Local artist and author Britny Arnett visited the Stevens County Library for Family Storytime June 22. Britny read one of her books, The Hippocampus Alphabet Book, to the eager audience. With the help of the kids, Britny created hybrid animal drawings combining a lion, an octopus, and a house cat and also a narwhal mixed with a dog and a turtle. Finally, everyone drew their own animals or colored pages from the book. What a great event!
Casey Settlemyer is the Stevens County 2024 Super Dad!! Casey’s name was originally drawn at Hugoton Drug in the first round of drawings. The ladies honored Dad Casey with the fun filled Gift Basket they especially picked out from the unique gifts and treasures found in Hugoton Drug and Gift Store.
The Hermes put all the participating business names in a pot for the final drawing for Super Dad. Hugoton Drug was drawn out making Casey the Super Dad of the Year!! Congratulations Casey! Along with the title of Super Dad Casey is also awarded a $50 Gift Certificate good anywhere in Hugoton donated by the Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce and presented by Tina Fernandez, Chamber Director.
The other lucky honored Dads/Grandfathers/Husbands include:
Paul Kitzke as the lucky winner at Equity Bank winning him a $25 Gift Card that he can use anywhere he would like. Jeremy Hurtado will have a great time picking from all of Flatlanders’ great items with his $25 Gift Certificate.
Lana and the crew at The Jet Drive In will honor their lucky Dad Ray Talbert with Two Free Dinners and drinks to use whenever he wants a night out on the town!
Main Revelation‘s lucky Dad Casey Settlemyer will be winning a $25 Gift Card. He can pick out something with it in their fantastic little shop.
Larry Herman is sure to find something tasty or really cool at Slim Pickins. He will be awarded a $25 Gift Card to use in that little Homemade Food and Antiques Store at Moscow. Will Trujillo can pretty up his yard or pick a special gift as he picks from Yardmaster’s many choices and spends his $25 Gift Certificate.
Citizens State Bank will be giving Casey Settlemyer, their lucky drawing winner, 20 Gas Capital Dollars.
Twisted H Liquor will help their lucky Dad Aaron Hinojosa find something sure to quench his thirst as he looks to spend his $25 Gift Certificate. Pat Hall will surely be able to find something fabulous at the Little Gift Shop in the Corner at Stevens County Hospital. They plan to give their lucky Dad a $25 Gift Certificate. Bonnie & Clyde Grill and Sports Bar will be awarding Vern Anderson with a $30 Gift Certificate for being their super Dad drawing winner.
Jason Teeter is the lucky Dad that will be able to enjoy a great meal from Los Agaves Bar & Grill with his $25 Gift Certificate.
Dream First Bank drew out Robert Martinez’s name as their lucky Dad. They will be awarding him with a $25 Gift Certificate.
Casey Settlemyer (is that name familiar?) is Bultman Tire Center’s lucky Dad. Matt and the crew drew out Casey’s name winning him a generous $50 Gift Certificate!
Stevens County Retail Pharmacy drew out Floyd Daharsh’s name for their super dad. Floyd will be able to put his $30 Gift Card to good use. Pat Hall is China Chinese Restaurant’s lucky dad. Pat can order a nice chinese dish with his $25 Gift Card. Acosta’s Nietos Cafe can fix their lucky dad Trevor Mangels up with a wonderful meal with his $30 Gift Card.
All our local dads are their own family’s Super Dad even if they didn’t get their name drawn this year. The Hermes appreciates all our Stevens County businesses that generously donated prizes this year for our Super Dad Contest and all of you that participated by entering that special Dad, Husband or Grandpa.
The Hugoton Police Department gathered at the Stevens County Library for the Annual Cookies with Cops Summer Literacy Program event. Families decorated cookies, asked questions, pushed LOTS of buttons in the patrol vehicles and even got to try on some police gear. For more photos, see the Stevens County Library Facebook Page and the Hugoton Police Department’s Facebook Page.
John Kern, agricultural education teacher and FFA Advisor at Washington County High School in the North Central FFA District received the 2024 Kansas State Golden Owl Award during the 96th Kansas FFA Convention, May 29 – May 31, 2024.
