Schools across the U.S. have struggled with recruiting and retaining teachers for the past few years. To address those challenges, Fort Hays State’s College of Education hosted an education summit in June, welcoming a wide circle of Kansas educators for discussions and valuable information.
What do you take with you when you travel? A suitcase? Extra clothes? A book to read? Today we’ll learn about a group of people who traveled halfway around the globe to Kansas 150 years ago. They brought with them something that would change the history of Kansas and the nation. I’m referring to the Mennonite families who brought with them Turkey Red wheat. Fern Bartel is director of the Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum in Goessel, Kansas. Bartel grew up at Goessel, attended Emporia State and met and married her husband. She enjoys art and volunteered on the board of the Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum for 15 years before becoming director in 2017. 2024 is a special year in Goessel. It was 150 years ago that Mennonite families on the plains of Ukraine emigrated to the plains of Kansas. Fifty years ago, on the centennial of that migration, Goessel dedicated a new museum to share that story. The museum has now grown into eight buildings in a village-like setting. In 1874, Mennonite farmers and their families in southern Russia chose to migrate because their religious freedoms were being curtailed by the government. The Santa Fe Railroad recruited them to come to the central plains of the United States, and built barracks-like structures called Immigrant Houses as temporary housing for the arriving families. Many Mennonites made the journey and settled in southcentral Kansas. They brought with them seeds of Turkey Red winter wheat in large jars and sacks. This variety of wheat would prove well-suited to the Kansas climate. According to the Kansas Wheat Commission, its introduction “revolutionized the wheat industry in Kansas, and Turkey Red wheat is now the ancestor to all hard red winter wheat varieties grown across the plains today.” Alexanderwohl was the name of one of the southern Russian villages from which some of the Mennonites came. When immigrant houses were built here, a church that carried the village name was built nearby. The Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church is still active in Goessel today. The city was named after Captain Kurt von Goessel who went down with his ship after it was rammed in the English Channel. Almost all of the original population of Goessel was Mennonite. After the Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum was established, it came to include many display cases that traced the lineage and descendants of the first settlers. The first building to be included in the museum complex was the Goessel Preparatory School, which was constructed in 1906. In later years, it served as the high school’s industrial arts classroom until the 1970s. The proposed demise of this building sparked the idea of a museum and led to the building being moved to its current site. A replica of a railroad Immigrant House also was constructed. A new building constructed in 1974 was called the Turkey Red Wheat Palace. That includes a large variety of antique farm equipment plus the Wheat Straw Liberty Bell. This is a giant replica of the Liberty Bell, constructed of wheat and straw over wire and tubing. It was commissioned by the Smithsonian Institute and built by the Mennonites at Goessel to commemorate the nation’s bicentennial. The bell is eight and a half feet tall and accurate in every detail. The body is straw and the crack is marked by wheat berries outlined by black thread. Other buildings added to the complex and their years of construction include the 1902 Schroeder Barn, the 1911 Friesen House, the 1910 Goessel State Bank, the 1875 South Bloomfield School, and the 1875 Krause House. The museum has drawn visitors from across the nation and beyond. It’s a remarkable resource to be found in a rural community such as Goessel, population 556 people. Now, that’s rural. For more information, see www.goesselmuseum.com. What do you take with you when you travel? We’re so thankful that these Mennonite families brought Turkey Red Wheat with them, and we’re grateful that Fern Bartel and others are making a difference by preserving and sharing this heritage. For modern-day visitors, it is worth the travel. Audio and text files of Kansas Profiles are available at http://www.kansasprofile.com. For more information about the Huck Boyd Institute, interested persons can visit http://www.huckboydinstitute.org.
Hays native Dylan Dreiling was named the Most Outstanding Player in the 2024 Men's College World Series following Tennessee's first ever National Championship victory. The shot at the title was the first time the Volunteers had seen the finals in 73 years.
Mason Hogan had some simple advice for his heir apparent at right guard for the Plainville Cardinals.
