Finney County Fair Books Available Now
The 2010 Finney County Fair will be held in Garden City on July 29 to August 1, 2010. The official fair book gives all the details– from event schedules to competition categories and all the information you need to get involved! Pick up a fair book at the Finney County Extension Office, 501 S. 9th Street at the entrance to the fairgrounds, or watch for them at sponsor locations around town. Here are just a few of the highlights of the Finney County Fair:
Thursday, July 29-
- Free hamburger feed- 6:00 pm
- Colgate County Showdown- 7:00 pm
- Edge of Forever- Tribute to Lynrd Skynrd- 9:00 pm
Friday, July 30-
- 96.3’s “The Marshal” 3rd annual Hot Dog Eatin’ Contest- 6:00 pm
- Western Kansas Truck & Tractor Pull- 8:00 pm
Saturday, August 1-
- Camel Scramble- 7:00 pm
- Outlaw Demolition Derby- 8:00 pm
Sunday, August 2-
- Kid’s Pedal Pull- 12:00 noon
Ticket prices for the three main evening attractions are $15 for bucket seats, $12 for bench-back seats, $10 for general admission bleachers and $5 for kids ages 12 and under.
In addition to the grandstand events, there’s lots of other family fun! Check out the petting zoo from Staples Safari, the Kansas Wildlife and Parks mobile aquarium, Farmer for a Day kids exploration booth, and the Pride of Texas Carnival.
So, stop by the Finney County Extension Office and claim your Finney County Fair book soon. It’s your passport to all the fun of the 2010 Finney County Fair!
“Knowledge for Life” provided by the Finney County Extension Office and K-State Research and Extension.
Subscribe to the comments for this postKick start your savings this summer!
For beginning and more advanced savers, nothing is more important than an emergency fund. As the cornerstone of your savings plan, an emergency fund is your protection against unexpected, but inevitable, expenses.
• Step 1- Figure out your goal & a place to save. Having an emergency savings fund may be the most important difference between those who manage to stay afloat and those who are sinking financially. That’s because maintaining emergency savings of $500 to $1,000 allows you to easily meet unexpected financial challenges such as a car repair or medical bill, and avoid high interest, short-term loans. With your emergency fund goal in mind, decide where you want to save it. Do you need to open a savings account? Do you want to add to a savings account you already have? Determine your goal and where to keep your emergency savings.
• Step 2 – Save automatically. Have a portion of your paycheck, as little as $10 or $25 or $50 a month, transferred automatically from your checking to savings account. Individuals who save automatically are more than six times more likely to be successful long-term.
• Step 3 – Track your progress. By becoming an American Saver, you can utilize the America Saves My Savings Tracker for free to record deposits and monitor your progress.
If you’re not sure where to find the money to start saving, cutting down expenses can be easier than you think. Institute a “no-spend day” and for each dollar you don’t spend, add to your emergency fund. Come back next week for even more ways to save on everyday expenditures!
Source: America Saves “Kick Start Your Savings” campaign
“Knowledge for Life” provided by the Finney County Extension Office and K-State Research and Extension.
Recall involves popular children’s food
Parents are encouraged to check cupboard shelves for three varieties of SpaghettiOs With Meatballs identified in a 15,000,000-pound food recall. The canned products, which were produced at the Campbell Soup Supply Company, LLC, in Paris, Texas, may contain meat that has been under processed and should be returned to the grocery store for a refund, says Karen Blakeslee, Kansas State University Research and Extension food scientist.
Recalled products include:
* 14.75-ounce cans of “SpaghettiOs” with Meatballs bearing the identifying product code “U5″ on the bottom of the can. (See label, above.)
* 14.75-ounce cans of “SpaghettiOs” A to Z with Meatballs bearing the identifying product code “4N” on the bottom of the can.
* 14.75-ounce cans of ” SpaghettiOs” Fun Shapes with Meatballs (Cars) bearing the identifying product code “KS” on the bottom of the can.
Products involved in the recall will be marked with “EST 4K” with a “Use BY” date between June 2010 and December 2011 ink-jetted on the bottom of the can. The products were distributed nationally, and while no illness has been reported to date, the products should be returned, rather than eaten.
Don’t worry about having a receipt, said Blakeslee, who explained that food companies who suspect a potential problem with a product appreciate the returns.
Consumers who have questions about the recall can call Campbell’s Hotline: 866-495-3774 or see the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service website:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_035_2010_Release/index.asp
“Knowledge for Life” provided by the Finney County Extension Office and K-State Research and Extension
Top 10 Frugal Foods: Spend Less, Get More
Think it’s too expensive to eat a healthy diet? Think again! K-State Research and Extension presents our “top 10” list of frugal foods that combine great taste with a nutritious punch, all for a minimum cost. All of the frugal foods on our list are versatile — try them for breakfast, lunch, supper and snacks.
