The Southwind Extension District is hosting the “Fit for the Style Revue” series in Fort Scott this summer. Youth from ages 7 to 18 are invited to attend this two-day STEAM Clothing workshop series (even if they are not enrolled in 4-H or the buymanship project). This series will be made up of two interactive lessons that work on accessorizing an outfit and modeling in front of a judge. Youth will be able to put together an outfit with accessories and learn how to present themselves in front of the judge. These sessions will be held in two separate locations on the following dates:
June 14th from 5 PM to 6:30 PM at Bids and Dibs
June 21st from 5 PM to 6:30 PM at Fort Scott Community College Bailey Hall
This series is free, but registration is required at https://bit.ly/Southwindstyle. Get your registration in soon!
For more information, contact Southwind Extension District Intern Gwenyth Fry at (620) 223-3720 or [email protected].
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Tara Soloman-Smith, Family and Wellness Agent, Sunflower District of Kansas State University’s Extension Office. Submitted photo.
Is work getting you down? Maybe every day is feeling like a Monday for you. There is value in working towards happiness at work. It is tied to better health, creativity, less turn over, and much more! The last few years have highlighted the connection between work and a person’s well-being, though research had already been happening on this subject.
In their work, the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkley defines happiness at work as feeling an overall sense of enjoyment at work; being able to gracefully handle setbacks; connecting amicably with colleagues, coworkers, clients, and customers; and knowing that your work matters to yourself, your organization, and beyond.
Let’s dig in a little to how we get there!
Purpose
We have a sense of purpose when we make valuable contributions to others (individuals and organizations) that we find personally meaningful. Our purpose is a reflection of our core values, and we feel more purposeful at work when our everyday behaviors and decisions align with them. Want to nurture purpose? Link your day-to-day tasks to something broader—to your values or making lives better.
Flex Your Social Muscles
Dr. Robert Waldinger of Harvard directs one of the longest-running studies on what makes people thrive. He shares that the people who had the warmest connections with other people weren’t just happier, they stayed healthier longer and lived longer.
There’s a catch, like exercise, you need to make a habit of it for the benefits. But, it can be small and not time intensive. Just reaching out to a colleague just to say ‘Hi’ or check in personally will bring happiness to both!
Lean into your curiosity about your co-workers to create a social bond. Practicing empathy also helps us understand each other and can lead to effective teamwork.
Engagement
Do your enjoy your work most of the time? Do you often get so deeply involved with your work you lose track of time? If your answer is ‘no’, there is room for increased engagement for you! This can be done with ownership of schedules and tasks and shifting from hectic, multi-tasking methods to allow for a deeper work flow. In one study, the most important predictor of a good work day was making progress. Even “small wins” can make us feel good and inspire us to get more done. Focus on and celebrate the progress you have made!
Finally, if you want to learn more, look up ‘job crafting’. It is a proactive approach to reshaping your work life with a sense of ownership and self-motivation, which makes you more engaged at work.
It’s not just up to employees. Happiness at work, like happiness in life, is a basic human need and in turn, is a big perk a workplace can offer. Research shows that happiness at work is essential to organizational success and is worth the effort to create it.
For more information, contact Tara Solomon-Smith, [email protected], or by calling 620-244-3826.
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Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director of K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts.
There will be budget planning work sessions on Monday, June 12, 2023, from 11:00-4:30 to allow department heads to submit their requested 2024 budgets to the Board of County Commissioners. No action will be taken during the work sessions.
The cover of Patty LaRoche’s new book: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection. Submitted graphic.
Twenty years in the making, Patty LaRoche has written a book entitled: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
LaRoche said for years, her friends have encouraged her to write her humorous stories about being rejected/humiliated.
Patty LaRoche. 2023
“As it turned out, everybody I met had their own anecdotes of not measuring up, and some even shared that they wished they could go back to their teen/early-adult years and not give other people the power to make them feel demeaned or unvalued.,” LaRoche said. ” If they could do that, their lives would have been more confident, more real.”
“As a high school teacher, I observed my students’ insecurities on a daily basis, but when a group of my senior girls asked me to lead them in a Bible study, I realized just how pervasive these problems were,” she said. “Could anyone escape the lies of the enemy (Satan) that they weren’t good enough? Between my own life, my friends’ lives and my students’ lives, I had plenty of stories to share.”
