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Category: Editor’s Choice

Lessons from vacation: Retirement of your best friend

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[ By RANDY CLINKSCALES ]

HAYS, Kan. — A few weeks ago, I related to you that my wife and I went on vacation in August for a couple of weeks. We took the trip to Colorado, and then we had various friends and family come out and visit us there. It was a no-television vacation. I did a lot of cooking, relaxing, and reflecting.

The vacation was a little more significant in that a week after we got back, my wife, Barbara, was to retire from her job at the Department of Children and Family Services (it used to be SRS). She had been there for over 25 years.

My wife and I met after the very first year of law school. It was the summer before our second year. We were both taking a course in commercial transaction. We dated for the next two years, then married in September of 1980 after graduating from law school in May.

I have only known her as a lawyer or as a law student.

As you may imagine, two lawyers/spouses can have animated conversations. Particularly, during the law school years, Barbara was very hard on me. I was a terrible writer, with terrible writing skills. That is not a good attribute for law school.

I would write a brief for a class, or for my job as a law clerk, and Barbara would go through it with her red pen. She would challenge my thought process. By the time we graduated law school, I had actually become a pretty good writer and could argue effectively in appellate briefs.

Throughout the years, Barbara has been my sounding board. While we respect client confidentiality, we would exchange the dilemmas our clients or employers were facing. Much of that occurred right after work, but more especially, right before I left for work in the morning. That time from about 7 in the morning until 8 was a time for us to talk about our upcoming day and what we were struggling with.

Barbara is ready for retirement. I am just not sure I have wrapped my head around the idea that she’s no longer going to be a practicing attorney. In a way, I think it has been harder on me to accept that she is at that stage.

I understand now, maybe for the first time, the impact it may have on a person when their best friend retires. I do not think you can help keep from wondering what, if anything, will change in the relationship?

DCF hosted a very nice farewell gathering for Barb on Sept. 7. As I expected, Barb held her emotions well, almost.

I strongly suspect that one day soon, Barb is going to be into some new project, and frankly, I would not be surprised if it was somehow law related.

I do not think that there is a good or bad time to retire. I think it is up to the individual person. I am not there yet. Watching Barb retire, I realized I am not there yet. But I did get a feeling of urgency that there are some things that I want to get accomplished before that day comes, either voluntarily or involuntarily.

Win a couples massage!

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Need a relaxing Valentine’s Day?Logo

Submit a nominee to win a couples massage and pedicure from Beyond Body Therapy. The winner will also receive a bouquet of flowers and fudge from Absolutely Flowers! This prize package is worth more than $250.

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Stars & Stripes guitar to be auctioned off

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With the Veterans’ Tribute Concert & Benefit rapidly approaching, Eagle Communications received the Stars & Stripes guitar to be auctioned off at the event from Chris Mitchell of CMG Guitars.

The guitar can be seen on display at the Eagle Media Center on 9th and Main.Stars and Stripes Guitar

On Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center, the Stars & Stripes Guitar, along with four other specially designed handcrafted guitars, will be auctioned to help make the Reno County Veterans’ Memorial a possibility. Sierra Scott, co-host of The Brett & Sierra Show, will be the evening’s Mistress of Ceremonies. The benefit will include a cash bar, dinner, silent and live auctions, and a concert with performances by Marcia Corey, the Brian Davis Band, Bobulele and more.

Cost is $40 per person, or In Honor Of tables are available for $650 and seat 10 people. Reservations can be made online at renocountyveterans.com. Reservations and payment can also be mailed to:

City of South Hutchinson

2 South Main

South Hutchinson, KS 67505

The auction will also include:

Chiefs tickets, a Henry Golden Boy rifle, Kids Power Wheels truck wrapped by Lowen in military theme, Art, College sports tickets, weekend getaways and hundreds more in the silent auction.

 

Hospice and Homecare Festival of Remembrance deemed a success

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Hospice logo

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — More than 200 people turned out at Prairie Dunes Country Club recently for the 13th annual Festival of Remembrance, a fundraising benefit auction for Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County.

Hutchinson business leaders and activists Kevin and Jodee Bowen have served as the event sponsor since the event’s inception in 2004.

Diane Caffrey, Community Liaison for Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County, said the event exceeded expectations with proceeds used locally for program services.

Caffrey said a portion of the monies raised at the event will be allocated for the purchase of new tables and chairs for patient rooms at Hospice House.