Kern has taught for 26 years and has mentored 12 students who have become agricultural education teachers. Under Kern’s guidance, many of his students have earned state and national-level awards. Kern has been involved in workforce readiness initiatives, including internships and industry certifications. He continues to be involved in professional development, mentoring student teachers and presenting in various teacher workshops.
Regional winners included: Jim Morgan Louisburg High School, East Central FFA District; John Wells, Sedan High School, Southeast FFA District; Les McNally, Hugoton High School, Southwest FFA District; Linda Chase, Wellington High School, South Central FFA District; Kim Clark, Royal Valley High School, Northeast FFA District; Nikole Winter, Hays High School, Northwest FFA District.
The Golden Owl program recognizes and rewards outstanding agricultural educators for their dedication and hard work in shaping the future of our industry. This program is made possible by Nationwide Insurance. Nationwide supports the future of the agriculture community through meaningful sponsorships of national and local organizations. In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide is donating $5,000 to the Kansas FFA Foundation to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers and advisors alike. Kern will receive $3,000 and the Golden Owl Award trophy. Nominees will receive $500 and an engraved plaque to each regional winner.
The Annual Memorial Day services were met with beautiful weather at Moscow and Hugoton Monday morning.
As usual, families from near and far came together to remember and honor our Veterans and passed family members.
At Moscow, Worship Leader Patty Lahey gave a small service. Coffee, juice, donuts, cinnamon rolls and fruit were enjoyed after the ceremony by all that attended.
At Hugoton, Pastor Gary Stafford gave a small service. The Hugoton Masonic Lodge also had a small service. Bugler for the event was Alexis Hastey. Veterans gathered for the morning at the cemetery for Memorial Day.
The community is so very thankful for our Veterans, Ministers and Grounds Keepers that make these services extra special.
Congratulations to Hugoton Middle School students Grant Goode and Aubree Pate for receiving their Citizenship Awards. This award was given to two deserving eighth graders using the criteria below.
RESPECT
• Shows respect at all times for the Flag, our National Anthem and the Constitution.
• Shows respect for students and citizens of the school and community.
• Respects both public and private property.
• Shows respect for student and adult leaders in school and community.
• Demonstrates a tolerance and respect for the beliefs and convictions of others.
RESPONSIBILITY
• Demonstrates the willingness to assume citizenship responsibilities in school and community.
• Works to build school pride through active participation in those projects which publicize, honor, or beautify the school.
• Displays good sportsmanship whether as a participant or spectator.
• Is friendly toward new students and encourages them to become involved in school activities.
REVERENCE
• Shows reverence, concern, and respect for the well-being of others.
Nicole Gold has been selected as Super Mom 2024!! Nicole’s original lucky entry in the Hermes Super Mom Drawing was entered at Main Revelation. The girls at MR drew out Nicole’s name. She will now have her $25 Main Gift Card and a lot of decisions to make, to pick from all the amazing items Pam and Beth have to offer in their little shop on Main.
Nicole’s entry was put into a final drawing with all the other winners listed here. Her entry was drawn in a final drawing by The Hermes, to declare her Super Mom 2024! As Super Mom Nicole will also receive an additional 50 Chamber Bucks from Hugoton Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations Nicole!! Enjoy being declared Super Mom 2024 this year. And have fun spending those Chamber Bucks in a local business of your choice!
Other lucky drawing winners that will be enjoying their winnings are as follows: Carmen Nevarez will be able to put a $25 Gift Certificate to good use picking out something beautiful from Janets Bridal and Boutique. Nancy Bansemer will have fun going through her specially created Gift Basket of spectacular items from Hugoton Drug. The girls at Hugoton Drug drew out Nancy’s name to make her their Mother of the Year.
Betty Clark’s name was drawn at Dream First Bank making her their special mom. Betty will be able to pick up her $25 Gift Certificate and find some nice things of her choice. Equity Bank drew out Juana Vasquez’s name from their entry box. She will be able to enjoy putting that $25 Gift Card to some good use.
