Kansas Country Living July 2016

Our nation is experiencing arguably one of the most unconventional presidential races in recent history. In four months, we vote for our next president. In a month, Kansas primary races will winnow candidates from the initial pool for a closer examination by voters in the November general election.

Do you know me well enough or trust me to choose the candidate who will represent you and your family? Statistics show that possi-bly half of you do. The 2014 Kansas mid-term election attracted only 50.8 percent of eligible voters. When you don’t vote, you allow me and other registered and engaged voters to make choices on your behalf.

If you are a registered voter, please make voting a priority. If you are not registered and still need convincing otherwise, skip to page 12.

Unfortunately, the lack of civility in politics alienates many voters, but there is hope. Kansas electric cooperatives sponsor local high students for the annual Youth Tour in Washington, D.C.

During this week-long program, the students learn about leader-ship and the coopera-tive business model—a model that puts members first and relies on cooperation and collaboration for the benefit of all. On page 14, learn about three members of the Youth Leadership Council and their vision for finding common ground to improve our communities and the world.

Cooperation and collaboration are also essential to strengthening and protecting the electric grid from both physical and cyber secu-rity threats. Did you know that electric coopera-tives were the first of the utility providers to test and use the U.S. Department of Energy’s cyber security self-assessment tool? Read more about these efforts in our Guest Talk column and on page 20.

Despite the challenges faced in our nation and worldwide, there is still much to celebrate this Fourth of July. May yours be a safe and memorable one. KCL

VICKI ESTES, EDITOR

E D I TO R’ S L E T T E R

Voting: Let’s Get Engaged in the Process and Vote

SHARE WITH US!Have an event you would like to run in Around Kansas? A story idea or comments you want to share with the editor? A recipe and photo for us to consider publishing? Let us know: ff [email protected] [email protected] ff [email protected]

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2 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING JULY 2016

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Bruce GrahamChief Executive Officer

Doug ShepherdVice President, Management Consulting

Shana ReadDirector of Communications

Vicki EstesEditor

Carrie KimberlinManager of Creative Solutions

Jackie MooreCommunications Specialist

Whitney TurekIntern

Officers Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc.

Kathleen O’BrienPresident

Keith McNickleVice President

Patrick RileySecretary

Terry HobbsTreasurer

Cooperatives You receive Kansas Country Living as a communications service of these electric cooperatives:Alfalfa, Cherokee, OKBluestem, WamegoBrown-Atchison, HortonButler, El DoradoCMS, MeadeCaney Valley, Cedar ValeDS&O, SolomonFlint Hills, Council GroveKaw Valley, Topeka Lane-Scott, DightonLJEC, McLouthLyon-Coffey, BurlingtonNinnescah, PrattPioneer, UlyssesPrairie Land, NortonRadiant, FredoniaRolling Hills, MankatoSedgwick County, CheneySumner-Cowley, WellingtonTri-County, Hooker, OKTwin Valley, AltamontVictory, Dodge CityWestern, WaKeeneyWheatland, Scott City

Kansas Country Living (ISSN 0091-9586) is pub-lished monthly for $10 per year (tax included) by Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604. Periodicals postage paid at Topeka, KS and additional entry offices. For members of Kansas rural electric systems, subscription cost is $5.88 per year. This cost is part of your electric service billing. Editorial offices: P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604-0267. Phone 785-478-4554. Fax 785-478-4852.

Address Changes Please report any change in address to your local electric cooperative.

Postmaster Send address changes to Kansas Country Living, P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604-0267.

Advertisers Contact National Country Market: 512-441-5200, or see www. nationalcountrymarket.com. Acceptance of advertising by Kansas Country Living does not imply endorsement by the publisher or Kansas’ electric cooperatives of the product or services advertised.

Kansas Country Living assumes no respon-sibility for unsolicited material. Submissions must be accompanied by self-addressed envelopes with sufficient postage to be returned. The publication does not guarantee publication of material received and reserves the right to edit any material published.

(ISSN 0091-9586)JULY 2016 VOL. 66, NO. 7© KANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, INC., 2016WWW.KEC.COOP

JULY

O N T H E CO V E RBluestem Electric Cooperative employees promote the Co-ops Vote Campaign.

“LIKE” Kansas Country Living on Facebook.

12| Co-ops Vote What is an engaged voter?

14| Fostering Civility Youth Tour inspires and teaches life lessons.

16| Patchwork of Love Quilter donates time, quilts to youth program.

20| Counter-Attack Co-ops work to protect the electric grid.

20

D E PA RT M E N T S

4| Around Kansas Patriotic celebrations abound

6| Commentary Celebrate NPS Centennial

8| Guest Talk Cyber security and GridX

10| Cut Your Utility Bills Wash the waste from laundry

18| Your Place in the Garden Put technology to work

22| Safety Recent product recalls

24| Cooking My Way Home Preserving time in a bottle

26| Marketplace

29| Monthly Recipes

JULY 2016 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING 3

16

http://www.nationalcountrymarket.com



THROUGH SEPT. 7 The Lid Off Film Festival, Lucas. Enter the “Community Challenge” video category with a 3- to 10-minute film. Entries due Sept. 7 to [email protected]. Contact [email protected], Grass Roots Arts Center at 785-525-6118 or [email protected].

JULY 1-AUG. 31 Schuyler Museum Native American Artifacts Exhibit, Burlingame. Take an educational spin on a summer outing to see the historic collection of Native American artifacts. Wed., Fri., and Sun. 1-4 p.m. and Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 117 S. Dacotah, 785-654-3561 for more information.

JULY 1 Independence Day Celebration, Clay Center. Celebrate our nation’s birthday with activities from 4-8 p.m. at the Court House Square and Clay County Fairgrounds. There will be fireworks and a band concert on the fairgrounds at 8 p.m. Contact [email protected] or contact Renee Langvardt at 785-632-5674.

JULY 1 William Fulton House Tour, Garden City. The historic William Fulton House, built by one of Garden City’s founding fathers, is now open for tours every Saturday and Sunday from 2-4 p.m. The 1884 Folk Victorian home is located just southwest of the Finney County Museum inside the zoo. Call Steven Quakenbush at 620-272-3664.

JULY 1 Finney County Museum Exhibits, Garden City. Current exhibits include Garden City Then and Now, the Spirit of the Plains Gallery, the Santa Fe Trail, Buffalo Jones–Last of the Plainsmen, and Finney County Agriculture. Open 10 a.m-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., and 1-5 p.m. on Sun. 403 S. Fourth near the Lee Richardson Zoo entrance in Finnup Park, 620-272-3664.

JULY 2 American Ag Heritage Festival, Belleville. Enjoy a tractor show, threshing demonstrations, kiddy tractor pull, bounce house, entertainment, vendors and more! Visit www.bellevilleks.org or call 785-527-5524.

JULY 4 Coors Freedom Run, Junction City. Runners can choose from the 5K, 10K or the 1-Mile Fun Run. Strollers allowed; dogs are not. Race at 7 a.m.; the Sundown Salute Parade at 10 a.m. 6th & Washington St., 785-320-6363, www.sundownsalute.org.

JULY 4 Park Day 2016, Hugoton. Fun for the entire family at the Hugoton City Park with a variety of activities; booth space available. 620-544-4305, http://stevenscountyks.com/chamber-of-commerce or [email protected].

JULY 6-10 Barton County Fair, Great Bend. In addition to the carnival, enjoy animal shows, 4-H exhibits and live music. Great Bend Expo Complex–West Barton County Road, 620-797-FAIR.

