TRHS KAYS Trick-or-Treat So Others Can Eat

On Sunday, October 29, from 5:00-7:00pm, the KAYS will be venturing out into the local communities of Kensington, Arga and Kirwin to “Trick-or-Treat so Others Can Eat.” High need items include: canned fruits/vegetables, cereal, and other non-perishables. If you will not be to home, you can leave your food donations on the porch or hanging on your front door. Food items can also be delivered to your local churches or call the high school (785) 476-2217 to make other arrangements. Thanks for your Spooktacular Support!

October Is Pastor Appreciation Month

In honor of Pastor Appreciation month, the United Church of Kensington plans to hold a potluck dinner following church service on Sunday, Oct. 29. Please make plans to join us and bring your favorite potluck dish.

*Mark your calendars: coming up on Sunday, November 5, at 2:00pm, the United Church Women will hold the Annual Thanksgiving Program. Featuring Alisha DeBey, performing original compositions from her new CD “Unite Us,” this program will be held at the United Church in Kensington, 204 W Cedar Street, at 2:00pm on Sunday, Nov 5. Alisha is a local face from Smith Center. She is the USD 237 Vocal and Band Instructor. This is a free program with refreshments to follow in the church basement.

Working Together to Make Improvements

The Smith County Fair Board has been planning for nearly two years to build a new bath/shower house and storm shelter for the fairgrounds. The need has been discussed for years because when you think about all the ballgames, celebrations, horse shows, judging contests, and county fairs attended, thousands of children and adults use the fairgrounds. Since this was such a huge project, the fair board knew it needed to collaborate with other organizations to make this a reality.

Because the fair board is a non-profit organization, it partnered with a couple very generous foundations that Smith County is blessed to have. They sought the help of the Shrader Foundation and the Smith County Community Foundation. This partnership allowed the fair board to break ground and begin the process of building a new bath/shower house which will double as a storm shelter. Quick to join our efforts was the Smith County 4-H Council which contributed to the effort by giving the fair board a donation, which had been gifted to them. In addition to all these efforts, fair board members donated their time and equipment and contractors donated some expenses to help lower the overall cost. Together, the project has become a reality! A few final touches need to be added to make the building more user friendly, and the fair board is working together to finalize the building to make it ready for use.

The Smith County Fair Board would like to express a heartfelt thanks to the Smith County Foundation, The Scrader Foundation, the 4-H Council, and all the people who put countless hours completing this project. Our county is certainly made a better place to live when these two foundations and the community work together!

Around Town

Madison Brown, Alanna Schroeter, and Konner Wagenblast were given their Bibles on Sunday, October 15, at the St. John Lutheran Church of Kensington. It is always an exciting and special event for the church youth to receive their own, personal Bibles to read and grow in their relationship with Christ.

The (Guy & Neva) Billings Family Reunion was held on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, at Sternberg Museum in Hays, Ks. There were 39 in attendance, as some had illnesses or previous conflicts. We had a wonderful time visiting, looking at photo albums and taking pictures. The Billings siblings and spouses attending were: Stan & Carolyn Billings; Ken Ratliff; Rod & Judy Billings; David Billings; Joan & Steve Heide; Dan & Jeanne Billings.

Thunder Ridge School News

October 23-27 is Red Ribbon Week at the Thunder Ridge schools sponsored by TRHS National Honor Society. The theme for this year is “Your FUTURE is Key, So Stay DRUG FREE.” Pre-K through 6th grades were asked to participate in coloring and poster contests; grades 7 through 12th an essay contest. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each category (not per grade). On Monday, children were asked to “Back away” from drugs by wearing their clothes backwards. Tuesday was wear Camo, Wednesday wear tie-dye/colorful clothes, and Thursday wear team jerseys or school colors for school spirit.

Upcoming Games:

• HS Football- *Thursday night game on Oct. 26th vs Northern Valley @ Almena. Game start at 7:00pm.

Important Info to Know:

Friday 27th- No school; Parent/Teacher Conference Exchange Day.

Sunday 29th- KAYS Trick-or-Treat for food pantry donations from 5-7pm

Tuesday 31st- Pre-K through 6th grade celebrate Halloween in the afternoon with costume parades down main streets in Kensington and Agra; room parties to follow.

*Stay updated on special events, school closings, sports and news with the school textcaster alerts. Sign up for Longhorn Alerts on the school website at www.usd110.net.

TR HS/GS Menus

Daily choice with meal: breakfast- milk or juice, fresh/canned fruit, cereal; lunch- Salad bar, along with fruits & veggies, served daily. *Note: Menus are subject to change.

Wed. 25

Breakfast: French Toast Sticks w/Syrup

Lunch: Beef-N-Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans

Thur. 26

Breakfast: Cheese Quesadillas w/Salsa

Lunch: Baked Chicken, Savory Rice, Dinner Roll

Fri. 27 - No School

Mon. 30

Breakfast: Mini Cinnamon Rolls

Lunch: Burrito, seasoned corn

Tues. 31

Breakfast: Pancake/Sausage Stick w/Syrup

Lunch: Stromboli, Fruit Salad

Wed. Nov. 1

Breakfast: Breakfast Sliders

Lunch: BBQ Beef on Bun, Oven Fries, Baked Beans, Diced Peaches

Thur. 2

Breakfast: Breakfast Pizza

Lunch: Turkey & Cheese Sub, Sweet Potato Bites, Watermelon, Yogurt (9-12)

Fri. 3

Breakfast: Blueberry Pancakes

Lunch: Salisbury Steak, Whipped Potatoes & Gravy, Broccoli, Roll (9-12), Mandarin Oranges

Kensington Library News

In the spirit of Halloween, we invite the local children to participate in this year’s Pumpkin Decorating Contest. Same as last year, we encourage the kids to pick their favorite book character, pick a pumpkin (big or small) and decorate to enter in our contest. Rules include: NO carving, NO punctures, all decorations must be painted or glued on, accessories can be used. The finished pumpkins can be delivered to the library through Saturday the 28th. Winners will be chosen on Halloween Day. We look forward to seeing the creative work in decorating these storybook pumpkins!

Weekly Inspiration

At the end of the day what really matters is that your loved ones are well, you've done your best and that you're thankful for all you have.

The greatest test of faith is when things don't go your way and you are still able to say, "Thank you, God."

ISO: News Needed

Please send me your News! If you don’t send it, I can’t submit it! Contact Erica Barnes at 785-476-8185 or by email at ebarnes8185@gmail.com