture and political affiliations.

More than four decades Kelly was up at 4 o’clock, soon live on the radio reporting analyzing agriculture news and markets. Leaders in every phase of the industry, government programs and decision making were interviewed willingly trusting sharing with Kelly.

By Raylene Quaney

Saying goodbye to summer, Help House thanks everyone that has contributed in one way or another to help make this another successful summer. Beginning with our huge garage sale in June, the Summer Fan Club, the school supplies give away and our very popular silent auctions, we have been very busy. The Summer Fan Club gave out 49 fans. School supplies were given out to 85 children who did not have an opportunity to sign up with ECKAN or receive supplies from Grace Community Church or other school supply resources for the upcoming school year.

The silent auction donors and winning bidders raised $1,205.51 at Melvern Sunflower Days, and $2,788.18 on Aug. 10, during the Overbrook Osage County Fair. These are our two largest fundraisers of the year and will help provide food for about three months for the more than 200 families that depend on the Help House food pantry to supplement their nutritional needs each month.

The crocheted flag, made and donated by Peggy Kampsen, was raffled off and the winner drawn during the Overbrook fair. The winner was Louise Michael, of Topeka. A total of $884.00 was raised through this very gracious gift. We thank you for helping your Osage County neighbors.

Clean, gently worn coats needed

Help House’s next effort for assistance is the sixth annual coat drive and giveaway. We began taking donations for clean and gently worn coats on Sept. 3. Infants and children’s coats are always in short supply, so if your children have coats they have outgrown but are still in good condition, please consider sharing with another child who may not have a coat for this winter. We also need men’s and women’s coats in all sizes. Also coveralls or overalls for those who have to work outside in the weather, and hats and gloves for everyone. The coat closet will be open Oct. 1-31, during regular business hours.

“Passing his farmhouse nearly every morning Monday through Friday, 6:30 to 7:15, for 48 years, he was always up working.

“Returning home, each of those days he was still going strong every afternoon 5:15 to 5:45.”

In the past month, his car wasn’t always in the garage, morning lights weren’t on, he wasn’t apparent at work.

Then the story was printed in the hometown weekly, personal hero Leroy Fechner passed away at 95 years of age.

At such admirable maturity passing probably shouldn’t be too unexpected but the news sent cringing recoil.

The lifelong bachelor cattleman, former renowned quality seed stock breeder merchandizer, conservation-minded crop grower, most ambitious, twinkling-eyed farmer seemed insurmountable.

One felt he’d surely live forever, and probably Leroy’s opinion was likewise such – whenever visiting conversation centered on future plans.

There’d been a couple setbacks in the past decade or so with body injury from farm-ranch work. Seriously out of commission at times forced to live away from his lifetime home some, Leroy always returned.

Back full force ahead, Leroy was checking cows, feeding backgrounders, operating farm equipment, driving slowly down the highway ranchland gazing.

“Greenbacks are the best way to do business.”

The old boss insisted that paper money is the safest and most accurate way to handle payment and receipt transactions.

That was probably 40 years ago the comment was made. Certainly, the truly smart man always had a billfold seeming full of folding bills to buy our Monday dinner.

Have remembered the statement occasionally through time, it definitely came back after a recent horseshow. Headed out of town, the gas gauge was below half as pulled into the filling station. Sure didn’t want to run out and have to ride one horse and lead the other to the ranch.

Heart sank when pulled the billfold out of the glovebox and there was no credit card. Of course, the first thing running through the mind was “What happened to it?”

Couldn’t remember last time it was used or where could have lost it. But, realization soon dawned the biggest immediate concern was paying for pickup gasoline.

Unlike the former employer, cash hasn’t been a form of paying for much of anything for several decades. Seems like if there happens to be any real hard dough readily available it’s usually spent for something unnecessary.

However, oddly and coincidently this time a twenty dollar bill was folded up in the hideaway.

Actually paying for gasoline with cash isn’t even that easy to do anymore. Most clerks get a concerned look whenever currency is brought out to pay for anything.

“Been there, done that and no real desire to do it again.”

