• Learn CPR, how to use an AED and how to treat heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

• Don’t schedule outdoor practices and workouts during the hottest times of the day. Instead, schedule them for early in the day or later in the evening.

• Lower the intensity of these practices until your athletes grow more accustomed to the heat.

• Make sure your players drink plenty of water to avoid muscle cramping or heat-related illness. Fluids should be consumed frequently during strenuous activity and within a half hour of training.

• Include warm-ups — even young athletes need to stretch their muscles before strenuous exercise to help prevent injury.

• Plan frequent and longer breaks. Ideally, pause practice about every 20 minutes for athletes to drink fluids and rest in the shade if possible.

• Reduce the amount of heavy equipment athletes wear in the extremely hot weather. Instead, encourage net-type jerseys or lightweight, light-colored cotton T-shirts and shorts.

• Use the buddy system to encourage athletes to drink water and watch for signs of illness in their teammates.

• Have an emergency plan in place. Emergency situations may arise at any time during athletic practices and events. Knowing what to do and how to respond quickly are critical in providing the best possible care to the athletes in emergency situations.

The first responder to an emergency situation is, typically, a member of the training, coaching, strength, medical staff or a parent. Prepare for the moments that matter with first aid and CPR training from the Red Cross. They offer both in-person classes and online training. Through their classes, you will not only learn how to perform lifesaving skills, you can gain the confidence to act in an emergency and help save a life.

Download their first aid app:

The Red Cross First Aid app puts instant access to information on handling the most common first aid emergencies at your fingertips including heat-related emergencies. Download this app by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or at redcross. org/apps.

K-State Research and Extension-Post Rock Distric Horticulture Agent

If you love gardening, learning, sharing your knowledge with others, and volunteering in your community, the Extension Master Gardener Program may be for you! A new volunteer training class will be held in the fall of 2024.

The Extension Master Gardener Program is an educational volunteer program sponsored by K-State Research and Extension. By donating hours of service in return for horticultural training, Master Gardener volunteers are a vital part of Extension’s ability to provide accurate, upto- date, and research-based information to Kansas stakeholders.

Master Gardener volunteers work as part of their local Extension office to provide consumer horticulture education and information in their communities through a variety of activities, such as demonstration gardens, community beautification projects, tours, and more. The Post Rock Master Gardeners have helped with landscaping projects at the Smith County Courthouse, the Perdue Hospitality Home, the Waconda Visitor and Education Center, the Welcome to Mankato Highway Sign, and the Jewell County Courthouse. They have also participated in projects at the North Campus Community Garden and the Radish Patch Community Garden.

Master Gardener volunteers are educators passionate about strengthening vibrant local economies and livable communities by empowering individuals and families to cultivate healthy environments and food systems through horticultural practices. Any Kansas citizen with a passion for gardening, life-long learning, and community education can apply for the program.

Participation begins with a training course in basic horticulture instruction taught by K-State Research and Extension specialists and agents from across Kansas, held online via Zoom. The cost of the program is $45.00 and the deadline to apply is August 28th. Contact Cassie Thiessen, Horticulture Agent for the Post Rock Extension District, for more information.

Post Rock Extension District of KState Research and Extension serves Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, and Smith counties. Cassie may be contacted at cthiessen@ksu.edu or by calling Beloit (785-738-3597).

Dopamine deficiencies can lead us to procrastinate, have low self-esteem, lack motivation, have low energy, feel fatigued, struggle to focus, and feel anxious or hopeless. Natural ways to increase dopamine levels in our body may include mediation, self-care, creating long term goals, creating a daily to-do list to maintain organization, celebrate small wins, regular exercise, and being creative through writing, music or art.

Oxytocin deficiencies can leave us feeling lonely, stressed, lack motivation, have low energy or fatigue, feel disconnected, feel anxious, and experience insomnia. Some natural ways to increase oxytocin may include physical touch from a loved one, socializing, massage, acupuncture, listening to music, regular exercise, meditation, or giving others compliments.

Serotonin deficiencies can lead to low self-esteem, feeling overly sensitive, feeling anxiety, having panic attacks, mood swings, feeling hopeless, feeling nervous about social events, experiencing obsessions, and experiencing insomnia. Natural ways to increase serotonin may be spending time outdoors, meditating, regular exercise, cold showers, sunlight and massage.

