USD 235 Agenda For Sept. 12
When It’s All About Them by Patty LaRoche
Two of my closest couple friends have had the same experience in the past month, and it hasn’t been a good one. Both of them joined couples’ Bible studies, hoping to meet new friends and grow in their faith.
One (“Lisa”) phoned to relive her nightmare with me. She signed up at her church and was told the leader would contact her with information “soon” as the group was meeting in the next two weeks. When Lisa heard nothing after eight days, she emailed Rose, the leader, to say how excited she was about joining and asking if there was a scheduled time and date. My friend was floored by the response: “Well, are we a little impatient? I have you on the list and will let you know when we are getting together” …which came via an email the following Thursday, announcing a session the next evening.
So as not to appear uninterested, Lisa and her husband, “Greg,” changed their plans to attend. Besides the leaders, only one other couple was there, and for two hours, the guests listened to Rose and her husband explain how they hadn’t prepared anything so they would just discuss the Sunday sermon and visit which—you guessed it—was all about them. It was downhill from there.
Today I had lunch with “Julie” and “Steve,” long-time friends who recently joined a mega-church and are loving it. They too signed up for a couples’ study and were shocked that the leaders never asked them one personal question (where they were from, how long they had been Christians, how they started going to the same church, etc.). Instead, the couple in charge spent the entire evening talking about themselves. My friends didn’t go back.
I’ve known people like that. Not many, but enough to realize that I don’t want them as close friends. There is no give and take. Only give. (Or is it take?) At any rate, I always question how they review an evening where they haven’t learned one thing about the other person. Or are they excited because they found an audience willing to listen to their ramblings?
Everybody can teach us something. Everybody! Proverbs 18:2 cautions us all to be wise and listen: A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion, a scripture echoed in 18:13: If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
As Christians, let us be mindful of the need to value others by learning about their lives. Maybe, just maybe, we might learn a thing or two.
Kansas Health Champion Awards Nominations Being Accepted
Nominations Now Being Accepted for Kansas Health Champion Awards Exceptional efforts to promote health and fitness in Kansas to be recognized\
TOPEKA – The Governor’s Council on Fitness is now accepting nominations for its annual Kansas Health Champion Awards. Awards are given to one outstanding individual and two outstanding organization, that make an exceptional effort to model, encourage and promote health and fitness in Kansas. Award recipients will be recognized at the Community Health Promotion Summit on January 26, 2023. The deadline for nominations is Sept. 30.
“The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is proud to play a part in this important initiative that works to improve the health and wellness of Kansans,” said KDHE Secretary Janet Stanek, “Many people and organizations throughout the state are making healthy living a priority, and it’s important that we recognize their efforts and the impacts it has on individuals, families and communities.”
Nominees would be expected to have demonstrated:
- Work that goes beyond what is expected to model, encourage and promote a healthy lifestyle.
- Work that overcomes health inequities that lead to sedentary lifestyles and/or undernourishment.
- Far-reaching impact
- Sustainable influence or activity
“In addition to promoting effective models for increasing physical activity, nutrition and tobacco-free living for replication by organizations and communities around the state, the awards also allow us the opportunity to honor the outstanding work of one individual and one organization this year,” said Jody Hoener, Awards Committee Chair, Governor’s Council on Fitness. Eligible nominees might include an outstanding volunteer, a school, a local community, a newspaper or individual reporter, a local or State policy maker, or an employer, among others.
For more information and to submit a nomination, go to getactivekansas.org, and click on the nomination form link. If you have questions about the nomination process, contact Jody Hoener at [email protected]
The Governor’s Council on Fitness advises the Governor and others on ways to enhance the health of all Kansans through promotion of physical activity, good dietary choices and prevention of tobacco use
Mountain Bike Race on Sept. 17 and 18 in Gunn Park
The Marmaton Massacre Festival, a mountain bike race held annually in Fort Scott’s Gunn Park is September 17 th and 18th.
The Marmaton Massacre Festival is a full weekend of mountain bike racing, free camping, food, and live music, with the Marathon Race on Saturday, followed by live entertainment, free camping, and then category races on Sunday, according to https://www.singletracks.com/bike-races/the-marmaton-massacre-festival/ .
“This is a real grass roots event, on hand-built single-track trails,” according to the website.
The first bike race trails were built by Frank Halsey, an avid mountain bike rider, who than established a group called Gunn Park Trails. The group maintains the trails throughout the year and organizes local rides. See their Facebook page for updates on the trail conditions. https://www.facebook.com/GunnParkTrails
Athletes from the region participate in the annual event, with last year’s winner from Oklahoma City and the previous year, from Wisconsin.
Even though the mountain bike race is not really a spectator sport, the public is encouraged to attend the Saturday evening entertainment, because local musicians D.J. Brown and the Bourbon County Revival will be playing at 7 p.m., Frank Halsey, event coordinator said.
