Kansas Country Living June 2019 by American MainStreet Publications

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G E T T Y I M AG E S /C H R I ST I N LO L A

JUNE

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F E AT U R E S

D E PA RT M E N T S

12 | Still in the Family

4 | 6 |

A fifth-generation, family-owned wholesale hardware distributor’s success relies on relationships and the timetested business ethos—the customer is always right.

8 |

16 | Do-it-Yourself Safely

10 |

When contemplating home upgrades or building projects, an important consideration before starting work on any project is power tool and battery safety.

E D I TO R’S L E T T E R

Tool time reader contest A RO U N D K A N S A S

A month’s worth of family fun CO M M E N TA RY

Youth programs build leaders E N E RGY W I S E

Get smart

Which apps are really worth it?

18 |

20 | On the Go Gadgets

YO U R P L AC E I N T H E G A R D E N

Easy, peasy sweet potatoes

Nutrient-packed gems require little work.

Just five years ago, some of these gadgets were prototypes. Now you can buy technology that harnesses power from the sun, wind and water to keep you connected in the great outdoors.

24 |

CO O K I N G M Y WAY H O M E

Potluck faux pas

Suggested etiquette for successful gatherings.

26 | 2 8 |

M A R K E T P L AC E

Find products, services you need SAFETY

Electric shock drowning

AT C H I S O N D A I LY G L O B E

Know and avoid the dangers.

2 9 |

M O N T H LY R E C I P E S

ON THE COVER Can you identify each of the home and farm tools in this photo? If so, you could win a gift card to your local hardware store. See details on Pages 4 and 6. P H OTO BY

LUMINAID

CARRIE KIMBERLIN

JUNE 2019

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

E D I TO R’S L E T T E R

Reader Contest: Identify Those Tools

(ISSN 0091-9586) JUNE 2019 VOL. 69, NO. 6 ©KANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, INC., 2019 WWW.KEC.COOP

Bruce Graham

Chief Executive Officer

Vicki Estes

Director of Communications, Editor

Carrie Kimberlin

Manager of Creative Solutions

Shaylee Arpin

another reader contest. This time we are making it a little more challenging than December’s contest (everyone apparently watched the Brady Bunch as kids), and we will handle the entries differently to account for the varying delivery times for our out-of-state subscribers. Ready? IT’S TIME FOR

Contest Rules

The cover this month includes a variety of tools used on the home and farm. Can you name them all? Turn to Page 6 for the numbered list of the tools you need to identify from the cover. There are two ways to enter: ffEmail your answers to editor@kansascountryliving.com ffMail your answers to Kansas

Country Living, P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604-0267.

a drawing for four, $25 gift cards to the winners’ local hardware suppliers. CONTEST ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY MIDNIGHT JUNE 24 TO BE ENTERED INTO THE CONTEST.

The drawing will take place June 25, 2019, and winners will be notified by email or phone by July 1, 2019. (Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. accounting staff will supervise the drawing.) Electric cooperative employees and their immediate families are not eligible.

Also this Month

One of the country’s oldest wholesale hardware distributors started in Atchison 148 years ago and is still headquartered there. This family-owned business operated by the founders’ fifthgeneration descendants serves familyowned independent mom-and-pops and mini chains in 13 states including Kansas. Their story begins on Page 12. Enjoy your June!

What to Include in Your Entry

Send your answers that correspond to the numbered list of the tools (see Page 6) along with your name, mailing address, phone number and name of your electric cooperative. All correct entries will be placed into

VICKI ESTES , EDITOR

ADDRESS CHANGE?

If you need to report a change of address, please contact your local electric cooperative.

Multimedia Communications Specialist Officers Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc.

Keith McNickle President

Terry Hobbs

Vice President

Craig Kostman

Secretary

Teresa Miller Treasurer

You receive Kansas Country Living as a service of the following electric co-ops as a cost-effective way to share important information about services, energy savings, electric safety, director elections, meetings and management decisions. It also contains legal notices that otherwise would be published in other media at greater cost: Alfalfa, Cherokee, OK Bluestem, Wamego Brown-Atchison, Horton Butler, El Dorado CMS, Meade Caney Valley, Cedar Vale Doniphan, Troy DS&O, Solomon Flint Hills, Council Grove FreeState, McLouth & Topeka Lane-Scott, Dighton Lyon-Coffey, Lebo Ninnescah, Pratt Pioneer, Ulysses Prairie Land, Norton Radiant, Fredonia Rolling Hills, Beloit Sedgwick County, Cheney Sumner-Cowley, Wellington Tri-County, Hooker, OK Twin Valley, Altamont Victory, Dodge City Western, WaKeeney Wheatland, Scott City Your co-op’s board of directors authorizes a subscription to Kansas Country Living on behalf of the membership at a cost of $5.88 per year. Individual non-member subscriptions are $10 per year (tax included).

Co-op Members: Please report address changes to your local electric co-op. Postmaster: Send returns to Kansas Country Living, P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604-0267. Kansas Country Living is published monthly by Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604. Periodicals postage paid at Topeka, KS, and additional entry offices. Editorial offices: P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604-0267; 785-478-4554. Advertising: Kansas Country Living is a member of American MainStreet Publications (www.amp.coop), collectively reaching an audited circulation of 9,378,177 monthly. Advertisers call 512-441-5200. Acceptance of advertising by Kansas Country Living does not imply endorsement by the publisher or Kansas’ electric cooperatives.

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

JUNE 2019

Doctors Shocked by New Nasal & Sinus Pill That Works in Amazing Way New discovery targets infected throat mucus - to stop post nasal drip, congestion, runny noses, coughing, sneezing, ringing ears, and sore throats By Wayne B. Roberts Associated Health Press

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Hospital have recently discovered that stuffed up noses and other nasal problems are often totally unrelated to colds or flu! Instead, these doctors found that in many cases, the real cause of nasal problems is … fungus! Specifically, it’s the 38 different harmful fungi which you inhale in the air you breathe. For instance, in one study of 210 people with sinus infections, 96% of them had fungus in their mucus. Did you know you take roughly 24,000 breaths daily, inhaling 90 percent of the infection-causing fungi in your body through your nose? Or that insulation with poor ventilation, plus indoor mold and air pollutants, have triggered a plague of sinus and nasal problems affecting millions? How? These harmful fungi hide in your throat, where they infect your mucus, causing your nasal passages to swell up. Result: Congestion, dripping mucus, runny nose, endless sneezing, constant coughing, ringing in your ears, sore throat, and tenderness of the face. No wonder millions of sinus sufferers are now rejoicing about this new solution!

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Runny nose - should you be worried?

A stuffed-up nose may be just a cold. Or, it may be something far worse: a sinus infection, otherwise known as “sinusitis.” According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), about 37 million Americans suffer from sinusitis. Serious cases of sinusitis can lead to blood clots and brain infection, causing abscesses, meningitis, and even death! The sinus infection can also spread to your facial bones, triggering headaches, fever, and swelling in the eye socket -- which in some cases can cause loss of vision.

Don’t let sinus infections fester

“When you have nasal and sinus problems for longer than 7 to 12 days, that means it’s almost certainly sinusitis,” says Dr. Ryan Shelton, a medical doctor from Seattle. “I advise patients to take SinuProl right away to quickly get rid of fungus-ridden mucus, before the infection gets worse and causes them more problems.” Dr. Eric Wood, a naturopathic doctor from Florida with multiple TV appearances observes: “Fungi-infected mucus clumps and adheres to nasal airways, making breathing difficult. SinuProl dissolves that sticky mucus – and the fungi within it – so it flushes right out of your system when you blow your nose.” “Once SinuProl removes all the fungus from your nose mucus, it eliminates the only reason your immune system has attacked,” says Dr. Wood. “By doing so, SinuProl clears your nasal passages, making it easy to breathe again while stopping your nose from running.”

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STUNNING RESEARCH SHOWS that 38 different kinds of harmful fungus may be hidden in your mucus, causing sinus nightmares. Now a new doctor approved treatment dissolves infected mucus to help you breathe easier.

before they cause bigger problems. In a study appearing in Advances in Therapy, 580 patients took 16 mg of butterbur leaf extract, an active ingredient in SinuProl, daily for 2 weeks. The symptoms of allergic rhinitis, which included sneezing and congestion, improved in 90% of the participants.