Endorphin deficiencies can lead to anxiety, depression, mood swings, aches and pains, insomnia and impulsive behavior. Natural ways to increase endorphins may be laughing, creating music, art or writing, eating spicy foods, regular exercise, stretching, massage, and helping others.

By working to become aware of deficiencies we may be experiencing within our body, we can implement natural skills to increase release of the happiness chemicals. This is one positive way we can take care of our mental health and increase our mood in a positive way.

Curstie provides outpatient therapy for across the lifespan for adults, adolescents, and children starting at age 4. She utilizes a trauma-informed approach for people struggling with anxiety, depression, abuse, trauma, interpersonal issues, grief and social and emotional wellness. Her practice includes play therapy, solution-focused therapy, strengths-based therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness strategies. Follow The Prairie Doc at www.prairiedoc.org and on Facebook featuring On Call with the Prairie Doc a medical Q&A show providing health information based on science, built on trust for 22 Seasons, streaming live on Facebook most Thursdays at 7 p.m. central.

Scholarships available for students who will graduate in the current academic year are: Seven Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarships with annual stipends of $10,000 renewable for three additional years if criteria established by the Scholarship Committee are met. Recipients must attend an accredited fouryear public, private or church related Kansas college or university. Thirty-Five Hansen Scholar Scholarships with annual stipends of $6,500 renewable for three additional years if criteria established by the Scholarship Committee are met. Recipients must attend an accredited four-year public, private or church related Kansas college or university.

Seventy Hansen Student Scholarships with annual stipends of $4,000 renewable for one additional year if criteria established by the Scholarship Committee are met. Recipients must attend an accredited community, public, private or church related college or university in Kansas. To qualify for the above scholarships, a student must have taken the ACT test and have a composite score of 23 or higher and have at least a 3.50 GPA (un-weighted) . The student should be an active participant in extracurricular school and community activities, display good citizenship, leadership, and moral integrity.

Students planning to enter the competition for Leaders of Tomorrow, Hansen Scholar or Hansen Student scholarships must register at their school and take the qualifying test at locations to be announced. Information on all scholarships has been sent to qualifying area schools. Tentative test dates have been set for September 11th and 12th, 2024 .

One hundred Hansen Career and Technical Education Scholarships with annual stipends of $4,000 renewable for one additional year if criteria established by the Scholarship Committee are met. Career and Technical Education Scholarships are available to encourage high school seniors who seek competence through career training. An applicant for the Career and Technical Education Scholarship must complete an application form that is available from the high school counselor, or it can be downloaded from our website at www.danehansenfoundation. org. The Scholarship Committee is interested in the student’s character, activities, and goals. Applicants for the Hansen Career and Technical Education Scholarship are not required to take a qualifying test. A 3.50 GPA is not necessary to apply for this scholarship. Career and Technical Education Scholarships must be used at one of the following pre-approved schools in Northwest Kansas: Fort Hays Tech | North Central (Beloit or Hays), Colby Community College, Fort Hays Tech | Northwest, Hays Academy of Hair Design (Hays or Salina), Cloud County Community College, Salina Area Technical College, Fort Hays State University (2year program) or Kansas State Polytechnic – Salina (2-year program). A student planning to pursue a 1 or 2-year technical or associate degree program at a school not included in the above pre-approved list is not eligible to apply.

Through scholarships the Trustees of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation encourage good citizenship and high achievement in academic endeavors. Improvement of educational opportunities for students in Western Kansas ranks high among the objectives of the Trustees of the Hansen Foundation.

The Hansen Foundation is in its 50th year of service to the young people of Northwest Kansas through the insight and generosity of the late Dane G. Hansen of Logan, Kansas. The book DANE GRAY HANSEN: TITAN OF NORTHWEST KANSAS by Billy M. Jones (1962) describes Dane G. Hansen and his contributions to Northwest Kansas.

We encourage all students that are interested in our Scholarship Program to visit our Facebook page and website for the current information on our scholarships. Our website is available at www. danehansenfoundation.org.

Start the day with a 5k run or a 2k walk before the temperature climbs. It would be an invigorating way to start your day. The event is sponsored by Post Rock Fitness and begins at 8:00 a.m. A 3-person scramble at the Lincoln Golf Course begins at 9 a.m., but you can still do both events if you walk/run fast!

The annual parade begins at 10:30 a.m. down Lincoln Avenue from the east to the west, with the reviewing stand at the intersection of Lincoln and 4th Streets. It’s not too late to enter, but you had better act fast by calling Barb Hollis, local parade expert, at 785-488-6844.

