News for 8/4/2021

Ice Cream Social at the Kensington Library Join us Monday night, August 9, from 6-7pm for the Annual Ice Cream Social at the Kensington Community/School Library. The members of our library board will have homemade ice cream prepared and will be here to meet & greet the public. We were so sad to cancel this event last summer due to Covid-19 precautions and we look forward to seeing you! The Used Books Sale is currently set up. Stop in to browse the tables of used and deleted library books. Fill up a bag or a box! Accepting Free Will donations for our Library Fund. OFSN in Kensington Old Fashioned Saturday Night, sponsored by the Kensington Commercial/Community Club, will kick-off Friday night, August 20, with a 5K Fun Run at 8:00pm. There is a full schedule posted for all day on Saturday, August 21. Various food booths and activity/vendor booths will be available. The Thunder Ridge Steering Committee will also be holding a raffle and games. So come on out to Kensington Friday, August 20 and Saturday, August 21, for a grand, old fashioned time! You can find more information on this event on Facebook. Search: Kensington Commercial/ Community Club -or- 2021 Old Fashioned Saturday. Thunder Ridge Enrollment Online Parents of USD 110 students: Don't forget to enroll students for the 2021-22 year! Enrollment is super easy at https://www.familyid.com/organizations/usd-110-thunder-ridge-public-schools. Call your school secretary with any questions or concerns: Elementary- (785) 476-3241, Middle School- 638-2244, High School- 476-2217. First day of school is August 19th. Thunder Ride Pre-K Screening Preschool screening for 3 and 4 year olds is Wednesday, August 18, from 1-3:30pm. Call the Middle School at 785-638-2244 to make an appointment. Prior students do not need to be screened. This is for new students only. THUNDER RIDGE PRE-KINDERGARTEN TEACHES THE NEEDED ACADEMIC SKILLS YOUR 3 AND 4 YEAR OLD WILL NEED TO BE KINDERGARTEN READY. IT IS AN EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM THAT CAPITALIZES ON YOUR CHILD’S STRENGTHS TO IMPROVE ANY WEAKNESSES. ALL 3 AND 4 YEAR OLDS CAN ENROLL. THIS SCREENING IS USED TO DISCOVER YOUR CHILD’S STRENGTHS AS WELL AS AREAS OF CONCERN. CHILDREN MUST BE 3 BEFORE SEPTEMBER FIRST IN ORDER TO ENROLL. WE WILL TAKE 3 YEAR OLDS AT SEMESTER (JANUARY) IF THEY HAVE TURNED 3 PRIOR TO JANUARY 1. SPECIALIZED SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. Home Charitable Foundation "No Place Like Home" Capital Campaign update. We have received over $40,000 from a number of donors; this ensures we will receive the entire $15,000 match from John and Kim Levin. The amount added to the endowment fund is nearly $56,000 bringing the total to nearly $90,000. As I've thought about how to provide this update, the image of a grateful George Bailey at the end of "It's a Wonderful Life" keeps coming to my mind. We are doing Great things in Kensington! Thanks to all who have donated and God Bless you all. Our goal is to raise $250,000 by the end of 2031 which we are well on our way towards. If you are interested in cementing a legacy in our community please talk to a board member. Mat Makers If you’d like to help make plastic bags into sleeping mats for the homeless, come to St. John Lutheran Church this Friday, August 6, any time from 9- noon to learn how it’s done. We’ve delivered 137 mats to the homeless since we started a couple years ago. Join us if you can! Jerky Contest Our Wreaths Across America was asked to host and judge the "Jerky contest" for the Old Settlers Day at Smith Center. Entries for Best Taste, Most Unique, and Best Texture will be the categories. They will have the public be the judges by placing money in the provided voting jars. Be watching facebook for the different locations where they can judge. Kim will have the display at the legion one Friday night, so be watching for the announcement! Call Kim (785-656-2276) if you have any questions about submitting your favorite jerky to be judged. Who knows, maybe you'll win the contest! Friday Night Legion Menu This week at the Kensington American Legion we will be having a foil packet dinner. It will have hamburger, potatoes, carrots, carrots, bell pepper, and grilled. Along with corn and a piece of garlic bread. Our sides will be tater tots, macaroni salad, and watermelon. We will have our regular menu items as well. Our kitchen open from 6-8 and please call us at 785-476-3204 for your order to go. Hope to see everyone Friday evening. Mark your Calendar Save the date for the Annual Gathering of the St. Francis Church in Claudell. It will be Sunday Sept 5, with a 2:00 Mass at the church followed by a potluck meal. The celebrant will be former pastor Fr. Daryl Olmstead. Plan to attend and invite your friends and families. News items needed Send your news to Erica at ebarnes8185@gmail.com (put NEWS in the subject line please) or call 785-476-8185. To see the full, in-color edition, visit the Kensington website online at www.Kensingtonks.net. -- Erica Barnes Library Director; K-3 & HS Librarian Kensington Community/School Library 785-476-2219 or 8185 (cell)