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Having sinus infection is not the norm: The National Institutes of Health reports that “healthy sinuses contain no bacteria or other germs. Mucus is able to drain out and air is able to circulate.” Whether your sinus discomfort is the result of an allergy, a fungus, viral in nature, or from a bacterial infection, SinuProl can help you feel a whole lot better. SinuProl is manufactured in an FDA- registered facility. And comes in an easy to swallow pill.

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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All doctors mentioned are remunerated for their services. All clinical studies on Sinuprol’s active ingredient were independently conducted and were not sponsored by the makers of Sinuprol. All product and company names are registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.

PHOTO Contest

JUNE 1 Riverless Festival, Phillipsburg. Crafts, food, turtle races and entertainment for all ages. Begins at 9 a.m. at Phillips County Courthouse Square. Call Phillipsburg Chamber and Main Street at 785-543-2321, phillipsburgchambermainstreet.com. JUNE 1 Summer Flea Market, Syracuse. Escape the heat with a little treasure hunting at Hamilton County Fairgrounds. Need to thin your herd? Bring your rabbits, poultry and goats to the market. Vendors may also sell produce and goods. 620-384-5433 or www. hamiltoncountyfairgrounds.com. JUNE 1 City Market, St. Mary’s. S hop

locally and support your community. Celebrate America at the George J. Perry Memorial Armory, 110 S. Fifth St., from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Search St. Mary’s City Market on Facebook.

Identify these tools! OK, DIYers, show us what you know. Identify the tools above by their corresponding number (see larger images on the cover) and send us your answers BY MIDNIGHT JUNE 24, 2019. YOU CAN ENTER TWO WAYS: ff Email your answers to editor@kansascountryliving.com; or ff Mail your answers to Reader Contest, Kansas Country Living, P.O. Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604-0267. With your entry, include your name, mailing address, phone number and name of your electric cooperative. All correct entries will be placed into a drawing for four, $25 gift cards to the winners’ local hardware suppliers. The drawing will take place June 25, 2019, and winners will be notified by email or phone by July 1, 2019.

JUNE 1-16 Kansas Archeology Training Program, Lyons. Work alongside professional and avocational archeologists to investigate the Tobias site in Rice County. 785-272-8681, ext. 266, kshs. archeologyoutreach@ks.gov. JUNE 1-AUG. 1 Barbed Wire and Saddle

Collection, Meade. See the special 600 piece barbed wire collection and 60 saddles at Meade County Historical Museum. 620-873-2359.

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

JUNE 2019

JUNE 1-SEPT. 1 “Law of the Saddle (II)” Art Exhibit, Alma. The Volland Store is exhibiting art from Linda Blackburn. 785-499-3616. JUNE 1 Fishing without Boundaries, Parsons. SKIL Resource Center welcomes you to join in on this annual event for people with disabilities at Big Hill Lake. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, prizes and games are provided. Register for entry fees and transportation. 800-6885616, www.skilonline.com.

JUNE 2-AUG. 26 Historic William Fulton House Tours, Garden City. Free guided tours of the Historic William Fulton House, dating to 1884 and built by one of Garden City’s founders. Tours are provided from 2-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 620-272-3664. JUNE 2 Braulio Bosi Guitar Concert,

Clay Center. Family-friendly Community Chamber Orchestra concert featuring Braulio Bosi at 4 p.m. at Life’s Finer Moments. Call Dr. Anne Clark at 785-926-4725 to order advance tickets, www.kansasmusic.net. JUNE 7 Blast Off Event, Oskaloosa. Blast off the summer by making your very own straw rocket and see if it lands on the moon. Event is at the Oskaloosa Public Library from 10-11 a.m. for all ages. Call Rachael at 785-863-2475. JUNE 7 First Friday Food Trucks, Garden City. Enjoy food trucks in Stevens Park from 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Call Garden City Downtown Vision at 620-276-0891. JUNE 8-9 Dinger Derby Baseball Tournament, Garden City. Tournament will have different age divisions: 16U, 14U, 13U, 12U, 11U, 10U and 9U. Games will be played

at Clint Lightner, Academy Field and Peebles complex. Call Jared at 620-276-1200.

Dale at 785-214-0013, email grandoopry@ gmail.com.

Purchase advance tickets on EventBrite. 785-499-3616.

JUNE 8 Artist Appearances, Alma. Join

JUNE 8 High School Dance and Karaoke

JUNE 8 & 9 Joys of Painting Class, Logan.

artist Zhang Hongtu (presenting work on bison) and poet Mary Pinard at 4 p.m. at the Volland Store. Two art collections will be on exhibit. Food trucks will arrive at 5:30 p.m. 785-499-3616. JUNE 8 Beef, Beer and Boots, Garden

City. Music, dancing and a beer garden in Stevens Park as a part of Beef Empire Days. Call Garden City Downtown Vision at 620-276-0891. JUNE 8 Branson-Style Grand O’Opry

Show, Ottawa. Bart O’Neal, Melissa Petropoulos and Matt Jurgensen will be guests of the night. Doors open at 6 p.m., pre-show begins at 6:30 p.m. with show at 7 p.m. Call

Party, Dodge City. Held at the Depot Theater Company. 620-225-1001, brandi@ depottheater.com. JUNE 8 National Festival of Breads:

America’s Bread Baking Championship, Manhattan. Children’s activities, baking demonstrations, vendors, bread samples, door prizes, food trucks and silent auction to benefit Harvesters Community Food Network. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. The day ends with a live judging of breads and announcement of two champions at 4 p.m. Hilton Garden Inn. JUNE 8 The Cherokee Maidens, Alma. The Volland Store welcomes you to enjoy western swing music beginning at 7 p.m.

Certified Bob Ross instructors will be teaching “Whispering Pines” from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. each day (same class repeated) at the Dane G. Hansen Museum. 785-689-4846. JUNE 9-10 Youth Production Auditions, Dodge City. Fifth through twelfth graders can audition for Law and Order: C-rhyme and Pun-ishment held at the Depot Theater Company. 620-225-1001, brandi@ depottheaterco.com. JUNE 12-JULY 31 U-Pick Blueberry Season, Sedan. Pick organic “nickle-sized” blueberries and blackberries by reservation. To reserve your date visit chautauquahillsfarm. Continued on page 17

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Value of Youth Programs Anchored in Future Co-op Leaders BY B R U C E G R A H A M

Kansas Country Living and/ or those attending a cooperative annual meeting are keenly aware of our support for youth in rural Kansas. Practically every month, you can learn about scholarships, school safety programs, art contests and more in these pages. This month, one of the most impactful youth events for cooperatives in Kansas, and across the country, is about to happen. Called the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, the weeklong opportunity of a lifetime runs June 13-20. It brings high school juniors and seniors to Washington, D.C., and this will be the 59th year Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. and its member cooperatives have organized the leadership adventure. Without a doubt, it is one of our most rewarding programs. Students are selected for Youth Tour by their local electric cooperative and the process often includes an essay or speech and a personal interview. This year, 40 future leaders will convene in Topeka for a kickoff banquet, which will be the first opportunity for some to turn strangers into longtime friends. It will be the first opportunity for some to leave home, visit the Kansas Statehouse, fly, meet members of Congress and see our national memorials and museums. For many, it will also be the first opportunity to expand their horizons and practice skills that will serve them for a lifetime. “We promote valuable life skills for today’s generation like building relationships and enhancing leadership confidence. We also celebrate diversity on this trip and create a culture of inclusivity ... and the students thrive in that environment,” said Shana Read, KEC’s director of education and training. “Youth Tour participants often develop strong relationships with their sponsoring co-ops that include speaking or volunteering at annual meetings and other co-op events,” added Read. “The results are meaningful community service hours and experiences that have inspired local engagement as well as many career choices.” Read knows better than anyone the impact of this trip. She is the primary organizer and chaperone for the event that takes months of detailed planning and includes coordination with

REGULAR READERS OF

Bruce Graham

They will make an impact somewhere, someday and members of their electric cooperative will look proudly on, and perhaps benefit from, their accomplishments.

