Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and your own picnic items to make it a fun family night.

To make donations to the fireworks fund, send them to Teresa Heilevang, P.O. Box 543, Howard, KS 67349, or to the Howard city office.

* * *

The Moline Rodeo will be held Sunday and Monday, July 3-4, at the Moline rodeo grounds. The rodeo performances will start at 8 p.m. each night with the mutton bustin’ at 7:30. David Oakleaft will be playing an outside dance on the grounds on Sunday night (when the rodeo is over).

Moline’s fireworks show will be held Monday night, July 4, after the rodeo.

* * *

The Piedmont Rodeo will be held on the Piedmont rodeo grounds on Sunday and Monday, and they plan a spectaular fireworks show on the 4th starting at dark.

* * *

Longton’s fireworks display will be held Saturday night, July 2, at dusk. The are planning one of the best displays they’ve ever had, which will be under the supervision of the Longton Fire Department at Richard Claytor’s place at the southeast edge of Longton. Donations are being accepted by the firefighters.

———–
J Waller, president of the Sedan Chamber of Commerce, reports some great news for the community — a fireworks show will be held after all.

The Sedan Lions Club had announced two weeks ago it could not sponsor a fireworks program this year due to all the permits required by the State of Kansas. Besides, funding for such a show would be difficult this year.

Waller got out and raised money this week to hold a fireworks show and she is pleased to announce it will be held Sunday night, July 3, at dusk at the old Sedan City Lake.

“Everyone is welcome to come out, give a donation and spend some quality time with families, friends and neighbors,” Waller said.

There will be safety crews, and she invites everyone to bring their own fireworks, too, and share with the crowd.

“Celebrating our nation’s birthday and our freedom is very important and the fireworks tradition should be continued in Sedan,” Waller said.

SAEDC will hold their regular meeting on Tuesday, July 5 at 5:30 p.m., at the Kurtis Art Studio, 202 S. Douglas, Sedan.

Central-Burden USD 462 is selling fireworks in the pavilion at Burden City Park from June 27-July 4. All proceeds from the fireworks stand will go to the athletic programs. Hours are 10 a.m.-10 p.m. each day.

The Sedan Senior Center Citizens will meet for their meeting and covered dish lunch on Thursday, July 7 in the center at noon. All seniors are welcome to attend.

The Hilltop Thrift Store, 115 N. Sherman, Sedan will offer items at no charge each Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Sedan City Pool will open Friday, July 1, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Elk County Recycling Trailer will be in Longton from 9-10:30 a.m. and in Elk Falls from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., on Saturday, July 2.

The Sedan VFW Ladies Auxiliary #6373 will meet at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 7, at the Sedan VFW at 610 W. Walnut Street.

The next meeting of the Chautauqua County Historical and Genealogical Society will be Thursday, July 7, at 6:30 p.m. in the History House, 115 W. Main, Sedan.

The Ladies Auxiliary American Legion Carter-Rader Post #149 will meet on Wednesday, July 6, in the Cox Building in Howard at 12 noon for their monthly meeting.

Anyone interested in renting the Grenola Senior Citizen’s Center should call the center at 620-358-3601 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays.

The Moline Red Hat Club will not hold regular meetings during July and August but will resume gatherings with a special event in September. Members will be notified. Contact Cathey Cummings at 620-647-3279 for more information.

Chautauqua County Farm Bureau in conjunction with Kansas Farm Bureau is collecting pop can tabs to send to the Ronald McDonald House. Drop off points are Sedan One Stop and the Farm Bureau office in Sedan. Contact Teresa Jackson at 620-725-3191.

Area TOPS Club meetings: Longton meets every Monday in the back room of the Lion’s Den. Weigh-in is at 4 p.m. and the meeting starts at 4:30 p.m.; Sedan meets every Monday at Epiphany Episcopal Church, 309 W. Elm, at 7 p.m. with Margie McKenna as the contact (620-249-8988). Anyone is welcome to attend or join.

The Grenola Community Club meets the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the City Complex.

Farmers Markets: Sedan Farmers Market is open Wednesdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m.-noon in the Floyds’ Market north parking lot through October 29. For more information, contact J. or Diane at 620-725-3990. Howard Farmers Market will be open every Wednesday from 3-7 p.m. on the Elk County Courthouse lawn through September 28. For more information, contact Jennifer Brummel at 620-205-8514.

The Old Time Fiddlers, Pickers & Singers meet the first Thursday of each month at the Cox Building in Howard from 6-9 p.m.  Finger foods are provided and a free will donation is accepted.  The public is invited to join in the music.

The Sedan Area Round-Up Club is seeking queen candidates for the 2011 Chautauqua County Fair and Rodeo. Candidates must live in a 100 mile radius of Sedan and be between 12 and 30 years of age. Entry deadline is Saturday, July 9. Contact Annie Myers at 620-725-5127 or 918-440-2503 for more information.