Immediately following the parade, enjoy an oldfashioned cake walk at the Lincoln County Historical Museum at 11 a.m. What a sweet way to end your morning!

The Food Vendors and Beer Garden at the City Park open at noon. Choose your lunchtime fare from St. John Lutheran Church Early Risers, Curnutt’s Flame and Flavor, Paradise Eats, Samplecious Snow Cones, Sugar Dealer or VFW Post #7928. As always, the Beer Garden is operated by Lincoln Fire to raise funds for new fire protection gear.

Afternoon activities ranging from face painting to a corn-hole tournament to a variety of kids games fill the afternoon from noon to 4. The inflatables will be back as will the train, available for a $5 wristband.

The rubber duck races begin at the pool at 4:30, followed by a youth scavenger hunt. Biggie Biggs is bringing their delicious pizza by the slice at 6 with the intention of staying until they totally run out!

From 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. enjoy a horseshoe tournament, and a “16 and over” scavenger hunt until Steel Skarecrow begins entertaining the crowd at 8:30.

At dark we will pause for an amazing fireworks display courtesy of the red, white and blue (VFW Post #7928) before continuing the Steel Skarecrow concert until 11:30 p.m.

This event is planned every year by dedicated volunteer committee members, but it wouldn’t be possible without the aid of the sponsors! Thanks to the Bank of Tescott, Bennington State Bank, Biggie Biggs, Carrico Implement, Citizens State Bank, City of Lincoln, Deep Creek Construction, Farm Bureau Financial Services - Tara Kubic Agent, Family Hair Flair, Farmway Credit Union, Finch Theatre, Dr. Kyle Gwinner, Heller Chiropractic, Insurance Works, Kayak Zach, Knotheads at Wilson Lake, Krueger Backhoeing, Land Pride, division of Great Plains, Lincoln Auto Supply, Lincoln County Hospital, Lincoln Grocery, Lincoln Farm Supply, Lincoln Park Manor, Lincoln Sentinel-Republican, Nelson Ag Service – Ron & Tyler Nelson, Scoular, Susan Marshall, Meyer Tire & Lube, Mity Mart, Mrs. B’s Floral & Nursery, Parsons Funeral Home-Hall Chapel, Patterson Health Mart Pharmacy, Post Rock Aviation, Post Rock Fitness, S&S Autobody, Serier’s Clothing, Viv’s Liquor, VFW Auxiliary, VFW Post #7928 and Zachgo Plumbing HVAC & Refrigeration for making this festival a reality!

Once we know the allergenic food, a treatment plan can be put into place. The three parts are avoidance, epinephrine, and becoming less allergic. Avoiding the allergenic food prevents reactions. Reading labels, thinking about ways of cross contamination, and ways people interact are all essential. An excellent resource on avoidance is the Food Allergy Research and Education national support group (foodallergy.org). Remember-the food has to be eaten to cause full anaphylaxis. Contact is only going to cause some hives.

Unfortunately, three percent of patients experience an accidental ingestion and have a reaction every year. Epinephrine injections can be lifesaving. All patients need access to epinephrine. The epinephrine needs to be given right away and the patient taken promptly to the emergency room for ongoing care. No other medication changes the outcome of an anaphylactic reaction. We used to think antihistamines could help— they do not.

A new method of becoming less allergic was approved in March 2024. This product is Xolair (omalizumab). Xolair decreases the allergy antibody IgE so that when the patient has a small exposure to their allergen they are far less likely to have a bad anaphylaxis. It is not a cure. The treatment is a program of ongoing injections. They can help any kind of food allergy and works even if the patient has multiple food allergies.

Becoming less allergic has been done longer for peanut allergy using the product called Palforzia. It is a peanut powder that one takes daily to become less allergic. This means that you are far less likely to react to a small amount of peanut. It is not a cure. The Palforzia has a higher allergic reaction side effect profile than the Xolair does. Both therapies can make a huge impact for the right patients. Other treatments such as allergy drops don’t help enough to be approved by the FDA and are not recommended.

Don’t miss out--by working with your allergist, primary care physician, dietician, school, daycare center, and family, the food allergic patient can make the most of their life!