JULY 6-10 Kansas Wheat Festival, Wellington. Carnival, arts and crafts, ag and home show, car show, dance performances, including Little Texas, Food Truck Rally, softball tournament, food contests, and candidate forum. 620-326-7466, email [email protected], www.wellingtonkschamber.com/kansas-wheat-festival.

JULY 7 Harper County EMS Seminar, Harper. Visit the Harper Public Library to explore an ambulance and learn about sports injuries; 2-3 p.m. Call 620-896-2959 for more information.

JULY 7 Memorial Municipal City Concert Band, Emporia. Program begins with the Star-Spangled Banner and scouts posting the colors. Enjoy the sing-a-long, children’s march and religious selections; 8-9 p.m. Fremont Park, 4th Ave. and Union, 620-208-7372.

JULY 8-9 Fort Harker Days, Kanopolis. Coed volleyball tourney, famous friends from the Fort, including Wild Bill Hickok and Buffalo Bill Cody, hamburger feed, inflatables, turtle races, food vendors, street dance and Kanopolis All-School Reunion. Call Cherie Sauers at 314-604-8903 for information.

JULY 9 Christmas in July Antique, Art and Handmade Craft Fair, Lyons. Indoor and outdoor shopping rain or shine. Celebration Centre, 1145 E Hwy 56, Lyons. Call Michelle at 620-257-5390.

JULY 9 Jungle Run Car Show, Garden City. On the West Green of Lee Richardson Zoo, in conjunction with the Finney County Historical Society Flea Market, food, music, raffle and scavenger hunt. 312 E. Finnup Dr., Contact Jessica Norton at 620 276-6243.

JULY 9 Flea Market Festival of Antiques, Collectibles, Arts and Crafts, Garden City. A fundraiser for Finney County Historical Society programs and

T H I N G S TO D O

JULY 2 Pioneer Bluffs Independence Day Celebration, Matfield Green. Party like its 1916 at this Independence Day weekend with the Bethel College Brass Quintet. Performing at 1:30 p.m. in the loft of the 1915 barn at Pioneer Bluff, guests can listen to music and enjoy homemade ice cream at 3 p.m. Lynn Smith at 620-753-3484 or [email protected] for reservations.

Continued on page 28 f





http://www.bellevilleks.org

http://www.sundownsalute.org

http://stevenscountyks.com/chamber-of-commerce

http://stevenscountyks.com/chamber-of-commerce



http://www.wellingtonkschamber.com/kansas-wheat-festival

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Celebrate National Park Centennial Here in Kansas B Y B R U C E G R A H A M

Bruce Graham

CO M M E N TA RY

In Kansas, one of the

five NPS sites is the

Tallgrass Prairie

National Preserve.

This year, America is celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service (NPS). Created through an act of Congress, the enabling legislation was signed by President Woodrow Wilson on Aug. 25, 1916. Yellow-stone, our nation’s first national park, was actu-ally established 44 years earlier when President Ulysses S. Grant set it aside as an exceptional place for all to enjoy.

Today there are 411 National Parks and affiliated sites owned by the American taxpayers. The system covers more than 84 million acres in every state, the District of Columbia, Ameri-can Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. These areas include national parks, mon-uments, battlefields, military parks, historic sites, lakeshores, seashores, recreation areas, scenic rivers and trails, and the White House.

I’ve had the privilege of seeing a number of these treasures during my lifetime. Many of those visits took place during a remarkable three-month family trip across the U.S. in a station wagon pulling a pop-up camper. That was back in elementary school so some of the memories have certainly faded. On the other hand, my rec-ollection of the beauty of places like Crater Lake, Zion, and Mt. Rushmore is crystal clear.

More recently, I have returned to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. The only blemish on the majesty of those preserved lands was the massive crowds that occur during summer vacation season. The National Park Service counted 307,247,252 visitors to our parks in 2015, and I think that same number may have been with us in those Wyoming attractions a couple weeks ago.

In Kansas, one of the five NPS sites is the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. It’s not hard to fault a skeptic/stranger for questioning how a grassland can match the awe of the Grand Canyon. However, my recent experience is a tes-tament to the vision of the NPS.

Late in April, I was attempting to drive back to Topeka from a meeting in Holcomb, Kan. My progress was stopped in Salina by a violent thunderstorm to the east that was flooding the highway, causing vehicles to hydroplane, several

accidents, and advisories against travel. I was back on I-70 very early the next morning, relieved to see the storms had cleared and the sun was shining (even if it was in my eyes for a while).

Just east of the Manhattan exit, I came upon a stunning visual masterpiece that blended morning shadows cast on the rolling Flint Hills with cattle grazing on a drenched carpet of reborn grass. The bluestem was a breathtaking green that I’ve seen in photographs but figured the scene had been enriched by technology rather than Mother Nature. It was a sight worthy our nation’s admiration.

The other four NPS designees in Kansas are the historic sites of Brown v. Board of Education in Topeka, Fort Larned, Fort Scott, and Nicode-mus. We also have miles of designated National Historic Trails, which served as routes for explo-ration, emigration, and the search for riches.

Despite just a handful of nationally signifi-cant landmarks, Kansans know we have many great things to see and do here. The Kansas State Capitol is widely recognized as one of the most beautiful, and Topeka stops should also include the Children’s Discovery Center and Kansas Museum of History. In Lawrence, the new DeBruce Center houses a display of the original “Rules of Basket Ball,” as written by James Naismith in 1891. The Kansas Cosmos-phere and State Fair in Hutchinson, the Eisen-hower Library and boyhood home in Abilene, the Flint Hills Discovery Center in Manhattan, the Walnut Music Festival in Winfield along with Botanica in Wichita are among the 70 attractions on the official Kansas Bucket List as posted to TravelKS.com. That list includes great recreation, landmark restaurants, and hunting/fishing seasons that attract outdoor enthusiasts year-round.

Without a doubt, the centennial of the National Parks Service is something to celebrate. We have much to enjoy and appreciate here in Kansas as well. Let’s join together in appreciation of our state and national treasures. KCL

BRUCE GRAHAM is Chief Executive Officer of Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., in Topeka.


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GridEx Convenes Electric Industry for Security Exercises B Y B I L L L A W R E N C E

G U E ST TA L K

Bill Lawrence

As word of the value of

participating in GridEx

has spread, participation

has also increased

more than tenfold

since the first exercise

in 2011.

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation conducted its third biennial grid security exercise, GridEx III, on Nov. 18-19, 2015. GridEx III provided participants an opportunity to respond to simulated cyber and physical attacks that affected the reliable operation of the grid. Led by NERC’s Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center (E-ISAC), the two-day event was the largest grid security exercise to date. More than 4,400 individuals from 364 organizations across North America participated. The organizations included more than 160 electric utilities and co-ops of all sizes, as well as law enforcement, first responders and government agencies.

GridEx brings together these public and private organizations to build the relationships and strengthen communications between them that would be vital in responding to and recovering from severe attacks on the grid. Participants are given challenging cyber and physical security problems to work through, and encouraged to share their situational awareness with E-ISAC and other organizations to build a picture of the impacts across the continent. Utilities work with their reliability coordinators to shift generation and transmission resources, and mitigate emergency operating situations.

Each organization chose its level of participation as active or observing—either actively engaging in internal and external response actions with other participants, or observing the exercise unfold. This provided each organization with flexibility to participate according to their role, available resources and real-world operational environment.

