Approximately 275 cars, trucks and motorcycles converged on downtown Osage City, Saturday, April 9, 2022, for the Twin Lakes Cruisers’ 18th annual Cruis’n and Cook’n Auto Show. The show included entries from Missouri, Oklahoma, Colorado and Kansas. The show lined Market Street from Fourth to Seventh streets and two blocks of Sixth Street, which were filled with an estimated 1,000 people during the day.
The Twin Lakes Cruisers presented the following awards during the show:
Osage County is one of six Kansas counties in a red flag warning in effect from noon today to 9 p.m. this evening due to forecast low humidity, gusty westerly winds, and dry fuels. The National Weather Service in Topeka issued the red flag warning that covers Osage, Morris, Lyon, Franklin, Coffey, and Anderson counties.
West winds are expected to be sustained at 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph this afternoon; relative humidity is forecast to range from 17 to 21 percent. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly, and outdoor burning is not recommended.
A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.
The Arvonia Historic Preservation Society has plans for several events for the 150th anniversary of Arvonia School. The celebration will begin with a concert by Tina Barrett and Zak Putnam.
Everyone is invited to attend the outdoor concert 4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 24, 2022, in front of the Arvonia School, and bring lawn chairs or blankets and a picnic, snack and refreshment of choice.
Located in the Welsh settlement of Arvonia, Kan., is the Arvonia School. Built in 1872, the school is one of the few remaining buildings designed by pioneer Kansas architect John G. Haskell. It is one of the earliest-known architect designed schools in the state. The building was constructed by Welsh craftsman James Rice. It has become a Kansas icon, immortalized in the art of photography and legend of the region. The school is on the Reigister of Historic Kansas Places and the National Register of Historic Places. The building has been restored in the past several years.
In case of rain, the concert will be moved to the township hall. For more information, contact Susan Evans Atchison at 620-794-3917. Arvonia is located four miles north of Lebo and is on the southwest side of Melvern Lake.
More activities are planned this year to celebrate the beautiful historic school building, including another concert in the fall.
Last Call Heroes BBQ, Travis Duffy, Emily Wickstrom and their dog, Bernie, accept this year’s grand champion award at Smoke in the Spring, Osage City. Courtesy photo.
A strong Kansas wind blew more than 94 barbecue teams into Osage City last weekend. Only one team headed home as Smoke in the Spring’s grand champion. Claiming this year’s title in the April 9, 2022, contest was Last Call Heroes BBQ, with head cook Travis Duffy, of Pierre, S.D.
Duffy described winning Smoke in the Spring as a “bucket list” contest.
“It only takes one look at the past winners of this contest, the caliber of cooks it draws to the event, the community impact the event has, the size of the check you get for winning, it makes this one of the biggest KCBS contests of the year,” Duffy said. “We’ve struggled a bit here in the past, but it takes a very technical cook and some luck to have a chance in a field of both teams and judges that are tough. But we just keep diggin’!”
The South Dakota team competed against 93 other teams from 11 states in the Osage City contest, which celebrated its 19th year this year.
Last Call Heroes BBQ won the grand champion designation with 700.0228 points, taking first place in ribs, fourth place in chicken, 28th in pork, and 37th in brisket. With the win, the team also won recognition for placing in the “700 Club”, which means they earned over 700 points in the competition.
Taking the reserve grand champion spot was a team from Gardner, Kan., High i Que BBQ, with Randy Vanslyke as head cook. The reserve champ team won by placing 43rd in chicken, fifth in ribs, fourth in pork, and 15th in brisket, totaling 699.9772 points.
Winning third place was another team from Gardner, Fergolicious BBQ, with head cook Richard Fergola, a veteran Smoke in the Spring competitor. Fegrolicious took 40th in chicken, seventh in ribs, 20th in pork, and secured their third place spot with second in brisket, totaling 699.3600 points.
Overbrook Police Chief Hollingsworth announced the police department will present a variety of safety events, once per month, beginning in April. Event dates will be announced. Programs will include preventing scams, self defense strategies, human trafficking, first aid/CPR, and prescription drug abuse. There is no cost to attend these events, and everyone is welcome.
