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Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
Name that Tune
I awakened during the night with the melody of an old hymn in my head. I had the tune and recognized it as being a song from my childhood. Oddly, I couldn’t pull out the title or lyrics but I knew the subject was peace. I made a mental note to remember this experience and then went back to sleep. When I awakened in the morning, the lyrics to the first verse began to come to me. I found my 1953 hymnal of “Praise and Worship” and quickly found the title in the index. Like Lieutenant Colonel John ’Hannibal’ Smith with the A-Team, ”I love it when a plan [song] comes together.”
“Wonderful Peace” was written by W.D. Cornell and W.G. Cooper. I never question the songs that God brings up in my spirit. He knows me better than I know myself, therefore, I trust Him. Asaph was the music director during the reign of King David and King Solomon. He penned his personal experience with God: “I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, and my spirit makes diligent search” (Psalm 77:6 NKJV). In the present darkness, believers will always find God standing with us and often reminds us of His faithfulness through a song.
If God can’t seem to get our attention during the day, He’ll speak to us in the night. Why? After the errands are finished, the to-do list is completed, and the troubleshooting is done, then comes the quiet of the night. When our minds are at rest, our hands are motionless, and our mouths are silenced, God can whisper and then we can hear Him.
Here is the “song in the night” that God wanted me to hear: “Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight rolls a melody sweeter than psalm. In celestial-like strains it unceasingly falls o’er my soul like an infinite calm. Peace! Peace! Wonderful peace. Coming down from the Father above! Sweep over my spirit forever I pray, in fathomless billows of love. I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace. Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control. For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day. And His glory is flooding my soul.” Peace replaces anxiety when we hand the troubling circumstance to God and trust Him to take over.
God works through a myriad of ways in order to tell us what He wants us to hear. Apparently, I needed to be reminded of the peace that was given to me by the Prince of Peace. “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, will keep me safe” (Psalm 4:8 NLT). If I want to passionately live for Christ and remain faithful to the end, I need to be peaceful during the journey.
Peace is a big deal and Jesus made it available for all Christ followers. Without peace in our heart, life ain’t all it’s cracked up to be. Apostle Paul understood the importance of peace as he wrote to encourage the Thessalonian church. “Now, may the Lord Himself, the Lord of peace, pour into you His peace in every circumstance and in every possible way. The Lord‘s tangible presence be with you all” (2 Thessalonians 3:16 TPT). Believers can live out our faith with peace every day. It’s certainly possible to fall off the wagon for a time, but we don’t have to stay there. Just get up, brush ourselves off, and hop on the peace wagon again. And hold on for dear life because the road is bumpy.
The Key: Consider yourself hugged by God when He speaks peace into your heart.

Spring is just around the corner and that means it is time to be thinking about pasture fertilizers and weed control. As you all know the last 3 years have been hard on our pastures due to drought. One major question that seems to get asked a lot is “did my grass survive”. The short answer is only time will tell.
Research has shown that January and February are recommended times to fertilize pastures and hay meadows, but many producers have been known to wait till March and even April. As with most agricultural practices there is more than one way to do things, it is just a matter of adapting to the timing of the application.
Many know producers are aware that they need nitrogen for cool season grass such as fescue. While that is true for hay production especially, for pastures phosphorous plays an important role in plant health especially in a drought year. This is due to phosphorus promotes strong root development and early root growth. Phosphorus also plays a key part in cell division during growing stages, storing and transferring energy, and increase disease resistance in plants. So yes, grass needs nitrogen but also requires phosphorus to maintain a healthy pasture.
There are options available for weed and brush control that can be applied by coating your fertilizer with them. This is beneficial to you as a producer for a couple of reasons. Most importantly time your time! Why wouldn’t you want to save time by doing two things at once? AKA feeding your grass and killing your weeds in one pass. Secondly by doing this you also save money by not having a second application cost. The down side to this is you will need to wait till later in the spring to apply the herbicides to get a better control on your weeds. It is recommended that you wait till April 1st to make sure weeds and brush are emerging and are actively growing quickly. This also helps with the residual in herbicides maintain control longer into the fall such as Aminopyralid plus Rinskor.
If you choose not to use a herbicide with your fertilizer and would like to over seed your pasture you can mix the seed in your fertilizer cart and spread it together. Now the thing you need to know about doing this is that the seed will not travel as far as the fertilizer. To overcome this it is best to find 50 foot double spinner fertilizer buggy, and then you’ll need to set it to half of the application rate. You will then double spread it to reduce your seed skips.
As for recommended fertilizer rates a soil test is your best option to see what is needed in your pasture, but there are some common mixes that many producers tend to use. For lower stocking rates on pasture a lot tend to use a 30-30-30 (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) mix. For higher stocking rates a 50-30-30 tends to get a little extra bump to get them though the growing season.
On March 25, 2025 there is a Soil Health: Pasture Rejuvenation field day at the Southeast Research and Extension Center in Parsons from 8:30am to 2:30pm. Lunch will be Provided. Topics include: Soil Variability, Soil Health Measurements, Pasture management, Farmer Panel, and Drone Demonstration.
Lonnie Mengarelli is a K-State Research and Extension Agriculture agent assigned to Southwind District. He may be reached at [email protected] or 620-223-3720
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