While philosophy has long been that people never change, they actually can and do in some ways.

What was formerly a “romance,” although some folks don’t understand that terminology preferably describing such as a “passion,” can become unimportant. That is, not completely irrelevant yet certainly unnecessary and unessential for a happy life.

There can be endeavors with such heartfelt attachment one feels they can’t or wouldn’t really want to live without. Yet in reality “this too shall pass” as “time changes everything.”

Forever desiring to be a cowboy in every positive definition of such, certain characteristics just automatically become part of it.

After getting that first horse, a mare, not atypical to many, she was mated and raised a foal. Over four decades that meager beginning developed into a major horse breeding program. Never raising 40 colts a year, the operation approached that level to become known, with demand for production. It was a “romance.”

“Watch out, your girth broke.”

That was the initial sideline scream from more than one at conclusion of a good pole bending run.

“Get off before your saddle turns and you fall off.” Sincere concerned advice came from the gateman.

Confused by all the goings-on, glance down to the saddle billet verified it was gone. Only the back cinch was loosely intact holding saddle on the high-withered old Palomino Cody.

Cautious dismount was made to ground safety as the saddle remained upright for evaluation of what the whole predicament entailed.

It was a weird deal, really, although the front cinch had been tightened to the usual hole. However, evidently as the fast lean horse stretched out on the straightaway home, the girth became loose enough to unhook itself.

A spectator congenially picked the off-billet up out of the arena and brought it to the trailer. Nothing was broken period, as the back cinch, centered rider and the horse’s back kept saddle upright.

Luckily no tack had to be repaired, but the girth was definitely pulled one hole tighter for the next run. It’s even been taken up another notch after a couple runs.

Pulling the cinch is the most important part of saddling up. Such a simple action it would seem. But actually getting the right snugness to suit the horse, the rider and the expectations are somewhat complex.

By Raylene Quaney

Beginning Aug. 1, Jerry’s Thriftway, Osage City, will be participating in an ongoing fundraising effort for the Help House food pantry. We are very grateful to the Giesy family and Jerry’s Thriftway for helping us with this campaign. Help House serves over 200 households a month and our budget is being stretched thin, so we hope when you shop for yourself you might spare a little and share with others in need. You will see at the register a card that will read: “You may now make a donation to Help House for the Food Pantry by asking the clerk to add either $1 or $5 to the total of your bill.” It is that easy and we thank everyone for your continued support and donations.

Help House’s year to date total of households served through the food pantry as of July 9, 2019, was 1,234. This number continues to grow weekly and monthly. The needs of those we serve throughout Osage County are evident in those numbers.

We do receive non-corporate donations (in kind) of food and non-food items from churches, other civic and school groups, and individuals, and they are a great help. In May we had 707 food items and 879 non-food items, and in June 385 food items and 340 non-food items.

Mobile food pantries

Mobile food pantry dates:

• Carbondale, 12 p.m. second Tuesday, Aug. 13, at Carbondale Church of Christian Fellowship.
• Melvern, 12:30 p.m. third Thursday,  Aug. 15 at Melvern Community Center.
• Burlingame, 10 a.m. third Thursday, Aug. 15, Burlingame Federated Church.
• Lyndon, 12 p.m. third Friday, Aug. 16, at Jones Park on East Sixth Street.

If participating in the mobile pantry, please be in line 15-20 minutes before starting time to be counted for determining how much of each item each family will receive. Help House sponsors the Lyndon and Carbondale mobile pantries.

“I don’t see how you can sleep or get any rest like that.”

More than one made such comment at the last horse show where riders stay overnight by the arena.

“Did you get a good night’s sleep?” is a rather frequent good morning greeting. Yet, it sometimes seems to be said with a bit of sneering, jiving tone rather than complete congeniality.

Remarks are actually being made in regard to the old cowboy’s slumbering arrangements. No arguing they’re quite different than the other couple dozen bedroom accommodations away from home.

Century-and-a-half-ago cowboys trailing herds from grazing lands to railroad towns for terminal shipping slept on the ground at night. There was no alternative, generally with saddle as pillow, a blanket as cover, maybe jacket was pulled on towards morning.