Mark E. Bubak, M.D. practicing in Sioux Falls, South Dakota is a contributing Prairie Doc columnist and owner of Dakota Allergy and Asthma. He is certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology to care for adults and children with asthma and allergies. Follow The Prairie Doc at www.prairiedoc.org and on Facebook and instagram featuring On Call with the Prairie Doc a medical Q&A show celebrating its 22nd season of health information based on science, built on trust, streaming live on Facebook most Thursdays at 7 p.m. central.

K-State Research and Extension-Post Rock Distric Livestock Production Agent

One of the more common questions regarding analytical testing of forages and other feedstuffs is “I have the sample, now what do I test for or what analysis package should I select?” The basic components that nutritionists need to evaluate a feedstuff or develop a ration are dry matter or moisture, crude protein, an estimate of the energy content of the feedstuff (Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN), Net Energy for Maintenance (NEm), Net Energy for gain (NEg), and the macro minerals, Calcium and Phosphorous. These are the most basic numbers that are required but including some additional analyses in the report can give us insight into the quality of the feedstuff. It can also improve our ability to predict animal performance which is the primary reason we analyze feedstuffs. It is recommended that the report include acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). The amount of NDF in forage reflects the amount of cell wall contents (hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin) within the sample. The NDF fraction is often associated with the respective bulkiness of forage and is correlated with dry matter intake of the forage or feedstuff. Therefore, the amount of NDF may be used to estimate the expected dry matter intake associated with the forage. The ADF number represents the amount of cellulose and lignin within the forage and is correlated with the respective digestibility of the forage. In general, a higher ADF value is associated with forage that has a greater proportion cellulose and lignin and would likely be more mature. Additionally, the ADF fraction is used to calculate the energy estimates TDN, NEm, and NEg that appear on the report. There are several different mathematical equations that the testing laboratory may use to calculate these numbers, based on the type of sample (corn silage, alfalfa, grass hay, etc.). If the ADF is included in the report, the nutritionist can adjust or recalculate the energy estimates if necessary.

If the forage is fed in combination with a byproduct feed such as wet distiller’s grain, including an analysis for sulfur can be beneficial if the forage will be used in a growing or feedlot ration. Additionally, if the forage is a known nitrate accumulator (forage sorghums, Sudan grass) or may have been stressed due to drought, including a nitrate analysis should always be considered, especially if the forage will be fed to pregnant cows.

Most analytical laboratories have many analysis packages which encompass the most common procedures or numbers that a nutritionist or producer needs to know about their feeds. These packages will typically include the basic procedures (DM, CP, TDN) and then add on specific analyses such as NDF, or the Macrominerals (Ca, P, Mg, K, Na, Cl, S). Some laboratories may group analysis packages by the type of sample (Forage, vs. mixed ration) or production purposes (dairy vs. beef).

The objective of analytical testing of forages and feedstuffs is to improve our ability to meet the animal’s nutrient requirements and ultimately predict animal performance. The unequivocal best method of evaluating the quality of a feedstuff is feeding it to an animal and evaluating performance over a set period, under a specific set of conditions. Since that would not be cost effective or timely, analytically evaluating feedstuffs in a laboratory is the next best thing and although it is not perfect, it is better than the “this looks like really good stuff” method of evaluating feedstuffs.

If you have further questions on forage testing, contact Blaire at any Post Rock Extension District Office in Beloit, Lincoln, Mankato, Osborne, or Smith Center.

Post Rock Extension District of K-State Research and Extension serves Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, and Smith counties. Blaire may be contacted at blairet@ksu.edu or by calling Beloit 7383597, Smith Center, 2826823, Lincoln 524-4432, Mankato 378-3174, or Osborne 346-2521. Join us on Facebook at “Post Rock Extension” and remember our website is www. postrock.ksu.edu.

According to Margaret Hill McCarter, in her 1909 book A Hundred Kansas Women wrote Anna Churchill came from aristocracy. She was a part of the Marlboro family, and among her relatives in England were the Winston, Spencer and George families.

When Anna was 20, she married Walter Scott Wait, just one year her senior. In 1858 the Waits moved to Missouri where both became teachers. In 1861 Anna gave birth to the couple’s only child, a son they named Alfred Hovey Wait.

An opinionated man enthusiastic in his beliefs of anti-slavery and Union sentiments, Walter was a target for the rebels in Missouri, and in May of 1861 he moved his wife and son to Quincy, IL where he enlisted as a private in the Fiftieth Regiment Illinois Infantry Volunteers. Being highly intelligent and competent he soon moved up the ranks. In 1862 following the Battle of Pittsburgh he was promoted to Captain for his meritorious service during that battle.