An excerpt from her book:
“When Dave pitched for the California Angels in the late ’70s, a young outfielder was traded to the team. His wife and newborn soon arrived. I’ll call her Carol. Carol’s entrance into the wives’ waiting room following the opening day game was legendary. She was stunningly beautiful and trendy, dressing much more chic (is ‘chicer’ a word?) than the rest of the wives. After meeting her, I introduced her to the other wives and arranged to sit with her the following evening. We hit it off.”
“Returning home from the ballpark a few days later, Dave told me that Carol’s family needed a place to live while their newly purchased house was being renovated. I welcomed the addition. After all, Carol was special. Not only was she a head-turner, she was multi-talented. From singing to playing the piano to dancing to being a competitive tennis player to loving Jesus, Carol was the full package.
“Her giftedness was recognized by everyone.
“Except Carol.
“The evening of the first day she moved in was proof. While I waited with my infant son to leave for the ballpark, Carol descended the stairs looking like a movie goddess. A goddess starring in a tragedy. In her opinion, her striking outfit had struck out. Handing me her sleeping baby in his carry-seat, she returned upstairs to start over. A fuss that was repeated . . .
three times.
“With each new ensemble, I bolstered my compliments, but they were incapable of undoing whatever negatives had been given permission to determine her value. This scene was acted out daily, and with each tearful entry, Carol’s mascara-dripping makeup needed to be reapplied. Needless to say, we didn’t make it to the ballpark for the singing of the National Anthem. Instead, we made a grand entrance, with Carol being the recipient of ogles and admiration. Fans saw her beauty. Other wives did too. Her attempt at perfectionism was her attempt to mask tremendous insecurities. And even though, in her mind, she was never enough, she pretended well and fooled a lot of people.
Which, as we all know, is exhausting.”
About Patty Laroche
“I grew up in Fort Scott but moved to Washington, D.C. to become a flight attendant (then, “stewardess”) in my early 20’s,” she said. ” It was then I met my husband and entered his world of professional baseball (where I soon learned that there were plenty of incidents of ‘not measuring up’ I would add to my repertoire).”
“Dave had two young daughters from a previous marriage, and together we had three sons,” she said. “After moving over 35 times in 50 years of marriage, we recently sold our part-time condominium in Mexico and will be moving yet again.”
“My pastimes include hanging with family and friends, writing, playing tennis/pickleball and laughing. Most of all, I love spending time with Jesus, and I give him all the credit for this book.”
LaRoche has written a weekly Christian column for the Fort Scott Tribune, the Fort Scott Biz and the Nevada Daily Mail for several years.
Where to purchase her new book:
Her website: Alittlefaithlift.com
Or one can pre-order through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Books a Million, after June 25.
The publisher is Carpenter’s Son Publishing, the publishing date is July 25, 2023.
The back cover of Patty LaRoche’s new book. Submitted graphic.
Heartland Virus Disease Identified in Crawford County Resident
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and Crawford County Health Department have identified Heartland Virus Disease (Heartland), a rare tickborne illness, in a Crawford County resident. Health care providers diagnosed the resident in late May 2023 after further testing was coordinated through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is the first case of Heartland in Crawford County and only the third case identified in Kansas since the virus’s discovery in northwest Missouri in 2009. The previous two cases were identified in Miami County in 2015 and Anderson County in 2018. To date, there have been over 50 cases of Heartland diagnosed across areas of the Midwest and Southern United States.
“We’re entering the time of year when we start to receive a lot of complaints about ticks on animals and in the environment and questions regarding tick bites and tickborne diseases in people. People must take the risk of tickborne disease seriously and take personal protective measures for themselves and their pets to reduce their chance of acquiring a tickborne illness,” saidDr. Erin Petro, DVM, MPH,KDHE public health veterinarian. “While Heartland and other tickborne viruses like Bourbon virus are rare, they can lead to severe illness and even death.”
Heartland virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected Lone Star Tick, the most common tick in Kansas, which is most active from May through August. The symptoms of Heartland are vague and include fever, fatigue, muscle or joint pain, headache and occasionally a rash. Health care providers should consider Heartland in patients with compatible clinical illness and bloodwork findings when other common tickborne illness testing is negative.
