Our focus on family-owned businesses this month resulted in features about two families who have veered from their original, and perhaps more traditional, path to try their hand at more unconventional enterprises.

When you think of shrimp, what comes to mind first might be the ocean, Red Lobster or Joe’s Crab Shack. I’m guessing Oxford, Kan., doesn’t register as a place to harvest fresh shrimp. Well, it soon will be. Bob and Deb Daniels switched from crop farming to shrimp farming, and their business, Sunflower Shrimp, is close to opening its storefront in which they will sell fresh shrimp raised on their farm. Their story begins on page 12.

The other family-owned business, Gyp Hills Guest Ranch, emerged from changes in the cattle industry and increased interest by consumers in agribusiness-related goods and services. The facility where the Lonker family once held cattle auctions now accommodates weddings, family

reunions, parties and those simply seeking a serene place to spend a night or two. On page 14, read about their family, the business and the recent fire that nearly jeopardized it all.

The second installment in our three-part series, “Co-ops Vote” is on page 22 and includes a schedule of candidate “meet & greets” planned at some of the Kansas electric cooperatives. Can-didates running for the Kansas Legislature and U.S. Congress have been invited to meet their constituents and talk about the issues. Please plan to attend if your cooperative is hosting an event. Our voice is stronger when cooperative members are engaged in the voting process.

I hope you cherish the summer break with your children and grandchildren!

VICKI ESTES, EDITOR

E D I TO R’ S L E T T E R

Family businesses mean business

SHARE WITH US!Have an event you would like to run in Around Kansas? A story idea or comments you want to share with the editor? A recipe and photo for us to consider publishing? Let us know: ff events@kansascountryliving.comff letters@kansascountryliving.com ff photos@kansascountryliving.com

ff editor@kansascountryliving.comff recipes@kansascountryliving.com

A scorched tree in the Gyp Hills stands among the newly sprouted grasses making a comeback.

2 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING JUNE 2016

Bruce GrahamChief Executive Officer

Doug ShepherdVice President, Management Consulting

Shana ReadDirector of Communications

Vicki EstesEditor

Carrie KimberlinManager of Creative Solutions

Jackie MooreCommunications Specialist

Blake MillerIntern

Officers Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc.

Kathleen O’BrienPresident

Keith McNickleVice President

Patrick RileySecretary

Terry HobbsTreasurer

Cooperatives You receive Kansas Country Living as a communications service of these electric cooperatives:Alfalfa, Cherokee, OKBluestem, WamegoBrown-Atchison, HortonButler, El DoradoCMS, MeadeCaney Valley, Cedar ValeDS&O, SolomonFlint Hills, Council GroveKaw Valley, Topeka Lane-Scott, DightonLJEC, McLouthLyon-Coffey, BurlingtonNinnescah, PrattPioneer, UlyssesPrairie Land, NortonRadiant, FredoniaRolling Hills, MankatoSedgwick County, CheneySumner-Cowley, WellingtonTri-County, Hooker, OKTwin Valley, AltamontVictory, Dodge CityWestern, WaKeeneyWheatland, Scott City

Kansas Country Living (ISSN 0091-9586) is pub-lished monthly for $10 per year (tax included) by Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604. Periodicals postage paid at Topeka, KS and additional entry offices. For members of Kansas rural electric systems, subscription cost is $5.88 per year. This cost is part of your electric service billing. Editorial offices: P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604-0267. Phone 785-478-4554. Fax 785-478-4852.

Address Changes Please report any change in address to your local electric cooperative.

Postmaster Send address changes to Kansas Country Living, P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604-0267.

Advertisers Contact National Country Market: 512-441-5200, or see www. nationalcountrymarket.com. Acceptance of advertising by Kansas Country Living does not imply endorsement by the publisher or Kansas’ electric cooperatives of the product or services advertised.

Kansas Country Living assumes no respon-sibility for unsolicited material. Submissions must be accompanied by self-addressed envelopes with sufficient postage to be returned. The publication does not guarantee publication of material received and reserves the right to edit any material published.

(ISSN 0091-9586)JUNE 2016 VOL. 66, NO. 6© KANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, INC., 2016WWW.KEC.COOP

JUNE

O N T H E CO V E RBob and Deb Daniels with one of their shrimp (look closely!)

“LIKE” Kansas Country Living on Facebook. 12| Sunflower Shrimp

Oxford family grows America’s favorite shellfish

14| The Lonker Way Silver lining emerges from devastating fire

18| Lights On Reliability of electricity reaches 99.9 percent

22| Co-ops Vote Part Two: Candidate “meet & greets” set

14

D E PA RT M E N T S

4| Around Kansas From 5Ks to a Meatloaf festival

6| Commentary Fire destroys, renews

8| Guest Talk RedTire assists rural businesses

10| Cut Your Utility Bills What’s Zero Net Energy?

16| Your Place in the Garden Landscaping with native plants

20| Safety Using air conditioning safely

24| Cooking My Way Home Beans—the ultimate gift

26| Marketplace

28| News Briefs SPP project; co-ops to merge

29| Monthly Recipes

JUNE 2016 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING 3

12

THROUGH JUNE 30 The Clayworks at Disability Supports, Ellsworth. The Ellsworth Area Arts Center will display artwork made by individuals with disabilities; weekdays 12:30-4:30 p.m. 223 N. Douglas Ave., visit http://theclayworks.org.

THROUGH JUNE 30 Painting Barn Quilts, Ellsworth. Learn how to paint barn quilts; classes offered by Ellsworth Area Arts Center. 223 N. Douglas Ave., call 785-472-5658 and leave your name and phone number.

THROUGH JUNE 30 Summer Reading Program, Harper. The Harper Public Library invites all levels of readers to participate; enjoy presentations on genealogy, fitness, bike safety and honey bees. 708 W. 14th St., 620-896-2959.

JUNE 3-5 K-96 June Jaunt, several locations. Experience authentic rural American along K-96 in the communities of Scott City, Leoti, Tribune, Dighton, Ness City, Rush Center, Great Bend and Ellinwood. http://k96junejaunt.com, 620-793-4111.

JUNE 3-5 Pioneer Days, Caney. A 10 a.m. tractor drive Thursday begins at Dewey, OK, and travels to the showgrounds north of Caney on Highway 75. Demonstrations, lawn mower races, flea market, consignment auction. Call Don Clifford at 918-327-3293.

JUNE 3-5, 10-12 Day Out with Thomas the Train, Baldwin City. Midland Railway will be welcoming Thomas the Tank Engine back to Baldwin City. This year, Thomas will have his friend Percy joining in on the fun! www.midlandrailway.org, 913-721-1211.

JUNE 3-12 Beef Empire Days Rodeo, Garden City. Celebrate the cattle industry with parades, contests and the famous progressive dinner (the cattle crawl). 866-294-BEEF, www.beefempiredaysrodeo.com.

JUNE 3-4 National Orphan Train Celebration, Concordia. Clark Kidder, author and orphan train descendant, is the keynote speaker. Other events include viewing of ‘West by Orphan Train’

(Iowa PBS documentary). 785-243-4471, orphantraindepot.org.

JUNE 3-4 Mud Bogg, Junction City. Slinging mud and loud trucks will be center stage as vehicles race through pits of mud! Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m. Next to Randy’s Marine, 1111 Grant Ave., 785.238.3103, www.sundownsalute.org.

JUNE 3-4 Ag Women of the Heartland, Garden City. K-State Research and Extension is offering this event available to all who are interested. 620-272-3670, kbarth25@ksu.edu.

JUNE 3 Dennis Bergin and Community Chamber Orchestra Concert, Clay Center. Dennis Bergin, a graduate of Clay Center High School, returns to play with Community Chamber Orchestra in works by Handel, Albinoni, and Bach; Clay Center United Methodist Church sanctuary. Contact Dr. Anne Clark, bclark@diodecom.net or 785-926-4725.

JUNE 4 National Biplane Fly-In, Junction City. A celebration of antique, vintage and modern biplanes! Don’t miss the world famous Chris Cakes Pancake Feed, 7-10 a.m., sponsored by the Junction City Sertoma Club. Freeman Field, 18th & N. Jackson St., 785-210-7500, www.nationalbiplaneflyin.com.

JUNE 4 Arts in the Park, Junction City. Bring the whole family to the most creative, multi-sensory event in our community; 10 a.m.

- 4 p.m. at Heritage Park. 6th & Washington streets, 785-762-2581, www.junctioncityac.org.

JUNE 4 Sounds on the Square, Clay Center. Live music performances throughout the day at Courthouse Square with other activities and vendors. 5th and Court streets, ccchamber@eaglecom.net, 785-632-5674.

JUNE 4 Hillside Sessions, Garden City. An outdoor community event showcasing Southwest Kansas musicians with more than 15 musical acts. 3319 N. VFW Rd., 620-277-5570, visit www.facebook/adastraoutwest.

JUNE 4 Run for the Child 5K, Junction City. CASA of the 8th Judicial District hosts this event at South Park on St. Mary’s Rd. as a fundraiser to help provide volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children of Geary, Dickinson, Morris and Marion counties. 785-762-3907, www.casa8jd.org.

