News for 10/18/17
Kensington Community Store Soup Dinner Fundraiser
This Sunday, October 22, the Kensington Community Store invites everyone for a Soup Dinner Fundraiser to support our local grocery store. Anyone can donate food items or volunteer to help serve the dinner. Please contact Joan Nech to see what is needed or stop by the grocery store to see the sign-up sheets. The meal will be served from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the American Legion Hall on Main Street, accepting free will donations. Please come out and show your support to keep our town grocery store.
Kensington City Wide Clean Up Day
The Thunder Ridge High School Adult Living Class is organizing a City Wide Clean Up Day on Wednesday, October 25. They welcome volunteers on this day to help beautify our community. They will also accept donations of any kind: trash bags, tools, snacks, water, your time or monetary. If you have any suggestions or specific tasks needing done, please email Denise Miller at dmiller@usd110.net or call the high school (785) 476-2217 and leave a message with your name, phone number, and a description of your project and the Adult Living Class will get back to you.
An exciting part of this community service day will be the addition of a mural on the north side of Billy Davis’ building on Main Street. Several Art students are going to be painting this mural, so if you have any suggestions of what you would like to see in the mural please email Denise Miller at dmiller@usd110.net or Patty Lowe at plowe@usd110.net. Please feel free to join the efforts in this City Wide Clean Up Day on Wednesday, October 25.
Kensington mom/teacher Denise Miller Spoke at the State Capital
Thousands of teens die in car crashes every year in the U.S. NHRA drag race legend Doug Herbert knows this all too well. “This statistic became a reality for me in January of 2008 when my two boys, Jon and James, ages 17 and 12, were killed in a car crash,” Herbert said.
A Thunder Ridge High School teacher from Kensington, Denise Miller experienced a similar tragedy when she lost her daughter in 2015. Denise was present with Sandi Reneberg, also of Kensington, who lost her son, Riley, in 2013. They spoke of the 5 traffic student deaths that occurred in a 15-year time frame at Thunder Ridge, and how imperative it is that parents discuss the importance of seatbelts and the dangers of distracted driving with their teens. Together, Denise and Sandi have helped to implement the SAFE (Seatbelts Are For Everyone) Program at Thunder Ridge.
“Nothing prepares you for standing at the edge of a field, held back by rescue workers, as you scream, cry, react,” Miller said. “That realization that comes over you when you comprehend they are doing nothing to free your precious baby from her vehicle. Because there is nothing that can be done. It’s already too late.” Both mothers shared what a hole is left in their families following their losses.
Herbert and Miller were joined by Transportation Secretary Richard Carlson, Kansas Highway Patrol Officer Don Hughes and recent Kansas State University graduate Logan O’Dea at the annual Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day news conference at the Capitol Tuesday. The campaign strives to decrease traffic fatalities.
Students from Topeka and surrounding areas, as well as other transportation safety partners and law enforcement officials, attended the event.
Logan O’Dea of Topeka shared how important wearing his seat belt was when driving while it was raining and he hit standing water.
“I was wearing my seat belt. If I hadn’t been, my body would have been with the back-window glass they found flung 50 feet away from the car,” he said.
Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. Last year, 429 people were killed in traffic crashes across Kansas, and 76 of them were teenagers.
Organizations that work together on the annual safety campaign with KDOT include the Kansas Turnpike Authority, Kansas Highway Patrol, AAA of Kansas, Kansas Contractors Association, Kansas Family Partnership, Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office, Federal Highway Administration and the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers.
For more information on Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day, visit the KDOT website. Live video of the conference can be accessed on Facebook, @WIBW Rick Felsburg.
-Original piece provided by KDOT with some additions made by Denise Miller.
Lady Longhorns Earned Championship Title
Saturday, October 14 the Lady Longhorns played in the Northern Plains League Volleyball Tournament at Beloit. They worked hard and played harder, coming together as a united front to beat each team they faced. In the end, they were named the 2017 NPL Champions. Congratulations!
Photo by Michelle Rust
Back row (l-r): Destiny Shook, Cassidy Gillespie, Raegan Boden, Casandra Gibson, Raini Hrabe, Iva Rust, Kenda Reimer, Matilyn Riley, Madelyn Davis, Brittany Atchison, Jadeyn Bice, Maggie Nech, Mary Jo Shook, Maycee Westbrook and Coach Bruce Hardacre standing behind.