This case serves as an important reminder to take precautions as you enjoy the outdoors this summer. Ticks are commonly found at the edge of trails, on tall grasses and in wooded, shaded areas. To reduce the risk of contracting a tickborne disease, take the following steps:
Wear long pants with socks tucked into pants and long sleeves when doing yardwork, hiking, camping or recreating in areas where ticks may be found.
After being outdoors in tick habitats, take a shower to help wash off unattached ticks and identify any attached ticks. Always perform a thorough tick check after being outdoors.
Reduce tick habitats in your yard by clearing brush, leaf litter and tall grasses around your home and at the edge of your lawn.
Apply an EPA-approved repellent, such as DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, when enjoying the outdoors.
If hunting or camping, consider treating gear and clothing with permethrin; always follow label directions for safe application of permethrin.
Additional information about Heartland Virus can be found on the CDC website.
Department of Commerce and Patterson Family Foundation Launch Creative Placemaking Pilot Project
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce and the Patterson Family Foundation are pleased to announce the Engaging Placemaking for Innovative Communities (EPIC) pilot program. With a focus on arts-driven community development projects that enhance rural communities and enable additional partnership and connection, EPIC is launching in south-central Kansas under the leadership of the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission (KCAIC).
“The arts enrich communities and enhance the quality of life all across Kansas,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Support from the Patterson Family Foundation is helping us elevate Kansas communities by developing innovative spaces and high-quality, creative destinations that will drive new growth, particularly in rural areas and small towns.”
Groups from Hutchinson, Kingman, Lindsborg, Little River, Lyons, St. John, Stafford and Sterling will participate in the initial EPIC pilot. The program will help connect rural communities to one another, as well as facilitate partnerships with urban and micropolitan communities. The goal is to create a two-way street, where rural communities are uplifted through new, innovative collaborations.
EPIC is designed to strengthen regional connections between community leaders, artists and arts organizations for unexpected and innovative projects that address community challenges. By strategically harnessing resources and increasing partnerships, communities can hone their unique identities to become more competitive as families choose where to put down their roots and do business.
The pilot group was identified through a competitive application process. The EPIC team will work with them through a discovery and project planning phase, then provide technical assistance and support as the project is implemented.
“Artists are experienced creative problem-solvers and critical thinkers,” KCAIC Interim Director Kate Van Steenhuyse said. “EPIC will give communities the opportunity to work through artistic processes to meaningfully engage their communities and explore new possibilities. EPIC positions arts and culture as the backbone for vibrant and welcoming communities in Kansas.”
“We’ve seen before that the arts can help make rural places into destinations,” Patterson Family Foundation President Lindsey Patterson Smith said. “This program has the potential to fuel arts-based, community-driven development, adding to the distinctive character that makes people feel connected to places. We are proud to work with the Kansas Department of Commerce to bring the EPIC program to life in south-central Kansas.”
The south-central pilot communities are participating in engagement sessions this spring to build community development project plans. Projects, co-designed with community members and area artists, will launch in the fall.
To learn more about EPIC, arts-driven community development and creative placemaking strategies, click here.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
Department of Commerce Seeking Community Input for Future CDBG Projects
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce, in partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Kansas Housing Resources Corporation, needs input regarding how Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding is distributed.
CDBG funds, which are received each year from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), are used to address community needs in cities and counties across Kansas. Over the years, CDBG projects have included assistance for business start-ups and expansions, downtown commercial rehabilitation, housing rehabilitation, and water and sewer line extensions, among others.
The Department of Commerce wants to ensure CDBG investments advance the goals established in the Kansas Framework for Growth, the state’s economic development strategic plan and are utilized more strategically to help communities across the state.
To make these changes, the Department of Commerce and its partners are seeking input from residents, local elected officials, and others via an online survey. The survey, which will take about 10 minutes to complete, will pose questions such as:
What amenities are most important to you in your city or county?
What is the current quality of these amenities?
How does your city or county identify what improvements are needed?
Has your city or county benefitted from CDBG funding in the past?
Responses collected are important in guiding the best way to invest in the future of Kansas. Individuals are asked to respond by Thursday, June 15.
To complete the survey, please click here. A Spanish version of the survey can be found here.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