JUNE 10-12 Dinger Derby Baseball Tournament, Garden City. Four age divisions; 16U, 14U, 12U and 10U with teams from Liberal, Dodge City, Ulysses, Scott City, Lakin, Great Bend, Hays, Oklahoma

T H I N G S TO D O

JUNE 18 Meatloaf Festival, Paxico. Meatloaf, music, merriment! The 8th Annual Meatloaf Festival kicks off with a parade at 10 a.m. in downtown with activities throughout the day building to the highlight of the event: the World Championship Meatloaf Cook-off Contest. Also scheduled are a pie bake off, flea market, live entertainment, carriage rides, street food vendors, military and historical displays. All downtown antique shops will be open. Visit paxicomerchants.com, 785-5547629, al.harris.busters@gmail.com. (The May issue of Kansas Country Living listed an incorrect date for the festival. We apologize for the error.)

Continued on page 17 f

E X P E R I E N C E

For more information: www.goesselmuseum.com or call 620-367-8200

200 N. Poplar, Goessel, Kansas

An open-air folk museum featuring eight historic buildings in a village-like setting.

4 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING JUNE 2016

Anderson Creek Fire Destroys and Renews B Y B R U C E G R A H A M

Bruce Graham

CO M M E N TA RY

Your electric

cooperative is most

concerned about public safety.

My column in the May issue of Kansas Country Living told a story of cooperative spirit and determination. Demonstrated by the caring actions of electric cooperative employees and many others, neighbors helped neighbors impacted by the devastating wind-whipped Anderson Creek grass fire that burned through parts of Kansas and Oklahoma in March.

The cause of the blaze, which scorched at least 400,000 acres, has not been attributed to one of the controlled prairie fires that glow and weave across the grasslands every spring. Those prescribed burns recycle nutrients, prevent ecological overcrowd-ing, reduce the likelihood of unmanned fires, and prepare the fields for planting and seeding. While the benefits to agriculture are many, if these burns are not managed safely, they can result in property damage, power outages, injury, and even death.

Our thoughts and prayers go to those still suf-fering emotional and financial damage to property and livelihoods. Electric cooperatives also sustained damage. Dozens of power poles were destroyed and all members of the affected cooperatives will likely share the cost of those utility repairs because the fire appears to be accidental.

On the other hand, if a landowner conduct-ing a controlled burn fails to protect fence posts and property such as utility poles, the landowner is liable for the damage.

In all cases though, your cooperative is most concerned about public safety. Downed lines are the most obvious danger, and in the midst of fire and smoke, it can be difficult for emergency per-sonnel or landowners to tell where those lines are located. Downed power lines should always be treated like they are energized and reported imme-diately by calling 911.

Simple steps can be taken to protect the poles and other utility structures. ff Water the area near the poles. Take care

though not to direct water and other chemicals used to control or extinguish fires toward power lines.

ff Maintain a buffer zone of at least 10 feet around any pole or structure by mowing and removing dead vegetation, brush and other

fuel sources from the area. Another method is to till the ground around the pole but be careful to avoid ground wires and other equipment in the utility easement.

ff Remember to look up! Be mindful of over-head power lines before performing any activities. We recommend keeping personnel and equipment at least 100 feet away from overhead lines.Fire damage to utility structures can cause

equipment failures and interrupt electric and com-munication services to you and perhaps hundreds of your friends and neighbors.

Even partial damage to a power pole could still result in the need for its entire replacement. Although a pole fire may appear to be extin-guished, please alert the utility. The creosote, a preservative, on the inside could still be burning the pole from the inside out.

Flames aren’t the only culprit. Carbon par-ticles in smoke will conduct electricity which can cause a discharge from the power line and/or damage critical and expensive substation equipment.

It’s best to remember that in ANY emergency involving utility equipment (fires, vehicle accidents, storms, etc.), your first call should be to 911 and alert your electric cooperative so professional per-sonnel can handle possible electrical dangers.

One final note: The Anderson Creek fire also tore through some prime habitat for the Lesser Prairie Chicken (LPC). Regular readers of Kansas Country Living know that a frequent topic has been the federal government’s decision to list the LPC as a threatened species and the result-ing damage to economic activity in rural Kansas. Contrary to what one might think, the fires are expected to benefit the species. The LPC can avoid grass fires but cedar trees cannot. Cedars provide perfect perches for LPC predators—so fewer cedar trees is good news for the chickens and, in the long-run, for the individual and commercial use of property in the LPC habitat areas. KCL

BRUCE GRAHAM is Chief Executive Officer of Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., in Topeka.

6 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING JUNE 2016

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RedTire Program Matches Rural Businesses with Buyers B Y W A L L A C E W . M E Y E R J R .

G U E ST TA L K

Wallace Meyer Jr.

Without these

services, the future

of those businesses would be

jeopardized along

with the employment

of many of our

neighbors.

An estimated 4,000 Kansas businesses have the potential to shutter within the next five to 10 years unless a successor is found to take over the business. Many of these businesses provide essential services to their communities—grocery stores, financial institutions, veterinary practices, pharmacies, agriculture businesses and dental practices to name a few. This is a real problem, particularly in rural areas with the depletion of the population base and the increasing number of business owners reaching retirement age.

The RedTire program, a free service launched in July 2012 by the University of Kansas School of Business, connects small-town business owners who want to retire but have no one to take over with those seeking to be their own bosses. We believe the RedTire program to be the only one of its kind in the country.

After spending time developing and refining the program’s business model, we closed the first sale in February 2014. To date, we have guided the sale of 18 businesses that otherwise might have been closed and saved 164 jobs. (I share the Yates Center Dental success story below.)

RedTire partners with schools including KU’s School of Pharmacy, K-State’s College of Veterinary Medicine and University of Missouri-Kansas City’s School of Dentistry and con-tinuously networks with all Kansas Regents universities’ graduate and alumni circles to find aspiring business owners.

Businesses looking for buyers are vetted to ensure they meet RedTire’s qualifications, then posted on the RedTire website, RedTire.org. Busi-nesses must be profitable, generally have at least $500,000 per year in sales and provide essential services to their communities.

RedTire prepares an independent financial assessment of the business and—once a match is made—leads both sides through the complex process of negotiating, financing and ultimately completing the transac-tion, all for free, though businesses

are advised to involve their own attorneys and accountants.

Outgoing owners must also agree to “redefine their retirement”—hence, the name RedTire—by remaining as an employee for a negotiated amount of time, usually six to 18 months, to pass on knowledge and help ensure the business’s continued success.

Funding through a U.S. Economic Develop-ment Administration grant and KU’s School of Business allows the program to offer its services free of charge. In addition to RedTire program manager Denton Zeeman, a handful of KU busi-ness students work as paid interns.

RedTire helps avoid the shuttering of small businesses by providing business transition ser-vices to preserve local jobs and the quality of life in Midwest communities. Without these services, the future of those businesses would be jeopar-dized along with the employment of many of our neighbors. RedTire services include business valuation, transaction advising, and post transac-tion consulting.

For more information and business transi-tion assistance, please visit redtire.org. KCL

WALLACE W. MEYER JR. is Director of Entrepreneurship Programs at the University of Kansas School of Business.

YATES CENTER DENTAL LLCSteve Epler watched as many fellow dentists in rural areas simply closed their practices when they retired.

“Honestly, I always figured there was a fair chance I would eventually shut my doors,” Epler explained. But with the help of RedTire, Epler transitioned his dental practice, now known as Yates Center Dental LLC, to Matthew Standridge. The RedTire team conducted a valuation of the business, outlined the succession steps and kept the process moving.

“It’s amazing how much work goes into selling a medical or dental practice,” Epler said. Epler has recommended RedTire to friends who may be interested in selling their practices in the future. He said the fact that RedTire is a free service is a major benefit to rural professionals looking for successors.

8 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING JUNE 2016

PLEASE RESPOND PROMPTLY

*Plus a total of $7.99 shipping and service charges per doll. Please allow 2 to 4 weeks for

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( )

Name (please print clearly) Telephone

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9200 North Maryland Ave., Niles, Illinois 60714-1397

913878-D53101

YES! Please send me my Farmall Pride doll collection as described

in this announcement beginning with “Is it harvest time yet?” I understand

I will receive a bill for the total issue price of the fi rst doll with shipment.

Complete with

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Offi cially authorized

by International

Harvester

5" high, seated•

•

•First issue in the

FarmallPride

Doll Collection

This Farmall fan wants to know...

©IH is a registered trademark of CNH America LLC ©2016 ADG, 9200 N. Maryland Ave., Niles, IL 60714-1397 913878-BIR2

For over half a century, America’s farmers have relied on Farmall—“Red Power”

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1013⁄16

101⁄2

103⁄4107⁄8

1013⁄16

101⁄2

103⁄4107⁄8

81 ⁄4

88

1⁄8

77⁄8

73⁄4

75⁄8

83⁄8

81 ⁄4

88

1⁄8

77⁄8

73⁄4

75⁄8

83⁄8

81 ⁄4 8

81⁄8

77⁄8

73⁄4

75⁄8

83⁄8

81 ⁄48

81⁄8

77⁄8

73⁄4

75⁄8

83⁄8

107⁄8

101⁄2

1013⁄16103⁄4

107⁄8

101⁄2

1013⁄16103⁄4

25_B_I_V = Live Area: 7 x 10, 7x10 Master_Installment, Vertical

updated 2/2011

Price

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C U T YO U R U T I L I T Y B I L L S

Can You Have a Zero Net Energy Home?

