Hugoton High School’s girls’ basketball season came to an end Saturday. It was not exactly the way the well-decorated senior class wanted to finish their season. However HHS again ended their season on a win, which they have done every year since they were freshmen. They went 2-1 in Emporia for 4A Division II state and brought home third place.

Wednesday, the Lady Eagles took on Baxter springs for their first round action. The Lady Eagles started out a little slow in the first, as the two teams wound up being tied after one, 7-7. After that, the Lady Eagles’ defense helped give them a comfortable lead, going into the half 24-17. Baxter springs tried to keep pace as both teams only scored ten in the third, but the lady Eagles proved to be too much for them as HHS ran the fourth quarter and pulled out a 51-35 win. Brooklyn Harper finished with 18 points and eight rebounds in the game. Jordyn Beard grabbed 14 boards.

Friday night, the tables were turned on the Lady Eagles. In years, past the Hugoton team held a number one seed and was “the team to beat” in the 4A II. That was before a season where several key players graduated and the team’s returning All-State player was out with a season-ending knee injury. The Lady Eagles managed to pull the season together and got them in the position to try for yet another title. However on this night, that goal ended with the new powerhouse Baldwin, which dispatched the defending champs and sent them to a third-place game Saturday. The Lady Eagles never seemed to get their offense to go against Baldwin and in some cases the Lady Bulldogs held a definite advantage thanks to their physicality. Even though the lady Eagles battled tough it was not enough as Baldwin jumped out to a 13-5 lead after one and then went to the half up 26-12. The Lady Eagles fought in the fourth and outscored Baldwin but at that point, the game was out of their hands, and the Bulldogs wound up winning 60-47. Harper led the team in scoring with 15 points and Johanna Rawlins contributed 13 more.

The Lady Eagles went into Saturday with a new goal after Friday night’s loss, which was to not be a team to end their season with a loss. The senior group of girls had two State championships and a third place State finish coming into Saturday’s game. They came out with yet another win and finished third again after a win over Marysville. The Lady Eagles only let the Lady Bulldogs stay close to them in the first quarter, then proceeded to run away with the game. The Lady Eagles won 64-43.  Both Harper and Rawlins put up 16 points to lead the Eagles. Laney Hoskinson helped the cause adding 13 points.

The Lady Eagles ended the season with a 17-8 record for the year. Harper was named to the All-State Tournament team. The Lady Eagles will lose three starting seniors next year with an additional three off the bench next season. However, the team will return four core players who provided starting time and quality minutes this season and some very talented JV players for next year’s run for State.

Both the Hugoton High School girls’ and the Moscow High School boys’ basketball teams will compete at the State basketball tournament this evening, Wednesday, March 7 at 8:15 p.m.

Third seed Moscow High School’s 18-5 Wildcats will face sixth-seed Wallace County with a 12-11 record. They’ll tip off at 8:15 p.m. at the 1A Division II tournament in Dodge City’s United Wireless Arena.

The fourth-seeded 15-7 Lady Eagles will take the court in Emporia at the 4A Division II tournament against fifth-seed 13-9 Baxter Springs.

You can watch live coverage of the boys’ game by clicking here.

The girls’ game will be broadcast here.

Good luck at State!

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.

Chamber Director Alisha Owens announced this week the Legislative Update has been rescheduled to Saturday, March 3! The Update will take place at Pioneer Manor and will begin at 1:00 p.m.

Senator John Doll and Representative Steve Alford will be present to discuss various issues with their constituents, as well as fill the people in about what’s been happening in their respective committees in the Senate and the House. Doll and Alford will also be happy to answer questions from community members. Please make plans to attend Saturday!

The Update is sponsored by the Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce, Stevens County Economic Development and Stevens County Farm Bureau Association.

The sweetest day of the year has come and gone – but for a few sweethearts, the love continues as they enjoy their winnings from the 2018 Sweetheart Sweepstakes. Jake and Annie Klassen won the big prize this year at China, where they’ll enjoy a $25 gift certificate as well as $50 in Chamber Bucks from the Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce.

Countless other couples won a list of great prizes at area businesses, but Rick and Linda Kates might just take the cake with luck! They won two prizes in this year’s Sweepstakes – a $50 gift certificate at Bultman Tire and two free dinners and drinks at the Jet Drive-In!

China’s other winners were Chris and Haley McCameron, who will enjoy a delicious free meal with their $25 gift certificate. Ed and Alicia Stevenson took the $25 gift certificate prize at Janet’s Bridal and Boutique, while Carl and Nancy Cox won a $25 gift certificate to Creative Specialties.