Elk County/Elk Konnected Summer Kids Day Camp is open to children 7-12 years old and runs Tuesday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Session schedule is: July 12-14 at the Grenola Methodist Church; and July 19-21 at Elk Valley High School commons area in Longton. For more information, to get a registration form or to volunteer, call Jennifer Brummel at 620-205-8514.

There will be a fireworks display at the Howard City Lake on Saturday, July 2 beginning at 9:30 p.m. A rain date is scheduled for Sunday, July 3. Donations for the display may be left at the Howard City Office.

Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program applications for a one-time $30 cash benefit for use at farmers market approved vendors are now being taken at the Grenola Senior Citizens Center/Grenola Friendship Meals site.  These coupons are for the Grenola, Burden and Cambridge meals area. Age and income eligibility requirements as well as other restrictions and guidelines apply. Contact Velma Conklin at 620-358-3601 between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Friday for details.

Little Scholar Preschool in Sedan is having a raffle for a Fisher-Price Jeep Rubicon. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5 and may be purchased at 99 Gas-N-Go, Floyds’ Market, First National Bank of Sedan, Chautauqua County Farm Bureau or any LSP board member. The drawing takes place Saturday, July 23.

The nomination period for local Farm Service Agency committee members began June 15 with forms due at local USDA Service Centers by Aug. 1. Voting will take place in the fall. For more information, call or visit your local USDA Service Center or go online to www.fsa.usda.gov and click on the County Committee Election Page link.

ICC will offer a 6 credit hour CNA course in Sedan beginning July 6, continuing through Sept. 3. Classes meet at Pleasant Valley Manor on Wednesdays from 2-6:30 p.m and Saturdays from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Call 800-842-6063 ext. 5498 for more information.

The American Red Cross/Howard Community Blood Drive will be held Tuesday, July 26, at the Cox Community Building at the corners of Wabash and Washington. The hours will be 2-6 p.m. To schedule an appointment for the Howard Community Blood Drive or anytime, call 1-800-RED CROSS (733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org. Drop-ins are always welcome.

Greenwood County Home Health will hold a foot screening clinic for people ages 60 and over on Tuesday, July 5, at the Elk County Council on Aging (ECCA) offices, 134 E. Washington, in Howard. Gift certificates are available for the clinic from ECCA. Appointments are requested and may be made by calling 620-374-2403.

An AARP Driver Safety Course will be presented from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday, July 8, at the Elk County Area Agency on Aging (ECCA) offices, 134 East Washington, in Howard. This course is offered by AARP and hosted by the ECCA. Call 620-583-5557 or 620-374-2403 to sign up. Cost is $14 for non-members and $12 for AARP members.

Elk County Health Nurses, Kandy Dowell RN and Jan Koster LPN, will be presenting a program on heart attack and stroke symptoms at local senior centers during Friendship Meals lunch times during July. The schedule is: Grenola on Thursday, July 7; Moline on Tuesday, July 12; and Howard on Tuesday, July 26.

The next meeting of Chapter DC of PEO Sisterhood will be the annual BIL and KID meeting on Monday, July 11, at 5 p.m. in the Sedan Community Building.

The Sedan Ministerial Alliance is seeking monetary donations to help fulfill the needs of its ministry. Contact Rev. John Warring at the Sedan Christian Church or Fr. Marcus Cunningham at Epiphany Episcopal Church if you would like to help.

Donations for the Moline 4th of July Fireworks display after the rodeo may be made at any branch of the Bank of Howard, make checks payable to “Fireworks Fund”.

WWW.CALM is Women Welcoming Women for a Period of Calm. They will meet for their monthly luncheon on Wednesday, July 6, from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., in the Sedan First Christian Church basement.

Longton will hold a fireworks display on Saturday, July 2 at the ballfields, 912 Kansas, beginning at dusk, approximately 9 p.m.

Singer/songwriter Jamey Denison will appear in concert at the Elk Falls United Methodist Church at 8:45 a.m. and then at the Longton United Methodist Church at 10 a.m. on Sunday, July 3. The concerts are free and the public invited.

Sedan Public Library’s summer reading program, “Old World, Many Stories”, runs on Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to noon. For more information or to register, call the library at 620-725-3405.

Donations for the Sedan fireworks display to be held Sunday, July 3 at the Old City Lake may be made at the First National Bank of Sedan. Make checks payable to “Sedan Fireworks Fund”.

Effective June 20, Chautauqua County trash collection times each day will run one hour earlier for the summer months. This early time will continue until fall.

Cheryl Davis is seeking genealogy information on John McBee and his family, residents of Howard around 1880.  Those with information may email sccdavis@yahoo.com.