Dear Pat: I am considering install-ing rooftop solar for my home, and a neigh-bor asked if I was going to have a “Zero Net Energy” home. Can you explain what this means?—Sally B.

Dear Sally: A Zero Net Energy (ZNE), or Net-Zero, home is one where all of the energy that is used in the home is completely offset by the production of on-site power, such as through rooftop solar photovoltaic panels. Having a ZNE home does not mean that you are “off-grid”—your home still uses electricity from your electric co-op for daily needs, espe-cially when the sun isn’t shining. A ZNE home also means you can supply power back to the electric grid from your solar panels. If you are considering rooftop solar panels for your home, you should talk to your electric co-op first.

Usually, the term ZNE home describes a newly built home, as it is easier to custom-build an energy efficient home and properly size solar panels that will match the expected energy use. However, existing homes can also be retrofit-ted to be ZNE. But before you go out and buy a solar panel system, remember this mantra: “Reduce before you produce.”

Efficiency options like heat pumps and increased insulation may not seem as exciting as solar panels, but they can produce a better return on your investment. Before you purchase and install solar panels, make all the cost-effec-

tive energy efficiency improvements you can. You will likely be able to reduce the number of solar panels you need, while also seeing sus-tained energy savings over time.

An energy audit is the first step to learning how to make your home as efficient as possible. An energy auditor will walk through your home and perform tests to find out where air is leaking. An energy auditor can also perform energy modeling to tell you how much energy you would save by implementing certain improvements. If you are interested in an energy audit, talk with your electric co-op. They may offer an audit or have names of trusted energy auditors.

Retrofitting a home to be ZNE will likely require investments—large and small. Upgrad-ing your HVAC system to something more effi-

Instead of purchasing your own solar panels, you may be able to par-ticipate in your co-op’s community solar program.

Member-owned electric cooperatives have more than 550 megawatts of solar capacity online or on the drawing board across the country.

10 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING JUNE 2016

cient is a large investment, but, as heating and cooling usually makes up half of the average home’s energy use, the upgrade will have a substantial impact on your home, especially when combined with insulation improvements. Sealing air leaks and replacing lightbulbs with LEDs are smaller investments but can also help you reach ZNE. Behavioral changes, such as turning down the heat when you leave for the day, using your solar clothes dryer (a clothes line!) and turning off electronics and lights when you leave a room are also small and easy ways to reduce your energy use.

Once you have reduced your energy use as much as possible, you can now think about producing. Solar photovoltaic panels are the most common residential renewable energy installation, though a small wind energy system could be a good choice if your home is on a site that is windy enough.

There are also other ways to harness the power of the sun. For example, solar water heaters can be cost-effective. Or you can use passive solar techniques, like strategic window placement, landscaping and shading, and specific build-ing materi-als to heat certain areas of your home in the winter or reduce sun and heat exposure in the summer.

You may be able to reduce

your energy impact without purchasing your own rooftop solar panels. Many electric co-ops are beginning to offer community solar pro-grams, or “solar farms,” where co-op members invest in part of a larger solar installation that supplies the co-op’s electric grid. Participat-ing in a community solar program gives you the benefit of solar power without needing to install and maintain your own solar panels.

Remember to talk with your electric co-ops’ energy experts before making any major upgrades, like rooftop solar, to your home. KCL

This column was written by PAT KEEGAN and AMY WHEELESS of Collaborative Efficiency. For more information, visit: www.collaborativeefficiency.com/energytips or email Pat Keegan at energytips@collaborativeefficiency.com.

An energy auditor can perform energy modeling to tell you how much energy you would save by implementing certain improvements.

LED bulbs are available in all variations, from outdoor floodlights to indoor chandelier bulbs and give off the same light as incandescents, while using one-sixth as much energy and lasting 25 times as long.

JUNE 2016 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING 11

Bob Daniels first realized the possibility of growing something other than crops when fishing as a young boy with his father. “We were using shrimp for bait when my dad held up the shrimp and told me, ‘you know, we can grow these.’”

The two had farmed ground together in Sedgwick County for years, pursuing the elder Daniels’ dream of feeding the world. When his father passed in 2012, Bob knew he would carry on his father’s dream but a change of scenery would be necessary.

Bob and his wife, Deb, moved to Oxford after finding what they believe to be the perfect property in which to house the facilities needed to grow young Pacific white shrimp.

Truly a family affair, the Daniels have pooled their talents to establish Sunflower Shrimp, which will offer fresh jumbo-sized shrimp grown in tanks without hormones or antibiotics. Bob brings his farming expertise, affinity for research and attention to detail, while Deb’s outgoing social style, a trait she’s honed as a pharmaceu-tical sales rep, provides the PR and the gift of converting strangers to friends.

Neither their son Robert, a biochemist who is pursuing an accounting degree, or their daugh-ter, Nikki, who has a degree in marketing, live in Oxford, but they both used their unique talents to help establish the business and pitch in when and where they can. Bob credits his daughter with the market research that helped him deter-mine the direction of his new adventure.

Deb’s parents, Mike and Judy Rayl, worked where needed to help get the business established and continue to assist the Daniels.

Family serves as the cornerstone for the new business adventure.

“It’s one thing to keep track of farm stuff, another to keep track of retail,” Bob said. “There’s an awful lot to learn about these rascals, how they grow and how we can grow them.”

The operation sits on 11 acres just south of Oxford, is served by Sumner-Cowley Elec-tric Cooperative, and is housed in a specially equipped pole barn that maintains the air tem-perature, moisture level and lighting required to

Sunflower Shrimp in Oxford is truly a family affair. First row from left: Deb and Bob Daniels. Second row from left: Robert Daniels, Judy Rayl, Nikki Daniels and Mike Rayl.

Sunfl wer SHRIMP

12 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING JUNE 2016

grow shrimp. The 14-foot above ground tanks house what Bob refers to as his “24,000 head of shrimp,” a measurement he can still use in the shrimp farming world as it’s also the term used by the USDA for shrimp sold live. Other measurements he regularly used in crop farming, however, don’t necessarily cross over into shrimp farming.

“Everything in the shrimp industry is metric and I’m used to dealing with acreage and seeds per foot,” he laughed. “It’s easy math but with metrics I’m having to use a calculator now.”

The mechanical part of the business has its challenges, too.

“With a shrimp farm, you just don’t go down to the John Deere store and pick up parts. You have to know what you need ahead of time.”

Each of the nine tanks in the Daniels opera-tion will eventually contain shrimp in different stages of growth, including PL1 (post larvae-nursery shrimp) and PL 28, the size of shrimp the Daniels originally purchased from a nursery in Indiana. Bob said if all goes well, they will start their own nursery in July.

“In one nursery tank we can probably grow 18,000 shrimp so that will be more than enough to do two or three tanks to get us on a cycle every 30 days,” he explained. When ready for sale, the shrimp will be about the size of those found in a 20-count, one-pound bag sold at grocery stores.

Although simple ingredients create the conditions needed to grow shrimp–oxygenated water, salt, sugar, food and baking soda if alkalin-ity is off balance–procedural precision is required to maintain a perfect growing environment for shrimp. Each tank is numbered, and the order of operation must be handled the same way every day.

“Nothing is added or extracted without noting that number,” Bob said.

The Daniels’ morning routine includes several water tests to ensure an optimum envi-ronment for the shrimp. Bob performs the testing 99 percent of the time but Deb and Mike can pitch in if needed.

“If I do it, he watches me anyway to make sure I do it right,” Deb chuckled.

The Daniels had planned to begin selling shrimp around Valentine’s Day but pushed that schedule back as they learned the business. They remain excited and cautiously optimistic.

“I think we are entering the market, the right market, at the right time. “I just want to make sure I do it correctly,” Bob said.

The Daniels have set high standards for the business and the resulting product. They believe to succeed, they must provide a product that tastes good and makes people feel good about consuming it.

“One of the things we are trying to do is to leave the smallest footprint possible,” Bob said. “We want a very good, healthy product people like, and feel good about eating, where it came from and how it’s grown.”

The building that houses the shrimp opera-tion includes a water filtration system and was designed to eventually handle solar panels. Bob said he may pursue capturing rainwater to use but that will require a foolproof way to filter it to make sure it’s pure enough for the tanks. Tiny variables can negatively affect the shrimp’s environment. For example, the Anderson Creek fire in March, 80 miles west of the Daniels’ farm, affected the tank water in the environmentally controlled pole barn.

“The smoke of the fire actually raised the nitrates in the water samples,” Bob said.

Bob spends roughly one hour per day per tank testing the water to ensure the environment is prime for shrimp survival, but added that caring for the shrimp becomes less delicate as they grow.

“With the little guys, everything has to be exact,” he said. “The bigger they are the more you can relax and think about how you’re going to cook them.”

