News From Lowell Township

As of this Sunday evening, May 19, we have received .90 of an inch of rainfall. The mower blades will get a workout this week.

Our Cardinal on the porch has four ugly little offspring, and the parents are very busy feeding them. Bonita Oliva sent information stating they can have two to three hatches, and the female may start a new nest to lay eggs before the first have left the nest, so the male takes over the care in the meantime. I am hoping not one of them falls out.

Governor Laura Kelly signed a proclamation declaring May as Kansas Beef Month. Our Sunflower State ranks third in the U.S. with approximately 6.2 million head of cattle on ranches and in feed yards. The beef industry has a direct output of more than $11 billion. Farmers and ranchers employ nearly 20,000 Kansans, and the meatpacking and prepared meat manufacturing industries employ 46,000 people. The Kansas beef industry is vital to the state's economic health. On Saturday, May 18, we attended one more graduation. Our Great-greatnephew, Cody Sharp, graduated with 36 classmates from Riley County High School, and we traveled to Leonardville for the celebration afterward held at Sikes Venue, the former Nelson's Landing Restaurant. An unknown quote on the program stated, 'Behind you, all your memories. Before you, all your dreams. Around you, all who love you. Within you, all you need.' Cody plans to attend Cloud County JUCO in the fall. On Saturday, May 25, Cody and his team will compete at the State Track Meet in the 4 X 100 relay. Greatniece Jordan Bartlett, Bennington High School, will compete with her team in the 4 X 100 relay and the javelin.

While waiting in the doctor's office recently, I read a report about young athletes and nutrition— no skipping breakfast on game day. Plenty of carbs, the body's primary fuel source, should be eaten on game day. Protein helps muscles recover, so make protein a part of every meal. Athletes should drink fluids before, during, and after exercise. A sports drink is needed to replace carbs and electrolytes for games that last more than one hour. Energy drinks are discouraged because they contain caffeine and stimulants that are unsafe for kids. Adults must also be reminded to consume plenty of water in the upcoming warm and hot weather. We use up to two and a half quarts of water by breathing, sweating, and eliminating body waste daily. Water helps regulate body temperature, reduce constipation, and improve brain function and energy levels. Eight glasses of water are needed daily; a good practice is to start your day by drinking a glass of water.

On the way home Saturday, we took time to see a few more murals around Clay Center, especially the new huge one on the CVA grain bin titled 'Prairie Thunder.' It is very colorful and depicts the American bison, a summer storm, sunset, and of prairie

fire of the Flint Hills, and is the 30th mural so far. The Hereford cattle scene on an elevator and a sunflower with Kansas meadowlarks are two of my favorites. Donations ranging from $100 to $5,000 helped make this Mural Movement possible.

A young Abilene girl, Ryleigh Farson, a freshman at Abilene High School, competed this spring in track. Ryleigh recovered from a UTV accident last summer in which she lost her lower leg. First in a wheelchair, then crutches, physical therapy, and wound care, Ryleigh received a walking prosthetic leg. Expecting to take a while to master, Ryleigh could walk without crutches in two days. She received a special running blade prosthetic and, with determination, managed to compete for the first time since the accident in early April.

The wind turbine controversy in Dickinson County continues. Called the Hope Ridge Wind Project, over 50,000 acres of agricultural land have leases owned by this multi-national foreign company. Only 77 landowners will directly benefit from the leases. My cousin, Yvonne, of El Dorado, owns a farm near Hope and is one of many opposed to the project. Among the concerns of landowners opposing wind turbines are decreasing property values, sound pollution, visual effects, and environmental problems. Enel North America has been in the U.S. for nearly 25 years and has six wind farms across Kansas, with project development offices in Lenexa, Kansas. A group of concerned citizens named Save Dickinson County has organized and would like answers on how the turbines would affect the economy of the county, loss of farm ground, property values, quality of life, and possible future families moving into the county, and protecting natural resources and wildlife.

I have finally planted some tomatoes and a few other vegetables and herbs. The list I read of the best-performing varieties according to the Missouri extension service includes Beefmaster, Beefsteak, Celebrity, Chef's Choice, Early Girl, Jet Star, and several I had never heard of before.

'Seventy to eightyyear- old people are usually deemed unemployable because of cognitive decline along with an abundance of other issues - and yet, they almost exclusively run the country.'

An elderly gentleman had a tender thought for his bride of over 50 years and said to her, 'After all these years, I have found you tried and true.' She was very hard of hearing and said, 'What?' So he hollered, 'After all these years, I have found you tried and true.' She hollered back, 'Well, after all these years, I'm tired of you too!'

A pessimist is someone who complains about the noise when opportunity knocks.

the last you will receive from me during your high school career, so I need you to do your best and mimic what I do. Step one: Put your fist in the air and say, “You’ve Got This!” Second step: Put up your index finger and say, “I Believe in You!” The last step is the most important. Are you ready? Put up your pinky finger and say, “GO HORNS!” Everything should fall into place after this, even if you are a Wildcat fan, as you have now completed the winner’s signal. “Congratulations, class of 2024, YOU DID IT!, and I am so incredibly proud of you! Thank you.”

After the diplomas were presented by school board members Mrs. Jessy Maddy and Mr. Spencer Hilbrink, Principal Lindsay Cravens presented the newly graduated Class of 2024 to the audience before they walked out of the high school for the last time to “The Spins” by Mac Miller.