After many battles and serving with General Sherman in the Georgia campaign until after the fall of Atlanta, Walter resigned in 1864 due to poor health. He moved his family back to Ohio where he studied law and was admitted to the bar. In December of 1868, the family moved to Indiana where he practiced law until 1871 when they moved to Kansas. In March 1872, the family located to Lincoln Center where he served one year as County Attorney. In 1878 Walter was elected as a member of the Legislature from Lincoln County. The couple preempted 40 acres of government land adjoining the Lincoln townsite just south of Lincoln Elementary School. They built their home on this land, now known as the Wait Addition.

Understanding the man Anna chose to marry tells a lot about her own character and convictions.

In 1872 Anna taught the first school in Lincoln in a building described as 10x22 building served for a time as the Wait’s home, Captain Wait’s law office also and Anna’s 43 students.

By the fall of 1872, the stone schoolhouse had been constructed and Anna taught there for several years, as well as many other schools throughout the county, becoming very influential in teachers’ meetings and institutes, as well as on examining boards. She and Captain Wait organized the first Normal School (teacher’s school) in Lincoln County in 1877.

Due to her experience and influence in local education, Anna was often known as the Dean of Education in Lincoln County.

In 1880 Captain and Anna Wait and their son, Al, merged their resources and purchased a newspaper they called the Beacon, where each of them played a role in the production of their newspaper. For 21 years they helped mold the thoughts and ideals of the county through their causes and the philosophy of “Is it right?,” because they were cordial haters of hypocrisy and sham but ardent lovers of truth and justice.

Of all her accomplishments, the greatest was in the field of woman suffrage. In 1879, Anna, along with Emily J. Briggs and Sarah E. Lutes, established the district branch of the Equal Suffrage Association, the first such organization after the defeat of suffrage in the 1876 legislature. In 1884 a Kansas Equal Suffrage Association was formed with Anna as vice-president at large. In 1891 three Lincoln County women put their heads together and decided they would vote since the women of Kansas had municipal suffrage. Anna was the first woman to vote in Lincoln.

Anna was a leader for her gender ahead of her time.

In “Lincoln That County in Kansas” Dorothe Tarrence Homan wrote: “Anna Wait was leading the women of Lincoln County and the State of Kansas in her fight for equality in 1877. She encouraged Mrs. Sarah Goff to be the first woman doctor in Lincoln and encouraged Sarah Cole to go to medical school, When Dr. Cole returned with her degree, the Wait family gave her a corner of their land and helped her build the Cole Sanitarium just south of Lincoln Elementary School.

Walter passed away in 1900, following years of poor health. Anna continued her work for suffrage until she passed away in 1916, three years before the 19th amendment was passed in Congress. As part of her legacy, Anna was included in the 1893 publication A Woman of the Century, as well as the 1909 publication of A Hundred Kansas Women. Due to her work, Kansas was one of the first states to adopt women’s suffrage.

Next week, learn more about Sarah Cole and the Cole Sanitarium.

Everyone we know, meet, or pass in the grocery store has their own set of personal life experiences that are unique from our own. We all come from different places, have our own set of genetics, and have different parents or families, which is part of what makes us unique from each other. We can even have different experiences than our siblings who grow up in the same home as us.

Our experiences are part of what help us learn, create adaptations to the world around us, and how we continue to grow into who we want to be. The number one goal of our body and brain is to maintain safety and security within our environment. From the moment we are born, our brain seeks for our basic needs to be met, whether it is connection, sleep, or food. As we grow, these needs becomes more complex as our abilities and understanding of the world grow with us.

During our most informative early years, our brain and body are developing rapidly to learn how to maintain safety and connection in the world around us. The experiences that we have during these impactful times set the stage for how we begin to create adaptations, responses, and our view of ourselves.

Our lived experiences can be either positive or negative, and sometimes they can even be traumatic. Everyone creates their own set of responses to experiences and threats in their environment through these lived experiences, and the most common responses are fight, flight, freeze and fawn. The prefrontal cortex of our brain is where we maintain our ability to reason, make good decisions, and take in information around us. When our body experiences a threat to our safety within our environment, our prefrontal cortex may go “offline” and our amygdala takes over, which is the portion of our brain that controls our emotions. Our amygdala signals for our response to keep ourselves safe from the threat to take control.