His preference? Grilled with butter and garlic. KCL

SHRIMP

TIPTo maintain

the flavor and juiciness, keep

the head on when cooking. Just like beef, if you cut them they are

not as juicy.

Bob and Deb Daniels work in tandem testing shrimp tank waters and preparing feed. Follow Sunflower Shrimp on Facebook and on their website, www.sunflower-shrimp.com, for up-to-date information on the opening of their storefront.

JUNE 2016 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING 13

The owners of this modern day working cattle ranch—the Lonker family—repurposed a building, once used to hold cattle sales, and a ranch-style house for the enjoyment of others who wish to experience the beauty and serenity of the Gyp Hills. Visitors come to explore the many facets of the property from fishing and hunting, hiking and climbing to camping and cooking out under a canopy of stars.

Don Lonker, a retired veterinarian, and his wife, Barbara, are joined in the business by their daughter, Andrea Fisher, her husband, John Fisher, and their three children, Luke, Kirk and Jake. Andrea, who is a teacher, also manages the marketing and event scheduling for the Gyp Hills Guest Ranch and event center.

The Lonkers built the main structure on the property in 1998 to hold cattle sales, but when business changed they also shifted their focus.

“We no longer had registered cattle to speak of to sell, and we needed something else to create an outside income,” Don said.

The idea to establish a guest ranch on the property in the scenic Gyp Hills, near the site of the Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty of 1867, was born from family discussions, and its vision

evolved over time.“We all had to agree on what would take

place,” John explained. “We all like to entertain and the idea of a guest ranch made sense.”

John, an independent rep for ABS Global, owns cattle along with a small registered herd of Red Angus and Herefords in partnership with Don, naming that venture the Red Rock Cattle Company.

“We have weathered drought—three years of drought—and then we had this fire…,” John recalled.

John thought back to the Anderson Creek fire that devastated more than 400,000 acres in the area this past March. The fire, considered the largest wildfire in Kansas’ history, spared human life but not livestock nor structures during its fiery path across the drought-stricken terrain. The Lonkers lost their beloved 100-year-old barn and a majority of fencing when all but about 400 acres of their property burned.

John lost a substantial number of cattle. “It pretty much devastated what we had,” he

said. The Lonkers remain grateful the fire did not

spread past the tree line north of the ranch, a

Lonker Ranch, 1,400 acres

nestled among the Gyp Hills

southwest of Medicine

Lodge, Kan., is home to the

Gyp Hills Guest Ranch. Three

generations of family play

vital roles in the business.

WAYtheLONKER

Lonker Ranch Rides out Firestorm

American flags greet visitors to the Gyp Hills Guest Ranch, which is served by Alfalfa Electric Coopera-

tive, Cherokee, OK. For information about the ranch, visit www.gyphillsguestranch.com.

14 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING JUNE 2016

mere few hundred yard’s distance. The firemen, who fought constantly chang-ing winds, could only contain the blaze, not control it.

“They controlled areas to save people’s homes, but it would burn one way and then another,” John said.

As Barbara recalled how the fire destroyed a house about a mile from their ranch, she expressed her gratitude for the firefighters’ work in minimizing the damage to people and property.

“They saved a lot of houses. They were fantastic—and tireless,” she said.

The fire, which started March 23, burned a complete circle around the area by the end of Easter Sunday, a morning Barbara remembered vividly.

“We woke up to 2 inches of snow and all of the black was covered with white,” she said. “It was an amazing sight.”

In the aftermath, the Lonkers discovered the fire destroyed their 100-year-old iconic barn.

“It’s all ashes,” Luke said. “All that’s left is the tin roof.”

The barn had been a favorite spot for the family to take pictures—the weathered beauty providing a rustic backdrop. A barn door from the structure, which was removed before the fire, is all that remains of the barn. It now serves as a background in the event center. While the physical struc-ture may no longer stand, the Lonkers hold their fond memories close—one of the many things they remain grate-ful for.

Friends, family, business acquain-tances and strangers have volunteered time and talents, materials and financial resources to help the Lonkers—and others in the area affected by the fire—recover as quickly as possible. Fifteen of John’s customers showed up one day and stayed two nights to help build fence, while others donated materials, including hay and fencing supplies.

“We’ve had people just write checks and say, ‘Use it however,’” John shared.

Although they had planned to use the iconic barn as a destination for trail rides, the Lonkers say they will find an alternative and have shifted their focus to repairing the fencing.

“We figure we have 14 to 15 miles of fencing we must work on, so we’re not too worried about the barn right now,” John said.

One gets the impres-sion that the Lonkers seek silver linings in the midst of all difficulties. Among the charred fence posts and dead, blackened trees can be found newly sprouted grasses and an appre-ciation for the fire’s positive qualities.

“In the end, I’m sure this area will benefit from all the cedars being killed because it’s going to create a lot of new little springs and water holes, and it has resulted in new fences,” John said.

As life on the ranch returns to normal, the Fisher children carry out their chores essential to the ranch’s operations. Luke, a high school senior, and Tim, an exchange student from Germany living with the Fishers, handle the horsemen duties, map out trails on the property and complete other chores as necessary.

“We usually help with the upkeep around here, put out corn for deer hunters, and we help ride and make sure everything is OK with the other riders,” Luke said, to which Barbara responded, “They are good wranglers.”

Kirk, a ninth grader who tends to the grounds, is referred to by his grand-father as “mower man.”

“And I’ve been slacking lately,” Kirk quipped.

It’s obvious Don and Barbara cherish time with family and don’t look forward to the possibility of Luke leaving after graduating from high school. For Luke, no matter his path next year, the lessons learned on the Lonker Ranch will remain with him.

“I’ve learned a lot about work ethic, hospitality, our ancestry and I have a lot of good memories,” Luke shared.

“We’re not ready for him to leave yet, we need his help around here,” Don said, while Barbara agreed with a soft nod of her head.

While driving around the property that showcases the natural red-colored butte-and-mesa typography and splen-dor encountered in the Gyp Hills, Don shared that Tim requested and received an extension of his time here in the U.S. with the family.

“That should tell you a little some-thing about us.” KCL

... the Lonkers seek silver linings in the midst of all difficulties.

Some of the Lonker and Fisher families from left: Luke Fisher; Tim, exchange student from Germany; Don Lonker, Barbara Lonker, (in chair); Kirk Fisher (sitting), and John Fisher.

JUNE 2016 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING 15

Native plants have increased in popularity with the growing efforts to provide sustainable solutions in a variety of places, including the garden. In Kansas, native plants are those origi-nally grown in the Midwest. They have become more desirable in the garden because they are acclimated to the con-ditions of this area and can withstand the extremes in climate that may be a death sentence to nonnative plants.

The logic of gardening with native plants is simple: By growing plants in the environment where they originated and are best suited, their needs are met with minimal effort from the gar-dener. Emphasis should be placed on establish-ing plants where they are best suited. Even native plants will struggle if planted in an area outside of their preferences. Pay attention to the sun/shade and water requirements. It is a common miscon-ception that native plants only grow in dry land-scapes. While many do prefer dry gardens such as prickly pear (Opuntia humifusa) and American jointweed (Polygonella Americana), native peren-nials such as water lily (Nymphaea ororata) and pickerel plant (Pontederia cordata) are best suited for a water garden. The Kansas State University Research and Extension is a great resource for this information. (www.ksre.k-state.edu)

According to the Kansas Native Plant Society (www.kansasnativeplantsociety.org), native plants offer many benefits to the gardener including reduced water requirements and less mainte-nance than some nonnative nursery plants. When planted in environments mimicking their original habitat, the native plants are healthier and can be less susceptible to disease and pests. This reduces the need for pesticides creating a safe place for pollinators, wildlife and families.

Establishing a native plant collection can give gardeners a connection to the past. The plants can tell a story of how early inhabitants survived using plants for cooking and shelter. Some of the seeds and flowers may have been used as dyes. Spend some time observing the wildlife in the garden with your family. Pay particular attention to which insects visit only certain plants. Ask questions about why flowers are shaped the way they are

or have bright colors. Then do your homework together. Researching the plants you select for your native garden could be an interesting family project that brings some history into your land-scape. Even family members who don’t care to get dirty in the garden can find a hobby uncovering facts about the plants.

This is not a call to end the use of nonna-tive plants but rather encouragement to discover more about the garden. In addition to adding some native plants into your landscapes, you can enjoy them in the wild. The Konza Prairie in Manhattan is a tallgrass prairie that showcases the native growth of the land and is used as a research station for Kansas State’s Division of Biology. You can explore the native habitats on the miles of hiking trails available. (www.konza.ksu.edu.)

The prairie at Kauffman Museum at Bethel College in North Newton has more than 100 species of native plants displayed in a garden leading to a museum that tells of how the land was used in the 1800s. This could be a fun resource in your quest to learn about the history of the native plants in your own collection. (www.kauffman.bethelks.edu)

Cimarron National Grassland is a 108,175-acre prairie where you can encounter native plants and animals along the miles of trails and campsites. This site is rich in history and adventure. (www.naturalkansas.org) KCL

CYNTHIA DOMENGHINI is an instructor and coor-dinator for K-State’s horticultural therapy online certificate program. Cynthia believes that every-one—regardless of age and ability—can enjoy the many benefits of gardening.