Overbrook Community Chest Committee reports that the goal set for the 2021-2022 Community Chest Drive has been reached and exceeded due to the generosity of the community. With a goal of $8,500, the committee raised approximately $15,500. The final proceeds will be allocated to the 16 organizations chosen by the committee. Each organization will receive the amount donated to them as specified by the donors plus a percentage of the non-designated donations received. The success of this campaign shows the willingness of the residents of the Overbrook area to support their home community and projects. The Overbrook Community Chest Committee would like to thank everyone who helped make this year’s drive a success.
Brookside Annual Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for 2 p.m. April 9, on the Brookside front lawn, 700 W. Seventh St., Overbrook. Age groups are newborns to 3, 3 to 6, and 7 to 9. Bring Easter baskets, and cameras to catch a picture of the Easter Bunny. For more information, contact Brookside at 785-665-7124.
Tree-limb pick-up will be 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 16, when Rotary Club and PRIDE volunteers will pick up limbs that are left curbside throughout the city. Limbs must be cut to a manageable size and stacked at the curb. Volunteers are welcome to participate; meet-up is scheduled for 8 a.m. at KSB. Anyone who plans to burn leaves should check with city hall for burn bans before you burn.
2022 Citywide Garage Sale
Overbrook PRIDE will be hosting the annual April citywide garage sale Friday and Saturday, April 22 and 23. Email [email protected] or find the event on the Overbrook PRIDE Facebook page to submit your sale for the map. Deadline to be on the printed map is April 18. Maps will be distributed online, via the website and at high traffic sponsoring locations. Listing donations for $5.00 can be made at city hall.
Weather conditions for the coming six-day period indicate a significant threat for wildland fires in Kansas. Due to this potential, Gov. Laura Kelly has issued a state of disaster emergency for the state.
“This declaration will allow our state agencies to pre-position firefighting equipment and extra manpower in areas considered to be at the greatest risk,” said Kelly. “I urge all Kansans to be aware of the potential for wildland fires and to use caution when using campfires, grills and other open fires. A single spark may touch off a fire that can have devastating effects. Please keep yourself and your community safe and use extra precautions anytime you are doing any burning.”
Kansas County Wildland Fire Task Forces and Kansas Forest Service staff and resources will be pre-positioned throughout the state for a more rapid response.
Significant northern/northwesterly winds are expected Tuesday through Friday. Gusts will likely exceed 60 mph on Wednesday and Thursday in the northwest, 50 mph elsewhere. Very dry conditions are also forecast with minimum humidity in the teens each day for all but far eastern Kansas. Extreme to critical fire conditions are expected for much of Kansas.
The State Emergency Operations Center in Topeka activated today to an enhanced monitoring status to keep in contact with county emergency managers.
“With critical to extreme fire conditions, we must consider the safety of all Kansans and be extra cautious with any ignition sources,” said Jason Hartman, Kansas state forester. “To keep everyone safe in these conditions, it will take awareness, planning, coordination, and preparation at the local, county and state levels.
“State resources will be ready to respond, if requested. However, those first few hours will be critical in stopping a catastrophic wildfire. Please, report fires immediately.”
By Bella Reeser, Club Reporter
The Melvern Jr. Highline 4-H Club might be small, but they are mighty. All five members that participated in District Club Days qualified for Regional Club Days, which was held Saturday, March 26, 2022, at Ottawa High School.
Braelyn McNally presented a multimedia presentation on livestock and earned a purple. Harper Melton and Bella Reeser preformed a duet dance and earned a purple. Allie Reeser presented a demonstration on cat grooming and earned a blue. Gradey McNally presented a demonstration on making fruit pizza and earned a purple.
The Lyndon Lions recently recognized Jerry Giesy and Steve Giesy, of Jerry’s Thriftway, Osage City, Kan., for their support to the Lyndon Lions Club through the years. Club members presented a plaque to thank the Osage City grocers. Plaque presentation included, from left, Lions Gary and Barb Schattak and Bill Karr, Jerry Giesy, Steve Giesy, and Lions Ferne Tasker and Nancy Karr.
The Overbrook Rural High School All School Reunion is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. Friday, May 27, 2022, at Overbrook Public Library.
Registration is $5 per person, payable at time of event. No meeting is planned, just light refreshments, conversation and reconnecting.