Early day rodeo cowboys tell stories with semblance often camping out at the arena as there wasn’t money for motels.

When horse shows gained popularity mid-last-century, most riders were country people enjoying the weekend family sporting entertainment. Trailers were almost non-existent early on with horses hauled in pickups or small flatbed trucks.

“You don’t have the voice to be a rodeo or horseshow announcer.”

It wasn’t exactly those words but close semblance about a decade ago in a straightforward passing conversation.

That may be correct, likely is actually. So no response was made to the remark not said to be rude – honest evaluation from a professional broadcaster.

The opinion was given in response about intentions to announce an upcoming ranch rodeo advertised on the radio.

Regardless of abilities to do such, that rodeo was announced without any negative feedback. It was “just another one” as there were a lot before and a number since that performance.

While announcing a recent ranch rodeo, reflection was when such duties began in the fall of 1969. It was a hometown high school rodeo helping over the weekend during college because the only one who would.

There’ve been a lot of rodeo and horseshow announcing duties since that meager beginning when still a teenager.

Far from being true professional like Clem McSpadden, Roger Mooney, Kyle Elwood and several others visited with through the eons. Certainly not even close to topnotch amateur rodeo announcers Jerry Taylor or Max Stowell back in the day. Amazing inspiring how they could remember certain rides, contestants, and livestock from long before.

Yet for 50 years the microphone has been in hand from the “crow’s nest” calling Western action. Oh yes they’ve all been pretty much local yokel affairs. That’s said tongue in cheek definitely not wanting to offend committeemen who give their all for successful arena action.

“It never was that way before.”

The comment rang appropriate truth not just subject at hand but seemingly everything nowadays.

Conversation related to several dump truckloads of creek gravel in a big yard pile for spreading on the driveway.

Ruts and potholes in the barnyard entrance needed filled and smoothed again. Be interesting to know how many times that’s been done in a half century, nearly 48 years home place.

Simpler than days gone by as the ranch manager son is talented operating tractor with frontend loader leveling the roadway.

What brought the subject up was cleaning old hay out of the pole storage barn, coupled with downpours.

The barn held standing water with big ruts in front. Even deeper water bogged furrows in the lean-to where the square baler is stored. Gravel will make a base again.

Winter cow lots don’t have a bottom without gravel for solidity. However, those bovine, their calves, sometimes other cattle and horses year around leave droppings accumulating to necessitate regular cleanup.

With loader tractor and manure spreader, wastes go on nearby brome field. That again leaves low spots in the corrals and accompanying pens which must also be filled with gravel and smoothed out.

Never before, at least in lifetimes, have some seen so much rain causing such havoc in so many directions. Likewise, when Mother Nature wields additional detrimental acts hopefully one has not experienced and never does again.

By Raylene Quaney

Help House’s benefit garage sale June 14 and 15, 2019, was a success thanks to more than 30 volunteers under the planning and organization of Lois Shuck. Help House would like to thank the Osage City Fair Board for renting us their big tent once again. With the rain and wind Friday morning, it would not have been possible to hold the sale without it, we’re so grateful for shelter from the storm.

Mobile food pantries

Mobile food pantry dates: Melvern mobile pantry, 12:30 p.m. on the third Thursday, July 18, at the Melvern Community Center; Burlingame, 10 a.m. third Thursday, July 18, at Burlingame Federated Church; Lyndon, 12 p.m. third Friday, July 19, at Jones Park on East Sixth Street. Those participating in the mobile pantry are asked to be in line 15 to 20 minutes before starting time to be counted to determine how much of each item each family will receive. Osage City will not have a mobile pantry this month.

Help House assists with SNAP application

Help House volunteers are available to provide assistance for those who apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Applicants need proof of identification, social security information for each member of the household, income verification each member of the household (a most recent bank statement will be copied and sent in with application), also required, any owned vehicle information, and if 60 or older or disabled, any medical expenses including health insurance and Medicare premiums and prescription costs or bills due. Please call the office at 785-828-4888 to make an appointment.  Appointments need to be scheduled between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Allow at least one hour for the application process.