Gardening Local: Using Native Plants in Your Landscape B Y C Y N T H I A D O M E N G H I N I , P H . D .

YO U R P L AC E I N T H E G A R D E N

Cynthia Domenghini

You don’t have to sacrifice aesthet-ics to incorporate native plants into your landscape. There are many beautiful plants native to the Midwest includ-ing this perennial, blue false indigo (Baptisia australis), which also brings a soft texture.

16 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING JUNE 2016

T H I N G S TO D O

Continued from page 4 f

and Colorado. Contact Jared Rutti at (620) 276-1200.

JUNE 11 Juneteenth Celebration, Junction City. Join us for entertainment, gospel music, vendors, crafters, inflatable amusements for the kids, games and more; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. in Heritage Park. 6th & Washington St., 785-375-4715, www.facebook.com/JCKSJuneteenth.

JUNE 11 The Little Pigs, McPherson. The Wichita Children’s Theatre will present The Little Pigs at the McPherson Opera House at 10 and 11:30 a.m. 219 S. Main St. or call 620-241-1952.

JUNE 11 CP Dewey and the Dewey Ranch, Junction City. Presentation by Charlie Given at 1:30 p.m. at the Geary County Historical Society. 785-238-1666, 530 N. Adams.

JUNE 12 Whistle Stop History Ride, Waterville. Marshall Country Railroad Historical Society’s Annual Whistle Stop History Ride begins at the Waterville 1925 caboose at 2 p.m. 785-799-4294 or 785-363-2343, www.centralbranchrailroad.com.

JUNE 12 Alta Mill Story at Harvey County Museum, Newton. A 30-minute video of the history of Alta Mill and the surrounding village in western Harvey County. Contact museum director Debra Hiebert at info@hchm.org or (316) 283-2221.

JUNE 16 Pheasant Forever Youth Fishing Clinic, Lincoln. Gather at Lincoln Park at 5 p.m. for snack and mentor instructions, then off to a private pond for fishing. Contact the Lincoln Area Chamber of Commerce at 785-524-4934.

JUNE 17-19, 24-26 Fiddler on the Roof, McPherson. McPherson Community Theatre presents this program at the McPherson Opera House. Visit mcphersonoperahouse.org or box office at 219 S. Main St. or call 620-241-1952.

JUNE 17 Cruise-in at the Crossroads, Belleville. Friday Night Cruise in downtown. Family, food and fun. bellevilleks.org or 785-527-5524

JUNE 18-19 Wildflowers and Butterflies, Strong City. Celebrate the 20th anniversary of Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve and the National Park Service’s centennial with activities for all ages to learn more about Kansas’ natural history. Three miles north of Strong City on Highway 177, 620-273-6034, ext. 231, kristen_hase@nps.gov.

JUNE 18 Ghost Tour at Wolf Hotel, Ellinwood. Adventure Tours of Kansas hosts this ghost tour at Wolf Hotel and underground in Ellinwood. 785-425-7350 or visit www.adventuretoursofkansas.com.

JUNE 18 Hog Roast, Junction City. Join the fun at the little country church, St. Paul’s Lutheran, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 9719 Clarks Creek Rd., call Lynn Anderson at 785-482-3213.

JUNE 18 Midsummer’s Festival and Kubb Tournament, Lindsborg. A national Swedish holiday celebrated with Swedish food, music, dancing, art, games and the raising of the Midsommarstång (Midsummer Pole) at Riverside Park. 785.227.8687, visitlindsborg.com.

JUNE 21 Positive Aging Day, Wichita. Seniors, caregivers, aging professionals and students are invited. Topics include home safety, organizing, exercising, cooking and more. 7001 W. 21st. St. N., 316-660-0117, www.agingexpo.k-state.edu.

JUNE 23-25 Annual Celebration, Downs. Three nights of live music featuring local D.J.; Paramount (80s rock show); and Silver Bullet (Red dirt/country). Carnival, food vendors, alumni reunion, parade. www.downschamber.org, 785-454-6670.

JUNE 23-26 Jim Clanton Memorial Baseball Tournament, Garden City. Tournament has three age divisions: 19U, 16U, and 14U. There will be teams from Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, and Nebraska competing. For more information, contact Jared Rutti at (620) 276-1200.

JUNE 25 Buffalo Dunes Ladies Golf Tournament, Garden City. Tournament

starts early in the morning and includes both golf and an evening social event. 5685 US-83, Garden City. For more information, contact Donna Gerstner at (620) 272-7458.

JUNE 25 Barbecue 101 Workshop, Wichita. Offered by K-State Research and Extension. http://www.asi.k-state.edu/barbecue101workshop.html.

JUNE 25 4th Saturday Flea Market, Hays. Outdoor flea market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the fourth Saturday each month at Northglen Antiques. 4949 General Hays Rd., call Sue at 785-623-0908 or 888-785-4005 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.

JUNE 30-JULY 4 Sundown Salute, Junction City. The largest free multi-day Independence Day celebration in Kansas with vendors, crafters, carnival, car show, bands playing nightly and a fireworks extravaganza! This year’s headliner is Bret Michaels, former lead singer of the metal band, Poison. 785-238-3103, www.sundownsalute.org.

JULY 1 Independence Day Celebration, Clay Center. Celebrating our nation’s birthday with activities from 4-8 p.m. on the square. Fireworks and band concert at the fairgrounds. Contact Renee Langvardt (785)632-5674, ccchamber@eaglecom.net.

JULY 9 Flea Market Festival, Garden City. Registration is open for individuals and organizations interested in booths at the festival set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 620-272-3664 to request a vendor registration packet. 403 S. 4th. KCL Send items for your free listing in Around Kansas to Kansas Country Living, P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604 by the fifth of the month prior to publication. Or send an email to events@kansascountryliving.com. Please include a contact phone number. We publish “Around Kansas” events as a courtesy as space allows and cannot guarantee publication of your event. To guarantee placement of your event in the magazine, contact Carrie Kimberlin at 785-487-4554 or advertising@kansascountryliving.com.

JUNE 2016 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING 17

1.07the number of outages per typical consumer

in a year (SAIFI)

of the time your electricity is working

without an outage

99. 977169%

104the number of minutes

each outage lasted (CAIDI)

<2for most, the total amount

of hours without power per year (SAIDI)

High-tech innovation is reducing power outages.

ELECTRICITYMore Reliable Than Ever

B Y P A U L W E S S L U N D

Your electricity is on almost all the time. You knew that.

But you might not know how much of the time it’s on. And that the amount of time it’s on has been getting better every year.

Electricity has become so reliable that the numbers for a typical American home sound crazy. For

most people, the total amount of time without power (an outage) is less than

two hours a year—that means their electricity is on 99.977169 percent of the time.

“You can’t have 100 percent reliability all the time on something as large as an electric distribution

system,” said Tony Thomas, prin-cipal engineer at the National Rural

Electric Cooperative Association. And although U.S. electric service on-time is

just a decimal point from perfect, Thomas said, “Reliability has been getting much better.”

To understand the improvements in electric utility reliability, you need to be introduced to what

Thomas said are known as “the three sisters:” SAIDI, CAIDI and SAIFI.

Those acronyms stand for different ways to measure how power outages affect con-sumers. Here’s what they mean:

SAIDI shows how long an average cus-tomer goes without power during a year. It

stands for System Average Interruption Dura-tion Index. It’s calculated by dividing all of a

18 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING JUNE 2016

utility’s power interruptions by the number of customers that utility serves. Analysts caution against citing a national average SAIDI because of the huge differences in utilities across the country and how data is collected. But a report from the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) puts the typical customer as being without power 115 minutes a year.

SAIDI numbers do not include extremely long or very short outages, since they could drastically skew the results among utilities and make the numbers less useful. Extremely long outages, like those caused by a major storm, can sometimes last more than a day. The short outages that are not included in SAIDI are, for example, cases like a utility circuit breaker quickly opening and closing.

SAIFI shows how often the power goes out for each customer. It stands for System Average Interruption Fre-quency Index. It’s calculated by dividing the number of customer interruptions by the number of customers.

CAIDI shows the average time it takes to restore power after an outage. It stands for Customer Average Interruption Duration Index. It’s calculated by dividing SAIDI by SAIFI.

All three of those reliability measures have been improving in the past few years, according to IEEE reports. The amount of time a utility customer was without electric-ity for the year (SAIDI) declined about 20 percent in the most recent four years of figures, from 143 minutes in 2011, to 115 minutes in 2014.

The number of outages per typical consumer in a year (SAIFI) went down from 1.16 to 1.07. And how long each of those outages lasted (CAIDI) declined from 117 minutes in 2011 to 104 minutes in 2014.

Thomas credits advances in tech-nology for those improvements.

More and more mechanical elec-tric meters are being replaced with automated smart meters that do more than just measure the bulk use of electricity coming to the meter at your house. They can also monitor whether electricity is delivered to your house at all, as well as the voltage quality of that electricity.

