With help from Kansas Farm Bureau’s campaign to End Hunger, Stevens County Farm Bureau is working to address food insecurity issues in Hugoton.

This project came about in 2022 when County Coordinator Jamie Gooch contacted Nancy Bansemer with Project Hope to see what FB could do in helping feel any needs in our community for meat and nutritious food. Nancy was again quick to respond that they were always low on meat in their freezers and were currently trying to serve several families in our community. This project being so successful last year, plans were set forth to continue this End Hunger project for the second year. 4-H Leader Stacy Dillinger again helped with co- ordinating information with the four 4-H Clubs in the County. The group was so excited that everyone was on board to help make a difference within the County and families of Kansas. Those 4-H Clubs are Buffalo Boosters, Cloverleaf Cowboys, Heartland and Wranglers and each of these 4 clubs committed in donating a finished hog after the County Fair. Then Stevens County Farm Bureau Association, FB Agent Jeff Ramsey and Kansas Farm Bureau would be responsible for the processing of the hogs. Together we delivered 798 pounds of sausage to our local Project Hope.

“Farmers and ranchers know how important it is for all families to have access to safe, nutritious food,” says Brad Niehues County Farm Bureau President. “We are excited to be a part of the solution.”

The new Hugoton Recreation Splash Pad is a fun way to cool off on these hot summer days. Splish, Splash! Please enter over by the restrooms. There is a activator button to start the water. No food or drink is allowed in the splash pad area,  please respect the project!! Also, please be sure and park away from splash pad outside the rope barrier.  Enjoy the fun while the hot weather is upon us.

The 2023 Parade of Champions, front left to right, are Adam Cerecero, Jack Sullivan, Cade Eisenhour, Khloee Lavigne and Kenzi Pike. In the second row are Kash Kallenbach, Brek Colantonio, Kadence Hernandez-Kolb, Faith Beesley, Braylee Kraisinger, Jaycee Burrows, Alivia Grubbs, Ben Martin and Micah Johnson. In the back row are Catie Gooch, Carter McClure, Jayden Burrows, Lakota Persing, Morgan Niehues, Jayce Heger, Kynli Crawford, Joshua Burrows, Tobias Grubbs and Bently Esarey.

The 2023 Pioneer King and Queen are Mike Willis and Ruthie Traver Winget. Mike was born at the Epworth Hospital in Liberal July 15, 1947 to Warren G. and Betty L. Willis. He was the second child, with Lynetta being his older sister. His mom always said he cut his teeth on a D John Deere Tractor because he was always riding along with his dad at a very young age.

Mike is a fourth generation Stevens County resident, and a lifetime farmer and rancher. He rented his first quarter of farm ground at 14 years old. His first tractor was a G John Deere. He was in the Hugoton High School graduating Class of 1966.

After high school, he attended Wichita WTI technical school, graduating with an electronics degree in 1968. Mike then enlisted in the Army reserves and served for six years.

He had a shop for about 10 years, selling and servicing TV’s. He met and married Kathy in 1973, they were married for 43 years and had three children, Warren, Jenny and Lisa. Mike has eight wonderful GRAND- children.

He took over his dad’s farm operation in 1983. Kathy and Mike operated a seed business for 41 years. Over the last few years, he turned over most of the farming operation to his son Warren.

Mike is semi-retired, but he would like to slow down even more. He is a member of the First Christian Church, and has previously served as deacon and member of the board.

Other community involvement includes serving on the Co-op board, member of the JC’s, member of the Fair Board, served on the Soil Conservation Board, the ASCS board, and Extension Council Board. Mike also taught Hunter’s Safety for many years.

His hobbies and interests outside of working are bowling, hunting, fishing, old cars, collecting arrowheads and Indian Artifacts, small scale tractors, his cattle herd, going to car shows with his friends, and most importantly, spending time with his family and grandkids.

Mike is thankful to have lived in a nice community and blessed to live in a free country.

Ruthie was born March 29, 1941 in the family home in West Stevens County to William M. “Bill” and Ferne A. Traver. She is the oldest child and has one brother Roger Traver, and two sisters, the late Vicki (Traver) Micheau and Beth (Traver) Stipe.

Ruthie’s early years, she lived with her family in the rural Moscow area, until the family moved to Hugoton when she was in the sixth grade. Ruthie loved riding her horse Daisy, (every kid in town wanted to ride Daisy) and enjoyed 4-H and helping her mom and sisters around the house.

In September of her senior year Ruthie got married and then graduated from Hugoton High School in 1959. Ruthie has three children, Jimmie, Kent and Lori. She has seven wonderful grandchildren.

After her kids were in school, Ruthie went to work at the Hugoton Post Office as a letter carrier and worked there for 35 years. She retired in 2004, and went to work at The Hugoton Hermes news- paper that same year and is still there! She has lived in Stevens County all of her life except a couple of years in Missouri.

Ruthie is a member of the First Christian Church. Her hobbies are waterskiing in her younger days and she continues to love reading, camping, traveling and spending time with her family and her grandkids.

Ruthie is very blessed to live in such a caring and warm-hearted community.