The NERC planning team developed the scenario for GridEx III with an important constraint: the scenario would not include grid “blackstart elements”—procedure to recover from a total or partial shutdown

of the transmission system—as this limits participants’ ability to remain fully engaged throughout the exercise. Rather, GridEx is designed to challenge each organization across departments and functions—such as IT and physical security, crisis communications, and operations technology—to restore grid reliability.

Participants had the option of using the baseline scenario or customizing it to better meet their own local objectives. The scenario contained different cyber attack options, such as water holing attacks where adversaries profile an organization’s online activities and infect their frequently visited websites with malware, and remote access vulnerabilities affecting industrial control systems. Simulated physical attack scenarios impacted transmission and generation facilities. By exercising attacks on their own assets and operations technology systems, participants were able to exercise their own processes in a more realistic manner.

In addition to the simulated attacks experienced by thousands across North American, GridEx III had a parallel (but even more severe) executive tabletop portion for a group of chief executive officers and senior U.S. government officials.

As word of the value of participating in the exercise has spread, participation has also increased more than tenfold since the first GridEx in 2011. And compared to GridEx II in 2013, participation in last year’s exercise grew by 133 organizations and more than 2,000 individuals.

Planning for GridEx IV, which will focus heavily on system resilience and recovery, is already underway. KCL

BILL LAWRENCE is Associate Director of Stakeholder Engagement at NERC’s Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center in Washington, D.C. Contact him at [email protected].



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Dear Pat: We have two kids, which means we do a lot of laundry—it never ends! What are some ways we can reduce our energy use in the laundry room?—Frank

Dear Frank: The average American family washes about 300 loads of laundry per year—all that laundry uses a lot of energy! However, there are some easy ways to reduce your energy use in the laundry room.

Consider purchasing more efficient appli-ances: One of the biggest changes you can make is to purchase a new Energy Star-certified washer and dryer. Washers with this certification use about 40 percent less water and 25 percent less energy than standard washers. Energy Star washers can be top-loading or front-loading machines; however, front-loading machines are generally more water and energy efficient, helping offset any additional up-front costs. Energy Star dryers use 20 percent less energy than standard dryers. Visit Energystar.gov for more information about estimated water and energy use of all of their certified products.

Get out of hot waterThe easiest source of energy efficiency

in the laundry room is to stop using hot water. Almost 90 percent

of the energy consumed by your washing machine is

used to heat water—but most loads of

laundry can be just as easily cleaned with cold water.

Using cooler water is also easier

on your clothes. If you need to use hot or warm water on a particularly dirty load of laundry, a well-insu-lated water heater will help decrease the costs

of using warmer water.

Do fewer loads! When possible, wash a full load of clothes.

However, when you must do a smaller load of laundry, remember to adjust the water level set-tings on your machine. Many newer machines automatically adjust the water based on the load size.

Help your dryerOne of the best ways to reduce the amount

of drying time is to get as much water out of the clothes as possible in the washing machine—use a higher spin setting to wring the extra water out of your laundry. When you are ready to dry, remember not to overfill the dryer so there is enough room for drying air to reach the clothes.

Use your dryer’s featuresIf your dryer has a moisture sensor, use

it rather than guessing how long each load of laundry will need to dry. A dryer’s cool-down cycle uses the residual heat to finish drying your clothes, without using as much energy.

Dry like with like Heavy fabrics, like towels and blankets,

should be dried separately from lighter fabrics, like T-shirts. When using a dryer’s moisture sensor, the dryer will keep running until the wettest (and probably heaviest) item is dry. Rather than one towel extending the drying time for each of your loads of laundry, dry the towels together.

Live lint freeClean the lint trap on your dryer regularly

to help air circulation. Periodically use a vacuum nozzle to clean the area under or behind the lint filter, where lint can also get caught. If you use dryer sheets, scrub the filter clean about once a month—dryer sheets can leave a film on the filter that reduces air flow.

Continued on page 23 f

C U T YO U R U T I L I T Y B I L L S

Wash the Energy Waste Out of Your Laundry


EngagedFinal in a three-part series

I love Election Day. I admit that I would make Election Day in the U.S. a public holiday. I like to go to the polls early on Election Day. I have a running, self-motivated bet with myself—I try to be first in line. (I’ve only made it as No. 1 twice in my years of voting.) I like the new “electronic voting” machines but I like to fill out the old-fashioned ballot even more. I even like going in that little red, white and blue booth and pulling the curtain closed. True geekdom, right?

B Y K I M C H R I S T I A N S E N

what is an

Co-op Voter?Alex Orel, who works with me in the Gov-

ernment Relations department at KEC, and I have written a series of articles in Kansas Country Living this year about the importance of coopera-tive members’ voting. It is vital to cooperatives that members get engaged in the election process. That commitment can be as simple as making sure you, your eligible family members and friends register and then vote.

The big question is tricky: Why don’t we vote? I am sure there are all kinds of reasons. My guess would be that NOT voting falls into one or two basic categories:

1 No time. Voting in an election has cer-tainly gotten easier. Kansas now allows

you to vote in advance by filling out a simple request. I actually did this in 2014. The ballot came right to my home, I filled it out and mailed it back. Bingo, bongo bam—I voted, about 10 days before the actual date. Now, the geeky side of me missed going to the polling place, but the advance ballot process was easy. The old excuse that “I had something else to do so I could not vote” is defunct.

2 I don’t like/understand/respect politics or candidates. Well, that’s understand-

able. But candidates and our elected officials are just people. Most of them are very nice people. The real key is that elected officials represent YOU. There’s a saying that if you don’t speak up, no one will hear you. That’s true.

I taught political science classes for a number of years, and gave countless speeches on voting and its importance. Let me see if I can help you become more engaged with the following pointers:

ff This one is obvious: Register to vote and do it.ff Don’t be afraid to ask a candidate or an elected

official a question. There are no bad or dumb questions. Most candidates have a webpage that offers ways to communicate with the candidate, including an email address. Go ahead—send your question.

ff Don’t be a one issue voter. You need to care about what a candidate will do on a variety of issues. It could be that the candidate you support on tax cuts may be completely oppo-site of you on all or most other issues. Vote for a package of issues, not a single issue.

ff Attend an event. Cooperatives across Kansas will have sponsored a series of candidate meet and greet events by the time you read this. Watch for those events in the future and attend. Introduce yourself.

ff If you have an issue that is important to you, write a letter or an email to the official.

ff If you are passionate about an issue, that’s fan-tastic but don’t argue with candidates or offi-cials. They must represent their entire district or area. Tell them your thoughts and move on.

ff Thank the candidates and officials. Whether you agree with what they do, they have put themselves in a position where they will always displease someone. Saying a simple “thank you for your service” can go a long way toward building you as a credible, engaged voter. KCL

KIM CHRISTIANSEN is Director of Government Rela-tions and Legal Counsel for Kansas Electric Coopera-tives, Inc.


Bill January 2016 Prediction Update

FED

ERA

L Clea

n Po

wer P

lan The EPA’s new Clean Power Plan (CPP) rules would have a wide-

spread utility impact. The CPP is a set of regulations advanced by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Air Act that is designed to cut carbon dioxide emissions from U.S. power plants 32 percent below their 2005 levels by the year 2030. Americans enjoy low-cost, reliable electricity from coal generation sources. CPP regu-lations target coal use and jeopardize access to affordable power.