Roger and Chely Beesley won the $20 gift certificate at Bultman Inc. and Zackary and Micah Johnson were named the $25 gift card winners at Flatlanders. Ron and Kathy Simmons get to pick their choice of jewelry at the Hospital Auxiliary’s Little Gift Shop in the Corner.

Jan Leonard and fiance Julie Hefner will start their lives together with an early wedding present of $20 Gas Capital Dollars from Citizens State Bank. Wilmer and Ladonna Perry won the $25 cash from First National Bank, and Cary and Susan Roland will stay informed with their free year of The Hermes!

Richard and Stephanie Smith were named the winners of a bottle of CND Almond Moisture Therapy Lotion at Buffie’s. Hugoton Drug awarded Chris and Stephanie Heger with a very useful $25 gift certificate. Yardmasters’ $25 gift certificate winners were Curt and Maria Slocum.

Johnny and Rhonda Kolacek were awarded a $25 gift card from Stevens County Retail Pharmacy, and Tom and Debbie Pate will enjoy a tasty meal courtesy of Pizza Hut with their free large pizza. Liz Perry was named the winner of a $25 gift certificate at Los Agaves Bar and Grill. Acosta’s and Nieto’s Cafe awarded a $25 gift certificate to their winners, Robert and Dawn Hart.

Jeff Hutton will be the guest speaker at the Stevens County Conservation District’s Sixty-eighth Annual Appreciation Ban­quet Saturday, February 24 at the Memorial Hall in Hugoton. Join them for dinner, accomplishments, awards, meeting and elections. Hunny’s BBQ will be catering the dinner, courtesy of Citizens State Bank. Also, door prizes will be given away!

Mr. Hutton is the Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the National Weather Service office in Dodge City. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology from the University of Oklahoma in 1983 and began his professional career in weather during that same year working for a private firm in Oklahoma City. He joined the National Weather Service in Des Moines, Ia. in 1989.

A native of Dodge City, Mr. Hutton was selected as one of the first forecasters at the modernized weather office in Dodge City in early 1992. He was selected as the Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the Dodge City office in 1994, a position he has held since.

As the Warning Coordination Meteorologist, Mr. Hutton actively works with city, county and state officials in promoting weather awareness and safety. He also trains spotters and citizens on weather identification and safety issues pertaining to severe weather and is responsible for training his local office employees in many aspects of severe weather.

Some memories leave a lasting impression on young hearts. Perhaps for one young Kansan who dreams of someday becoming president of the United States, a visit with a current Kansas legislator will be one such memory.

Hugoton second grader Jefferson Diaz and his family saw the state Capitol in Topeka from top to bottom February 1 as the special guests of Senator John Doll, from Garden City.

Diaz met Senator Doll at a reading program event at his school in November. The legislator invited him to visit the Statehouse after the student said it’s his goal to someday become president of the U.S.

Diaz participates in the Kansas Reading Roadmap (KRR) early literacy program at Hugoton Elementary School, a program that helps students from Kindergarten through third grade improve their reading proficiency. Senator Doll met Diaz when he visited an evening event at the school called LIFE (Literacy Integrated Family Engagement). Diaz and his family were accompanied by Hugoton KRR Program Coordinator Jacque Teeter.

To read the rest of this story, pick up a copy of this week’s Hermes or subscribe online by clicking here

Believe it or not, Valentine’s Day is next week! If you haven’t got your gift yet, don’t worry! Local Hugoton merchants have got you covered! Every winning couple chosen will then be entered into the 2018 Sweetheart Sweepstakes drawing for a chance to win a $50 Chamber gift certificate. For the Valentine’s sweepstakes, only couples are eligible to win. The winners will be drawn Thursday, February 15.

While you’re ordering your sweetheart’s Valentine bouquet, sign up at Creative Specialties for a $25 gift certificate. If you’re browsing the aisles at Yardmaster, you can register there for a $25 gift certificate.

In case your love harbors a devotion to shopping, Janet’s Bridal and Boutique has you covered! Register at 1010 Van Buren for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate.

If  you and your sweetie like to dine out, several local restaurants will help you with the perfect setting! Pizza Hut is offering a free large pizza to their winners, while Jet Drive-In is giving away two free dinners and drinks. Prefer more exotic cuisine? Then head over to acosta’s & Nieto’s Cafe or Los Agaves Bar and Grill to register to win a $25 gift certificate! You can eat your fill of egg rolls and Chow Mein with two $25 gift certificates from China!