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

JUNE 2019

colleagues across the nation. In fact, the Kansas contingent will be part of a collective electric cooperative network of 1,800 youth together for educational events that week. It’s not uncommon to hear parents of trip participants report that we brought home a different student than we took. They often note their child’s desire to be involved in the community or take on new responsibilities at home and work. I’ve listened to dozens of the speeches by Youth Tour participants at their sponsoring cooperative annual meetings. They use the platform to say thanks to the members for the life-changing trip and relive their highlights. Gaining a new perspective on politics is often an outcome and I think that’s important as we work to mend today’s divided and cynical political environment. “Getting to talk to the representatives and senators from my state was a very impactful experience,” said Tyler Kueser, 2018 participant sponsored by Heartland REC. “It is easy to see them as parts of an entity that does nothing but hold meetings, but getting to talk to them really opens your eyes to see that they are real people just like us who are really trying to make our country a better, safer place.” This is not the only youth leadership opportunity sponsored by the electric cooperatives in Kansas. In July, nearly 100 students from Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma and Wyoming take part in the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. This has been a Kansas tradition since 1977 and the agenda focuses on a deeper understanding of their nonprofit, memberowned electric cooperative, the seven cooperative principles, as well as developing individual and team leadership skills. For the electric cooperatives though, the primary value of both events is anchored in our future leaders, one summer at a time, gaining knowledge and appreciation for their electric cooperative. They will make an impact somewhere, someday and members of their electric cooperative will look proudly on, and perhaps benefit from, their accomplishments. KCL BRUCE GRAHAM is Chief Executive Officer of Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. in Topeka.

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E N E R GY W I S E

Get Smart! Energy-Saving Apps and Devices

BY PAT K E E G A N A N D B R A D T H I E S S E N

D E AR PAT & B R AD : It seems like I’m always

hearing about some new device or app that will save energy, but I wonder if they’re worth the time and money. I want to learn about simple ways I can use technology to save energy. Any advice on where I should start looking? – Lily D E AR LI LY: Every new piece of technology seems to come with a lot of promise, doesn’t it? Then we have to find out for ourselves if it lives up to the hype. Here are a few products we recommend.

Smartphone Apps

There are several energy apps available today, but two stand out. They’re free, easy to use, effective and available for both Android and iOS devices. ff JouleBug is a fun app that helps you save energy. You collect points for each energy efficient move you make inside the home, on your daily commute and in daily life. The app helps you make changes and build ongoing

energy-saving habits. It’s designed as a competition among friends and can help you and your family create an energy efficient household together. The app also includes fun, educational videos and links to helpful articles. ff There are several energy cost calculator apps

that help you identify where you use the energy most in your home. You can enter how many hours a day you use each appliance or electronic device (some have a dropdown of typical household items) and the rate you’re paying for power, which you can find on your energy bill. The app creates a total operating cost for that specific device.

How much is that hallway chandelier costing you every month, and how much would you save by turning it off for an additional hour each day? How about that second freezer or the big-screen TV? The answers aren’t exact, but they will give you a better idea of your overall energy use and help you focus your efforts on the opportunities that will save the most energy.

Smart Thermostats

A smart thermostat connects to the internet and your computer and/or smartphone through your home’s Wi-Fi and could shave $50 off your energy bill every year. Most fall within the $100 to $250 range. If the price for a featurerich model is more than you’re comfortable spending, ask yourself if it’s worth buying a lower-cost model, or if your current thermostat is doing the job. Here are some features to keep in mind if you’re considering a smart thermostat:

ECOBEE

More-advanced (and more-expensive) smart thermostats like the Ecobee4 can work with sensors that detect when someone is in a room and adjust the temperature accordingly.

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The JouleBug app lets you have fun saving energy while learning a thing or two along the way.

there are improvements that will be made over time. That said, if this is a technology you’re interested in, there are a couple of options that consumers seem to like. Hub-based systems like the Currant Dual Smart Outlet and Philips Hue smart lighting systems are highly rated and cost about $200 or more for eight to 10 smart outlets or light switches. That’s a pretty big investment, so we recommend using an energy cost calculator app first to decide if it’s worth the additional cost. We hope these reviews will be helpful as you consider smart technology that promotes energy efficiency. Don’t forget to check with your local electric cooperative on additional programs and services designed to help you save on your energy bills. This column was co-written by PAT KEEGAN and BRAD of Collaborative Efficiency. Visit: www.collaborativeefficiency.com/energytips.

THIESSEN

ff LEARNING: A learning thermostat will figure

out your habits and adapt—this is probably the best way to make the most of a smart thermostat’s energy-saving potential.

ff GEOFENCING: This will detect when you leave

home and return, and adjust the temperature up or down so energy isn’t being wasted.

ff Additional features include remote room

sensors and voice control.

Before you buy, learn what you can about the functionality of the smart thermostat’s app. And take a look at how easy it is to program the thermostat unit directly. Finally, consider the installation. Some models are more difficult to install and may require rewiring.

Smart Power Plugs and Switches

Smart outlets and light switches are still considered a relatively new technology, and we think Smartphone apps like EnergyCost allow you to see how much common household items are costing you every month, and how much you can save by using them less. JUNE 2019

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

‘I got all of this from ’

ATCHISON

BY M E L I N DA S C H N Y D E R

Fifth-generation, family-owned Blish-Mize Co. delivers reliability and profitability to independent hardware stores

wholesale hardware distributors started in Atchison 148 years ago and is still headquartered there, family-owned and operated by the fifth generation of descendants from the founders. Blish-Mize Co. serves independent hardware stores, lumberyards, home centers, industrial supply and paint store retailers in 13 states throughout the Midwest, the Rockies and the Southwest. ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S OLDEST

In 1871 three brothers-in-law founded Blish, Mize & Silliman after making the long journey from Chicago to Atchison. David Blish, Edward Mize and Jack Silliman built a respected distributor to outfit wagon trains headed west from the Missouri River.

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Constant family involvement has kept the business in Atchison—its headquarters are in the original downtown building, just a few blocks from the Missouri River—while a focus on innovation and customer service has kept it relevant. The business has evolved from the early days of providing axle grease and horseshoes for pioneers heading west to carrying power tools, something the founders never could have imagined, to today’s technology-driven warehouse stocked with 60,000 SKUs/items. “Inventions have constantly kept us on our toes,” said Jonathan D. Mize, CEO and president. “Remember, we started outfitting wagon trains going west. Our business has seen the invention of the automobile, the computer and even just a few years ago Google and Amazon. Each new invention revolutionizes the way we do business. We’ve been able to adapt and stay at the forefront.”

Fast Start in 1871 Sets the Tone for a Family Culture

Above: Blish Mize Connor, communications director, with her father, John Mize Jr., who retired from active management after 56 years of service. He still serves as chairman of the board. Right: Jonathan Mize, CEO of Blish-Mize, is the son of John Mize Jr.