In February 2016, the U. S. Supreme Court, in an unusual move, issued a stay on the EPA’s implementation of this rule until court challenges are resolved. This means that the rule cannot go into effect until a year or so in the future, when the Supreme Court hears and considers the rule.

Less

er P

rairi

e Ch

icken The 2014 listing of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken (LPC) by the U.S. Fish

and Wildlife Service has a considerable impact on cooperatives in western Kansas. States had hoped to avoid listing the species by creating a five-state, range-wide conservation plan to protect the LPC and its habitat. Court challenges are in place and Texas has blocked implementation in one court’s domain. We hope a court in Oklahoma will agree with the Texas court and stay implementation across the region until a number of issues are resolved.

On Sept. 1, 2015, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas vacated the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Final Rule listing the Lesser Prairie Chicken (LPC”) as threatened. The decision allowed many industries in Kansas and the Midwest region to breathe a sigh of relief. In mid-May 2016, the USFWS announced it had decided not to appeal the decision overturn-ing the 2014 listing of the LPC as a threatened species. USFWS has indicated it will continue working with federal, state and local agencies and stakeholders on efforts to assist the species as it evaluates whether to reconsider the listing process.

STA

TE

Clea

n Po

wer P

lan

The first Kansas bill regarding the Clean Power Plan (CPP) was passed in 2014 and updated in 2015. The Americans for Prosperity group and the American Legislative Exchange Council have been pushing states to “just say no;” the state would NOT submit a state work plan and ignore the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Kansas utility industry is opposed to altering legislative direction to file a state plan with the EPA that is reviewed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment as well as the Kansas Corporation Commission.

The stay issued by the U. S. Supreme Court made this legislative push a non-issue. A clean-up bill to limit state agency activity was passed.

Righ

t of

First

Ref

usal The Southwest Power Pool’s current transmission siting and bidding

process does not give Kansas companies first chance at building their own projects, which could increase construction costs and impact rates and reliability.

An attempt was made to address some of these issues with “right of first refusal” legislation introduced by Sunflower Electric Power Corporation and Westar. The legislation did not get out of committee.

Rene

wabl

e En

ergy Kansas and other states are in the midst of a renewable energy

growth, both at the utility and individual levels. How to charge for the use of the utility grid, how individuals should be compensated for energy production and how to fund efficiency and renewable use present challenges. Electric cooperatives incorporate renewable sources as part of the energy they provide to members so it is vital to monitor these bills and the legislation’s actual consequences.

There were several renewable energy bills this session, but none made any progress. KEC will continue to monitor these issues.

PACE

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) bill, which is a concept to finance energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conserva-tion upgrades to buildings. PACE provides funding for heating and cooling systems, solar panels, insulation, and other efficiency upgrades. PACE repays project costs with an assessment added to the property tax bill. Twenty-nine states have PACE legislation and it is possible Kansas will have a bill this year.

A “PACE” type bill was introduced, but did not gain much trac-tion during the 2016 session.

Unm

anne

d Ae

rial V

ehicl

es

(UAV

, Dro

nes) There may be a drone bill, possibly one that would restrict the use

of the aerial devices commercially. The drone technology is in its infancy but shows incredible promise for a variety of industries including utilities. Kansas electric co-ops will oppose restrictions on utility use of drones.

A drone bill was introduced that might have heavily restricted use of this emerging technology. KEC was able to work with stakeholders to reach a legislative solution that solved the issue while maintaining flexibility for drone use in the future.

State & Federal Legislative UpdateThe January 2016 issue of Kansas Country Living featured a Legislative outlook concerning bills that could affect Kansas electric cooperatives and their members. Below we revisit the issues and update readers on any changes or actions taken.


Youth Tour On a mild Monday evening less than a week after Mardi Gras, 18-year-old Collin Craig was sitting in a downtown New Orleans hotel room talking to himself. He wasn’t having some sort of psychological episode; he was practicing an important speech.

The next day Craig would stand on a stage in a giant exposition hall at the New Orleans Convention Center. Behind him would be a daz-zling array of video screens, some projecting his image larger than life. In front of him would be a sea of 6,000 faces, all several decades older than him, and all quietly waiting to hear what this high school senior from Slocomb, Ala., had to say.

Tuesday morning arrived, and Craig stood backstage in the green room waiting. The emcee

called his name, music started playing, and Craig climbed up the steps and into the spotlight. He stood at the podium, and, reading from the kind of teleprompter that’s typi-cally reserved for presidents, told the crowd gathered for the 74th annual meeting of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) about the journey he’d taken in the past year.

A year earlier, Craig had been selected by Wire-grass Electric Cooperative to participate in the 2015 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.

Every June, nearly 1,700 students from electric coop-eratives across the country,

including 36 from Kansas, converge in our nation’s capital for Youth Tour. Students spend the week visiting monuments and museums, meeting senators and members of Congress from their state, learning about leadership and the coopera-tive business model, and forging lifelong friend-ships with fellow Youth Tour participants from far-away places who were strangers just a few days before.

Each of the 44 states that participates in the program selects one member of their delegation to represent it on the Youth Leadership Council. Members of the council come back to Wash-ington for additional leadership development experiences, serve as youth ambassadors at events hosted by their state’s electric co-ops and represent their states at the annual meeting of America’s electric cooperatives.

The Youth Leadership Council elects one of its members to be the group’s spokesperson and deliver an address at the annual meeting. Last year, they selected Craig.

In his speech, Craig told the audience, “there is a bigger picture that can only be reached through the actions we take to make the world a better place. We can’t do that by ourselves. It’s a collective effort from the leaders in our commu-nity who take action and look beyond their own lives.”

When he concluded his remarks, he was given a standing ovation and NRECA President Mel Coleman praised Craig and his 43 fellow members of the Youth Leadership Council.

Though Craig was the man in the spotlight at the annual meeting, all Youth Leadership Council members are leaders in their schools, communi-ties and extracurricular activities.

Emma DeMaran-

B Y J U S T I N L A B E R G E

Emma DeMaranville of Tonganoxie, Kan., left, holds the Kansas flag at the 74th annual meeting of NRECA.

Inspires Students, Fosters Civility


ville from Tonganoxie, Kan., is one of them.DeMaranville was familiar with her local

electric cooperative, but had no idea how many different types of cooperatives there are and the impact they’ve had throughout the U.S. and the world.

Her grandmother had seen the opportunities other students had gained through the Youth Tour program and urged DeMaranville to apply.

An active member of Family Career and Community Leaders of America who also participates in forensics, debate and theater, DeMaranville was selected to represent Leaven-worth-Jefferson Electric Cooperative as a member of the Kansas Youth Tour delegation.

“Every kid on Youth Tour has big aspirations, and their goals inspired me to do something with my career and future that could make an impact,” DeMaranville said. “Being in the nation’s capital with some of the most passionate and intelligent people I have ever met made me feel like I could do anything.”

Another young woman who participated in this eye-opening program was Shantelle Des Marais, a freshly minted high school graduate from Pipestone, Minn.

As a three-sport athlete and competitive dancer, Des Marais keeps a busy schedule. Though she is active in her community, coaching children enrolled in beginner gymnastics and track pro-grams at the local rec center, she had never really paid attention to politics.

Last year, she saw a flier for a program sponsored by her local electric cooperative, Sioux Valley Energy, called EmPower Youth Leadership. She talked to her school counselor and applied for the program.

After completing the program, she was selected to be a member of the Minnesota Youth Tour delegation, and was later chosen to be the state’s Youth Leadership Council delegate.