“With automated meters, coop-eratives can know a member is out of power before the member knows it,” Thomas said.

Another step toward utilities spotting and solving outages faster is the more widespread adoption of high-tech monitoring systems. These SCADA systems (it stands for Super-visory Control and Data Acquisi-

tion) are typically set up as several computer monitors in a control room, each showing a different view of the utility’s service area, including weather maps and detailed schemat-ics of each power line, substation and home or business served.

“Prices have dropped for SCADA systems, just like for all software in the last few years,” Thomas said. “Utility technology has gotten a lot better in the last 10 years.”

Thomas credits electric cooperatives with making special use of technology to overcome the barriers of long distances between consumer-members. Outages and other routine changes in power flow can be more quickly and easily addressed remotely, without having to make a long drive to a home or substation.

“Rural electric co-ops have done an amazing job of adopting technology and putting it to use,” Thomas said. “And all this technology just translates into better operation of the electric system.” KCL

Look At All These Features You have more features and selections to choose from when you build with Heritage Homes. You get exactly what you want to match your budget.

Wellington

This 2524 sq. ft. Wellington design has a 24’ x 26’ great room with a huge built in entertainment and fireplace wall, open stairway to the lower level, and a chef ’s kitchen with a 9’ center island, and two pantries, one a walk in.

Call 1-800-759-2782 to schedule a tour or get a brochure and visit us at www.heritagehomesofne.com

The laundry/ rear entrance has lots of cabinets, cubbys for coats, a half bath and a door directly into the master bath for access to the huge walk in shower or walk in closet.

With automated meters, cooperatives know a member is out of power before the member knows it.

JUNE 2016 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING 19

Chill Out: Tips for Air-Conditioning Safely and Efficiently

WHAT IS SEER?The efficiency of central air conditioning units is governed

by U.S. law and regulated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Every air conditioning unit is assigned an efficiency rating known as its “seasonal energy efficiency ratio” (SEER). The SEER is defined as the total cooling output (in British thermal units or Btu) provided by the unit during its normal annual usage period divided by its total energy input (in watt-hours) during the same period.

Since air conditioners run much more in the summer months, there is also a potential cost to safety if an air conditioner mal-functions. The Energy Education Council knows that energy safety and efficiency often go hand-in-hand, and offer the following tips to help keep your home safe and your cooling bills lower. ff Common problems leading to air conditioner

malfunction often include faulty installation and inadequate maintenance. For this reason, always check to be sure that your equipment is being used in compliance with manufac-turer instructions.

ff Before running your air conditioner, inspect the equipment and be sure that all coils, filters and circuit breakers are clean and functioning properly.

ff Consider upgrading your air conditioner to a more energy efficient model, which can save you money in energy costs. When looking at various units, look for the Season Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER), the most well-known efficiency rating. Also, check that the air conditioner has a label indicating that it has been tested by a certified laboratory. To help with costs, look for available govern-

ment or utility incentives.ff While running your air conditioner, always

be sure that all windows and doors are closed to increase operating efficiency. This seems obvious but you might be surprised who opened their bedroom window and forgot to close it.

ff Sealing ducts, increasing insulation, and plug-ging leaks in the home can also help improve the overall efficiency of the air conditioner. Exhaust and ceiling fans can increase the air flow in the home and reduce humidity in rooms that are often warmer, such as bath-

rooms and kitchens.ff Trim foliage at least 2 feet around

the air conditioner. Clearing the area around the unit ensures that airflow to the appliance is not blocked.

Additional ways to save energy include shutting off and unplug-ging unneeded electronics and using appliances such as washers and dryers during cooler times of the day. Turning off lights that are not being used and closing drapes to keep out the sun can also help reduce the amount of cooling that is needed. For more detailed information on efficiency improvements, check with your cooperative about scheduling an energy audit. KCL

Get more tips on keeping your home safe and cool this summer at SafeElectricity.org.

S A F E T Y

Sealing duct work in the home can help improve the overall efficiency of the air conditioner.

20 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING JUNE 2016

S U B SC R I B E TO

Only $10 a year.Clip this form and mail with your check

or money order payable to: Kansas Electric Cooperatives,

P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604

NAME

ADDRESS 1

ADDRESS 2

CITY

STATE ZIP

“Today, I just saw my great-grandson walk.”

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Imagine the heartbreakfor someone who gradually loses the ability to see the people who mean the most to her. Now imagine her joy when she can see them again. Thanks to a groundbreaking new treatment called CentraSight®, this dream can

now be a reality for patients with End-Stage age related macular degeneration (AMD).

Patients with End-Stage AMD have a central blind spot, or missing area, in their vision. For many people, straight lines like doorways or telephone wires may appear wavy or disconnected. When they look at someone, their face may be blurred while the rest is in focus.CentraSight is the first treatment program to use a tiny telescope that is implanted inside the eye to treat End-Stage AMD. Smaller than a pea, the telescope implant uses micro-optical technology to magnify

objects that would normally be seen in one’s “straight ahead” vision. This image is projected onto the healthy retina in the back of the eye not affected by the disease. The telescope implant improves patients’ vision, increase their independence, and manage everyday activities again. If you have been diagnosed with AMD, the telescope implant used in the CentraSight treatment program could improve your vision — and reconnect you to the things in life that you love to see and do.

Imagine the heartbreakfor someone who gradually loses the ability to see her grandchildren, husband, and the people who mean the most to her. Now imagine her joy when she can see them again. Thanks to a groundbreaking new treatment program called CentraSight®, this dream can now be a reality for patients around the country with End-Stage age related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in older Americans.

More than 15 million Americans are affected by some form of macular degeneration, a progressive disease that can lead to severe vision loss in its most advanced form, End-Stage AMD. The number is expected to double with the rapid aging of the U.S. population.

Macular Degeneration attacks the macula of the eye, where one’s sharpest central vision occurs. Although it does not cause complete blindness, patients with End-Stage AMD have a central blind spot, or missing area, in their vision. This vision loss makes it dif cult or impossible to see faces, read, and perform everyday activities such as watching TV, preparing meals, and self-care.

For many people, the rst sign of AMD is something they notice themselves. Straight lines like doorways or telephone wires may appear wavy or disconnected. When they look at someone, their face may be blurred while the rest is in focus. Lines of print may be blurred in the center or the lines may be crooked.

CentraSight is the rst treatment program to use a tiny telescope that is implanted inside the eye to treat End-Stage AMD. Smaller than a pea, the telescope implant uses micro-optical technology to magnify objects that would normally be seen in one’s “straight ahead” vision. This image is projected onto the healthy retina in the back of the eye not affected bythe disease.

The telescope implant improves patients’ vision so they can see the things that are important to them, increase their independence, and manage everyday activities again. They can feel more con dent in social settings because they can recognize faces and see the facial expressions of family and friends.

If you have been diagnosed with AMD, the telescope implant used in the CentraSight treatment program could improve your vision — and reconnect you to the things in life that you love to see and do.

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JUNE 2016 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING 21

Become an Engaged Co-op VoterPart two of a three-part series

Trends show a decline in voting in rural areas. Reasons for this decline vary but high on the list are nasty attack ads, election “robocalls” that consumed Kansans for months and the fact that it was not a presidential election year that typically brings more voters to the polls.

The bad news is that the attack ads and robocalls will return this summer. By the time you read this article, you will most likely have seen political ads or received an election robocall. Don’t make these nuisances an excuse to ignore voting. It’s vital to rural Kansas and your electric coop-erative that you, as a co-op member, become engaged and vote. Electric cooperatives understand what’s impor-tant to their communities; why not show that we are force that politicians and elected officials need to listen to!

Do you know who represents you in the Kansas Statehouse? Do you know who represents you in the U.S. Congress? Too often the answer to these two simple, yet very important questions, is “no.” You might know

who Sen. Jerry Moran or Sen. Pat Roberts are because they have served us for decades, but what about the others? If you live in rural Kansas, you should become an engaged voter, and your electric cooperative will make this easy for you to do.

Starting in June, Kansas electric cooperatives across the state will be holding candidate “meet and greets” at cooperative offices. (See the list of events on the following page for those dates and times scheduled by press time.)

All candidates running for the Kansas Legislature and U.S. Congress are invited to attend and meet their constituents. Candidates will be given an opportunity to introduce them-selves, highlight why they are running for public office and discuss the issues that are important to them—and to you. Those attending will have time to meet the candidates and ask questions. These “meet and greets” offer the perfect opportunity for you to become engaged in the voting process, to get to know the candidates and to express

B Y A L E X O R E L

In last month’s issue, we pointed

out that only 50 percent

of Kansans participated in the 2014

November election. Far worse, less

than 21 percent participated in

the 2014 August primary.

22 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING JUNE 2016

your interests and concerns to those running for office.

We urge you to attend these events to show the candidates that you are engaged and will vote this year.

In the months ahead, it would be wise for candidates and elected officials to remember the roughly half million members of our electric cooperative community. We are a diverse and vast group of Kansans that reach into almost every district and every county in this state. Our voice is stronger if candidates understand that cooperative members care and are engaged in the issues and in the voting process. Electric cooperatives are stepping up to the plate this election cycle to make sure you have that opportunity to get engaged.