On a trip to Kansas in 1870 for Marshall Field and Company of Chicago, J.B. “Jack” Silliman learned that a retail hardware store was for sale in Atchison, which had become a city just a few years earlier in 1855. Silliman saw unlimited potential for outfitting wagon trains headed to the expanding west from the Missouri River. Back in Chicago, he enlisted his brothersin-law E.A. “Edward” Mize, an insurance man,

and D.P. “David” Blish, a farmer, to join him in the venture. Silliman and Blish went west to make the deal, followed a few months later by Mize. In 1871, they formed Blish, Mize & Silliman using $4,500 as a down payment, plus personal notes at 1% per month interest for the remainder. They worked hard to build a respected distributor to outfit wagon trains and in just a couple of years the company was distributing all types of goods to more than 800

“Remember, we started outfitting wagon trains going west. Our business has seen the invention of the automobile, the computer and even just a few years ago Google and Amazon. Each new invention revolutionizes the way we do business. We’ve been able to adapt and stay at the forefront.” JUNE 2019

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

“A phone conversation is as good as a handshake deal would have been back in 1905.”

hardware stores, lumberyards and general stores throughout the Midwest. In 1888 it was incorporated as The Blish, Mize and Silliman Hardware Co. The second generation of the founders to helm the company was Edward’s son A.E. Mize, followed by A.E.’s son John Mize Sr., then John Mize Jr., who retired from active management in 2018 after 56 years on the job and was succeeded by his son, Jonathan. John Mize Jr. also has a daughter, who he named Blish Mize to preserve and honor the Blish name, as the Blishes did not have children. Blish Mize Connor is the company’s communications director. When he retired as CEO in May 2018, John Mize Jr. reflected on his tenure, which started in 1962 when he joined the company full time after college working sales territories in Colorado and Nebraska. He was later promoted to field sales manager and traveled the company’s entire servicing area. He held the position of executive chairman, president and CEO for about 35 years, and the company saw incredible growth and acquisitions under his leadership. “We are a family-owned, employee-focused company, and we are extremely dedicated to our customers,” he said when he transitioned out of active management and into the sole role of chairman of the board. “I look back on our history and feel gratitude to so many who have shown their faith in us.” He added, “There’s plenty of competition, and we have to prove ourselves worthy every day. Strong customer service and making sure our

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customers know we care about their business is a huge part of that.”

Customers Feel the Family Focus

A fellow century-old Kansas business, Home Lumber and Supply headquartered in Ashland since 1905, says the family attitude makes a difference and has continued with the next generation of leadership. “We have a nice relationship based on mutual respect,” said Hervey Wright, assistant general manager for Home Lumber and Supply, which operates 14 full-service lumber and building materials stores in rural markets across the state. “They do what they say they are going to do. A phone conversation is as good as a handshake deal would have been back in 1905. A lot of our store managers and sales managers have business relationships as well as friendships with the Blish-Mize team. And when you go to the buying market, it’s a different feel than you get with other distributors, where it’s strictly business and there’s little interaction. At the Blish-Mize market, you see Jonathan Mize, Blish Mize and their dad there, shaking hands, talking to folks. In the evening, it’s like sitting down to a family dinner together.” Brent and Megan Melby have leaned on the Blish-Mize team for everything from purchasing inventory at prices that maximize profitability to redesigning the store they bought four years ago in Scandia in far northcentral Kansas. They say their sales rep for Melby’s Home Center visits often enough to be able to call their kids by

The business has evolved from the early days of providing axle grease and horseshoes for pioneers heading west to carrying power tools, something the founders never could have imagined, to today’s technology-driven warehouse stocked with 60,000 SKUs/items. name, and they appreciate working with a likeminded business. “It’s nice to have another family-owned business take care of our family-owned business,” Megan Melby said. “They have a better understanding of how important it is to have correct product shipped, having your store set up properly and they always have great marketing tools ready to show us at their buying markets. Probably the most important is that they are in rural America like we are. It’s a big selling point that I can say I got all of this from Atchison.” Nearly 150 years of family leadership has resulted in longtime customers who look to BlishMize for reliability and profitability for their independent stores, which range from one-off mom and pop shops to mini-chains. From pliers to paint to power drills, Blish-Mize distributes more than 60,000 different hardline products. Beyond distribution, they offer a variety of retail profitability services like marketing, pricing, planning and store design. “We treat our customers like family,” Jonathan said. “We view our work as a partnership. We also pride ourselves on our generations-old ethos of ‘the customer is always right.’ That sentiment is a rarity these days.”

Longevity Among Customers and Employees

In addition to long-time customers, it’s not unusual for employees to retire with 30 or 50 years of service at Blish-Mize. Corporate offices are in Atchison as well as the company’s main 500,000-square-foot distribution center. They employ 150 people in Kansas and in the other states where they serve customers on their own company equipment: Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, northwestern Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Dakota,

Texas and Wyoming. They also operate cross dock facilities in Denver, Dallas and Houston. Their reach is even farther, though, as they ship nationwide to other hardware retailers, as well as provide e-commerce fulfillment services to some of the most well-known online retailers. The family counts embracing e-commerce as one of the turning points in the modern era of the business. Other adaptations that have allowed Blish-Mize to remain competitive include adopting a digital, rapid-turnaround warehouse; acquiring competitors when they go out of business in order to expand into more states; and offering online sales via Hardware House, the private-label brand that Blish-Mize recently took full ownership of and continues to offer thousands of high quality products in the major product line categories. As they evolve, the family said, they stay grounded in their roots, including staying in Atchison. “Atchison is more than our home” Jonathan said. “We are one of the strongest supporters of the Atchison community and many local causes such as United Way, Relay for Life, Chamber of Commerce, Amelia Earhart Festival, YMCA, local schools, churches, food pantry, just to name a few. Our company actively promotes volunteerism among employees by allowing time off with pay for certain community volunteer work. The town’s success is very important to us.” He started in the business at 24 and turned 50 this year, so it’s likely that Jonathan has many years remaining at the helm of the business. When asked if there is a sixth generation to continue the tradition, he enthusiastically said yes. “There are lots of great options to choose from in the next generation.” KCL JUNE 2019

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

DIY Safely Handle power tools and associated lithium-ion batteries with care

GETTY IMAGES

WHILE HAVING PROPERLY functioning tools is crucial to completing projects both big and small, proper handling and transportation of power tools and batteries can sometimes be overlooked. Due to their efficiency, energy storage capabilities, convenience and durability, lithium-ion battery-powered tools are a popular choice for taking care of task lists of all sizes, but must be handled correctly. The experts at the Power Tool Institute—the leading organization for power tool safety resources, information and education—recommend these tips for safe use, storage, transportation and disposal of lithium-ion batteries.

Use ffThe higher energy potential and small size

of lithium-ion batteries makes them ideal for cordless power tools but also pose additional safety risks when misused. ffBatteries are not interchangeable, so it’s important to only use batteries and chargers from the original power tool manufacturer. ffOriginal manufacturer batteries are engineered to communicate and work with specific tools and chargers. These components go through a rigorous certification and testing process. Third-party batteries are not always held to the same standard, and can pose fire, property damage or personal injury risks. ff Never modify, disassemble or tamper with a battery. The performance of damaged or modified batteries can be unpredictable and dangerous. ff If a lithium-ion battery is damaged, contact the manufacturer before use. ff Never immerse your tool, battery pack or charger in fluid or allow fluid to enter it.

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Storage and Transportation ffInspect batteries regularly for signs of damage,

such as crushing, cuts or punctures. ffStore your battery in a cool, dry place, away from combustible and flammable items. ffAvoid contact with metal objects, such as keys, coins, screws and nails. ffAlways transport and store lithium-ion batteries as instructed in the owner’s manual.

Disposal ffThrowing a lithium-ion battery in the trash or

recycling can be a fire hazard. ffSafely dispose of used or damaged lithium-ion batteries at a local battery recycling center or place them in a receptacle specially designed for recycling batteries. Find more information on safe battery use at TakeChargeOfYourBattery.com, or visit PowerToolInstitute.com for additional power tool safety and operation tips. KCL Source: Power Tool Institute

Continued from page 7

com/purchase/pick-your-own. 620-249-3369, chautauquahillsfarm.com.

in Swedish costumes. 888-227-2227, www. visitlindsborg.com.

JUNE 13 Movie Showing, Concordia. Take part in the free showing of “A League of their Own” at Broadway Plaza. Show begins at 7 p.m. 785-243-1414.

