The Stevens County Conservation District celebrated their Sixty-eighth Annual Appreciation Banquet and business meeting Saturday evening at the Memorial Hall. Hunny’s of Guymon, Ok. served a delicious meal to all, and Hugoton High School FFA members helped serve the food.

Poster Contest Award winners were honored.  Twenty – four students were awarded for their posters with ribbons and cash.

Chairman Loren Seaman presented a Powerpoint presentation in honor of the 2017 Distinguished Community Service Award recipient, Citizens State Bank.

The Citizens State Bank was first established in 1913.  At that time the bank was just a wood building. The cashiers conducted business behind wire cages to protect the bank’s money. In 1925, Citizens State Bank built a brick building for their offices. This building is still in use, although it was expanded in 2002.

Walter Young, Citizen’s State Bank president from 1975 until 1989, fulfilled his goal which was to make sure it stayed a local bank. They have set a great example during the past 100 years. The bank has provided stability and continuity for the community from decade to decade.

The bank employs about 32 people at this time. They have provided the annual Conservation Banquet for the past 36 years. They also have sponsored the Stevens County Fair Barbeque, participated in the Fair 4-H livestock auction and supported school events. They have done much for the Hugoton community.

Plaques were presented to Citizens State Bank for the Community Service Award; to Matt and Keri Clark for the Grassland Award; to Tom and Patty Lahey for the Water Conservation Award; and to Walter and Dorothy McClure for the Windbreak Award.

Guest Speaker Jeff Hutton of the Dodge City National Weather Service, presented an interesting program about southwest Kansas’ weather in the past, as well as his forecast for the coming years.

The meeting adjourned.