Head coach Rick Chrisman said the first title was earned in 1973 when Les Davis was coach of the team.

The 2011 Blue Devils completed a perfect season at 26-0, pulling off some exciting victories in come-from-behind situations.

Adding sweet topping to winning the state title, the Sedan boys beat Pittsburg Colgan, 11-10, in the finals — a feat in itselt.

The Blue Devils battled their way through the semi-finals to gain the top spot, first defeating Flinthills, 7-6, then in a championship game that started an hour early because of weather concerns, they kept their magic going by going four runs in the bottom of the eighth, slamming thelid on the Panthers’ seven-year reign as 2-1A champions.

Chrisman credited the Blue Devil’s never-quit attitude for going all the way this year.

Pitcher Brady McCoy won both games from the mound for Sedan.

Six players were involved in Sedan’s game-winning rally. Jacob Chrisman got it going with a single, Shon Pinard walked, Casey Holt loaded the bases with a single and McCoy tied the game with a double to the left-field fence.

More details will be printed in this week’s Prairie Star.

“The Good Old Days in Niotaze” will arrive on May 21, as citizens of the  Niotaze community and the surrounding area come together for a fundraising event to benefit the Niotaze Community Storm Shelter. A brisket dinner will be served from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will be hot dogs for the kiddies.

Additional eats/drinks include: potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, dessert, tea, coffee and Kool-Aid.  Following the dinner, Corky Davis & The Cowboy Swing Band will play from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the shelter, three blocks south and three blocks west of the Niotaze Post Office.

Tickets for the evening are a minimum donation of $6 for adults and $3 for children 5 and under. Each ticket purchased is also a ticket that could win a door prize.

Additional donation tickets may be purchased for a painting by Niotaze resident artist, Marion Bryant. A $200 dollar bundle of meat will also be given away.

A goal for the storm shelter volunteers is to transform the shelter into a space available for larger family gatherings, wedding receptions, business meetings, etc.

The Niotaze Community Storm Shelter is a designated Red Cross emergency shelter in the event of a disaster.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the city of Elgin, which is located in Chautauqua County.

The city has experienced a water main break that has caused the water system to lose pressure. When such a loss of pressure occurs, it is possible for contaminants to enter the system. Also, chlorine residuals may drop to levels that are inadequate to protect against bacterial contamination. Citizens are encouraged to begin conserving water, and repair crews are on the scene to repair the leak.

Effective immediately, or once service is restored, customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

· Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation, or use bottled water.

· Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.

· Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.

· Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing or using backyard pools so that water is not ingested.  Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.

· If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.

The advisory will remain in effect until testing of water samples indicates no evidence of contamination and all other conditions which place the systems at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved. The city and/or KDHE will notify media when the boil water advisory has been rescinded.

Customers with questions may contact City Clerk Maxine McCoy by telephone at 620-346-2362 or you may contact the KDHE SE District Office in Chanute at 620-431-2390.

The King Is Coming is a rousing and inspiring piece of music based on songs by Bill and Gloria Gaither and others. There will be some familiar hymns as well as new music. The piece is arranged and orchestrated by Russell Mauldin.

There are more than 20 singers in the choir who have been working for weeks to give this presentation a professional quality. The choir is under the direction of Kathy Chamberland.

Please plan on attending this celebration of the final days of Christ, His death and resurrection, and His promise to return again.

A group of Elk Valley High School students went to the surface of the moon recently.
However their journey didn’t take them into outer space.

Instead, the students in Rick Bruce’s physics class built a moonbuggy vehicle that competed in the 18th Annual Great Moonbuggy race held at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., on April 1-2.

The event marked the fourth consecutive year for Elk Valley to compete in the contest, which pits students’ engineering knowledge and vehicle handling  with the replicated terrain of the lunar surface.

And, although the Elk Valley-made moonbuggy did not win the contest, it did make a valiant attempt at completing the track in two separate races.

The Elk Valley moonbuggy sustained a mechanical problem on the first day of the competition on April 1. Piloting the vehicle were Heather Beougher and Gradey Atkinson.

On Saturday, April 2, the Elk Valley team completed the race with students Monique Wade and Zeke Hare on board the “Space Hicks” vehicle.

“The moonbuggy was 90 percent different from previous years’ models with major modifications to the steering and pedal assemblies,” said Bruce. “We started this project in late October, working both during class time and on some weekends.”

While Elk Valley didn’t win the competition, it did receive the Pit Crew Award for the second year in a row. The award goes to the high school team that represented ingenuity and persistence in overcoming problems during the race.

Because Elk Valley was the smallest high school in the competition, the Pit Crew Award was a major accomplishment for the local students, Bruce said.

Each moonbuggy in the competition was human powered and carried two students, one female and one male, over a half-mile simulated lunar terrain course including craters, rocks, lava ridges, inclines and lunar soil.