All ORHS alumni, teachers and spouses are invited. To register, call or text 913-972-0974.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Otto Clarence Jones, 94, passed away Sunday, March 20, 2022, at Redwood South Nursing Home, Kansas City, Mo. He was born Sept. 14, 1927, in Osage City, Kan., the son of Albert and Nellie (Pickering) Jones.
Otto grew up in Osage City and graduated from Osage City High School in 1945. After high school, he joined the United States Army and served as a radio operator with the 2nd Signal Service Battalion. After the service, he moved to Kansas City and began working as a Linotype operator in publishing. During this time he purchased and took care of an apartment complex. He never forgot Osage City and always returned for class reunions and to take care of his mother.
MdCV Floriculture Team members celebrate their third-place win in a district career development event at Louisburg this month; front from left, Josie Wheeler, Mason Rose, Hailey Ingle, Emma Ankerstjerne, Kelsey Rice, Haylea Bethell, Emma Marsh, and Mary Ingle; back, Corey Criss, DJ Johnson, Justin Brinkely, Madison Cormode, Alyssa McCurdy, Lindsey Johnson, and Olivia Lacey. Courtesy photo.
The Marais des Cygnes Valley FFA began its new semester with a Kansas State University intern, Hunter Smith. Smith comes from Chaparral High School and FFA program. He has done an outstanding job thus far and the members and agriculture students have welcomed him with open arms.
In January, the MdCV FFA chapter started 2022 FFA activities with a game night. Several games were going on, from board games to cards to several highly competitive games of cornhole. The natural resource management class received a presentation from Matt Peek, Kansas wildlife furbearer specialist on trapping and fur harvesting. The same students also received their Kansas trapping certification.
Beginning in February, MdCV FFA officers were asked to interview with KOFO, in Ottawa, Kan., in celebration of the upcoming National FFA Week. Smith and the agri-science classes traveled to Paola and competed in the Milk Quality Career Development Event. The group was awarded eighth in A Team and third in B Team, with Colten Woodson receiving a third-place medal and Allison Reeser receiving 11th place.
Later in the month, the MdCV FFA celebrated National FFA Week with activities including Drive a Tractor to School, Ag Olympics, Ag Career Presentation to the elementary school, staff breakfast, Mini Milk Quality Contest to the Junior High, FFA apparel day, FFA bingo, FFA scavenger, and breakfast pizza for members.
Dates have been set for Melvern Sunflower Days 2022. The annual event at Melvern will be July 15 and 16. The fair committee is currently planning activities for the two-day event, including kids’ races, parades, rides, games and other activities to be determined.
A community church service will be 10:30 a.m. Sunday, July 17, at Melvern Community Center.
As ideas and activities are being planned and organized, more details will be announced at a later time.
The quarterly meeting of the Osage County Historical Coalition was held Feb. 23, 2022, at the Carbondale Library. This coalition is a group of historical societies and other entities interested in creating public awareness and preserving the history of our county.
The meeting began with considering the benefits of what Freedom’s Frontier can do for historical tourism in our county.
Next, Lynsay Flory, programming director for the Osage County Historical Society, told the group how they could access educational programming through OCHS for use in events.
Upcoming events in the county such as the Scranton and Carbondale sesquicentennial celebrations, as well as St. David’s Day events for Arvonia were discussed.
The next coalition meeting will be hosted by the Burlingame Schuyler Museum at 6 p.m. June 14. Individuals involved with historic preservation in Osage County are welcome to attend.
Information thanks to Wendi Bevitt.
Girl Scouts are invited to face their fears at Mall Madness 2022, an all night all girl party 9 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at Flinthills Mall, 1632 Industrial Road, Emporia, Kan. Girls will spend the night at the mall, shopping, escaping from the escape room, racing through the obstacle course, posing in the photo booth, snacking, playing games, making crafts, and hanging out with Girl Scout sisters all night long. For girls fourth grade through 12th grade.
A Midland Pace representative will be at the Osage County Senior Center, March 11, 2022, to help anyone that needs to fill out Medicaid papers. Call the center if you would like to have the representative help with this.