JUNE 16-19 National Walnut Council

JUNE 14 Out of This World Fitness,

Oskaloosa. Join Erin Newell Fitness at the Oskaloosa school track for some out-of-thisworld fitness fun. Event will be held from 10-11 a.m. for all ages. Call Rachael at 785-863-2475. JUNE 14 State Cowboy Poetry Contest,

Manhattan. Attend the state poetry contest at the Flint Hills Discovery Center. Contestants will be winners of the regional events. www. cowboypoetrycontest.com. JUNE 14-15, 28-29 Buffalo Dunes Ladies

Golf Tournament, Garden City. Held in conjunction with the Women’s Golf Tournament at The Golf Club at Southwind. The tournament includes both early-morning golf and an evening social event. Funds raised will provide local scholarships. Call Donna at 620-272-7458. JUNE 15 Lane County Cruise, Lane

Meeting, Mayetta. This four-day event will feature nationally recognized experts and is open to landowners, national resource professionals, scientists, foresters and other forest industry professionals. Early registration deadline is June 5. Search 2019 National Walnut Council Meeting on EventBrite for tickets, www.walnutcouncil.org/events/ annual-meeting. JUNE 20-23 140th Celebration, Downs. Enjoy live bands, a beer garden, carnival, food vendors and more. www.downschamber.com.

JUNE 28 “Racecar Bob” Lawrence,

Council Grove. “Racecar Bob” Lawrence will speak about early 1900s vintage racing behind the Post Office Oak Museum, 20 W. Main St. Presentation begins at 5 p.m. with hamburgers served.

JUNE 21-23 Jim Clanton Memorial

JUNE 28 Final Friday, Dodge City. Held

Baseball Tournament, Garden City. Take part in the 32nd annual Jim Clanton Memorial Baseball Tournament in three age divisions: 19U, 16U and 14U. Call Jared at 620-276-1200.

JUNE 15 Hog Roast and Pie Auction,

JUNE 21 Hello My Name is: Astronomy,

national holiday celebrated with Swedish food, music, dancing, art, games, Kubb, vendors and the raising of the Midsommarstång. The Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers and the Folksdanslag will perform Scandinavian dances

JUNE 27 Jimmy Dee & the Fabulous Destinations Concert, Concordia. Join in on this free concert at Broadway Plaza beginning at 7 p.m. Call Jessica at 785-243-2010.

Happened on the Way to the Forum,” Dodge City. Held at the Depot Theater Company. 620-225-1001 or email brandi@ depottheaterco.com.

Stanley & Special Guest, Concordia. Listen and laugh all night with this free comedy show at Broadway Plaza. Show begins at 7:30 p.m. Call Jessica at 785-243-2010.

JUNE 15 Midsummer’s Festival. A Swedish

JUNE 23-30 The Poetry of Lacemaking, Concordia. The Creative Spirit in Our Lives, Bobbin Lace Retreat. retreatcenter@ mannahouse.org.

JUNE 20-22, 27-29 “A Funny Thing

County. Registration 9 a.m.-noon. Poker Run at 1:30 p.m. with awards to follow. Registration is $30 per entry and includes a plaque, T-shirt, meal and poker hand. Call Lane Co. Chamber of Commerce at 620-397-2211, lcacc@st-tel.net. Junction City. Join St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for a hog roast, pie auction and bake and craft sales from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Active duty military and their families are invited to eat free, otherwise free will donation is appreciated. 9719 Clarks Creek Rd., 785-482-3213.

JUNE 22 Branson-Style Grand O’Opry Show, Ottawa. Show will feature Rex Peterson, Jamie Mietchen-Ojeda and Ginelle Esry. Doors open at 6 p.m., pre-show begins at 6:30 p.m. with the show at 7 p.m. Call Dale at 785-214-0013, grandoopry@gmail.com

JUNE 21 Comedy Night featuring Bryce

Oskaloosa. Join the Jefferson County Astronomical Society for a fun presentation about astronomy. Event is at the Oskaloosa Public Library from 10-11 a.m. and for all ages. Call Rachael at 785-863-2475. JUNE 22 Art in the Park, Garden City. The 52nd annual art festival will feature a variety of music, food, fine arts and crafts vendors and free family activities in Stevens Park from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Call Garden City Arts at 620-260-9700.

at the Depot Theater Company from 7-9 p.m. 620-225-1001, brandi@depottheater.com. JUNE 28 Star Constellations and Side

Walk Chalk Planets, Oskaloosa. Take part in star constellation chalk drawings and outside planet coloring fun! Event is at the Oskaloosa Public Library from 10-11 a.m. and for all ages. Call Rachael at 785-863-2475. JUNE 29-30 Battle of the Bases, Garden City. Multiple age divisions will be available for this tournament. Call Jared at 620276-1200. KCL

Kansas Country Living publishes events free as space allows. Send event information by the fifth of the month prior to publication to events@kansascountryliving.com. Include name and date(s) of the event, a brief description, city and address of the event, and additional contact information for readers, like a website address, Facebook page, phone number or email address.

JUNE 2019

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

YO U R P L A C E I N T H E G A R D E N

Whether Ornamental or Edible, Sweet Potatoes Demand Little of Gardeners BY C Y N T H I A D O M E N G H I N I , P H . D .

Cynthia Domenghini, Ph.D.

Harvested sweet potatoes do not have a sweet flavor. This flavor comes after the curing process, which takes one to two weeks.

IT’S SWEET POTATO TIME! With the threat of cold well behind us, it’s safe to get those sweet potatoes in the ground. Sweet potatoes are easy to grow and love the warm weather. These low maintenance, nutritious treats will bring you a bountiful harvest throughout the fall. Planting time for sweet potatoes begins around mid-May. Due to the intolerance for any cold weather, sweet potatoes should not be planted earlier. The spreading growth habit of sweet potatoes insists on adequate space in the garden. Vines can grow to be 8 feet long so space the plants at least 12 inches apart in rows that are 3 feet apart. The soil should be loose to support the fleshy, root growth and does not need to be overly rich in nutrients. Create mounds or ridges in the soil for planting. Sweet potatoes thrive in moderately dry conditions, but will require deep watering during the hottest months of the summer when there are extended periods without rain. While the plants are young, weeds should be maintained by hand or using a cultivator or hoe. Avoid turning the soil too deep which can damage the potato roots. Once the vines cover the soil, the weeds will be reduced and likely maintained by the sweet potato plants. Harvest season for sweet potatoes lasts throughout the fall. Potatoes that aren’t harvested will continue to grow in size without decreasing in quality as some crops do. All sweet potatoes should be harvested before the first frost otherwise they will rot. Harvested sweet potatoes do not have a sweet flavor. This flavor comes after the curing process, which takes one to two weeks. Place harvested sweet potatoes in a basket and keep in a warm, humid environment for about 10 days. Next, place the basket in a cooler location for about five more days. After this time, the potatoes are ready for consumption or longer term storage. Sweet potatoes can be stored for six months in a cool area with high humidity such as a basement. Avoid temperatures below 50 degrees. Sweet potatoes stored throughout winter can be used to start the following year’s crop. In early spring, submerse the roots halfway into a jar of water to promote sprouting. Cut the root into sections ensuring each section has a sprout. At the end of May/June plant the sprouted roots into the

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garden for another growing season. Sweet potatoes are a member of the same family as morning glory and are susceptible to the soil borne, fungal disease called scurf, which is very difficult to eliminate once present. To prevent this problem, practice crop rotation by planting this season’s sweet potatoes in a different location of the garden from last year’s sweet potatoes. Ornamental sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are a popular herbaceous perennial. The intense leaf color comes in purple, chartreuse and many variations of each. This plant still produces a potato but is typically not consumed. Ornamental sweet potatoes have been hybridized to remain more compact than the edible counterpart, but the growth will become denser throughout the season. They make a nice addition to container plantings, hanging baskets and are a lovely groundcover in the landscape. Whether or not you decide to grow sweet potatoes for their health benefits, the plants contribute nicely to the landscape. The low demand they require of the gardener only enhances the value of the aesthetics and nutrition. KCL CYNTHIA DOMENGHINI is an instructor and coordinator for K-State’s horticultural therapy online certificate program.

Warm season-loving sweet potatoes don’t need any pampering. Beginning with healthy plants is the first step to success for your fall harvest.