Front row (l-r): Coach John Boden, Brennan Kirchhoff, Layne Pettijohn, Mariah Stauffer, Kennedy Rietzke, Morgan Westbrook, Jaden Boden, Elizabeth Hardacre.
Thunder Ridge School News
Upcoming Games:
HS Volleyball- Saturday 21st Sub State Volleyball begins.
HS Football- Friday, Oct. 20th, WEAR YOUR PINK for Breast Cancer Awareness to the Longhorns final home game of the season vs Sylvan-Lucas. Before the game at 6:30pm is Football Parent Recognition. The following week will be a Thursday night game on Oct. 26thvs Northern Valley @ Almena. Games start at 7:00pm.
Important Info to Know:
Friday 20th- No school; Teacher Inservice. PINK Night at the Home football game! This is the final home game of the season and also Football Parent Night.
Monday 23rd- Parent/Teacher Conferences from 4-8:30pm.
Friday 27th- No school; Parent/Teacher Conference Exchange Day.
*Stay updated on special events, school closings, sports and news with the school textcaster alerts. Sign up for Longhorn Alerts on the school website at www.usd110.net.
Pictured are, Back row (l-r): Bruce Hardacre, Jeff Nech, Brice Hendryx, Adam Synoground, Libby Hardacre, Seth Brown, Darold Grauerholz, Leah Bienhoff, Kyler Seemann, Galen Larson, Morgan Westbrook, Jacob Barnes and Mike Isom.
Front row (l-r): Kathi Boden, Brittany Atchison, Wysteria Corbett, Casandra Gibson, little helper Levi Barnes, Ivy Corbett, Maggie Nech, Raegan Boden, Madelyn Davis, Kennedy Rietzke, Maycee Westbrook, Raini Hrabe, Robin Billings, and Kyler Elliott, grandson of Mike Isom from Chapman.
KAYS Helped Lions with Highway Clean Up:
This past Sunday, October 15, the KAYS teamed with the Lions Club for clean up efforts along Hwy 36. Coming up, on Sunday, October 29, the KAYS will be venturing out into the local communities of Kensington, Arga and Kirwin to “Trick-or-Treat so Others Can Eat.” If you will not be to home, you can leave your food donations or the porch or hanging on your front door. Food items can also be delivered to your local churches or call the high school (785) 476-2217 to make other arrangements.
2017 Spirit Week: Thunder Ridge High School celebrated Spirit Week the first week of October. Festivities kicked off with the cheerleaders and dance team painting the town business windows on Sunday afternoon. High school students then met to decorate the halls. The Junior Class won the hall decorating contest, with the Sophomore Class coming in second. The “dress up” days were as follows: Monday was “Twin or “Military (Camo)“ Day. Kenda Reimer and Matti Riley were the best dressed twins. Edgar Galicia had the best camo costume. Tuesday was “Decade” or “Nerd” Day. Tying for the best “Decade” costumes were Brandon Grauerholz and Cameron Grauerholz. Brock Wallgren had the best “Nerd” outfit.Wednesday was “Tacky Tourist” or “Cowboy” Day. Kennedy Rietzke was the best-dressed “Tacky Tourist” and Riggs Reneberg won the “Cowboy” category. Thursday was “Disney Character” or “Super Hero/Super Villain” Day. Cody Massey won the “Disney” category dressed as Woody from Toy Story. The Super Hero winners were the Ninja Turtles (Madelyn Davis, Kylie Reimer, Raini Hrabe, and Mary Jo Shook.) The Super Villain winner was Leah Bienhoff dressed as Maleficent. Friday was Spirit Day and everyone sported their blue and silver with pride.
Thursday night’s activities were moved inside due to inclement weather. At 8:00 p.m. the cheerleaders led the student body in cheers. Next, the senior athletes gave speeches. These were followed by class competitions, sponsored by Student Council. Many students participated with the sophomore class have 100% attendance.
