News for 11/12/2025 - Veteran's Day

VETERANS DAY PARADE 2025 WINNERS

Church Category- 1. First St. John Preschool; School Category-

1. Juniors, 2. Seniors, 3. TR Marching Band; Business Category- 1. Phillips County Health Systems, 2. Smith County Bank, 3. Farmers National Bank

Organization- 1. Rural Fire Protection Dist. #1, 2. Smith County EMS, 3. Busy Bees 4H

Miscellaneous- 1. Tie for 1st Place: Brian & Linda Dettmer and Ijean & Irene Hilbrink, 2. Tie for 2d Place: Jordan Dettmer Family and Eddy McGuire

Kale Engelke and Joe Burns along with most of the men in town, help assemble sandwiches for the meal served following the annual Veterans Day parade. 

Lions Club & KAYS Behind the Scenes of Veterans Day Celebration 

Each year, TR KAY help the Kensington Lions Club package and deliver meals to people who can’t make it out for the Veterans Day celebration. A huge thank you to the kids who helped and to all the people who make the day possible.

Lions member Don Wiens and students Henryk Watkins and Daniel Ferguson box up meals. 

The Kensington Lion Club hosted their annual pancake feed Sunday. It was very well attended and was a wonderful success! This is the club‘s main fundraiser of the year.

Mike Isom and Bob Bearley work on scrambling eggs.

KAY Regional Conference

Six board members of the Thunder Ridge KAYS attended the Area 4 KAY Regional Conference on November 15 at Hill City. The club received the Gold Award, recognizing their student leadership and service to their school, community, nation, and world for the 2025-2026 school year. 

   The Kansas Association of Youth (KAY) is a character-building, leadership training program directed by the Kansas State High School Activities Association. This nationally acclaimed organization provides students an opportunity to learn to assume their citizenship responsibilities and to enrich their personalities through well organized programs. These programs emphasize four areas of service: school, community, nation, and world. 

   The theme for the 2025 Regional Conference was “Above and Beyond”! These conferences inspire delegates to return to their clubs to challenge their local members with new, exciting ideas of service. KAY members attending the conference were: Michael Ferguson (president), Alanna Schroter (vice president), Lexi Rust (secretary), Hannah Nelson (Publicity), Leanka van der Linden (arts/technology), Jasmine Ferguson (treasurer), and their sponsor, Robin Billings. 

Mrs. Robin Billings, Alanna Schroeter, Michael Ferguson, Leanka van der Linden, Jasmine Ferguson, Lexi Rust, and Hannah Nelson at KAY regional conference.

Soles4Souls Clothing & Shoe Drive

The Thunder Ridge KAY is doing a clothing and shoe drive again this year as their world service project. They will be collecting gently used clothing and shoes through December 5. Drop off boxes are at all the local churches, all three school buildings, and the Kensington Community Store.

This organization uses the donated items to provide inventory to people in impoverished countries. This allows individuals to create a business that can provide an income for them, which will intern better their lives long-term. All items will be shipped free of charge two souls for souls. Last year, the KAY group shipped off an entire pick up bed full of items. Please donate items if you can! The students enjoy, helping people in their school, community, country, and world!

CLOSED this Friday

The American Legion in Kensington will not be open this Friday, Nov. 14.

Annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner

Join us in Kensington at the American Legion Hall on Thursday, November 27, at 12:00pm Noon. 

Provided for Guests: Turkey & Ham, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, choice of corn or green beans, dinner roll; Plates, flatware, napkins, coffee/tea/water.

Please BRING: a salad, side dish, or dessert and Free Will Donations.

Everyone is welcome, bring the whole family for good food and great fellowship.

Condolences

Condolences to the family of Wanda, Donald and Carol Snow on the passing of Wanda’s brother Kenneth.

Kenneth “Ken” Reed Grauerholz, 82, passed away October 24, 2025, at The University of Kansas, in Great Bend, Kansas. He was born August 27, 1943, in Kensington, to Reed & Mildred (Peterson) Grauerholz.