AARP will be doing taxes at the center. They only have 30 appointments available. Anyone needing tax assistance is asked to call the center to schedule an appointment, 785-219-2440.
Osage County Public Transportation has had a lot of new faces.
At the Osage County Senior Center, visitors can usually find the following activities ongoing on these days and times. All are welcome to join in.
The senior center is a commodities distribution site. Patrons are asked to note that income limits have been raised for eligibility for the commodities program. For all eligibility requirements, contact the center. Anyone in Osage County who thinks they might qualify for the program, but can’t get to the senior center to pick up commodities, is asked to call the center.
East Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging nutrition site located at the senior center is managed by Vicky Tittle. Tuttle is reminding patrons the agency will be celebrating 50 years of Meals on Wheels with a special menu of roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, carrots, roll and apple crisp, on Wednesday, March 23, 2022. Anyone wanting to join the celebration that day is asked to reserve their spot by March 21. In addition, Tuttle reminds everyone they are welcome at the site anytime, Monday through Friday, but are asked to call the site at least 24 hours prior to day they would like to eat. To contact the nutrition site, call 785-528-4170.
For more information about the senior center, call director Tammyra Swift-Fager at 785-528-1170, or stop by 604 Market St., Osage City, Kan.
TOPEKA, Kan. – Gov. Laura Kelly issued a verbal declaration of disaster emergency yesterday, March 3, 2022, due to the potential for wildland fires in the state on Friday and Saturday. The declaration will allow the state to preposition aerial firefighting assets from the Kansas Forest Service for a quicker response to any fires that may begin.
The Kansas Division of Emergency Management will activate the State Emergency Operations Center, Topeka, to a partial level Friday morning to keep in contact with county emergency offices and monitor weather conditions. According to the National Weather Service Office, Topeka, strong winds and low relative humidity with an abundance of dry vegetation will once again cause extreme fire danger across central Kansas Saturday afternoon.
“I urge all Kansans to be vigilant,” Kelly said. “Even a single spark is enough to touch off a fire that can spread rapidly and destroy farmland, homes and public infrastructure.”
“Conditions for significant wildfires are at an historic high across Kansas,” said Mark Neely, Kansas Forest Service fire management officer. “Any ignition source could cause a wildfire that will grow rapidly and burn aggressively. Help your local firefighters by checking and rechecking previously completed brush piles to make sure they are completely extinguished.”
By Bella Reeser, Club Reporter
On Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, five members of the Melvern Jr. Highline 4-H Club competed at District 4-H Club Day, held at West Franklin High School, Pomona, Kan.
Allie Reeser presented a demonstration titled The Purrrfect Way; she earned a blue. Bella Reeser and Harper Melton preformed a duet dance; they earned a top-purple. Braelyn McNally presented a multi-media presentation titled Gelbveih, More than just a breed; she received a top-purple. Gradey McNally presented a demonstration titled Fruit Pizza; he received a top-purple.
All Melvern Jr. Highline 4-H club members who attend District Club Days qualified to participate in Regional Club Days, Saturday, March 26, 2022, at Ottawa High School, Ottawa, Kan.
After holding a virtual concert last year due to the ongoing pandemic, the St. David’s Society of the State of Kansas will present a free live concert at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 6, 2022, at the Emporia Presbyterian Church West Campus, 1702 W. 15th Ave., Emporia, Kan.
The St. David’s Chorus will open with the traditional “We’ll Keep a Welcome”. Two popular chorus numbers on the program are “My Redeemer” and “Gwahoddiad”. The concert will include a variety of artists sharing their talents through instrumental, vocal solos, and special readings.
The St. David’s Society welcomes back Eluned Jones to conduct the concert. Having grown up in Wales, Jones has a musical background and conducts with a heartfelt feeling for the Welsh music. Her solo will be a traditional Welsh song.
Opening remarks will be given by St. David’s Society President Jann Briggs. Rev. Gary Gooszen and Rev. Phyllis Stutzman will give the invocation and benediction, respectively. The concert will close with all singing “God Be With You”. Organist and pianist for the concert is Travis Carmichael.
St. David’s Society officers for the 2022-2023 are Susan Evans Atchison, president; Linda Orear, vice president; Deb Childers, secretary; and Rhonda Gordan, treasurer.