We’ve all spent a lot of time indoors lately, and with winter lingering, now is the perfect time to strengthen bonds with family or in the classroom through board games—they’re more than just a pastime!
Every human being has a fundamental need for connection, belonging, and love. In today’s fast-paced world, quality time is often lost in the rush of daily life. Board games offer a simple yet powerful way to foster meaningful connections and develop essential life skills.
It’s important to know that all games are not the same. Euro-style games emphasize strategy while downplaying luck (players are allowed to control randomness) and indirect player conflict, which usually involves competition over resources. Eurogame activities create positive environments for relationships to grow.
Why Choose a Euro Game?
Euro-style board games feature engaging wooden components like cubes and meeples, keeping players involved even when it’s not their turn. These games start players on equal footing, offering strategic choices to gain abilities. With simple rules and short playtimes, they emphasize strategy, resource competition, and minimal randomness.
Designed for all ages, Euro games encourage peaceful interaction, fostering relationships in a positive environment. Unlike video games, they promote face-to-face communication, helping players read body language and connect on a deeper level. Studies show board games enhance teamwork, communication, time management, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
You may find a list of these games here: https://bit.ly/eurostylegames.
This article is the first in a three-part series and comes from information in the Bonding Thru Board Games fact sheets. For more information contact Tara Solomon-Smith, [email protected], 620-244-3826.
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Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
The next Bourbon County Coalition General Membership meeting will be next Wednesday, March 5th at 1:00 p.m. in the Conference room at the Scottview Apartments, 315 S. Scott Ave.
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Agenda
March 5, 2025 1:00 PM
Scottview Conference Room
315 S. Scott Ave

CarHelp is pleased to announce the addition of Andrew Burenheide to the CarHelp family. CarHelp has offered automotive repair services in Fort Scott since 2012, first as a mobile mechanic then from the shop located at 5 corners in 2016.
Andrew is a graduate of Flint Hills Technical College, ASE trained in all aspects of vehicle repairs, computerized diagnostics and diesel repairs. He has nearly a decade of experience working at a dealership and an independent auto repair shop. Andrew will be handling diesel work along with general repairs.
CarHelp offers a 90 day parts and labor warranty, we fix it right the first time or we make it right. CarHelp has been expanding over the years to include computerized alignments, computerized diagnostics and A/C servicing. We have the A/C machine for the newer cars as well. We do brakes, belts, oil changes, general repairs and we replace engines, transmissions, differentials and everything in between.
CarHelp is also your local UHaul dealer, see us for moving and hauling rentals.
Stop by and say Hi to Andrew and chat with us about your repair needs. CarHelp is located on the north end of 5 Corners at 1114 S Clark and you can call us at 620-215-2419.
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A measles outbreak in Texas is raising concerns as cases continue to rise, spreading beyond state lines. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has reported 124 confirmed cases as of February 25, 2025, with 18 hospitalizations. Of those infected, five were vaccinated, while the rest were either unvaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown. The outbreak has now reached New Mexico, and additional cases are expected in surrounding areas.
This outbreak marks a serious public health concern, especially with the first measles-related death in at least a decade reported in Texas. The child who passed away was unvaccinated, emphasizing the importance of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination in preventing severe illness and complications.
What is Measles?
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can live in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours, infecting 90% of unvaccinated people who come into contact with it.
Symptoms typically begin with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a distinctive red rash that spreads across the body. Measles can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis), and even death, particularly in young children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.
Why is Measles Making a Comeback?
Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 due to widespread vaccination. However, in recent years, vaccination rates have declined, leaving communities vulnerable to outbreaks.
In 2024, the U.S. reported 16 measles outbreaks, compared to only four in 2023. Global measles cases have also been increasing, making it more likely that unvaccinated travelers bring the virus back into the U.S..
The Best Protection: MMR Vaccine
The MMR vaccine is the most effective way to prevent measles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends:
✔ First dose at 1 year old
✔ Second dose between 4-6 years old
The vaccine is 97% effective at preventing measles with two doses. However, infants under 1 year old cannot yet receive the vaccine, making them especially vulnerable.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Community
✔ Check your vaccination status – Make sure you and your children are up to date on MMR vaccinations.
✔ Know the symptoms – Early detection and isolation of measles cases can help prevent further spread.
✔ Stay informed – Follow trusted sources like the CDC and state health departments for updates.
Measles outbreaks are preventable with high vaccination coverage. If you are unsure about your vaccination status or need to schedule an MMR vaccine, contact your healthcare provider or local health department.
For more information, visit the CDC’s measles at www.cdc.gov/measles
TOPEKA – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) will hold a virtual public hearing at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, to give Evergy customers an opportunity to learn more about the company’s request for the KCC to approve the construction of two gas-fired plants and a solar facility. Evergy also asked the Commission to approve the way in which these costs will be recovered from customers once construction begins. The Commission will hear public comments during the hearing.
To participate in the virtual hearing via Zoom and make a public comment before the Commission, advance registration is required by noon on March 4. To register, go to the Commission’s website (www.kcc.ks.gov) and click on the “Your Opinion Matters” tab. A live video stream will be available on the KCC YouTube channel for those who want to watch, but not comment. No registration is required to view the live stream.
Evergy has announced that one gas plant would be located near Evergy’s Viola Substation in Sumner County and the second near Hutchinson in Reno County. The Kansas Sky solar facility would be located in Douglas County.
In addition to the hearing, the Commission will accept written comments through 5 p.m. on April 7. Comments may be submitted online, by mail or by calling the KCC at 785-271-3140 or 800-662-0027.
The Commission will issue an order on the application on or before July 7, 2025.
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