Flatlanders’ lucky winner of a $25 Gift Card is Jennifer Martinez. Jennifer will have so many interesting items to choose from among Flatlanders’ gigantic selections. Acosta’s, Nietos Cafe will be the place for Tiffany Landa to go to select her meal after being selected their lucky mom. She will have a $30 gift certificate to use whenever she feels she does not want to cook and wants some tasty good food created by Lupe and his staff.
Los Agaves Bar and Grill drew out Edith Maravilla as their special mom. She can come in anytime and get her $25 Gift Certificate. She is guaranteed to be filled with some of their wonderfully delicious meals and served by some of the friendliest people in town when she decides to use it.
Cherie McLain is the China – Chinese Restaurant’s drawing winner. Cherie will be able to enjoy some of the wonderful fare that China serves up with her $25 Gift Certificate. Midge Greenwood will also be eating good. Her name was drawn at Bonnie and Clyde ‘s Grill and Sports Bar for their $30 Gift Certificate.
Paulene Mason is the lucky mom to be drawn at Citizens State Bank. She will be able to spend her 25 Gas Capital Dollars anywhere in Hugoton she likes.
Norma Stoddard can cruise on into the Jet Drive-in with her specially picked someone. She was drawn as their lucky winner of two free dinners with drinks! Norma and her someone will enjoy whatever they pick from Lana and her crew’s specialities. Kendra Lewis’ shop Rebellious is open at 622 S Main. Kendra drew Whitney Allard’s name as her mother of the year. Whitney can pick from some great items or services with her $25 Gift Certificate.
Stevens County Retail Pharmacy will be presenting Rhonda Kolacek with her $30 Gift Card as her name was picked to be their winning Mother’s Day entry.
That Little Gift Shop in the Corner of the Stevens County Hospital is the lucky place for Hope Pierson as their lucky mom will be able to pick from any of their unique items they keep in that cute little shop in the hospital and get $20 off!! Tan’alon is where Jacque Teeter’s name was drawn making her the lucky winner of a specially filled basket from the girls there.
Slim Pickins C-Store, Homemade Food and Antiques, will be offering their special mom Audra Nolan with a free lunch and a drink as they drew out Audra’s name.
Keri Morris is the lucky mom whose name was drawn at Yardmaster Garden and Gifts. This will entitle Keri to a grand $25 Gift Certificate to be used to pick something wonderful from Yardmaster’s wide array of something green and flowery or a gift from Diane’s large selection of extraordinary gift items.
The Hermes congratulates all of these local Super Moms! Enjoy!!
The Jester Awards, a program designed to celebrate excellence in high school musical theatre took place Sunday, May 5 in Wichita. Hugoton High School’s Production of Guys and Dolls was nominated for 13 Regional Awards:
Direction of a Show-Sarah Kitzke
Leading Performer-Jewels Noland
Supporting Performer-Tobias Grubbs
Cameo Performer-Katya Wolters
Small Ensemble-”Crap Shooter’s Ballet”
Dancers Ensemble Production Number- Sit Down You’re Rockin’ The Boat
Vocal Music Direction-Katie Jimenez
Choreography-Holly Grubbs
Scenic Design-Sarah Kitzke
Costume Design-Sarah Kitzke
Lighting Design-Sarah Kitzke
Sound Design-Tyler Parkridge
Of those regional awards, HHS was nominated for five Jester Awards:
Leading Performer-Jewels Noland
Supporting Performer-Tobias Grubbs
Choreography-Holly Grubbs
Lighting Design-Sarah Kitzke
Sound Design-Tyler Parkridge
With the Leading Performer nomination, Jewels had the honor of performing at the awards ceremony with the other leading performer nominees. (The top 20 high school musical performers in the entire state.)
The Jester Awards showcase the next generation of musical theatre talent in Kansas. Each year, trained volunteer judges attend and evaluate dozens of performances. This year, 62 judges viewed 134 performances of 44 productions, involving more than 2,700 students and 44 schools across the state of Kansas.