“At the start of this whole process, I didn’t even know what a co-op was at all,” Des Marais said. “Now I’ve learned so much about the model and the Seven Cooperative Principles, and it reminds me of how I’d like our country to run. I wish we could all keep those principles in mind

and be good to one another.”Her experience with Youth

Tour and the Youth Leadership Council inspired the 18-year-old to get involved in her first presi-dential election. Not only did Des Marais caucus for the first time, she was selected to be a county delegate.

“The best thing about this whole experience is that it has opened my eyes to different pos-sibilities,” she said.

One common theme mentioned by all three of these young leaders was the need to cooper-ate, be respectful and find common ground to solve problems.

Craig recounted the many spirited con-versations he had with other YLC delegates on important issues. “There were times when we might have different opinions, but there were

never any fights, rivalries or hatreds. In fact, we used these debates to strengthen each other. We learned how to unite. Diversity doesn’t cause adversity, it can demolish it,” he said.

DeMaranville said she’s gained a better understanding of other people, and the

similarities and differences in their lives. “I want to do bipartisan work to make a difference for the people around me. Youth Tour helped me see the struggles others face, and has instilled in me a desire to create change on a global level.”

Des Marais said her

I want to do bipartisan work to make a difference ...

EMMA DEMARANVILLE

Emma DeMaranville (right) joins Haley Okamoto, a fellow Youth Leadership Council member, to promote Co-ops Vote.


MCNICKLE’S HANDIWORK BENEFITS YOUTHAfter three decades, untold yards of fabric and countless spools of thread, Carolyn McNickle can only estimate how many quilts she’s crafted. Her guess? “Well over 100—probably more,” she said.

In her home in Mound Valley, McNickle took a quick survey of several samples of her handsome handiwork and recalculated. With quilts given as birthday presents to her three children and their spouses, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and “occa-sionally one for an in-law of the children,” she revised her estimate to 200.

McNickle also makes and donates quilts to the Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. annual meeting raffle that raises money for its Youth Tour program. Her husband, Ronald, served on the Board of Trustees for Twin Valley electric from 2000 until his passing in November 2015, and it was at his urging that she donate one of her quilts to the KEC auction.

“All of the co-ops were donating items to the auction, and Ron said to me, ‘Why don’t you make a quilt.’ And so I did.”

Eager to work with her hands but not interested in learning tedious hand sewing, McNickle made her first “block” for a pillow at a Mound Valley program called “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” in the early 1980s.

“I thought, well, that wasn’t so bad,” she said.She later enrolled in quilt making classes at a local college, eventually becoming an

instructor of a quilting class. When her son and daughter-in-law formed a local 4-H club, she switched her focus to teaching the 4-H kids, including her grandson Dillon, how to quilt. She said after a rocky start in the class, Dillon has become her greatest fan and often travels with her to help purchase fabric for the quilts.

“He first asked, ‘Do I have to go to that class? All the girls’ do is sit there and talk,” McNickle chuckled.

It’s obvious that McNickle will continue to pour her love of quilting and working with her hands—and her love for Ronald—into beautiful quilts to help raise funds for the Youth Tour program. And she’s intent on doing so for as long as possible.

“I think it’s a great tour. If I wasn’t so old, I’d tell them I’d go with them,” she laughed. KCL

experiences have helped her realize that great leaders are real people, too. “You go to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial or the Lincoln Memorial, and you think about the great things these leaders did and how they helped me get where I am today. It always feels like something so far off. But then I got to meet my senators and you realize that they’re real people and maybe I could do this some day.”

All three of these students plan to attend public universities in their home states this fall, and say the experiences they’ve gained over the past year have influenced what they’ll study and how they plan to live their lives after college.

“If you had asked me a year ago what I wanted to do with my life, I would’ve said ‘I don’t know. Probably something with computers.’ I still plan to major in computer science, but that’s just the foundation for many dif-ferent things Youth Tour has inspired me to pursue,” Craig said.

Youth Tour is a joint investment made by your local electric coopera-tive, Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. When Youth Tour participants arrive in Wash-ington each June, the expectation is that they will learn from our political leaders and be inspired to do great things in their communities.

Based on the wisdom and matu-rity displayed by Craig, DeMaranville and Des Marais, our future is certainly bright, and our current elected leaders could learn as much from the students as the students learn from them. KCL

JUSTIN LABERGE writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the nation’s

900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.

Carolyn McNickle, Twin Valley Electric Co-op member, displays two of the many quilts she cre-ates for family and to benefit youth programs.


Delivering Energy for Life

VISIT VOTE.COOP TO LEARN HOW TO BECOME A CO-OP VOTER.

One of the many appealing aspects of gardening is the escape from the noise of life including the pressure brought on by ever-advancing technology. With the introduction of smart phones, iPads and tablets, we are almost always just a click away from everyone and everywhere. While the convenience of this can easily be over-shadowed by the mounting expecta-tions on us to be on call, there are ways

to put those technological advances to work while still enjoying the peace of your garden.

Imagine designing your landscape while lounging outside and instantly having an image of the completed design. There are many garden-related apps that can be downloaded to your mobile device to bring expertise right to your fingertips. The app Garden Designer is a tool that can be used on an iPad to facilitate the planning phase of landscaping. If you’re not a fan of gardening on your iPad, Garden Planner is a site that enables you to design on your desktop computer by clicking and dragging plant and hardscape icons into place. If you’re struggling to identify a plant or pest, apps such as Garden Answers and Garden Compass can be useful. Upload a photo of the unknown plant or pest for help with identification. Once you begin searching for apps to join you in the garden, you’ll discover the wealth of options to facilitate your quest for garden success.

Resources such as Kansas State University’s Extension office work alongside gardeners by providing region-specific content online through the Horticulture Information Center (www.hfrr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center.com). From here, you can access expert information on topics such as disease and pest identification, recommended plants and how-to videos. Any questions that aren’t answered online can be directed to your local extension agent, as identi-fied through this site. The National Gardening Association’s (www.garden.org) plant databases are filled with photos and descriptions to aide in identifying garden plants along with care guide-lines. Pest databases are also available. Though

this is a nation-wide organization, they maintain regional reports for a geographically specific audience. While gardeners were once required to bring leaf samples into a garden supply store for help with identification, we can now turn to the web opening up access to the community of gardeners worldwide.

If you’re looking for a way to play with your family in the garden, geocaching may be a fun adventure to explore. A modern-day scavenger hunt, geocaching requires you to locate a hidden ‘cache’ using the clues and coordinates given online. Sites such as geocaching.com provide information for numerous caches hidden world-wide. This can be a great way to explore the outdoors. Kansas Landscape Arboretum in Clay County advertises on its website(www.natur-alkansas.org) there are caches hidden nearby. Bring your mobile device along to find the trea-sure as you enjoy a walk in the arboretum.

While the garden is often a peaceful retreat, the time and attention it requires can add to the pressures we face. The technology available can work in our favor if we know what resources are available. These sites are just the beginning of existing garden technology. Apps to monitor weather, control your irrigation system remotely and track fertilizer applications can lessen the burden of garden maintenance. This summer, consider putting technology to work for you in the garden. KCL

CYNTHIA DOMENG-HINI is an instruc-tor and coordina-tor for K-State’s horticultural therapy online cer-tificate program. Cynthia believes that everyone—re-gardless of age and ability—can enjoy the many benefits of gardening.