If our response is fight, we might have anger outbursts, become aggressive, be impulsive, or have explosive behaviors. If our response is flight, we might become, anxious, experience panic attacks, throw ourselves into our work, and tend to be perfectionists, or become over analytical. If our response is freeze, we may have depressive tendencies, disassociate, feel indecisive, feel numb, space out or isolate from others. If we have a fawn response, we may people please, be co-dependent, have a lack of identity and boundaries with others, avoid conflict, or have an inability to say no. You can experience on or all of these responses during any given event.

These responses are natural adaptations that may be our brain’s way of keeping us safe in situations or environments that feel threatening. While these responses may be a natural way for our brain to maintain safety, we can also work to re-wire our responses through coping skills and awareness of how our experiences have affected us.

It starts with an awareness that we, and others around us, have had lived experiences that have created these responses. When we are aware of this, we have the ability to process, understand, and create positive mechanisms to heal from our traumatic experiences.

Curstie provides outpatient therapy for across the lifespan for adults, adolescents, and children starting at age 4. She utilizes a trauma-informed approach for people struggling with anxiety, depression, abuse, trauma, interpersonal issues, grief and social and emotional wellness. Her practice includes play therapy, solution-focused therapy, strengths-based therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness strategies. Follow The Prairie Doc at www.prairiedoc. org and on Facebook featuring On Call with the Prairie Doc a medical Q&A show providing health information based on science, built on trust for 22 Seasons, streaming live on Facebook most Thursdays at 7 p.m. central.

Wow…..Mother Nature just keeps summer here with the hot temperatures! Hopefully we will continue to receive some moisture. Producers are preparing for the 2025 wheat crop with variety selection and ground preparation. Stay tuned and I will share with you some management guidelines to remember about controlling volunteer wheat and the wheat streak mosaic virus.

Let’s review this past wheat growing season. This year, the wheat crop was considerable better than the last couple of years!!! I did hear about some wheat that had gotten rained on with some light test weights that might have blown out the back of the combine. These kernels can germinate as the normal developed kernels. Possibly some hailed-out wheat along with the delay of wheat harvest in some areas due to rainfall could also have some seed to germinate in the wheat stubble.

The Wheat streak mosaic virus was prevalent around the state, including north central Kansas, which is vectored by the wheat curl mite. One of the best preventative measures for wheat streak is the control of volunteer wheat early and often after harvest. If volunteer wheat is allowed to stand, it creates a “green bridge”, allowing wheat streak mosaic and wheat curl mites to survive. Volunteer wheat should be terminated at least two weeks prior to planting to allow sufficient time for mites to die off.

Wheat curl mites will move off growing wheat as the green tissue dries down and dies. After moving off the existing wheat at or near harvest time, the mites need to find green tissue of a suitable host soon or they will die. Producers often like to wait several weeks after harvest before making their first herbicide application to control volunteer wheat. This allows as much volunteer as possible to emerge before spraying it or tilling it the first time. Glyphosate and atrazine are two herbicides that are often used for this purpose. Often, a second application or tillage operation will be needed later in the summer to eliminate the green bridge to fall-planted wheat by making sure all volunteer is dead within ½ mile of wheat being planted in the fall. Wet weather through late summer often favors multiple flushes of volunteer wheat and also favors the growth of other grassy weeds that can also support moderate populations of the curl mites and virus.

Volunteer wheat is not the only host of the wheat curl mite. Over the years, multiple research studies have evaluated the suitability of wild grasses as hosts for both the curl mite and the wheat streak virus. There is considerable range in the ability of a grassy weed species to host the mite and the virus. Barnyardgrass is among the more suitable hosts for both virus and mites, but fortunately it is not that common in wheat fields. In contrast, various foxtails, although a rather poor host, could be an important disease reservoir simply because of their abundance.

If volunteer wheat and other hosts are not controlled throughout the summer and are infested with wheat curl mites, the mites will survive until fall and could infest newly planted wheat. Wheat curl mite infestations of wheat often lead to wheat streak mosaic infections.

Lastly, other than timely control of volunteer, wheat variety genetic resistance is also an important tool for WSMV control. Genetic resistance to wheat streak can also reduce the risk of severe disease problems. There are currently a few varieties adapted to Kansas that have wheat streak mosaic resistance, including KS Dallas, KS Hamilton, KS Territory along with High Country and AP Roadrunner. So be a good neighbor and control your volunteer wheat! If you have additional questions on controlling volunteer wheat and the wheat streak mosaic virus, give me a call or stop by any of our Post Rock District Offices in Beloit, Lincoln, Mankato, Osborne or Smith Center.