Summer Fan Club

The Summer Fan Club has been giving out fans to those who have signed up. We still have several families in need, so if you have a used fan in good condition or would like to purchase a fan to be given away, you may drop them off during our regular hours. Please do not leave donated fans in the shed out back. If you would like to make a cash donation for us to purchase the fans for you, checks may be made out to Help House and sent to PO Box 356, Lyndon KS 66451. Make a note in the memo section “Fan Club”.

Ample moisture is better than a drought. Yet with continuing downpours come forever increasing problems.

Of course, flooding is the horrific detriment with such extensive physical and financial losses.

Rainfall is essential for crop production if seed gets planted, doesn’t rot or wash away, and remaining growth cycle cooperates. All things considered, water at the right time in appropriate amounts is the biggest attributing factor to yields.

Grasslands are green, lush and already stirrup high on a stocky ranch horse with promise of ample grazing and hay. Enhanced conditions for desirable plants also have intruders growing at record pace. Every kind of weed imaginable is popping up out of nowhere.

The list is extensive but most apparent in recent days has been musk thistle abundancy. Big purple blooms blowing in the wind might seem pretty to lay people not realizing detriments of the noxious weed.

Right out the office window one five-foot-tall thistle glowed in the sunlight. Fortunately, the yard keeper sprayed poison, and the “pretty flower” wilted away. However, the sticky weeds are rampant not just on agriculture ground but everywhere.

Dozens of thistles blooming brilliantly were all around the arena fence at a recent horse show on state property. Evidently, managers don’t understand thistles are weeds that government regulations prohibit to the extent of fines if not controlled.

“Don’t blow your finger off.”

For many decades that’s been advice typically said in jive at this time of the year.

Yet it really is a legitimate concern as children and young at heart are excitedly lighting firecrackers and other fireworks.

Without exception every year there are major body injuries, even fatalities, from carelessness with the explosives.

Interesting how big a thrill so many people get from fireworks, both setting them off and watching colorful night shows.

It was exciting and profitable operating a fireworks stand six decades ago in the grocery store window corner.

That opinion has completely changed these days such that those noisy fiery pyrotechnics seem like a hazardous waste. So many dollars just go up in smoke when they could be put toward many other worthwhile endeavors.

Reason for celebration is still most important although many people don’t even realize what it’s really all about.

Yes, the Fourth of July is a federal holiday for family reunions, parades, picnics, concerts and obviously plenty of fireworks. However, it’s really Independence Day, although seldom called that anymore. The Declaration of Independence of the United States was signed on July 4, 1776, two days after voting approval.

The Continental Congress declared that the 13 American colonies were no longer subject and subordinate to the Monarch of Britain. They were now united, free and independent states.

“Make hay when the sun shines.”

A familiar saying for generations since the beginning of time most likely, its meaning has certainly come to life again.

Fortunately with all of the overly abundant rainfall, there is hay to make this year; at least right now. That’s sharply contrasting the situation a year earlier when lack of spring rains held back tame and native grasses alike.

Short grass, whatever the variety, means short hay and inadequate feedstuffs for livestock. Insufficient hay supplies coupled with harsh wet winter again hampered cattle profitability on many ranch and farm operations.

While those combined inclement winter days stalled fertilization so critical to tame grass growth, Mother Nature lent a helping hand. Despite nutrient application much later than management desired and scientific recommendation, there appears ample brome and other domesticated spring pastures.

Problems always seem to continue in one form or another. Getting those abundant spring grass supplies wrapped up into bales or into other feed storage methods is being hampered.

One sure feels bad ever complaining about moisture, but continuing small showers will not allow grass to dry into hay. Hay process requires mowing the grass and letting it dry sufficiently to be baled for storage. Moisture must be out or the feedstuff will spoil in the bale. Not only is the feed strongly devalued but sometimes harmful to livestock that consume it. Added to the worries, spoiling damp hay can continue festering causing bales to become flames of destruction.

“Mother Nature has wielded a wicked hand to agriculture and many others in the Midwest this year.”