Leading Acid Reflux Pill Becomes an AntiAging Phenomenon

Clinical studies show breakthrough acid reflux treatment also helps maintain vital health and helps protect users from the serious conditions that accompany aging such as fatigue and poor cardiovascular health by David Waxman, Seattle Washington: A clinical study on a leading acid reflux pill shows that its key ingredient relieves digestive symptoms while suppressing the inflammation that contributes to premature aging in men and women. And, if consumer sales are any indication of a product’s effectiveness, this ‘acid reflux pill turned anti-aging phenomenon’ is nothing short of a miracle. Sold under the brand name AloeCure, it was already backed by clinical data documenting its ability to provide all day and night relief from heartburn, acid reflux, constipation, irritable bowel, gas, bloating, and more. But soon doctors started reporting some incredible results… “With AloeCure, my patients started reporting less joint pain, more energy, better sleep, stronger immune systems… even less stress and better skin, hair, and nails” explains Dr. Liza Leal; a leading integrative health specialist and company spokesperson. AloeCure contains an active ingredient that helps improve digestion by acting as a natural acid-buffer that improves the pH balance of your stomach. Scientists now believe that this acid imbalance is what contributes to painful inflammation throughout the rest of the body. The daily allowance of AloeCure has shown to calm this inflammation which is why AloeCure is so effective. Relieving other stressful symptoms related to GI health like pain, bloating, fatigue, cramping, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, and nausea. Now, backed with new clinical studies, AloeCure is being recommended by doctors everywhere to help improve digestion, calm painful inflammation, soothe joint pain, and even reduce the appearance of wrinkles – helping patients to look and feel decades younger.

FIX YOUR GUT & FIGHT INFLAMMATION Since hitting the market, sales for AloeCure have taken off and there are some very good reasons why. To start, the clinical studies have been impressive. Participants taking the active ingredient in AloeCure saw a stunning 100% improvement in digestive symptoms, which includes fast and lasting relief from reflux. Users also experienced higher energy levels and endurance, relief from chronic discomfort and better sleep. Some even reported healthier

looking skin, hair, and nails. A healthy gut is the key to a reducing swelling and inflammation that can wreak havoc on the human body. Doctors say this is why AloeCure works on so many aspects of your health. AloeCure’s active ingredient is made from the healing compound found in Aloe vera. It is both safe and healthy. There are also no known side effects. Scientists believe that it helps improve digestive and immune health by acting as a natural acid-buffer that improves the pH balance of your stomach. Research has shown that this acid imbalance contributes to painful inflammation throughout your entire body and is why AloeCure seems to be so effective.

EXCITING RESULTS FROM PATIENTS

izing your entire body. When your digestive system isn’t healthy, it causes unwanted stress on your immune system, which results in inflammation in the rest of the body. The recommended daily allowance of acemannan in AloeCure has been proven to support digestive health, and calm painful inflammation without side effects or drugs. This would explain why so many users are experiencing impressive results so quickly.

REVITALIZE YOUR ENTIRE BODY With daily use, AloeCure helps users look and feel decades younger and defend against some of the painful inflammation that accompanies aging and can make life hard. By buffering stomach acid and restoring gut health, AloeCure calms painful inflammation and will help improve digestion… soothe aching joints… reduce the appearance of wrinkles and help restore hair and nails … manage cholesterol and oxidative stress… and improve sleep and brain function… without side effects or expense. Readers can now reclaim their energy, vitality, and youth regardless of age or current level of health.

To date over 5 million bottles of AloeCure have been sold, and the community seeking non-pharma therapy for their GI health continues to grow. According to Dr. Leal, her patients are absolutely thrilled with their results and are often shocked by how fast it works. “For the first time in years, they are free from concerns about their digestion and almost every other aspect of their health,” says Dr. Leal, “and I recommend it to everyone who One AloeCure Capsule Daily wants to improve GI health without resorting • Helps End Digestion Nightmares to drugs, surgery, or OTC medications.” • Helps Calm Painful Inflammation • Soothes Stiff & Aching Joints “I was always in ‘indigestion hell.’ Doctors • Reduces appearance of Wrinkles put me on all sorts of antacid remedies. Noth& Increases Elasticity ing worked. Dr. Leal recommended I try Aloe• Manages Cholesterol & Oxidative Stress Cure. And something remarkable happened… • Supports Healthy Immune System Not only were all the issues I had with my • Improves Sleep & Brain Function stomach gone - completely gone – but I felt less joint pain and I was able to actually sleep through the night.” HOW TO GET ALOECURE With so much positive feedback, it’s easy to Due to the enormous interest consumers have see why the community of believers is grow- shown in AloeCure, the company has decided ing and sales for the new pill are soaring. to extend their nationwide savings event for a THE SCIENCE BEHIND ALOECURE little while longer. Here’s how it works... AloeCure is a pill that’s taken just once daily. The pill is small. Easy to swallow. There are no harmful side effects and it does not require a prescription. The active ingredient is a rare Aloe Vera component known as acemannan. Made from of 100% organic Aloe Vera, AloeCure uses a proprietary process that results in the highest quality, most bio-available levels of acemannan known to exist. According to Dr. Leal and several of her colleagues, improving the pH balance of your stomach and restoring gut health is the key to revital-

Call the AloeCure number and speak to a live person in the US. Callers will be greeted by a knowledgeable and friendly person approved to offer up to 3 FREE bottles of AloeCure with your order. AloeCure’s Toll-Free number is 1-800-748-4119. Only a limited discounted supply of AloeCure is currently available. Consumers who miss out on the current product inventory will have to wait until more becomes available and that could take weeks. They will also not be guaranteed any additional savings. The company advises not to wait. Call 1-800-748-4119 today.

THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. ALL DOCTORS MENTIONED ARE REMUNERATED FOR THEIR SERVICES. ALL CLINICAL STUDIES ON ALOECURE’S ACTIVE INGREDIENT WERE INDEPENDENTLY CONDUCTED AND WERE NOT SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN GLOBAL HEALTH GROUP.

Electricity on the

GO BY M A R I A K AV E N S K Y

Sun, wind and water can keep you connected in the great outdoors.

EVERYONE ENJOYS the great outdoors. The fresh air, getting in touch with nature and physical exercise are key highlights of camping. Today, while exploring and adventuring, you can still stay connected. Although the great outdoors does not come equipped with ready-to-use electricity, nature already provides energy that can power various on-the-go gadgets. While spending time outside, you can harness power from the sun, wind and water to charge devices that can make your camping experience even better. One example is a portable light powered by the sun, like BioLite’s portable solar light. The device includes a built-in solar panel that can be placed on a backpack during the day. In about seven hours of charging in the sun, you can reach 50 hours of burn time from the small device. Just think, after a full day of exploring, you can relax in your tent and enjoy a new book. This product is just one of many by BioLite, which sells various products meant for off-grid households and recreational use of fuel-independent charging. LuminAID offers a similar product, the PackLite Firefly USB, which is an inflatable lantern with five lighting modes. The device is compact,

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

JUNE 2019

waterproof and portable in size for easy charging on the go. The Packlite Firefly USB needs about 10 hours of sunlight to fully charge. If you want a smaller solar-powered gadget for lighting, try products like Davis Instruments LightCap. This cap fits any 2-inch water bottle, like those sold by Nalgene or Camelback, and it’s extremely convenient since you don’t need to worry about the gadget as long as you keep it on your water bottle. At night, the water bottle lights up from the cap shining through. A few different versions are available on Amazon for about $30 or less. To power all your USB-based devices, such as cell phones, speakers, camp lights or GoPros, you can walk around with a USB solar backpack. There are several varieties of backpacks available from different manufacturers, ranging in price from $50 to more than $200, and normally taking about four to six hours to fully charge. For longer camping trips, there are portable showers that can be heated by the sun. The reservoir bag holds 5 gallons of water, which can be used for multiple showers, and warms up through a heat-locking material when left in the sun.

To power all your USB-based devices, such as cell phones, speakers, camp lights or GoPros, you can walk around with a USB solar backpack. These are convenient for camping but could also come in handy for emergencies when hot water isn’t accessible. Solar-powered portable showers are available from different manufacturers. Visit Amazon.com or check local retail stores like Walmart and Cabela’s to review your options. When the skies are cloudy or there’s a lot of tree coverage, there are additional energy sources to be found in nature. Although less common, another way to charge your USB devices is by using a small turbine by Waterlily that harnesses either wind or hydro energy. By letting the turbine run in the wind or in a fast-moving stream, you can charge any of your devices. Even when there isn’t a strong gust or a fast stream, the turbine comes with a hand crank that generates power as well. Visit www.waterlilyturbine.com for more information. Just five years ago, many of these gadgets were still prototypes, and now most of them are easily accessible to buy online. Thanks to these advances, we can enjoy the outdoors and stay connected while keeping a clean footprint. KCL is a program manager for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric cooperatives. From growing suburbs to remote farming communities, electric co-ops serve as engines of economic development for 42 million Americans across 56 percent of the nation’s landscape.