Friday afternoon the downtown parade and pep rally started at 2:30 p.m. All grades attended. The parade included the TRHS Cheerleaders, dancers, TR Band, volleyball team and football team. The homecoming candidates, cheerleaders, and dancers arrived on fire trucks. The combined cheerleaders and dancers led the singing of the national anthem followed by the school song. The band played the fight song with the cheerleaders and dance team dancing to it. Head Volleyball Coach, Mr. John Boden and Head Football Coach, Mr. Hendryx addressed the crowd with inspirational speeches for the fall sports teams. The cheerleaders led the fans in cheers and combined with the dance team for a homecoming dance. The candidate game was next followed by the band playing “Go Big Blue” and “Eat em Up.” Due to the early start of the football game, the annual Powderpuff football game will be rescheduled for a later date.
TR HS/GS Menus
Daily choice with meal: breakfast- milk or juice, fresh/canned fruit, cereal; lunch- Salad bar, along with fruits & veggies, served daily. *Note: Menus are subject to change.
Wed. 18
Breakfast: Breakfast Sliders
Lunch: Bread Sticks w/Sauce, Steamed Peas
Thur. 19
Breakfast: Breakfast Pizza
Lunch: Pulled Pork Sandwich, Tater Tots, Baked Beans
Fri. 20 - No School
Mon. 23
Breakfast: Long John
Lunch: Chicken Tetrazzini, Steamed Carrots
Tues. 24
Breakfast: Biscuit & Gravy
Lunch: Hamburger, Tater Triangles
Wed. 25
Breakfast: French Toast Sticks w/Syrup
Lunch: Beef-N-Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans
Thur. 26
Breakfast: Cheese Quesadillas w/Salsa
Lunch: Baked Chicken, Savory Rice, Dinner Roll
Fri. 27 - No School
Kensington Library News
In the spirit of Halloween, we invite the local children to participate in this year’s Pumpkin Decorating Contest. Same as last year, we encourage the kids to pick their favorite book character, pick a pumpkin (big or small) and decorate to enter in our contest. Rules include: NO carving, NO punctures, all decorations must be painted or glued on, accessories can be used. The finished pumpkins can be delivered to the library beginningFriday the 13th through Friday the 27th. Winners will be chosen on Halloween Day. We look forward to seeing the creative work in decorating these storybook pumpkins!
Baptism Celebrated
Hoss William Aschenbrenner was baptized at First Saint John Lutheran Church on October 8, 2017. Dinner followed in the Parish Hall for the family. Family in attendance besides the honoree were his parents, Colt and Jacy Aschenbrenner, siblings Holt, Jax, and Summer Aschenbrenner, of Minden, Nebraska; grandparents Micky and Janet Barnes of Agra, Kansas; Kenneth and Rebecca Aschenbrenner of Oakley, Kansas; Uncle Matthew and Aunt Stevi Barnes with cousins Wesson and Luci Barnes of Stuggart, Kansas; Uncle Nickolas Barnes of Broken Bow, Nebraska; Uncle Kyle Barnes of Agra, Kansas; cousins Melody, Polaris, Olivia, Journey, Maverick, and Willow Swagerty of Ellis, Kansas.
102nd Birthday for Lucille Schalansky
Lucille Sweat Schalansky will celebrate her 102nd Birthday this Saturday, October 21, 2017. Lucille was raised in the Cedar area and after marriage to Albert Schalansky they farmed south of Claudell. Lucille continues to enjoy good health and is always ready for a good game of pitch or a good book. She has requested that we not have a party but she would surely enjoy hearing from you. Lucille's address is 3124 SW Landsdown, #41, Topeka, Ks 66614.
Annual Claudell Church Gathering
The Annual Gathering of the St. Francis Church in Claudell will be held this Saturday October 21, 2017. A 4:00pm Mass at the church will be followed by a potluck meal at the Gaylord Community Center. Plan to attend and tell your friends and families.
October Is Pastor Appreciation Month
For Pastor Appreciation month, the United Church of Kensington plans to hold a potluck dinner following church service on Sunday, Oct. 29. Please plan to join us and bring your favorite potluck dish.
Weekly Inspiration
When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer. Trust God today no matter how dark Your situation. God says 'You are coming out'.
Sometimes the things that hurt the most teach us the best lessons. Sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us.
ISO: News Needed
Please send me your News! If you don’t send it, I can’t submit it! Contact Erica Barnes at 785-476-8185 or by email at ebarnes8185@gmail.com.