Post Rock Extension District of K-State Research and Extension serves Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, and Smith counties. Sandra may be contacted at swick@ksu. edu or by calling Smith Center, 282-6823, Beloit 7383597, Lincoln 524-4432, Mankato 378-3174, or Osborne 346-2521. Join us on Facebook at “Post Rock Extension” along with our blog site at “postrockextension.blogspot. com. Also remember our website is www.postrock.ksu. edu and my twitter account is @PRDcrops.

In 2010, Andy married Jennifer Krentz, a Lutheran minister whose posts took them to West Virginia, Texas, and Idaho. They were divorced in 2022. Andrew Krieg “Andy” Obermueller, 48, passed away at his home in Salina on July 22. He was born in Salina on May 15, 1976, to Gary and Diann Davis Obermueller. He graduated high school in Liberal, KS, in 1994. Andy graduated from the William Allen White School of Journalism at the University of Kansas in 1998. While at KU, he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity.

His journalistic career took him from Colorado Springs to the Newark (NJ) Star Ledger (where he was working on September 11, 2001), to Junction City, KS, to Bentonville, AR. His keen understanding of economic trends and influences combined with his ability to write clearly and concisely won accolades from editors and readers.

Andy married Karen Knox in 2003 in New York City’s Central Park. His sister Kate performed the service. They had one daughter and later divorced.

Andy had Type One Diabetes and was undergoing dialysis for the last two years. A long-awaited kidney/ pancreas transplant was performed on May 19. He was looking forward to working again and constantly outlined business ventures and book ideas. Despite the success of the transplant, he developed an infection and was undergoing treatment when he passed away in his sleep.

Andy is survived by his daughter, Laurel Obermueller, Boston, a rising junior at Vassar College, of whom he was most proud; his mother and step-father, Diann and Jeff Hurt, Olathe: sister Sally Berry (Kipper) of Medina, Ohio; sister Kate Unruh (Kyle) of Olathe; sister-in-law Noel Coalson, Salina; nieces and nephews, Madison and Spencer Berry, Piper and Beckett Unruh, Eternity and Ma’Kiah Russell; mother-inlaw, Deb Goodrich, Oakley.

Andy was preceded in death by his father, Gary Obermueller; his grandparents Milfred and Bernice Krieg Obermueller, Lincoln, KS, and Mary Patricia “Pat” and Delton E. “Dave” Davis, Olathe; friend and mentor, Tom Eblen, Lawrence, KS.

Andy was confirmed into the Lutheran faith as a child with the verse, “Get Wisdom.” As a journalist and in his personal life, he pursued truth and wisdom every day. He will be laid to rest next to his father in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Lincoln, KS, on Sunday, July 28, in a private ceremony. Andy will be remembered for his irreverent sense of humor and wicked wit. He is probably seated in Heaven this very moment, going over the gospels with a red pen. This obituary would be so much better if he had written it.

Memorials may be made to Blessings in a Backpack in care of Hall Chapel, PO Box 37, Lincoln, KS 67455. Andy would also be most grateful if you would register as an organ donor. The final days of his life, though challenging, were not spent with diabetes because of the priceless gift from another human being, another family. Condolences can be left at hallchapel.com.

In Kansas we need tough plants that are able to withstand extreme weather conditions. Most tree problems are simply environmental stress caused by too hot or cold temperatures, too little rain, and dry winds. Applying irrigation to our landscape plants is often necessary this time of year. As the temperatures climb into the 90s and above, most trees require more water. Even established trees and shrubs will benefit from supplemental irrigation during periods of drought.

To maintain vigor of trees that have been growing in place more than 5 years, soak the soil to a minimum of twelve inches, out to and beyond the drip line (the outermost circumference of the tree’s canopy). Most feeder roots are in the top 12 inches of soil. If our area hasn’t received significant rain, plan to water deeply every 3-4 weeks for established trees.

What is the best way to apply irrigation? Soaker hoses are a great way to get water to your plants, however they may need a few modifications. Soaker hoses are notorious for non-uniform watering. In other words, you often receive too much water from one part of the hose and not enough from the other part. Patchy water application may not affect smaller trees, as the soaker will circle the tree several times, but can affect larger trees. For more uniform watering you can hook the beginning and end of the soaker hose to a y-adapter to equalize pressure. The parts needed are just a y-adapter and a femaleto- female connector. It is also helpful if the y-adapter has shut-off valves so the volume of flow can be controlled. Too high a flow rate can allow water to run off rather than soak in.