Putting Technology to Work in the Garden B Y C Y N T H I A D O M E N G H I N I , P H . D .

YO U R P L AC E I N T H E G A R D E N

Cynthia Domenghini, Ph.D.

Introducing technology to the garden is a great way to get children outdoors, help them develop problem-solving skills and get them excited about digging in the dirt.


http://www.hfrr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center.com

http://www.hfrr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center.com

http://www.garden.org

http://www.natur-alkansas.org



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About 3:30 in the afternoon last Dec. 23, operators at three electric utilities halfway around the world in western Ukraine found themselves not to be solely in control of their computer terminals. Someone from outside the utilities had taken over the controls and started opening circuit breakers at more than 27 substations, cutting power to more than 200,000 customers. Thousands of fake calls clogged utility switchboards, pre-venting people from phoning in to get information about the outage. Utility workers switched to manual operations, and it took three hours to restore power.

That’s not a movie plot. And if you missed or forgot about that news report from last year, people who run electric utilities have not. Attention to cyber security at electric utilities has been growing fast in the past few years, and the Ukraine attack pushed that trend into overdrive.

“It’s garnered a lot of attention from the federal government and throughout the industry,” said Barry Lawson, associate director of power delivery and reliability for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

A big part of Lawson’s job is helping the nearly 1,000 electric co-ops in the country understand digital-age dangers, and ensuring that they know how to protect and secure the power supply, electric grid, and co-op members and employees from Internet mischief.

Electric co-ops are showing they do understand the importance of cyber security, said Cynthia Hsu, cyber security program manager for Business and Technology Strategies at NRECA.

“Electric co-ops were the first utilities to test and use the U.S. Department of Energy’s cyber security self-assessment tool,” said Hsu. “They are often on the cutting edge of imple-menting best practices to improve their cyber security capabilities.”

While the Ukraine cyber attack has been studied in-depth by U.S. utilities and the Federal Department of Homeland Security, most analysts see a large-scale attack by hackers as unlikely to succeed in this country. The reports characterize the Ukraine attack as extremely well planned and coordinated, but not technically sophisticated.

The Ukraine incident actu-

CYBER Counter-Attack

How co-ops keep hackers away from the electric grid

B Y P A U L W E S S L U N D

Electric co-ops nationwide

participate in GridEx security exercises,

with the most recent—GridEx

III—conducted in November 2015. GridEx exercises

allow the electricity sector to activate

their crisis response plans to simulated coordinated cyber

security and physical security threats and

incidents, which helps strengthen utilities’

crisis response functions, and

provides input for lessons learned.


Electric co-ops were the first utilities to test and use the U.S. Department of Energy’s cyber security self-assessment tool.ally started as early as March of last year, when utility workers received emails with Microsoft Office documents, such as an Excel spreadsheet, from the Ukrainian parliament. But the emails were not from the Ukrainian parliament. When workers followed the email instructions asking them to click on a link to “enable macros,” mali-cious malware embedded in the documents—called BlackEnergy 3—secretly infected the system. Among other capabilities, BlackEnergy 3 can enable an adversary to observe and copy all the keystrokes made on the infected computers, giving hackers passwords and other login infor-mation needed to access the utility’s operations control systems.

Defenses against that kind of attack are pretty basic, and you’ve probably even heard the warnings yourself—don’t click on any links or attachments unless you were expecting the message to be sent to you. Utilities are increas-ing their efforts to enhance and formalize their security plans, processes and controls. New cyber security standards require upgraded levels of training for utility operators, multiple layers of security to shield operational and control systems from the Internet and even stricter procedures for visitor access (physical and electronic) to control rooms. These utilities are regularly audited for cyber security compliance, and regu-lators, such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the North American

Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), can levy strict penalties for not following standards.

NRECA’s Lawson describes an example of one type of security technology, a security token—a physical device an operator would carry that changes his password every 30 seconds.

NRECA has also worked with the Depart-ment of Energy to develop software called Essence, which constantly monitors a utility’s system for even a microsecond of irregularity that might indicate some kind of hacking attempt or malware is interfering with the system.

With all that attention to keeping the elec-tricity flowing, Lawson says there’s another major cyber threat receiving high-priority attention from electric co-ops—protecting data and criti-cal utility information to avoid identity theft of members’ information. He says some co-ops hire firms to periodically try to hack into their com-puter systems, so the co-op can identify and fix the holes in their security.

Lawson describes a scary world of cyber terrorists, organized crime, issue-oriented groups or just kids in their basement seeing what kind of trouble they can cause on the Internet. At the same time, he compares those high-tech threats to risks posed by hurricanes or the everyday need for paying attention to safety at the electric cooperative. Co-ops regularly use risk assessment and management practices to balance a wide range of threats to their systems.

“Physical security and cyber secu-rity are becoming just another cost of doing business,” said Lawson. “You’ll never be 100 percent secure, and all you can do is try your best to keep up with the bad guys. It’s a fact of life in these days and times we’re living in.” KCL

PAUL WESSLUND writes on cooperative issues for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.Computer scientists assist cyber security researchers to more

effectively observe behavior found in malicious botnets.

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The U.S. Product Safety Commission has issued the following electrical-related recalls. If you have purchased one of these prod-ucts, for your safety and the safety of others, please follow the remedy instructions noted below for each of the products.

AMBIENT WEATHER RADIOS – These red and black weather radios have “Ambient Weather,” “AM/FM/Weather Band Radio”

and “NOAA Weather Radio” printed in white lettering on the front of the radio. The radios have a black crank handle on the back, an antenna on the top, an LED flashlight on the left side, a clip on

the right side and a cable to charge a smart phone.ff Hazard: The radio can overheat when

plugged into an AC power outlet.ff Remedy: Refund. Call Ambient Weather toll-

free at 877-413-8800 or visit www.ambient-weather.com, click on “Customer Service,” then “Recall Information.”

BOSCH SMALL ANGLE GRINDERS – Recall for the Bosch 1380 Slim small, 4.5-

inch angle grinders with date codes 502 through

511. Model number and date codes are located on the name plate affixed to the underside of the grinder. The grinders are blue and silver with a black

label and black and red control buttons. “BOSCH” is printed in red on the side of the product.ff Hazard: The grinder can overheat while in

use, causing the brush covers to melt and expose the end of the brush holder, posing a risk of burns to the consumer.

ff Remedy: Repair. Contact Robert Bosch Tools toll-free at 844-552-6724 or visit www.bos-chtools.com and click on “Important Product Recalls” at the bottom.

GOLFBUDDY GOLF GPS BANDS – The recall involves GolfBuddy BB5 golf GPS LED bands that are wearable GPS units operating as a pedometer, distance monitor and watch

and comes preloaded with golf course information. ff Hazard: The band charging ports

can produce an electrical charge to exposed skin, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

ff Remedy: Repair. Contact Golf-Buddy toll-free at 888-251-6058 or visit www.golfbuddyglobal.com and click on the Recall Information link at the bottom of the homepage.

TOP FIN POWER FILTERS FOR AQUARIUMS – This recall includes five models of the filters: Top Fin Power Filters 10, 20, 30, 40 and 75. These filters were also sold as part of Top Fin 5.5 and 10-gallon LED aquarium kits. ff Hazard: A conductor on the

pump motor can become exposed and electrify the aquarium water, posing a shock hazard.

ff Remedy: Consumers should stop using the product immediately, unplug from power supply, remove from aquarium and contact United Pet Group for a free replacement. Call 800-338-4896 or visit www.unitedpetgroup.com and click on product recalls at bottom of the page.