Also performing will be the Fort Scott High School Select Music Ensemble in the late afternoon, Halsey said.
Races occur on Saturday, the 17th, from noon till 4 p.m.
All activities are staged at Shelter House #6.
Volunteers are welcome and needed, Halsey said. He can be contacted at 620-704-2730.
A food truck, “Bogan’s Bites”, will be onsite for refreshments.
On Saturday, events begin with packet pickup at noon, and a four-hour marathon race will begin at 1 p.m.
“The little kid’s race is at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday,” Halsey said. “Kids must wear a helmet, and parents must sign a liability waiver. Eric’s Bike & Board from Overland Park will have their event van onsite and be repairing bikes.”
Kids 10 and under, race for free, and compete in a one-mile race.
At 6 p.m. there will be a dinner for participants.
The live music will be following the dinner.
Roster For Freeride Motocross Riders in Fort Scott on Sept. 17: Tickets Available
ATHLETE ROSTER CONFIRMED: RED BULL IMAGINATION TO HOST TEN LEADING FREERIDE MOTOCROSS RIDERS
The Stage is Set and the Anticipation is Mounting as Six Veteran and Four Rookie Riders Meet in Kansas for the Ultimate Freeride Competition
See the course:
https://www.redbullcontentpool.com/international/CP-V-37477
KANSAS, Sept. 7, 2022 – Red Bull Imagination year three promises to preserve its integrity and continue to deliver on its mission to progress the sport of freeride motocross. Ten new and returning riders will square off on the 2022 evolution of the event’s custom-built “playground” course. These ten riders bring an immeasurable amount of talent to Red Bull Imagination, and will demonstrate their impressive level of skill, taste, and creativity over the four-day event. Alongside Tyler Bereman, the founder of Red Bull Imagination, will be returning riders Josh Hill, Vicki Golden and Axell Hodges, the reigning champion who will defend his crown. Joining in on all the action for the first time are rookie riders Guillem Navas, who recently impressed with his first X Games appearance, Julien Vanstippen and more.
Rest assured that the returning riders won’t have a leg up on the rookies as the course continues to transform in ways that devalues prior knowledge from previous years. Best described as a life-sized video game at this point, it will feature more options, such as blade transfers in the “technical jib section,” a snowboard-style spine to open up new lines, and scalable options to make the course as simple or complex as the riders see fit. In addition, the huge jumps, 150-foot tree jump, and moon-booter will require technical prowess, creative ability, and downright finesse.
Riders returning for Red Bull Imagination 2022 are:
- Red Bull Imagination visionary, host, and 10-time X Games medalist Tyler Bereman
- 2022 X Games Gold medalist, 12-time X Games overall medalist Axell Hodges
- 2022 X Games ‘Best Whip’ Gold medalist, six-time X Games overall medalist Tom Parsons
- Four-time X Games medalist and World Record Holder Vicki Golden
- Two-time X Games medalist and current freeride motocross rider Josh Hill
- 2022 Hill Jam ‘Best Whip’ winner freerider Christian Dresser
Riders who will bring their style and skills to Fort Scott for the first time:
- 2022 X Games quarterpipe medalist Guillem Navas
- Two-time X Games medalist Julien Vanstippen
- X Games participant Kohl Denney
- Best Style at Farm Jam New Zealand rider Lewi Woods
The 2022 course will debut expanded features and new concepts that continue to move away from the confines of racing and traditional freestyle motocross. The course is brought to life by Bereman and Jason Baker of Dream Traxx who have seemingly infinite visions for how to create a space for riders to push the sport. As described by Bereman after the 2021 competition, “[Red Bull Imagination] is a massive work in progress. We’re learning as we go and we’re going to continue pushing freeriding in the right direction, giving opportunities to riders that they wouldn’t have anywhere else.”
The competition format follows suit from 2021 with judging criteria based on magnitude, creativity, execution, and the overall line the riders carve on the competition day. The panel of legendary judges includes Robbie Maddison, Jeremy ‘Twitch’ Stenberg, Steve Haughelstine and Ronnie Faisst. The riders will have two three-minute windows to ‘wow’ the judges and the best single-scoring run will count as their overall result. The competition will be commentated by Jason Weigandt and Jeff Emig on Saturday, Sept. 17.
All the action will debut in a one-hour show on September 25, from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. EST on ESPN2 and ESPN+. In-person tickets are still available for purchase at https://www.redbull.com/us-en/events/imagination. Pricing starts at $65 for adults and $30 for kids. Red Bull Imagination 2022 is supported by Bereman’s partners Fasthouse and 805.
“Tickets are still available for the event on Adam LaRoche’s ranch,” Mike DeCarlo, Scrimshaw PR- Co-Founder, said.
Catch up on all the action from last year’s Red Bull Imagination by visiting https://www.redbull.com/us-en/projects/imagination.