“The Festival of Remembrance is a wonderful event supported by many businesses and residents of Hutchinson and surrounding communities. We are so appreciative of their continued support.”

The winner of the car donated by Mel Hambelton Ford was won by Mike and Becky Ramirez of Hutchinson.

“End-of-Life issues are something that every family faces on more than one occasion,” Darla Wilson said, Executive Director, Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County. “Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County ranks among the best in the nation in providing care and consultation for community members dealing with terminal illnesses.”

Kevin Miller, F.A.C.H.E., President and CEO of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, said the Festival of Remembrance showcases the community’s benevolent spirit.

“This outstanding record of achievement is due in part to the legion of supporters who signed on early in the program and remain committed to this day to providing the proper funding and resources needed to continue this great tradition,” Miller said.

Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County is a member of the Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System. Other members include Ray E. Dillon Living Center, Horizons Mental Health Center, Health-E-Quip, Hutchinson Regional Medical Center and the Hutchinson Regional Medical Foundation.

 

Sports Update

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Join Daren Dunn for Sports Update No. 12. He sits down with Rion Rhoades of HCC Football and takes you inside Gowan’s Stadium for a look at renovations being made just in time for the season.

 

“High School, College, Pro — We Keep You in the Know.”

 

The Voice contestant Kaleigh Glanton to perform at the Kansas State Fair

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Kansas State Fair 2014 logo

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Kaleigh Glanton, a former Maize student who appeared on NBC’s “The Voice,” is scheduled to perform a free concert at the Bretz and Young Injury Lawyers Arena at the Kansas State Fair. Glanton will take the stage Tuesday, September 9 at 6:00 p.m.

Glanton grew up watching her father play classical guitar and, at the age of four, expressed interest in playing guitar. Later, at age 15, Kaleigh discovered her voice and her music shifted from complex melodic and polyphonic textile on guitar to using vocal tonality and rhythm to chronicle life.

“I describe my music as an indie folk sound but honestly,” she says, “I feel so free to explore different variation of that. I know I’m going to continue growing as a person and so will my art. I’m kind of afraid of this business of music, but I’m determined to make it as an artist, and I have been putting together a great team to help me.”

NBC’s “The Voice” features celebrity judges who listen to performers with their backs turned. If a judge likes what they hear,  they swivel their chairs around. All four judges – Usher, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine and Shakira turned for Kaleigh. The contestants then select a coach to mentor them on the show; Glanton chose Blake Shelton.

“We are pleased Kaleigh will be appearing at the Kansas State Fair,” states Denny Stoecklein, Kansas State Fair General Manager. “We enjoy featuring Kansas talent and assisting young artists advance their career.”

Glanton’s appearance will be free to fairgoers at the 2000 seat Bretz and Young Injury Lawyers Arena.

Eagle Communications Sports Update

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“High School, College, Pro – We Keep You in the Know.”

 

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Join Daren Dunn and Glen Grunwald for Sports Update No. 10. Double D and Double G talk Royals, Monarchs and Big 12 Football. Marc Blackim of the Hutchinson Monarchs sits down with Daren to talk about more than just baseball.

 

Coed softball tournament to benefit Mike Ramirez

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[By ANGELA McCOOL] NEWTON, Kan. — On a typical day, Mike Ramirez would begin with a 1-mile run from his home to Genesis Health Club where he would work out for an hour and then run the mile back home. Everyone always knew when Mike was running through their neighborhood in Hutchinson! He would sing whatever song was playing on his ipod while running.Mike Ramirez

However, in January 2014, Mike awoke and planned to do his regular daily routine, but the weather was chilly and very windy. Mike thankfully chose to change his routine and drove to Genesis to run on the treadmill instead. After speaking with gym friends and telling them good morning, Mike hopped on the treadmill for his morning run before his normal daily workout. While running, Mike began to feel numbness in his left arm and leg. This man, that anyone you speak to at Genesis would tell you they “idol” was having a massive stroke.

A few treadmills down from him happened to be a nurse who noticed the signs and dispatched 911. That very scary moment was the first day of a new way of life for Mike Ramirez, his wife, Becky, and their two children.

After Mike was life watched to Wichita, where he remained in the neuro-intensive care unit for eight days, he was then transferred to a rehab facility where he spent the next five weeks in intensive therapies. Mike made amazing progress. He was and continues to be extremely determined to recover.

Mike has since been able to return home and is smiling through every moment of this new journey he has been given. Mike was able to return to his place of employment at the end of June, but due to intensive physical and occupational therapies, he can only work limited hours. No one would have ever imagined such a thing would happen to a man that is not only very young, but also extremely healthy.