If you’re feeling ambitious enough to tackle one of your “honey-do” list items in time for Valentine’s Day, register to win a $20 Gift Certificate at Bultman Inc., while you pick up supplies! Bultman Tire Center also has your back if your to-do includes some vehicle maintenance, with a $50 gift certificate for their winning couple.

In the event you don’t know what your loved one wants, a subscription to The Hermes is always a good fit! Register at The Hugoton Hermes for a chance to win a free year’s subscription. You can also let them pick their own gift, by signing up at First National Bank for a chance to win $25 in cold hard cash! Let Citizens State Bank handle the bankroll with their $20 Gas Capital Dollars, good at any Hugoton Chamber member business.

Be sure to sign up at Hugoton Drug. They will be giving their winners a $25 gift certificate. While at Buffie’s sign up for a chance to win a bottle of CND Almond Moistue Therapy Lotion and a chance to become the Sweetheart Sweepstakes winners.

Stevens Retail Pharmacy is giving to their winner couple a $20 gift card. While shopping at Flatlanders sign up for a chance at their $25 gift certificate and while shopping at the Little Gift Shop in the Corner at the Stevens County Hospital sign up for a chance to be named Sweetheart Sweepstakes and receive their prize of your choice of jewelry.

Wherever you decide to do your Valentine’s shopping – make sure to show your local vendors some love this February!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

One Ground Hog Supper is in the books – the Hugoton United Methodist Men’s meal took place Saturday evening at Memorial Hall – and two more are on the agenda for this weekend! So be sure to bring the whole family – and a biiiig appetite – to the festivities at Lone Star Friends Church and Moscow United Methodist Church.

Lone Star plans sixty-first event with all the fixin’s

The sixty-first annual Ground Hog Supper at Lone Star Friends Church will be served from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 2, 2018.

Their extensive menu will feature all the delicious players: homemade biscuits and gravy, sausage, hash browns, green beans and salads as well as prize- worthy homemade pies and cakes. A free-will offering will be accepted. Come enjoy the food and fellowship!

To get to Lone Star Friends Church from Hugoton, just travel 14 miles east of town on Highway 51.

Moscow’s UMC aims to fill bellies with tasty food

Moscow United Methodist Church announces they’ll be serving their famous Groundhog Supper this Saturday, February 3 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Be sure to get there early to grab your plate and pile it high with all the scrumptious fixings: sausage, ribs, tenderloin, BBQ pork, pickled heart, liver and onions, sauerkraut, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, sausage gravy, biscuits and BBQ baked beans. And don’t forget about all those mouthwatering homemade pies! Coffee, tea and pink lemonade will be available to drink. A free will offering will be taken. Take-out plates will also be available.

Moscow UMC is located at 300 Ransom.

Hugoton High School will host their 2018 Winter Homecoming festivities all week. The King will be crowned Wednesday, January 31 during the pep rally in the HHS West Gym, starting at 3:00 p.m. King candidates include seniors Dawson Burnett, Manny Mendoza and Eric Perry.

The Homecoming Queen will be crowned during halftime of the varsity boys’ game Friday evening, February 2. The game starts at 8:00 p.m. Queen candidates are seniors Jayden Korf, Abigail Marioni and Skyelynn Muñoz. Attendants are junior Hannah Archuleta, sophomore Johanna Bojorquez and freshman Molly McClure. The Homecoming semi-formal dance will be in the high school cafeteria Saturday, February 3 from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.

Due to the short week – no school Thursday or Friday – there will be only three Spirit Days, so make sure to dress up! This year’s theme is the Olympics.

High School and Middle School Spirit Days are as follows:
Monday – Represent a country for the Olympics
Tuesday – Team Tuesday (represent your HHS / HMS team, your Rec team, Team Disney, etc.)
Wednesday – Represent an Olympic sport

Elementary and ECDC Spirit Days are as follows:
Monday – Red, White & Blue Day
Tuesday – Team Day
Wednesday – Sport Day

So make sure to get all your Eagle apparel ready for next Friday’s Homecoming games against the Goodland Cowboys and Cowgirls. Both girls’ and boys’ JV will kick off the evening of Eagle basketball at 4:45 p.m., followed by the girls’ varsity and boys’ C team at 6:30 p.m., then finally the boys’ varsity and girls’ C games at 8:00 p.m.

Go Big Blue! #EaglePride #WeR210