The course track went through the Marshall Space Flight Center, which includes various artifacts and large-standing features from NASA’s space vehicles.

Students who built the moonbuggy and made the trip to Huntsville, Ala., included Lisa Clarkson, Monique Wade, Heather Beougher, Chanel High, Roger Daniels, Zeke Hare, Colter Pickett and Gradey Atkinson.

Bruce said he appreciated the help of local supporters in making the trip to Huntsville, Ala., possible.

A video of the 18th Annual Great American Moonbuggy Race can be viewed online at http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/13707993.

Richard Adams was elected mayor of Elk Falls on a write-in vote.

In Grenola, (5): Winners were Terry Kill 39, Leon Wells 39, Donald Miller 39, Bill  Huffman 38 and Joe Hill 33.

Marion Fullhart was elected mayor Grenola with 38 votes.

For Howard City Council (3): Gary Harrold 91, Robert Winn 85 and there was a tie for the third seat between Roland Meisch and Martin Hunter with 4 votes each.

For Longton City Council (3): Justin Corle 83, Richard W. Claytor 82, Sharon Ferguson 62 votes.
Moline City Council (3): John Rose 40, Elmer Ward 43 and Nick Laney 37 votes.

USD 282 West Elk Board of Education Po. 1: Steve Walker won with 58 votes over L.W. Ross with 6 and David Evans with 23 votes.

For Pos. 2, no one filed.

For Post. 3, Matthew Hilton’s 18 votes.

Member at large, David Whetstone 269 votes.

USD 283 Elk Valley Dist. 1, Pos. 1: Mark Ashenfelter won with 90 votes to Randall Cannon’s 58.

Dist. II, Pos. II: Mitchell Dowell with 117 votes.

Dist. III, Pos. II: Justin Corle won with 82 votes to Marlene Cook’s 39 and Ken Coatney’s 32 votes.

Brett Dickens and Theresa Wilson both won re-election to the Sedan City Council — Dickens with 153 and Wilson with 167 votes.

In USD 286 Sedan, Jack Rutledge won the at-large seat on the board of education with 264 votes, outlasting Jennifer Monday who pulled 209 votes.

In USD 286. Dist. 2, Pos 2, it was Jill Adcock-Mills with 378 votes compared to 84 votes for Wesley G. Copeland Jr. with pulled 84 votes.

Patrick Steward won re-election to the USD 286 Board of Education with 247 votes to Jack Warren’s 214.

In Cedar Vale, Dwight Mattocks was elect to the city council with 102 votes, along with Ralene Davis with 92 and David Ferguson who pulled 81 votes

The four elected members of the Cedar Vale USD 285 Board of Education were Carl O. Clapp with 179 votes, Jessica Bliss 136, Rob Lackey 132, and James Rainbolt 126 votes. Eliminated in the balloting were Linda Robinette with 79 votes, Monica Thompson with 59 and Gloria Rose with 39.

Other races across Chautauqua County will be listed later on Wednesday when the become available.

The following questions were received at the March 22 Wind Conversation for the Elk County Commissioners to answer.  The commissioners have answered the following questions. Not all questions have been answered that were asked at the wind conversation.  In the following weeks the commissioners will be answering the additional questions they received.

Who is going to use this wind farm power?
The Tennessee Valley Authority has bought the energy that will be produced from the wind farm.

Is this contract guaranteed for 20 years, or if company goes out of business will we loose out?
There is no guarantee, if legislation changes, if wind mills stop producing or if the wind energy company goes out of business

Are there any other communities that get money from wind farms?
Yes

Has any money already been allocated to each of the schools?
No

Explain what is to happen with road maintenance on the roads used during construction?
The county has an agreement with the contractor that they will maintain the roads that they use while construction is going on and will fix the roads used when they leave.

Can this money be used to reduce our debts or property taxes?
Yes

What percentage of population in Elk County is over 65 years of age?
Per the U.S. census bureau 24.3%

How is Elk Konnected Funded?  Do they receive any county funds?
Elk Konnected is funded by local donations from people, businesses and civic organization with in the Elk Konnected area.  Elk Konnected does not receive county funds.

How much money (FEMA) do we have to address roads?
The county has $416,665.49 in FEMA money.  This money can only be spent on designated FEMA roads for cleaning ditches.

Is the money available to fix roads and roadways without using the wind farm income?
The county is trying to fix the roads now via tax payers’ money.

Payment starts when and how much?
The county will receive the first payment on December 31st of the year the wind farm goes into production and is producing energy.   The first payment will be $4500 multiplied by the gross megawatt of the project.  The following payments will be increased by 2% annually.

What % if any goes to the schools?
No decisions have been made as to how the money will be used.