 

In order to help Mike and his family with the enormous amount of medical expense, there will be a “Mike Ramirez Benefit Co-Ed Softball Tournament” at Newton Athletic Park on July 25, 26, 27th. First and Second place teams will get shirts, trophies and bragging rights! Juanita’s Mexican food and beverage will be provided, along with raffle prizes and a silent auction that has items including a 4-person round of golf at Prairie Dunes Country Club, a child’s bike and a TV! Shirts will be available during the tournament for $12 each. Grab your friends and come out to have fun and help a wonderful man! Mike and his family appreciate all of you who can come out and help!

Contacts for tournament team sign-up: Angela McCool (620)474.5603, Richard Martinez (316)804.0423, or Marty Ramirez (620)200.1281. Entry Fee for tournament: $100 Entry – Deadline: Tuesday, July 22nd.

Mike Ramirez Softball Tournament

Consumer Corner: Check out your contractor before home repairs

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Consumer Corner: Check out your contractor before making home repairsScreen Shot 2013-06-04 at 1.29.03 PM
By Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt

Spring time storm damage can require quick clean-up and unscheduled home repairs. In addition, as the weather warms up, summer begs us to get started on home improvement projects that we neglected during the winter months.

Every year at about this time, the Kansas Attorney General’s Office Consumer Protection Division experiences an increase in complaints about home-improvement and home-repair scams.

The vast majority of contractors offer legitimate services and quality results. But when the contractor engages in fraudulent or deceptive business practices as part of a scam, our office has the authority to intervene.

A scam we often hear about involves someone claiming to be a contractor approaching a homeowner saying they have “leftover” materials from a neighbor’s job. Then, they offer to do your work at a discounted rate if they can get a portion of their money in advance. Many times, these scammers leave the property with your money and never return.

You should always be especially cautious of people offering door-to-door home-repair or storm clean-up services. Often these transient sales people single-out homes where the homeowner is vulnerable to high-pressure sales tactics – an older person who lives alone, for example.

Here are a few simple tips to remember:

If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
You should always get multiple written bids on home improvement projects to ensure quotes are reasonable and competitive.
When selecting a contractor, it is always wise to ask for local references. Working with a well-known, reputable local contractor is always the best way to go.
Friends, family and neighbors are the best sources for recommendations.
You should make sure any contractor you work with is insured and carries all of the required local permits.
Never give final payment for any work until it has been completed to your satisfaction.
If you believe you are the victim of a scam, our office is here to help. You can file a complaint with our Consumer Protection Division by visiting our website, www.ag.ks.gov, or by calling (800) 432-2310. Even if we find that there has not been a violation of the Kansas Consumer Protection Act, the staff in our office can provide information on options to settle your disputes.

Huelskamp: Bureaucrat Can Justify His Own $55k Bonus (Watch Video )

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This afternoon, the Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations of the Committee on Veterans Affairs held an oversight hearing entitled: VA Construction Policy: Failed Plans Result in Plans That Fail. This hearing was scheduled following the release of the devastating April 4, 2013 GAO Report that uncovered shocking cost overruns and delays on four major construction projects (ranging from 59% to 144% over cost and 14 to 72 months past promised completion dates).
Under questioning from Congressman Tim Huelskamp (R-Kansas), VA Executive Glenn Haggstrom (Principal Executive Director of the Office of Acquisition, Logistics & Construction) admits the Obama Administration’s political appointees never told him what he did to earn an extra $55k in taxpayer money on top of his base pay. Between 2009 and 2011, Mr. Haggstrom was paid bonuses that total $54,792

Following the hearing, Congressman Huelskamp released the following statement:

“It is for good reason the Obama Administration’s political appointees at the Department of Veterans Affairs never told a senior executive official what he did to earn fifty-five thousand taxpayer dollars in bonus pay. Given his gross mismanagement of the VA’s construction office, Executive Director Haggstrom deserved to be demoted and/or removed. I look forward to hearing VA Secretary Shinseki’s explanation for Mr. Haggstrom’s bonuses and continued employment. The VA paid nearly $3 million in bonuses to its employees in FY 2011! The department has a pattern of paying bonuses to the very bureaucrats who waste millions. At a time when the nation is more than $17 trillion in debt, Congressional oversight of the executive branch, and especially the VA, is more vital than ever before.”

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