LUMINAID

MARIA KANEVSKY

W AT E R L I LY

Above: LuminAID’s PackLite Firefly USB is an inflatable lantern with five lighting modes. The device is compact, waterproof and portable for easy charging on the go. It can be charged by direct sunlight (about 10 hours) or through a micro USB input (one to two hours). Left: Although less common, another way to charge your USB devices is by using a small turbine by Waterlily that harnesses either wind or hydro energy. By letting the turbine run in the wind or in a fast-moving stream, you can charge any of your devices.

JUNE 2019

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

PAID ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Kansas zip codes turn up silver for residents Sealed Vault Bags full of heavy silver bars are actually being handed over to the first Kansas residents who find their zip code listed in today’s publication and call before the 7 day order deadline ends to claim the bags full of valuable silver NATIONWIDE – Operators at the National Silver Hotline are struggling to keep up with all the calls. That’s because Silver Vault Bags loaded with a small fortune of .999 pure Silver Bars are now being handed over to everyone who beats the 7-day order deadline. “It’s like a modern day Gold Rush. Kansas residents will be hoarding all the silver bars they can get their hands on for the next 7 days. This comes as no surprise after the standard State Minimum set by the Federated Mint dropped 42%, going from $50 per bar to just $29 making these Silver Vault Bags a real steal,” said Mary Ellen Withrow, the emeritus 40th Treasurer of the United States of America. “As executive advisor to the private Federated Mint, I get paid to deliver breaking news. And here’s the best part. This is great news for Kansas residents because it’s the lowest ever State Minimum set by the Federated Mint,” said Withrow. The only thing residents need to do is find the first 3 digits of their zip code on the Distribution List printed in today’s publication. If their zip code is on the list, they need to immediately call the National Silver Hotline before the 7-day order deadline ends. Residents who do are cashing in on the record low State Minimum set by the Federated Mint. This is a real steal for residents because each Silver Vault Bag loaded with 10 Kansas State Silver Bars is normally set at $500 which is the standard $50 per heavy half ounce bar State Minimum set by the Federated Mint. But here’s the good news. Residents who call today get the lowest ever State Minimum set by the Federated Mint of just $290 for each Kansas Silver Vault Bag which is just $29 per bar as long as they call the National Silver Hotline at; 1-866-874-7770 EXT. FMM1696 before the deadline ends. Phone lines open at precisely (Continued on next page)

■ KANSAS RESIDENTS CASH IN: It’s like a modern day Gold Rush. Everyone’s scrambling to get their hands on the heavy, Jumbo Silver Ballistic Bags pictured above before they’re all gone. That’s because residents who find the first 3 digits of their zip code printed in today’s publication are cashing in on the lowest ever State Minimum price set for the next 7 days by the Federated Mint.

Who gets the Silver Vault Bags: Listed below are the U.S. zip codes that get the Silver Vault Bags. If you find the first 3 digits of your zip code immediately call: 1-866-874-7770 EXT. FMM1696 660 661 662 664 665 666

667 668 669 670 671 672

673 674 675 676 677 678

679 716 717 718 719 720

721 722 723 724 725 726

727 728 729

PAID ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

(Continued from previous page) 8:30 A.M. this morning and are expected to be flooded by Kansas residents looking to cash in on the lowest ever State Minimum set by the Federated Mint to date. That’s why area residents who find their zip code on the distribution list today are being urged to call immediately. Since this special advertising announcement can’t stop dealers and collectors from hoarding all the new 2019 Edition Kansas State Silver Bars they can get their hands on, the Federated Mint had to set a strict limit of three Jumbo Silver Ballistic Bags per resident – these are the bags everyone’s trying to get because they contain 10 individual Silver Vault Bags each. Everyone who gets these will feel like they just hit the jackpot. “ R e sident s who wa nt t o cash in on the lowest ever State Minimum set by the priv at e Fe der at e d M i nt b et ter hurry. That’s because in 7 days, the State Minimum for these heav y half ounce Kansas State Silver Bars returns to the normal State Minimum set by the Federated Mint of $50 per bar,” Withrow said. “We’re bracing for all the calls and doing the best we can, but with just hours left before the deadline ends, residents lucky enough to find the first 3 digits of their zip code listed in today’s publication need to immediately call the National Silver Hotline," Withrow said. ■

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: If you find your zip code on the distribution list printed in today’s publication read below then immediately call: 1-866-874-7770 EXT. FMM1696 I keep calling and can’t get through: Keep trying. Right now everyone’s looking to cash in on the lowest State Minimum ever set by the Federated Mint. In fact, tens of thousands of residents are expected to order up as many Silver Vault Bags as they can get their hands on before the deadline ends. That’s because the State Minimum set by the Federated Mint has been slashed from $50 per heavy half ounce to just $29 for the next 7 days. And since each Silver Vault Bag contains 10 valuable State Silver Bars for just $290 nearly everyone is taking at least three bags before they’re all gone. But all those who really want to cash in are taking the Jumbo Silver Ballistic Bags containing 100 State Silver Bars before the State Minimum set by the Federated Mint goes back up to $500 per Vault Bag. So if lines are busy keep trying. How much are the Silver Vault Bags worth: It’s hard to tell how much these Silver Vault Bags could be worth since they are highly collectible, but those who get in on this now will be the really smart ones. That’s because the State Minimum set by the Federated Mint goes back up to $500 per bag after the deadline ends. So you better believe that at just $290 the Silver Vault bags are a real steal for everyone who beats the deadline. Can I buy one State Silver Bar: Yes. But, the lowest ever State Minimum set by the Federated Mint of just $29 per bar applies only to residents who purchase a Silver Vault Bag(s). That means only those residents who order a Silver Vault Bag(s) or the heavy, Jumbo Silver Ballistic Bag(s) get the $29 per bar State Minimum set by the Federated Mint. All single bar purchases, orders placed after the 7-day deadline and all non-state residents must pay the standard $50 per heavy half ounce Bar State Minimum set by the Federated Mint. Why is the State Minimum set by the Federated Mint so low now: Thousands of U.S. residents stand to miss the deadline to get the silver at the lowest ever State Minimum set by the private Federated Mint. Now all residents who find the first 3 digits of their zip code on the Distribution List printed in today’s publication are getting the Silver Vault Bags for themselves and all the solid .999 pure State Silver Bars found inside. The price for each Silver Vault Bag is normally set at $500 which is the standard $50 per bar State Minimum set by the Federated Mint, but residents who beat the 7-day deadline only cover the lowest ever State Minimum set by the Federated Mint of just $290 for each State Silver Vault Bag which is just $29 per bar as long as they call the National Silver Hotline before the deadline ends at: 1-866-874-7770 EXT. FMM1696. Hotlines open at 8:30 A.M.

FRONT VIEW

BACK VIEW INDEPENDENCE: 1776 signifies the year America declared independence proclaiming inalienable rights including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

SIGNIFICANT: Numbered in the order of which the state ratified the Constitution and was admitted into the Union.

HISTORIC 13 STARS: Each star represents one of the original 13 Colonies arranged in a circle to symbolize the perpetuity of the union as depicted in the “Betsy Ross” flag.

■ SILVER HITS ROCK BOTTOM: Everyone’s scrambling to get the Silver Vault Bags each loaded with 10 solid .999 pure Silver State Bars before they are all gone. That’s because the standard State Minimum set by the private Federated Mint dropped 42%, going from $50 per bar to just $29, which is a real steal.

ONLY EXISTING: Silver bars struck with the double forged state proclamation.

LOWEST EVER: State minimum set by the Federated Mint drops to just $29.