With the 30th annual Wild West Festival just around the corner, the organizing committee is gearing up for another unforgettable year. Along with the traditional three nights of concerts, fireworks show and parade, several exciting changes are set to enhance the festival experience for attendees. “We are thrilled to include several new activities to Wild West Fest this year, along with bringing back a third band to open each night,” said Jeff Ridgway, Wild West Festival board president. “It has been many years since we have been able to feature so many bands during the festival, including some amazing local talent.” Additional activities during this year’s event include the cornhole league, on hand with board for play, the Nex-Tech Wireless photo booth and the Nex-Tech Cash Catch on stage at 6:40 p.m. nightly, with participants chosen from the crowd. There will also be opportunities to win special concert mementos. Each night at 9 p.m., a guitar featuring autographs from the evening’s headlining act will be auctioned, in conjunction with a hidden bid auction and raffle at the festival merchandise tent, concluding at 9 p.m. each night. Various autographed items will be available. VIP ticket holders who purchase the premium experience and those who purchase official event merchandise will receive a custom playing card that serves as an entry to win framed song lyrics with the band’s autograph, while supplies last. Another significant change this year, the entire festival grounds at Municipal Park, 100 Main St., will be open for beer consumption sold on-site, provided by the Hays Kiwanis Club. Beer will be served on the ground's east side, near the beer garden's historical location. To purchase alcoholic beverages, attendees must buy a $2 wristband. While the grounds will be open for consumption, no outside beverages will be permitted at the festival, and opened containers will not be allowed to leave the premises. For VIP ticket holders, alcoholic beverages and meals are included in the ticket price. However, for those seeking an upgraded experience, a premium liquor upgrade will be offered for a $30 charge each night. This year, VIP meals will be provided by Rose Garden Banquet Hall and Catering, Hilton Garden Inn and Union Catering Company. Food trucks planned include Kitchen N’Stitchen, Western Sunset Creations, The Local Food Truck, Pfonz Smokehaus, Silvey Concessions, Sno Days, Texas Reds and the Hurricanes Swim team. The Kansas Office of Veterans Services will also provide their mobile unit for on-site veteran information and assistance. "We believe these changes will create a more welcoming environment while remaining family-friendly," Ridgway said. "It will also help keep ticket prices as low as possible in future years." General admission tickets for the entire Wild West Festival will remain available throughout the event at Hays Dillons and Cerv's locations or at wildwestfestival.com for $30. Tickets at the gate are $40 per night. VIP tickets are also available for $300 online or at the Hays Welcome Center, 2700 Vine St. “We are blessed to live in an area where our community and business leaders see the value of community events like the Wild West Festival,” he said. “Without our incredible sponsors, this not-for-profit event could not happen. We are immensely appreciative of their support.” That support, in turn, helps other community organizations, he said. “As a not-for-profit, we are proud to support many other groups who volunteer or use festival equipment throughout the year, including Fort Hays State University football, Hurricanes Swim Club, Hays Striders, Boy Scout Troops 101 and 133, Thunder on the Plains, Oktoberfest, Kiwanis and the Veterans Program by the Hays Larks,” Ridgway said. WWF Event Schedule Wednesday, July 3 Gates open at 5:30 p.m.VIP access opens at 6 p.m.Nex-Tech Wireless photo booth open 6-7:30 p.m.Nex-Tech Cash Catch 6:40 p.m.VIP/merchandise holder card drawing 8:50 p.m.Guitar auction: 9:00 p.m.Vyve Broadband and Eagle Radio tee-shirt shoot 9:00 p.m.Hidden Bid and Raffle ends at 9:00 p.m.Scheduled performers: Reprise, Paramount and Nate Smith Thursday, July 4 Fireworks Spectacular south of Hays near the 183 Bypass and Golf Course Rd. at 10 p.m. Friday, July 5 Gates open at 5:30 p.m.VIP access opens at 6 p.m.Nex-Tech Wireless photo booth open 6-7:30 p.m.Nex-Tech Cash Catch 6:40 p.m.VIP/merchandise holder card drawing 8:50 p.m.Guitar auction: 9:00 p.m.Vyve Broadband and Eagle Radio tee-shirt shoot 9:00 p.m.Hidden Bid and Raffle ends at 9:00 p.m.Scheduled performers: Jake Dunworth, Savanna Chestnut and Sawyer Brown Saturday, July 6 Main Street Parade at 10 a.m.Theme: 30 Years of Rootin’ and Tootin’Gates open at 5:30 p.m.VIP access opens at 6 p.m.Nex-Tech Wireless photo booth open 6-7:30 p.m.Nex-Tech Cash Catch 6:40 p.m.VIP/merchandise holder card drawing 8:50 p.m.Guitar auction: 9:00 p.m.Vyve Broadband and Eagle Radio tee-shirt shoot 9:00 p.m.Hidden Bid and Raffle ends at 9:00 p.m.Scheduled performers: RoxSLYDE, Sunset Sinners and Quiet Riot "The Wild West Festival committee has worked hard to ensure a fantastic experience for all attendees," Ridgway said. "We are thrilled to bring this year's lineup to Western Kansas and hope to see everyone there."
Before presenting Fort Hays State University’s 2025 Budget Request at the June 20, 2024 Hays City Commission, Drs. Joey Linn and Dennis King, Fort Hays State University (FHSU) Vice President and Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs took time to provide an update on tuition and fees for in-state undergraduates.
The Hays Oilers Cheerleading organization is coming up on their annual registration deadline for first through sixth grade students in the Hays area.
Former FHSU standout performer and current FHSU employee Brett Meyer saw his run at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials conclude in the semifinals of the 1,500-meter run on Saturday evening (June 22). Meyer was one of 38 individuals who ran a qualifying time this past year to compete in the trials.
On June 29, 2024, Hays City Commissioners are expected to award bids for an overall project cost not to exceed $4,483.672 for design and installation of a new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) water meter reading package. The 2024 budget earmarked $5M to complete this major upgrade which has been discussed and researched by City Staff for the past 10 years. The new meter system being recommended is from Core & Main (Sensus) of McPherson, Kan. for an upfront cost not to exceed $4,448,672 for design and installation services as well as hiring a Project Manager with Tyler Technologies of Plano, Tex. To assist with AMI integration with City billing software for $35,000.
Exactly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, the battles rage among both advocates and lawmakers over the future of reproductive rights at the state and federal levels.