RHEEM ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS – Recall involves the “Performance Platinum” elec-tric water heaters in 40-, 50- and 80-gallon capacities.ff Hazard: The control panel on the

water heaters can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards.

ff Remedy: Repair. Call Rheem toll-free at 866-369-4786 or visit www.rheem.com and click on “Recall Information” for more informa-tion. KCL

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury visit www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772 or teletypewriter at 301-595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain additional recall information at www.cpsc.gov.

U.S. Product Safety Commission Recalls

S A F E T Y


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Remember safetyYour laundry room extends from

the back of the dryer, down the dryer duct and all the way to the end of your dryer vent. Inspect your outside dryer vent regularly to make sure it is not blocked, and periodically work with a professional to clean your dryer ducts. Making sure the duct and vent are clear not only helps your dryer work more efficiently, but can also prevent a fire—more than 15,000 fires per year nationwide are sparked by clogged dryer ducts and vents. If possible, move the dryer closer to an exterior wall to shorten the length of the dryer duct and make sure the duct is as straight as possible—this helps reduce the opportunities for clogging and increases efficiency.

Use your solar-powered dryerGoing “old-fashioned” and air

drying your clothes will definitely reduce your energy use! You can also

tumble dry clothes until damp, then line dry them until fully dry—taking this step can prevent the “crunchy” feeling that line-dried clothes can some-times have.

There are many ways you can wash the energy waste out of your laundry routine. Try a few of these simple tips, and “load up” on the savings! KCL

This column was written by PAT KEEGAN and AMY WHEELESS of Collaborative Efficiency.

For more information, visit: www.collaborativeefficiency.com/energytips or email Pat Keegan at [email protected].

Without regular cleaning, a dryer duct can become clogged with lint, making your dryer less efficient and putting you at risk of a fire.

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C U T YO U R U T I L I T Y B I L L S


http://www.collaborativeefficiency.com/energytips

http://www.collaborativeefficiency.com/energytips

Preserving Time in a Bottle (or Jar) B Y R E B E C C A H O W A R D

CO O K I N G M Y WAY H O M E

Rebecca Howard

Homestyle Corn Relish

Prepare boiling water canner. Heat jars and lids in simmering water until ready for use. Do not boil. Set bands aside. Combine vinegar, sugar and salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add corn, red and green peppers, celery, onion, mustard, celery seeds and turmeric. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes, stirring frequently.Ladle hot relish into hot jars leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe rim. Center hot lid on jar. Apply band and adjust until fit is fingertip tight. Place jar in boiling water canner. Repeat until all jars are filled. Process jars for 15 minutes, adjusting for alti-tude. Turn off heat; remove lid and let jars stand 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool. Checklids for seal after 24 hours. Lid should not flex up and down when center is pressed.

FROM THE “BALL COMPLETE BOOK OF HOME PRESERVING” (ROBERT ROSE , 2015 )

f 2 cups white vinegar f 2/3 cup sugar f 1 Tbs. salt f 4 cups cooked corn kernels (about 8 ears)

f 2 cups diced mixed red and green bell peppers (about 2 large)

f 3/4 cup diced celery (about 2 stalks)

f 1/2 cup finely chopped onion (about 1 small)

f 1 Tbs. dry mustard f 1 tsp. celery seeds f 1 tsp. ground turmeric f 6 (8 oz.) half-pint glass preserv-ing jars with lids and bands

As soon as my ability to read cata-pulted me into the world, I was up and away—crawling onto the countertops, that is, and exploring the cupboards, adventuring through cookbooks, recipes and labels. Some pantry items were more curious, like paraffin that looked like colorless candle blocks, whole mustard seed and strange things like “pectin” and “alum,” for which my only reference was its ability to shrink an opera singer’s head when Bugs Bunny slipped it into a throat spray.

In time, these curiosities revealed them-selves. I was in a pickling and preserving house-hold, and come summer, the high windows over the kitchen sink fogged in a fruit and vegetable sauna with my mother’s canning of fruits and vegetables, jams and jellies. I remember the sweet reward of a taste of the fruity foam skimmed from a pot of jam.

I’m amazed now at all the homegrown

produce my mom processed into jars—tomatoes and tomato juice; dill and bread-and-butter-pickles, apples and apple sauce and apple butter (of which I was the designated stirrer, a job that, if shifts were accounted, added up to much over-time), canned peaches and peach jam, cherry and rhubarb jam, plum, currant and apple jelly (getting jelly from an apple is an alchemy that must still be secreted to some ancient texts); canned green beans and even ketchup and chili sauce. My dad also ventured into pickling—with fermented cukes kept conveniently (or not so, depending on who ate them) on the back porch for company.

Most home-canned goods ended up—tem-porarily—down in the cellar, a dark and delight-fully dirt-smelling haven where we not only sought safety from storms and occasional escapes from the heat, but kept stores of preserves on shelves and on beds screened with chicken wire, potatoes and onions dug from the garden.

Growing up, this all seemed natural, since I was at the tail end of a long line of rural folks

who used practiced science to capture the growing months and hold onto them in the gleaming jeweled jars that awaited dust until an occasional visit brought them back upstairs for a taste of summer on frozen days.

It’s impossible to put time in a bottle—or jar—or is it? “Can as soon after gardening as possible,” reads the intro to the Canning and Preserv-ing section of the 1931 cookbook, “Searchlight Recipe Book” (which my grandmother passed onto my mother, and I found in my cupboard explora-tions), “One hour from garden to can is the rule.”

Generations of ladies (and men) brought their gardens to the kitchens to can, then stock away in the cellar or pantry. Necessity then is novelty now. “Pickle it!” cheers the enthusias-


My own experience of making jam and recently, doing some pickling, makes me feel like I’m capturing time in a bottle, slowing it down some and even doing some time travel.

tic couple in the offbeat comedy sketch show, “Portlandia,” essentially telling us to try something fun and...new?

My own experience of making jam and recently, doing some pickling, makes me feel like I’m capturing time in a bottle, slowing it down some and even doing some time travel. My giant speckled canner (that looks just like my mom’s) ticks as it heats. I play science and sterilize jars and lids. The fruit steam rises from apricots and strawberries and blueberries and plums, and I skim off fruit foam in a little dish to taste. The heat rises, the windows steam. The temp is tolerable, as summer ripe is being caught. I fill and lid the jars, wish them well as I lower them deep into the bubbling water, leaving them to the dark heat that will seal the deal.

Then, the hot gleaming jars on the countertop cooling. I hang around just to hear the musical popping sound of the lids as they seal (a true seal on the jar means there is no give when the lid is pressed).

And the jewels are in my pantry because I do not have a cellar, and I share with friends and have even mailed a jar or two back to my parents, my mom compliment-ing my lower-sugar jams because she says you can truly taste the fruit.

And I’ll keep doing it not only because I enjoy it, but because she enjoyed it. And for her, this year, I make a favorite—corn relish, from freshly harvested (farmers market) corn, onions, celery, peppers, and the spices that still make me curious.