Looking For Photos & Video?
Through the Red Bull network, hi-res video and still images are captured and made immediately available for editorial use for all media channels including television, film, print, mobile and digital. The content is centrally located in the Red Bull Content Pool for media partners. For photography and footage on Red Bull Imagination, visit www.redbullcontentpool.com.
About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 22.3 million subscribers.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Sept. 8
Funding Grants for Revitalizing Downtown Buildings Announced
Commerce and Patterson Family Foundation Announce More Funding Available for Revitalizing Downtown Buildings
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced a second round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants intended for revitalizing downtown buildings in small communities across the state. The HEAL program, which is funded by the Department of Commerce and the Patterson Family Foundation, will invest $850,000 in projects in the Fall 2022 grant round.
The HEAL program is designed to bring downtown buildings back into productive use as spaces for:
- New or expanding businesses
- Housing
- Arts and culture
- Civic engagement
- Childcare or
- Entrepreneurship
“The first round of the HEAL program is supporting the revitalization of 32 commercial buildings in small towns across the state,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The need for this program was staggering, with more than 200 applications received. Thanks to our strong partnership with the Patterson Family Foundation, we are able to offer another round of the HEAL program allowing us to invest in more communities and continue to create new jobs and services for Kansans across the state.”
HEAL is intended to close financial gaps in restoring underutilized properties and making downtown districts throughout the state more economically vibrant. Projects submitted must show potential as economic drivers in the community.
There are a few changes to this round of the HEAL program. HEAL matching grants will be awarded for either 1) façade or 2) building construction projects. Eligible applicants must be organizations applying on behalf of building owners and may include designated Kansas Main Street programs, economic development organizations, cities, counties, 501c3 or 501c6 organizations, and local community foundations. Communities that received a previous HEAL grant are not eligible to apply in this round.
Proof of matching funds from the building owner will be required at the time of application. The application window opens September 12 and closes October 21 with award notifications in early December. A spring round of HEAL is anticipated for February 2023.
A virtual webinar on the specifics of the program is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 13. Registration is required and the Zoom link will be provided after registration. Organizations and building owners interested in applying should register and attend the webinar.
Information about the HEAL grant program and the online application can be viewed at www.kansascommerce.gov/
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 and 2022, and was awarded the 2021 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
Ribbon Cutting for Pizza Republic on Friday, Sept. 9.
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Gordon Parks Celebration Oct. 6-8
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Organic Certification Program Funds Available
MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas Department of Agriculture has funds available for the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NOCCSP). Through this program, farms, ranches, and businesses that produce, process or package certified organic agricultural products may be reimbursed for eligible expenses.
The purpose of the NOCCSP is to defray the costs of receiving and maintaining organic certification under the National Organic Program. For Federal Fiscal Year 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency set the reimbursement amount at 50% of the certified organic operation’s eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $500 per scope. Scopes include the areas of crops, livestock, wild crops, and handling (i.e., processing). This change is due to a limited amount of funding available and will allow a larger number of certified organic operations to receive assistance.
FSA awards the NOCCSP funds to eligible state agencies that serve as administering entities who work directly with organic operations to reimburse organic certification costs. The current period of qualification for organic operations seeking reimbursements is from Oct. 1, 2021, through Sept. 30, 2022. Applications are now being accepted through November 1, 2022, or until all funds are expended, whichever comes first. Applications may be submitted either by mail or email.
It is the mission of KDA to support all facets of agriculture, including lending support to those who wish to market and sell their products as certified organic. For more information, go to the KDA website at agriculture.ks.gov/
Spyder Inc. Seeking New Name with Contest
Spyder, Inc, Fort Scott, KS has launched a rebranding scholarship program that is open to Kansas Colleges and Universities. The project runs through September with the winning individual or team winning a $1000 scholarship.
Spyder has made the decision to rebrand with a new name going forward says CEO Nedra Barr. “While we love the Spyder name, we are unable to get all of the social media handles needed as well as Spyder is a pretty common name. We need to move to a name that is more unique and representative of who we are and what we provide in the market.”
Letters with project definitions and guidelines went out Tues, Sept 6th. We’d like to have the individuals or teams known to us by the end of this week or at least by Monday, Sept 12th.
The project entails coming up with a new Company name, checking to make sure we are able to secure the domain as well as the social media handles, and creating a graphic logo by Sept 30th. Winners will be announced at the end of October.
This is truly exciting to work with local Kansas Colleges & Universities on our rebranding project, says CTO, Mike Upright. Our solutions will be running in the market for years to come so we want the business leaders of tomorrow to help come up with a cool, fun name for our Company.”
This project provides the students with a real-life Company branding exercise. This experience will be valuable to the students in their future business endeavors. We welcome any and all, college students who wish to participate. Interested participants may respond with their intent to participate to [email protected]
Good luck to all and we can’t wait to see what our new name will be!