Commodities will be distributed in Hugoton at the former VHF Building Tuesday, July 25 at 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or until all food is distributed. There will be no need to get out of your vehicle, boxes will be delivered and loaded into your vehicle. There is no charge to participate in The Emergency Food Assistance Program or “TEMPA”. Eligibility will be based on need. Hugoton United Methodist Church is the sponsoring organization. For questions, call 620-544-8715.

Fifteen contestants to date will be competing in the Seventy-first Annual Sorghum Queen Pageant Friday, July 21, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the Middle School Auditorium!  These beautiful young ladies are all vying for the title of Sorghum Queen 2023. Ladies and their sponsors on the front row from left to right are, Emily Tinoco- Citizens State Bank, Brianna Ordonez- Hugoton Drug, Olivia Salmans- ACG Storage, LLC, Kadence Hernandez- AK Roofing, Genesis Landa- Rebellious Boutique, Mary Beth Crawford- Main Revelation, Raquel Acuna- Settlemyer Properties and Alaina Gold- Ag 1st Crop Insurance. On the back row left to right, Amanda Farnum- Seaboard Energy- Kansas, Abigail Foreman- Tate, Kitzke, & Foreman, LLC, Jayden Burrows- Plus One Cattle Company, Shiloh Goetzinger- Hugoton Recreation Pool, Channing Dillinger- Settlemyer Tree Trimming, Jewels Noland- Janet’s Bridal & Boutique and Leslie Martinez- Lynnie’s Nest. Good luck ladies – you make Stevens County proud.

The Pollyannas would like to express their appreciation to the generous sponsors for their support. Proceeds from the Sorghum Queen pageant support various community projects throughout the year, including graduating high school scholarships.

The contest is open to the public and there is an admission cost per person.

Hugoton celebrated Independence Day with Park Day Tuesday, July 4. Boy Scout Troop 189 presented the Colors and the Hugoton High School Show Choir sang the National Anthem. Winners with vouchers need to go to the Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce to pick up your winnings.

The winners in the Little Miss / Mr. Hugoton contest sponsored by Flatlanders Farm and Home were: birth to six months Little Miss first place Juliette Turner, second Thalia Ordonez and third Wrenley Maravilla; Little Mr. winner was Kord Luke Kallenbach. In the seven to 12 months Little Miss were: first place, Ryverlynn McDaniels, second Emersyn Fullerton and third Everly Sillivent; Little Mr. Adler Lazaro, first place, Chandler Peterson second and third Kreeden Gifford. Thirteen to 18 month winner was: Little Miss Kaleia Gifford first; Little Mr.: first place Slade Smith, Elias Watkins second and Brandon Montoya third. In the 19-24 month Little Miss: Madison Frazier first, Chloee Campbell second and Kinsley McCarter third; Little Mr. winner was Garrett Heston. The two to three year group: Little Miss, Lola Esarey first, Bessie Conley second and Oaklee Ryann Bohl third; and winner in the Little Mr. group was Grayson Heston first place.

The winners in the Sack Race sponsored by Citizens State Bank were four and under: first, Sage Jarvis, second, Faye Jarvis and third, Gracie Jarvis. In the five to six year olds, winners were first, Josiah Horton andsecond, Xzavien Maravilla. Seven to eight year winners were first, Kohen Kallenbach, second, Easton Jarvis and third, Diego Alfaro. Nine to ten year old winners were first place, Cade Jarvis, tied Zaden Maravilla and Kevin Alvarado for second, and third, Adrian Maravilla. The 11-12 year old winners were first place, Blake Salmans, second, Kash Kallenbach and third, Kennedy Jarvis. Thirteen to 14 year old winners were first, Isaac Alvarado, second, Wyatt Jarvis and third, Luis Alfaro. Fifteen to adult winners were tied for first place, Aiden Conner and Brandon Jarvis, tied for second, Wyatt Johnson and Aurie Perry and tied for third, Kash Kallenbach and Ryan Passmore.

Winners of the Turtle Races sponsored by SWFAS and the Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce one to four year olds: first place, Derek, second, Rylee and third, Samuel Haar. In the five to eight age group first place went to Shane Morris, second, Jett Worthington and third, Sage Jarvis. The nine to 12 year old age group winners were first place Jaxx Worthington, second, Maddie Williams and third, Clara Morris.

Winners of the Hot Pepper Eating Contest sponsored by Rock Bottom Addiction Services were first place, Emelio Ramirez, second, Elder Moya and third, Ashlin Bohl.

Winners of the Frog Jump sponsored by SWFAS and the Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce were: one to four years, first place, Oakley Claggett, second, Camdyn Campbell and third, Tallon Hill. In the five to eight year old group first, went to Elly Johnson, second, Shane Morris and third, Easton Jarvis. Nine to 12 year old winners were: first, Kennedy Jarvis, second, Rory Esarey and third, Clara Morris.

Winners of the twenty-third annual Rotary duck race were first place, Clark Young, second, Ryan Scarniti, third ,Joe Holcomb Grandchildren and fourth Uptown Auto Body. Winners of the Hard Luck ducks were, Carla Brechbuhler, Shannon Crawford, Hugoton Hermes, Irrigated Acres and Karen Yoder.