If you want to preserve:ff Read first. The process requires a time

commitment, as well as essential equip-ment such as a large canner pot and rack, jars and lids, special ingredients, such as pectin for jams and pick-ling spices and vinegar for pickles. I recommend the “Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving,” (Robert Rose publishing, 2015) or their website, www.freshpreserving.com. They also offer preserving recipes to eat now and usurp the canning process.

ff Fresh produce is best. Though an hour

from garden to can may not be realistic, the fresher and riper the produce for your preserves, the better. If not harvested from your own garden, shop for your produce at the farmers market the same day or a couple of days within your preserving process.

ff Keep it clean. Do understand and follow through with keeping all equipment clean and pristine. Sterilize jars and lids as directed, and wipe the edges of the jars clean with a damp cloth after filling and before setting the lids atop.

ff Enjoy the process. This is a project that should slow you down (a good thing), foster patience and revive a respect for all who came before you. They did this a lot and regularly, but you live in a time where you have the luxury of dabbling—so have fun! KCL

REBECCA HOWARD grew up in Kansas and received a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications from Kansas State University. She has written for the Los Angeles Daily News, the Los Angeles Times and LA Parent Magazine, and cur-rently writes the food blog, “A Woman Sconed.”


http://www.freshpreserving.com

W H E R E TO S H O P

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Continued from page 4 f

exhibits; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Finnup Park at Lee Richardson Zoo. 312 Finnup Dr., 620-272-3664.

JULY 9 Cressler Creek Lodge Ghost Tour, Hoxie. Experience a ghost tour at the Cressler Creek Lodge. Call 785-425-7350 or visit www.adventuretoursofkansas.com.

JULY 12 Grow Good Food: Garden Pests and Diseases, Wichita. Summer is underway in your garden, but some pesky insects and diseases are starting to cause problems. Learn what to look for to stay a step ahead. Sedgwick County Extension Education Center; 6 p.m. 4-H Hall 7001 W. 21st St. N., 316-660-0142 or [email protected].

JULY 13 Hutchinson Cosmosphere “Living in Space,” Harper. Fun sessions about our Cosmosphere; divided by age groups. 10:30 a.m. for young children; 2 p.m. for grade schoolers; and 3 p.m. for teens and adults. 620-896-2959 for more information.

JULY 14-17 Cal Ripken Kansas State Baseball Tournament, Garden City. Tournament for kids 12 years old; eight-team state tournament. 620-640-5071 or visit www.finney.k-state.edu/county-fair/index.html.

JULY 14, 15, 21, 22 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, Lindsborg. Opens July 14; curtain rises at 8:30 p.m. in Swensson Park. Tickets at www.broadwayrfd.org or at the gate.

JULY 15-16 Meade County Fair WRCA Ranch Rodeo, Meade. Starts at 7 p.m. at Meade County Fair Grounds. Contact Dale Schell 620-629-7090.

JULY 15-16 Rodeo, Junction City. An open competition rodeo with kids’ event each night including calf scramble, boot scramble, mutton busting, mini bull riding and junior barrel racing; Geary County Fairgrounds. 1025 S. Spring Valley Rd., 785-210-6536.

JULY 15-16 Harvest Festival, Cuba. Tractor drive and show, volleyball, bouncy houses, games, Czech dance with Joe Dolezal, Legion barbecue, baby show and dance by

Southern Cross. Call 785-729-3631 or Facebook at CubaHarvestFestival.

JULY 15-17 Squabbles, Ottawa. A comedy about bickering in-laws who just can’t help themselves; Ottawa Municipal Auditorium. Saturday night includes dinner by Smoked Creations before the 7 p.m. show. 301 S. Hickory St. Visit www.actottawa.org.

JULY 15, 16, 17 Threshing Show, Meriden. Featured engine: Fairbanks Morse; featured tractor: Allis Chalmers. Threshing, garden tractor pulls, parade, flour milling, blacksmithing, flea market and music Friday and Saturday nights. 8275 K-4 Highway, 785-633-9706 or visit www.meridanthreshers.org.

JULY 16-17 Jewell County Threshing Bee & Antique Machinery Show, Mankato. Working steam engines, power wheat threshing machine, working saw mill, corn sheller, blacksmith shop and horseshoeing. Saturday night barbecue, beer garden and dance. www.jewellcountyhistory.com, 785-378-3055 or 785-786-3337.

JULY 16 Garden of Eden Ghost Tour, Lucas. Experience a ghost tour at the Garden of Eden. Call 785-425-7350 or visit www.adventuretoursofkansas.com.

JULY 18-21 Geary County Free Fair, Junction City. 4-H and open class show and exhibits; activities for the entire family–pedal pull, inflatable amusements, ice cream social, horse drawn carriage rides, barbecue and watermelon feed. 1025 S. Spring Valley Rd., 785.238.4161, www.geary.ksu.edu.

JULY 23-AUG. 30 All American Flair, Syracuse. One of the largest demo derby’s in southwest Kansas, Elvis Impersonator, gospel concert, pie contest, Barnyard Olympics, and blacksmith presentations. www.hamiltoncountyfairgrounds.com, 620-384-5433.

JULY 23 Saving Grandpa’s Stories (and Grandma’s too), Matfield Green. Janet Sunderland, a poet and memoirist, will teach this writing workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pioneer Bluffs, an historic Flint Hills

ranch headquarters. 620-753-3484, [email protected] or www.pioneerbluffs.org.

JULY 23 Kansas City Casino and KC Royals Bus Tour, Lincoln. Sponsored by the Lincoln Area Chamber of Commerce. Contact [email protected] or [email protected] for reservations.

JULY 23 Wolf Hotel and Emporium Underground Ghost Tour, Ellinwood. Experience a ghost tour underground of the Ellinwood Wolf Hotel and the Ellinwood Emporium. 785-425-7350, www.adventuretoursofkansas.com.

JULY 27-30 Lincoln County 4-H Fair, Sylvan Grove. Contact the Lincoln Area Chamber of Commerce at 785-524-4934.

JULY 27-31 Finney County Fair, Garden City. Support local 4-Hers as they exhibit projects they have been working on all year. Call 620-640-5071 or visit www.finney.k-state.edu/county-fair/index.html.

JULY 28-30 After Harvest Czech Festival, Wilson. Music, Czech dancers, Czech Queen Pageant, parade, talent show, carnival games and water inflatables, vendors and 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Call 785-658-2272.

JULY 30 Horticulture Center Field Day, Olathe. See the hottest, newest plants while enjoying cool classes in air conditioned comfort and icy cold water while wandering the university’s field trials. 35230 West 135th St. Visit www.johnson.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/horticulture-field-day.html or call 913-715-7000. KCL We publish “Around Kansas” events as a courtesy as space allows and cannot guarantee publication of your event. Send items to [email protected] by the fifth of the month prior to publication. To guarantee placement of your event in the magazine, contact Carrie Kimberlin at 785-487-4554 or [email protected].


http://www.adventuretoursofkansas.com


http://www.finney.k-state.edu/county-fair/index.html

http://www.finney.k-state.edu/county-fair/index.html

http://www.broadwayrfd.org

http://www.broadwayrfd.org

http://www.actottawa.org

http://www.meridanthreshers.org

http://www.jewellcountyhistory



http://www.geary.ksu.edu

http://www.hamiltoncountyfairgrounds.com

http://www.hamiltoncountyfairgrounds.com

http://www.pioneerbluffs.org




http://www.finney.k-state

http://www.johnson.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/horticulture-field-day.html




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f

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bine tortellini, apples, salad greens, strawberries, celery and scallions. Toss salad gently with chilled dressing. Serve chilled. If desired, sprinkle with pine nuts. Serves 6 to 8.

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f2 cups shredded salad greens

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f1/2 cup sliced scallions

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Salad


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Kansas Country Living July 2016