So we are now looking back at nearly six months of abrasive conditions and in harm’s way.  Winter was “like never before,” according to some descriptions. Yet, others quickly reflected tougher cold, wet, snowy conditions. Still this recent winter had additional detrimental impaction from short feedstuffs due to the previous dry summer.

Native grasslands are likely forever scarred from continually deepened mud ruts created by ranchers moving nourishment to hungry cowherds.

Seriousness was more extreme as unceasing pour downs caused flooding of the nation’s richest cropland. Much of that will never approach quality of previous lifetime. Yet, worse is the loss of human lives, accompanied by livestock deaths, homes, buildings and equipment valued in the multi-millions.

Staggering are the acreages reported with extensive damages from earlier rainfalls fortunately prompting government financial assistance. Money is essential for livelihood but cannot replace lives, topsoil and family heritage of centuries.

Add to terribleness, rainfall has continued, with flash flooding frequent in many locales earlier not harmed. Major overflowing remains in almost daily warnings as occasional reprieves are soon replaced by worst threats.

Those missing high waters soon got humongous hail stripping trees, grassland, fences and homes. Sprouting leaf growth was gone, pastures appeared burned, and fence posts flattened. Some homes completely destroyed while others extensively, expensively damaged.

“Don’t eat bread or potatoes; they’re harmful to the health.”

Just wait a minute. The human race has lived on those two foods likely since the beginning of time.

They’ve done pretty well all things considered. History studies indicate that’s about all there was at certain times, and it sure beat going hungry.

Yet, opinionated eating hazard philosophy has been going around for some time now, too.

Just think how good a piece of bread with peanut butter and jelly tasted after school. Bread with butter and thick sugar spread on it also hit the spot. Those kids grew up just fine.

So what are people supposed to eat these days? The advice heard last week was quite contradictory to nutritionists’ information not really that long ago either.

“Eat lots of meat and it’s okay if there’s fat on it.” That’s good news for red meat producers.

Remember when fat was supposed to be bad? Well cattle and hog breeders got their livestock too lean. Not only were the animals too skinny to efficiently produce, but their meat was tough without appetizing flavor.

Fat really is an important part of meat. Now nutritionists as well as livestock growers seem to have come to senses of that fact.

Eggs have had their share of bad rap through time as well but now get praise for nutritional eating. Vegetables are perfect eating complement it’s proclaimed. “Oh corn is so good.” Nope corn is a grain; that’s bad, ugh?

By Raylene Quaney

Help House continues to raise funds to resurface the parking lot, and will be holding a huge garage sale on the front patio and under a big tent 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, June 14, and Saturday, June 15, 2019. This is the weekend of the Lyndon car show and citywide garage sales, so be sure to stop by while you are in town. There will be a lot of new and unique items for sale and great deals.

Sunflower Days Silent Auction

On June 22, Help House will be at the Melvern Sunflower Days with a silent auction. You will have from 4-8 p.m. to get bids in. This is one of our two largest fundraisers. There will be some great deals on the tables.

Clinic competition helps fill food bank

Stormont Vail held a competition during the month of May. Stormont-Vail CEO Dr. Rob Kenagy took a pie to the face to celebrate Stormont staff collecting more than 10,000 pounds of food for Harvesters. The Cotton O’Neil clinics in Osage City and Carbondale donated 275 items, with their portion of the effort going to the food pantry at Help House. Thank you!

Mobile food pantries

Mobile food pantry dates in June in Osage County:

• Carbondale – Carbondale Church of Christian Fellowship, 12 p.m., second Tuesday, June 11.
• Osage City – Osage City Community Center, 10-11 a.m., third Thursday, June 20.
• Melvern – Melvern Community Center, 12:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20.
• Burlingame – Burlingame Federated Church, 10 a.m. third Thursday, June 20.
• Lyndon – Jones Park, East Sixth Street, 12 p.m. the third Friday, June 21.

If participating in the mobile pantry, please be in line 15 to 20 minutes before starting time to be in the counted numbers when it is decided how much of each item each family will receive. Help House sponsors the Lyndon and Carbondale mobile food pantries.