The Hugoton High School Forensics students are wrapping up a very successful season. They have had three first place finishes, two second place finishes and one third place finish as a team. They have also had countless individual medals. Forensics even had its first foreign exchange student, Alex Thougaard qualify for State. The students’ hard work has paid off and they have 23 State qualifying entries for the 2024 KSHSAA 4A State Tournament in Topeka May 4. Unfortunately, teams are only allowed to bring 16 entries. The team was coached by Head Coach Idamarie Piper and Assistant Coach Nathan Piper. Way to go Eagles!
The following students qualified in the following categories:
• Tristan Kiley (Senior): Poetry, Prose and Serious Solo Acting
• Hailey Maldonado (Senior): Humorous Solo Acting, Improvised Duet Acting, Duet Acting and Impromptu
• Mel Lundy (Senior): Humorous Solo Acting
• Chris Kiley (Senior): Extemporaneous Speaking
• Axel Cowser (Senior): Poetry • Austin Hewitt (Junior): Humorous Solo Acting, Improvised Duet Acting, Prose and Impromptu
• Mia Singer (Junior): Humorous Solo Acting and Duet Acting
• Kaden Johnson (Junior): Prose
• Tobias Grubbs (Junior): Prose and Impromptu
• Alex Thougaard (Junior): Prose • Kayla Milhon (Junior): Poetry
• Lupe Hernandez (Sophomore): Serious Solo Acting, Impromptu and Duet Acting
• Tanya Juardo (Freshman): Duet Acting
• Jenna Schmidt also qualified for the State Festival in Poetry.
The Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Banquet is planned for Saturday, April 27. Entertainment for the evening will be Dennis Laffoon.
Dennis Laffoon is a Keyboardist, vocalist and recording artist with over 35 years of experience. He has performed with Heart, Journey, Cheap Trick, REO, Night Ranger and Kansas to name a few and heard and known around the world with his versatile and unique style of playing keyboards.
Dennis started playing piano at the age of 10 and got his first portable organ at the age of 12 along with playing in his first rock band in grade school. He then played saxophone in the high school band, but his love for playing keyboards over shadowed the sax. He performed in area rock bands through high school and went to college for a short time for music but left early to travel, performing in night clubs all across the country.
At the age of 20 Dennis put together “Powerglide” who performed for 15 years, and released his first album “Glide On” with 12 original songs all written by Dennis Laffoon. He then joined national recording artist “Shooting Star” and released their first charting single “Touch Me Tonight” which went to the Number 2 spot on MTV and since then released three albums “It’s Not Over”, “Leap Of Faith” and “Circles”.
Dennis has also released two solo albums with all original songs “Nothing Left Unsaid” and “Always Christmas” that are also available on iTunes. He also had the honor of being inducted to the Kansas Music Hall of Fame March 9, 2009.
Dennis has a favorite saying that he adapted from the movie “The Rookie”: “Guess what we get to do today? We get to play music!”
Performing his Elton John Experience tribute along with The Piano Man tribute to Billy Joel and Great Balls of Fire tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis, Dennis has received high praise from his peers and audiences everywhere.
You definitely don’t want to miss it! Slim Pickins will be catering. The HALO organization will be serving this year. there are tables available to be decorated for the evening. Theme for the evening is Promote Your Business. You do not have to be a Chamber member to decorate a table or attend this event. Tickets are $30 per person and can be obtained at the Chamber Office, 630 S. Main, or by calling Tina at 620-544-4305 or email hugotonchamber@gmail.com. Meet and Greet begins at 6:00 p.m. Dinner and entertainment starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Memorial Hall. Please RSVP soon to ensure a seat!
At the Banquet, the winners of the five categories will be recognized (Citizen of the year, Lifetime achievement, Business of the year, new Business of the Year and Charitable Non-Profit Organization). Also the winners of the 2023 Distinguished Service Award will be announced. Make your reservations now!
Worth 1,000 Words
The Hugoton Masonic Lodge is a proud sponsor of the Stevens County Library 2025 Summer Library Program. Pictured:
David Eckert, Stacey Strickland and Bryan Noyes.
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