- Apples and Bananas. A perfect on-the-go snack, both apples and bananas are naturally portable. Eat these satisfying and sweet nutritional powerhouses raw or baked, or add them to salads, desserts and baked goods.
- Beans. Full of antioxidants, dietary fiber and protein, canned beans cost about 23 cents per serving. Dry varieties that you cook yourself cost even less. Keep them on hand to pack into brownbag lunches and to make quick suppers.
- Brown Rice. With a slightly nutty taste, brown rice is a whole grain. It is more nutritious than white rice. Serve as a side dish, at breakfast or as a snack with cinnamon and milk, or add to casseroles and soups.
- Canned Tomatoes. Canned tomatoes make a great base for countless main dishes, dips, sauces, soups, stews and chili. Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and lycopene. Buy them without added salt if possible.
- Canned Tuna. A versatile addition to sandwiches, salads and casseroles, tuna is high in protein and vitamin D, and low in calories and fat.
- Eggs. Eggs are high in protein and low in cost. Boiled, fried or scrambled — eggs cook quickly, so they’re perfect for breakfast, lunch or supper. For variety, try French toast, huevos rancheros or egg salad.
- Fat-free Milk. A natural convenience food, skim milk offers a healthy dose of vitamin D, calcium, protein and potassium. Serve skim milk with meals and snacks, and use in soups, smoothies and desserts.
- Kale. At about a dollar a bunch, kale is one of the least costly green vegetables you’ll find. Three quick and easy ways to serve kale are to: Serve it hot after pan-frying with garlic and a small amount of vegetable oil; Steam and add to pasta salads or as a topping on homemade pizza.
- Potatoes. White potatoes and sweet potatoes are satisfying and are high in dietary fiber, vitamin C and potassium. Bake, boil, roast, pan-fry or oven-fry them, or add to casseroles or soups.
- Rolled Oats. At just 14 cents, one cup of cooked oats is a heart-healthy whole grain with 4 grams of dietary fiber. Cook oats with fruit for a breakfast or snack, add them to baked goods or use them to ”stretch” the ground beef in meatballs and meatloaf.
Source: Dining on a Dime newsletter, June 2010, Erin Henry and Mary Meck Higgins, K-State Research and Extension Human Nutrition
Learn the ABC’s of successful fathering
Father’s Day on Sunday is a great opportunity to recognize the hard work and important contributions that Dad makes to his family.
While Dad may take the lead in working to provide for the family, one Extension expert says the most important work a man will ever do is within the walls of his own home.
“Many men become biological fathers, but becoming a successful father is the work of a lifetime,” says Sean Brotherson, North Dakota State University Extension family specialist, writing on eXtension, the national Extension online network.
Here are the expert’s ABCs of successful fathering:
* A is for being available, attentive and participating in activities.
Being around is the first step to being available to your child. To a child, love is spelled t-i-m-e. This may require some effort on the part of a father.
“Examine your work schedule,” Brotherson says. “Come home a little earlier. Take more time together in the evenings. Children want parents to be available for time with them.”
Attentiveness means focusing attention to their feelings and activities. Do you know your child’s favorite color? Do you know what activity your child would most like to do with you? Attentiveness is crucial to seeing and following a child’s invitation for a father to be involved.
According to research, the most significant way for fathers to connect with their children is through participating in shared activities. Men feel close to their children when they are doing things together that are fun, engaging or focused on learning. The key is doing something together but not just talking. This can range from reading to playing checkers or going fishing.
* B is for big moments and being playful and a model.
Be there for the big moments of your child’s life, such as at birth, birthdays or school performances.
Dads excel at being playful with their children. Playing together is an underrated but important aspect of parenting. It builds great relationships and fosters learning. Fathers can challenge a child’s abilities, provide opportunities for growth and build connection bonds through play.
Fathers also are role models, whether they want to be or not. Children learn by observing and imitating. Consider the personal values that you wish to instill in your children, and then model that behavior.
* C is for connecting and coaching.
Connecting for fathers occurs when they are involved in their child’s activities and by talking and providing support. Making a connection is among the most important aspects of parenting, according to research.
To be a good coach, a father should give time, listen, create teaching opportunities, share stories and introduce new skills. A father should be gentle in discipline, firm in providing guidance and clear in his message of support.
Brotherson says the ABCs of successful fathering provide a foundation as fathers seek to build healthy and caring relationships with the children they love. “If you begin with the ABCs, you are laying the foundation for success,” he said.