The position of the hose can also make a difference. On larger trees the soaker hose can circle the trunk at least half the distance to the drip line. On smaller trees, the hose can circle the tree several times so only the soil that contains tree roots will be watered.

To check if the watering is effective, the soil should be wet at least 12 inches deep. A metal rod or something similar can be used to check. Dry soil is much harder to push through than wet and your probe will stop when it hits dry soil. How long it takes water to reach a 12-inch depth varies depending on the rate of water flow and soil. As a test when first watering the tree, record the amount of time it takes to reach a 12-inch depth of dampness. The tree can then be watered for that amount of time in subsequent watering.

Mulch rings are a great way to help conserve water and keep grass and weeds away from the base of the tree. Other plants can compete with the tree roots to absorb water and nutrients, so it’s best to establish a broad mulch ring around the tree. It’s not recommended to plant a ring of flowers around the base of your trees. These plants would need regular watering and irrigation directly to the base of the tree can cause basal (bark and trunk) decay.

Extra irrigation may cost more this year, but it’s worth the effort to allow your established trees to thrive. If you have any garden and landscape questions this summer, reach out to your local K-State Extension Office.

Post Rock Extension District of K-State Research and Extension serves Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, and Smith counties. Cassie may be contacted at cthiessen@ksu.edu or by calling Beloit (785-738-3597).

The first sign to visit your dentist is a persistent toothache. Sometimes our teeth can hurt temporarily due to things like teeth whitening or sinus issues. However, if a toothache does not go away, or goes away and then comes back, this is a good sign to visit your dentist to identify the source of pain.

Pain or soreness in your jaw (especially when that pain is accompanied by a headache) can point to bruxism, which is the repeated clenching or grinding of your teeth. Treating bruxism is often as simple as prescribing a custom fit mouth guard which separates your teeth, hence preventing any clenching or grinding. Severe bruxism can wear down or break teeth, which may need to be fixed by your dentist.

If you are experiencing any swelling in your gums or jaw, this is a good indicator of an infection in your mouth. An abscessed tooth is also a signal of an infection. Treatment ranges from draining the abscess, a root canal, or even pulling the tooth. Antibiotics can sometimes take care of an infection in your mouth, but leaving a tooth abscess untreated can lead to serious, even life-threatening, complications.

Gums that are red, swollen, and bleed every time you brush or floss your teeth could signal periodontal disease. This is an infection in the tissues that hold your teeth in place. If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to bone loss around the teeth and eventually lead to tooth loss. If you crack or chip a tooth, you should also see your dentist as soon as possible even if the tooth does not hurt. A crack or chip in the tooth can spread over time and may further worsen the condition of the tooth. The sooner the crack or chip is addressed by a dentist, chances are far better of a successful tooth repair and an increase in the longevity of the tooth.

If a permanent tooth has been knocked out, immediate dental attention is strongly encouraged. If a tooth is knocked out, in many cases the damaged nerves and blood vessels cannot be saved. A tooth should not move in a healthy mouth, so any signs of movement such as a wiggly tooth usually have an underlying cause that should be assessed by a dental professional.

Finally, any bumps or sores in your mouth that don’t clear up in a few weeks should be checked by your dentist. Some bumps or sores, like canker sores, should clear up on their own. Other persistent or painful sores could be a sign of oral cancer and should be checked by your dentist as soon as possible.

In conclusion, we strongly encourage patients to schedule an appointment with their dentist with any dental related questions or concerns. The best way to catch any dental issues early on is to visit your dentist on a regular basis for preventive dental cleanings and checkups. Regularly scheduled dental appointments and diligent home care are the best ways to keep your smile healthy.

John Bisson, DDS is a dentist and owns Bisson Dental in Brookings, SD. Dr. Bisson is originally from Sturgis, SD but moved to Brookings in 2015 and opened Bisson Dental in 2018. For more information about Bisson Dental head here, https://www.bisson- dental.com/. Follow The Prairie Doc at www.prairiedoc.org and on Facebook featuring On Call with the Prairie Doc a medical Q&A show providing health information based on science, built on trust, streaming live on Facebook most Thursdays at 7 p.m. central.