In Kansas, specifically in electric cooperative service territory, the key time to vote may be in the primary election on Aug. 2. In a Republican-dominated state like ours, most of the conten-

tious races will be decided on primary day. If you are not registered to vote, you still have plenty of time. Registration forms can be found at your county election office, the Kansas Secretary of State’s office or online at www.voteks.org. KCL

ALEX OREL is Manager of Government Relations for Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. located in Topeka.

DATES TO REMEMBERff WED., JUNE 1: Deadline to change party

affiliation before the primary election.

ff TUES., JULY 12: Deadline to register to vote in primary election.

ff FRI., JULY 29: Deadline to apply for an advance ballot to be mailed.

ff TUES., AUG. 2: Primary Election Day!

ff TUES., OCT. 18: Deadline to register to vote in general election.

ff FRI., NOV. 4: Deadline to apply for an advance ballot to be mailed.

ff TUES., NOV. 8: General Election Day!

Get Engaged! Attend Your Co-op’s ‘Meet & Greet’THURS., JUNE 9 AT 7 P.M. Lane Scott Electric 410 S. High, DightonFRI., JUNE 10 AT 10:30 A.M. Pioneer Electric 1850 W. Oklahoma, UlyssesFRI., JUNE 10 AT 3 P.M. Wheatland Electric 2005 W. Fulton St., Garden CityMON., JUNE 13 AT 3:30 P.M. Flint Hills RECA 1564 S. 1000 Rd., Council GroveTUES., JUNE 14 AT 1:30 P.M. Kansas Electric Power Cooperative (KEPCo) 600 S.W. Corporate View, TopekaWED., JUNE 15 AT 10:30 A.M. LJEC 507 N. Union, McLouth

WED., JUNE 15 AT 3 P.M. Kaw Valley Electric 1100 S.W. Auburn Rd., TopekaTHURS., JUNE 16 AT 11 A.M. Doniphan Electric 101 N. Main, TroyTHURS., JUNE 16 AT 2:30 P.M. Brown-Atchison Electric 1712 Central, HortonFRI., JUNE 17 AT 10:30 A.M. Lyon-Coffey Electric 1013 N. 4th, BurlingtonMON., JUNE 20 AT 3 P.M. Rolling Hills Electric 3075B U.S. Highway 24, BeloitWED., JUNE 22 AT 3 P.M. Wheatland Electric 2300 Broadway, Great BendTHURS., JUNE 23 AT 2:30 P.M. DS&O Electric 201 Dakota Dr., Solomon

THURS., JUNE 23 AT 3 P.M. Wheatland Electric 906 Central, HarperMON., JUNE 27 AT 6:30 P.M. Sedgwick County Electric 1355 S. 383rd St. West, CheneyMON., JUNE 27 AT 6:30 P.M. Caney Valley Electric 401 Lawrence, Cedar ValeTUES., JUNE 28 AT 6:30 P.M. Twin Valley Electric 1511 14,000 Rd., AltamontTUES., JUNE 28 AT 6:30 P.M. Butler REC 216 S. Vine, El DoradoWED., JUNE 29 AT 10:30 A.M. Ark Valley Electric 10 E. 10th Ave., HutchinsonWED., JUNE 29 AT 6:30 P.M. Victory Electric 3230 N. 14th, Dodge City

WED., JUNE 29 AT 3 P.M. Prairie Land Electric 14935 U.S. Highway 36, NortonTHURS., JUNE 30 AT 10:30 A.M. CMS Electric 509 E. Carthage, MeadeTHURS., JUNE 30 AT 3 P.M. Sumner-Cowley Electric 2223 N. A Street, WellingtonTUES., JULY 5 AT 6:30 P.M. Ninnescah Electric 20112 W. U.S. Highway 54, PrattWED., JULY 6 AT 10:30 A.M. Victory Electric 3230 N. 14th, Dodge CityWED., JULY 6 AT 3 P.M. Sunflower Electric 301 W. 13th, Hays

Dates and times are subject to change. Please contact your co-op to confirm event information and to R.S.V.P.

JUNE 2016 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING 23

Bean There, Done That— One Dish Says it All B Y R E B E C C A H O W A R D

CO O K I N G M Y WAY H O M E

Rebecca Howard

Pot of Beans

Rinse beans with cold water and drain in a colander. Place beans in a large dutch oven or bowl, cover with cold water to one inch above beans. Soak for one to three hours. Drain. Return to dutch oven or place in slow cooker. Add ham shank, onion, garlic and celery. Cover with eight cups of water. Bring to boil on medium-high, then lower to medium-low. Cover pot. Check for tenderness: after one hour on stove-top and after four hours in slow-cooker. If beans are tender, add tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste and cayenne. If beans are done, heat only long enough to warm tomatoes. Otherwise, continue to cook until desired level of tenderness. Serve warm; try topping with chopped raw onion. Serves 4-6.

f 1/2 pound dried baby lima beans f 1 large yellow onion, chopped f 2 to 3 cloves of garlic, chopped f 2 stalks celery, diced f 1- to 2-lb. ham shank, with bone f 8 cups of water

f salt and pepper to taste f pinch of cayenne f 1 14-1/2 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained

f chopped white or green onion for garnish (optional)

Do all daughters give their dads beans for Father’s Day? And birthdays? And Christmas? In the gamut of traditional presents for dad, like shirts, ties, golf clubs, after shave and power tools, I’m not sure where beans fit in, but I’d wager that legumes are likely low on the list.

I seek out beans like antique enthusiasts hunt for vintage wall sconces, and my forays through farmers markets, roadside stands and gourmet shops have netted a number of unique varieties for my father, including fat pink-speck-led Cranberry Beans, black-and-white Calypso Beans, festive Christmas Limas and earthy Yellow Indian Woman Beans.

Almost always dry and uncooked (although some canned versions have made it into the gift box, too), beans are always well-received, with the exception of a bag of ultra-bitter Lupini Beans, which, as it turns out, need to be soaked for days to be edible and, even then...aren’t so much.

“Food always fits,” my dad says. A small, but seemingly bottomless man, his regard for beans

ranks high. The passion was not thwarted by failed attempts to cultivate them (which ended with my inventive sister attempting to meet the challenge of hulling dried beans using a hammer and box fan). He has made use of beans in such culinary enthusiasms as his near-infamous chili, of which vats are crafted in long and messy ses-sions in the kitchen. And he and my mother have both brought out the best in any legume when they make pots of ham and beans.

It is this dish that is my most requested homecoming meal. No other pot of anything says my parents’ kitchen more. I request it because it’s hearty and delicious, of course, but also because you just can’t get ham and beans anywhere—not in a restaurant nor a grocery aisle.

To make it yourself (and I do) is not the same as knowing it’s somewhere waiting for you.

The beans are usually a variety of pale flat lima known as “butter beans,” named for their creamy, buttery texture. The ham is usually a chunk with a bone in to impart the best flavor. The seasonings are of the most basic—onion, celery, garlic, sometimes tomatoes, some salt and pepper, with perhaps a little liquid smoke or chili powder or cayenne tossed in. Eaten with a fork

as a main dish or a spoon as a soup, usually topped with some sliced raw onion (the sweet crunch of the onion complements the beans nicely), a dash of hot sauce (or ketchup, if you like) and a side of hot cornbread, it’s a dish meant for more than one meal, and the leftovers only get better. The broth or “pot liquor” or “bean juice” (as my family calls it)—smoky and rich, only the way beans and ham can make it—is my favorite thing of all.

The pot appears in both winter and summer. I could eat these beans for breakfast—and I have. And I real-ized I may have inherited the bean gene when a friend at work recently

24 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING JUNE 2016

It is the dish that is my most requested homecoming meal. No other pot of anything says my parents’ kitchen more.

slipped me an interoffice envelope full of Peruvian/Canary Beans. For every bag I’ve picked up to send my dad, I get an extra one—for me. Beyond their versatility, beans have the added nutrition bonus of fiber and protein. As I’ve expanded my kitchen reper-toire, it has come to include a number of bean dishes, including soups made with black-eyed peas and cajun seasoning or black beans with lime and cilantro; entrees of cannellini beans and sausage; and dips made of navy beans, olive oil and rosemary.

But a simple pot of beans still wins. And as I continue to explore being a human “bean,” I’ve made a few discoveries along the way.

For a pot of beans, you are best to cook the dry variety. While canned beans are convenient, quick and have their place in a number of dishes, cooked dry beans have got them beat on flavor. Don’t be afraid to cook beans. Most packaged beans offer cooking directions. The end result should be firm and tender, not mushy.

To soak or not to soak It is often recommended that you soak dry

beans (in cold water) before cooking, anywhere from one to six hours, which prepares them to cook more evenly, and some say even lessens their ability to cause gas. But I’ve also cooked them successfully with no soaking. Rinse them, for sure, to remove any debris.

Slow cooker or stove-top A pot of ham and beans on the stovetop

is usually done in less than two hours; a slow-cooker on medium cooks them in about four hours. Either way, keep the lid on for full cooking and less liquid evaporation.

Seasoning Good beans are full of flavor on their own,

but seasoning can enhance them. Most recom-mendations say you wait to season the beans—including salt and pepper—at least halfway

through the cooking time because sea-sonings can negatively effect the beans before they are soft. I follow this, but others don’t and find success. But do season—use plenty of onion, garlic, celery and a nice chunk of bone-in ham (if you please).

Liquid and leftovers If you are cooking a pound of beans, you

want to use at least eight cups of water in an ample pot so that the beans are adequately covered. Some like more liquid; some like more beans. Should you end up with many leftovers (is that even possible?), great recommendations come from Steve Sando and Vanessa Barrington’s “Heirloom Beans: Great Recipe for Dips and Spreads, Soups and Stews, Salads and Salsas, and Much More from Rancho Gordo” (Chronicle Books, 2008). You can extend the life of your pot of beans by using the cooked beans in salads or other dishes or pureeing them into dips.

Save that flavorful pot liquor (and even freeze it) to use later for seasoning soups, cooking vegetables or even poaching eggs.

The best pot of beans? Those awaiting your homecoming. KCL

REBECCA HOWARD grew up in Kansas and received a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communi-cations from Kansas State University. She has written for the Los Angeles Daily News, the Los Angeles Times and LA Parent Magazine, and currently writes the food blog, “A Woman Sconed.”

JUNE 2016 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING 25

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S U B SC R I B E TO

Only $10 a year.Clip this form and mail with your

check or money order to: Kansas Electric Cooperatives,

P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604

NAME

ADDRESS 1

ADDRESS 2

CITY

STATE ZIP

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Kaw Valley Electric Cooperative and Leaven-worth-Jefferson Electric Cooperative (LJEC) will begin 2017 as a single co-op called FreeState Electric Cooperative, Inc.

At their annual meetings on April 19, Kaw Valley and LJEC announced the members’ approval of the alliance. The membership passed the consolidation with approval per-centages of 86 percent at Kaw Valley and 87 percent at LJEC.

“Consolidation is a positive step in the right direc-tion for all of our members,” said Steve Foss, CEO. “We are extremely excited about the potential moving forward and what opportunities lie ahead for our members, staff and boards.”

Offices in both locations, located about 46 miles apart, will remain open. The co-op’s billing functions will move to the McLouth office, and FreeState Electric financial accounts will move to the Bank of McLouth. The Topeka

office will house the call center and dispatching duties. Twelve trustees, six from each district, will serve the

newly formed FreeState Electric Board. These trustees were named in the articles of consolidation and consolida-tion agreement. Until Jan. 1, 2017, both co-ops will con-tinue operating under nine trustees.

Once the merger is complete, FreeState Electric will serve about 17,500 accounts in nine northeastern Kansas counties, making it the largest cooperative in eastern Kansas.

“We see trends in the industry that point to this type of evolution, and this consolidation vote shows how forward-thinking and progressive our members are,” Foss said. “This puts us in a great position as we look to tech-nology, growth, and development of the area we service.”

Over the next 10 years, the alliance is estimated to bring the cooperative $20 million in savings. KCL

A G L A N C E ATnewsbriefsA G L A N C E AT

Kaw Valley and LJEC Members Approve Alliance

Mid-Kansas Electric Company Awarded SPP ProjectMid-Kansas Electric Company, LLC, was awarded the Southwest Power Pool’s first FERC Order 1000 transmission project on April 26. SPP, a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) with members in 14 states, received 11 proposals for the Walkemeyer Phase II Project, a 22.6-mile, 115 kV line from Walkemeyer to North Liberal in southwest Kansas.

“Mid-Kansas is very pleased to be selected by the SPP Board of Directors as recommended by the Industry Expert Panel,” said Stuart Lowry, Mid-Kansas president and CEO. “I’m incredibly proud of the proposal submitted by our project team, led by Dr. Al Tamimi, vice president of trans-mission planning and policy; COO Kyle Nelson; and CFO Davis Rooney.”

FERC Order 1000 requires RTOs to allow competi-tive bidding on all regionally funded projects that are larger than 100 kV and not needed within three years. The SPP planning process identifies transmission expansions on three criteria: reliability, economics, and public policy. SPP members propose solutions for an expansion, after which SPP selects the best transmission solution and places it in the competitive bidding process. Bids are scored by an industry expert panel (IEP), which then makes a recom-mendation to the SPP Board of Directors and Members Committee.

The SPP board and Members Committee supported the IEP’s recommendation to award the Walkemeyer Phase II project to Mid-Kansas, with Oklahoma Gas & Electric as the

alternate if Mid-Kansas elects not to construct the project.Although Mid-Kansas won the bid, the company

has requested a restudy of the project to see if the project remains necessary. In 2013, SPP’s 10-year planning study showed a need for the project, but since then the oil and gas loads forecasted by Mid-Kansas and other load-serving entities connected to Mid-Kansas’ lines have decreased. The load forecast has also been impacted by the removal of Mid-Kansas’ Cimarron River Station’s auxiliary load when the generation is not dispatched in the SPP’s Integrated Transmission Planning models.

“We are mindful that the desired end of the process is to plan and construct transmission projects needed to appropriately balance reliable service with customer cost,” Lowry said. “For that reason, Mid-Kansas requested, and the SPP staff endorsed, a restudy of the project to confirm the project is needed for reliability purposes. We see this request as an important stewardship responsibility to the other SPP stakeholders.”

Prior to requesting SPP to re-evaluate the project, Mid-Kansas contracted with an independent firm to provide an objective analysis of the project. It is anticipated that SPP staff will report the results of their re-evaluation of the project at the summer SPP board meeting.

“Sunflower reviews the need for every project based on changes in the system, so this re-evaluation is not an exception,” Tamimi said. “It is part of how we protect our members and those they serve from increasing costs.” KCL

28 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING JUNE 2016

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JUNE 2016 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING 29

Beef Rack of Ribs

f1 Tbs. black pepper (to taste)

f

1 Tbs. seasoned garlic salt (to taste)

fcayenne pepper (optional)

f

1 to 2 racks of beef ribs (number of

racks based on number of people)

f

1 Tbs. yellow m

ustard

f1/3 cup brow

n sugar

fone bottle of favorite barbecue sauce

f

salt (to taste)

The night before serving, prepare rub for beef ribs by mixing salt, pepper, seasoned garlic salt

and optional cayenne pepper. Sprinkle both sides of ribs and then rub vigorously. Wrap in

plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, heat grill to m

edium tem

perature and spread yellow mustard and brown sugar

on each side of the ribs. Grill for 5 to 8 minutes until each side is slightly browned and caram

el-ized.

Remove ribs from

grill and slice with sharp knife. Place individual ribs in a crock pot on low. Add one bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce. Let sim

mer 6 to 8 hours. Serves 4 to 6.

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f1 Tbs. brow

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f1/2 Tbs. seasoning pepper

f

1 to 2 1/4-inch thick ham slices (about

the same thickness as the bread)

f

cooking spray

fpineapple slices (can be fresh or canned)

f

2 slices sourdough bread

Preheat grill for high heat. Mix brown sugar with pepper to create a rub m

ixture. Using your hands, m

assage the rub onto both sides of the slices of ham. Ham

slices should be completely

covered (front and back) with brown sugar mix. Place ham

slices on sheet of lightly greased foil, then place onto grill.

On separate sheet of greased foil, lay pineapple slices out, uncovered. Cook on grill for 6 to 8 m

inutes or until brown caramelization appears around edges of ham

and pineapple.

Remove ham

and pineapple from heat and assem

ble onto toasted sourdough bread. Makes

one serving.

Red Hot Poppers

f

3 quarts popped popcorn

f4 Tbs. (1/2 stick) butter or m

argarine

f3 cups m

iniature marshm

allows

f

1/2 cup red hot cinnamon

flavored candies

fred and blue confection stars

f

red licorice string

Spread a large sheet of plastic wrap onto a work surface and spray with cooking spray. Spray a large m

ixing bowl lightly with cooking spray and place popcorn inside.

In a medium

saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in m

arshmallows until m

arshmallows are

melted and m

ixture is smooth. Pour over popcorn, adding red hot candies, and m

ix well until coated. Spray hands with cooking spray and form

mixture into 24 balls. Gently press red and

blue stars onto balls. Place a piece of licorice string on top of each ball. Makes 24 poppers.

CO

URT

ESY T

HE PO

PCO

RN

BO

AR

D

CO

URT

ESY U

NIT

ED SO

YB

EAN

BO

AR

D

Country Barbecue Potatoes

f2 pounds sm

all red potatoes

f2 Tbs. butter, m

elted

f1 tsp. honey

f

3 tsp. seasoned salt

f

1/2 tsp. salt

f1/4 tsp. garlic powder

f

1/4 tsp. pepper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Coat 9 x 13 baking pan with nonstick spray. Cut potatoes into small-

to medium

–sized pieces and put in pan.

Melt butter and honey, and then drizzle over potatoes. Sprinkle with seasoned salt, salt, garlic

powder and pepper. Toss well to coat.

Bake, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes, or until potatoes are tender and golden brown. Stir pota-

toes at least once during cooking. Serves 4 to 6.

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