VALUABLE: Solid .999 pure fine silver.

PHOTO ENLARGEMENT SHOWS ENGRAVING DETAIL OF SOLID HALF OUNCE STATE SILVER BARS

FEDERATED MINT, LLC IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, A BANK OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. IF FOR ANY REASON WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM SHIPMENT YOU ARE DISSATISFIED, RETURN THE PRODUCT FOR A REFUND LESS SHIPPING AND RETURN POSTAGE. THIS SAME OFFER MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE AT A LATER DATE OR IN A DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION. OH RESIDENTS ADD 6.5% SALES TAX. FEDERATED MINT 7600 SUPREME AVE. NW, NORTH CANTON, OH 44720 ©2019 FEDERATED MINT P7172A-OF21269R-1

C O O K I N G M Y WAY H O M E

Potluck Faux Pas: If Everybody Brings Something, What Could go Wrong?

BY R E B E C C A H O WA R D

Rebecca Howard

I LOOKED FORWARD to attending an annual neighborhood potluck last summer, and I decided to bring my “A-game” in the form of a French Glacé Strawberry Pie from a recipe in a local historical cookbook. I proudly placed my pie, strawberries glistening like rubies beneath the clear plastic lid, on the dessert table. After visiting with neighbors and sampling some fare, I returned to the desserts and ... my pie had vanished! I asked the woman who had helped organize the event (a caterer, mind you), where my pie had gone and, after a moment (she waited out my panicked description of the pie as if I was describing a kidnap victim), she said, “Oh, I believe it’s under here,” and she lifted a tray of cookies off the top of it ... she had been using my beautiful pie as a pedestal. Whether this was a case of pie envy or shortage of table space (not the case), she should have known better. While potlucks can be fun, casual,

Country Baked Beans for a Crowd

easy (sometimes) and have no “rules,” I’ve been to enough of them where some aspect of decorum has been violated that I think potlucks deserve a little etiquette.

The Plan: Sign-up Sheet or Leave it to Chance?

Would you believe one of the definitions of “potluck” refers to “a situation in which one must take a chance that whatever is available will be good or acceptable”? While this motto sounds adventurous, some potluck pre-planning is essential to avoid ending up with five seven-layer salads (that’s 35 layers, people), an entire table covered with brownies (hmmm) or tires squealing when it’s cleanup time. It might be too much to expect each guest to bring their own plate, cup, utensils and napkins (as one office potluck I attended demanded), but everyone can contribute something. If you are hosting/organizing a potluck, you should have a sign-up of some sort, with the usual categories of main dish, dessert, etc. You could also have people sign up to bring utensils and paper goods and backup cleaning supplies (like garbage bags), and volunteers for chores, like setup and cleanup.

My mom’s “recipe” for baked beans consists of a countertop covered in cans, bottles and jars from which she conjures, by “just dumping,” a roasting pan full of tangy, sweet-smoky goodness that disappears at every family potluck. I put my own spin on it here. ff 3 28-ounce cans barbecue-style

GET T YIMAGES/BHOFACK2

pork and beans (I like Bush’s Barbecue or Country Style) ff 2 large onions (yellow or red), finely chopped (or grated) ff 1 sweet bell pepper, finely chopped ff 1 cup smoky barbecue sauce (I like KC Masterpiece Original) ff 1/2 cup mustard (yellow or honey mustard OK)

ff 3 Tbs. brown sugar ff 2 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce ff Several dashes liquid smoke ff 2 tsp. garlic powder ff 2 Tbs. dried minced onion ff Several dashes hot sauce (optional) ff Salt and black pepper to taste ff 2 to 3 strips uncooked bacon, cut in half

Heat ovens to 350 F. Mix all ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Adjust seasonings to taste (you can taste as you go). Pour into a 3 to 3.5 quart casserole or Dutch oven. Lay strips of bacon on top. Cover and bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes (depending on depth of dish), uncovering for the last 20 minutes of the baking time. Serve warm or room temperature. Serves 12-15.

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

JUNE 2019

The Location: Risking Meat Wasps and Hungry Hobos

For a few years, I organized a picnic potluck at a local nature preserve, and I learned the hard way the risks and rewards of pot-lucking outdoors. One year, we had a line of unexpected and uninvited (human) strangers filing in to fill their plates (Note to self: do not post “Picnic” signs and arrows unless you want extra company). Another year, our potluck table was a-swarm with yellow jackets someone called “meat wasps” (who also happened to be vegetarian). Keep in mind how your location will affect your party—consider crowd comfort (like access to water and bathrooms), bug control and food safety (a platter of

shrimp on a 94-degree day might not be a good choice). Provide (or request) enough tables to create space for both food (and a plan of which foods go where), as well as table room and seating for diners.

The Portions: You Need a Bathtub-Sized Serving Bowl— Have You Made too Much?

Probably. But lots of people means the need for lots of food, right? Some good advice comes from author Ali Rosen in her book “Bring It!: Tried and True recipes for Potlucks and Casual Entertaining”(Hachette Book Group; 2018): “If you are having a ton of people bringing a ton of dishes, you don’t necessarily need to size up as much as you think; keep in mind that the more dishes available, the smaller the portions people will take from each.” Whatever you bring should be accompanied with its serving tool (ladle, knife, pie server), and you should manage food temperature, either bringing it in an insulated thermal container if the potluck is far from a kitchen, or checking with your hostess about storing and/or access to options for warming and cooling if the event is indoors. Better yet, bring something that can be safely served at room temperature. And when transporting your food, secure it—a trunk full of spilled green tea punch taught me that.

The Aftermath: Unclaimed Leftovers and Other Left-Behinds ...

I have had some bad post-potluck letdown in the form of folks leaving LOTS of the food they brought behind. A vat of chili is abandoned with an “Oh, you can keep it,” as if this is some sort of favor. Many potluck orphans will sadly end up discarded. Leaving leftovers is wasteful and just creates more work for the organizers. At many of our family potlucks, it’s a given that everyone share what’s left in to-go platters. Also, I’ve been the keeper of an array of leftbehind dishes, dippers, tongs and serving knives (which must be washed ... by someone), I say, take your belongings with you. And overzealous cleanup people (you know who you are), make sure you don’t cart off things that aren’t yours.

The Key: Is a Bag of Chips the Best You Can Do?

Bring your heart—whether in a dish or an offering to help—to a potluck and all will be well. If you are not a cook, pick up something delicious from the deli or bakery or offer to bring some needed item (like paper towels) or volunteer to help with event chores. If cooking, bring your best, a beloved family recipe (like my mom’s baked beans) or an established “hit” from your rounds on the potluck circuit. Label your dish, and maybe be willing to share the recipe if you get any requests. And hosts, be gracious and welcoming of every dish or offering brought to the table. No hiding of pies—or Aunt Edna Mae’s Broccoli Bites. KCL REBECCA HOWARD grew up in Kansas and has written for the Los Angeles Daily News, the Los Angeles Times and LA Parent Magazine, and currently writes the food blog, “A Woman Sconed.”

JUNE 2019

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

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SAFETY

Electrical Shock Drowning: Know the Dangers of Swimming near Docks, Boats WOULD YOU USE a plugged in electrical appliance while taking a bath? Of course not. Yet we don’t think twice about jumping into a lake near boats and docks—both charged with electrical power. Perhaps our indifference stems from childhood and the sweet relief experienced by taking a dip in the lake or pond never thinking twice about potential dangers, other than the mysterious monster fish our siblings swore lurked inches away. With an increasing number of docks carrying electrical power to accommodate boat lifts, lights and shore-power connections, electrical shock drowning (ESD) is in the news. It is the result of typically low-level alternating currents (AC currents) passing through the body causing the victim’s muscles to become paralyzed by the electrical current. He or she is unable to swim, and may ultimately drown. Higher levels of AC current in the water will also result in electrocution. The typical victim is a child swimming in or around a marina or dock where electricity is present. The electricity that enters the water and causes ESD originates from the wiring of the dock or marina, or from boats connected to the marina’s or dock’s power supply. ESD is a silent killer. There is no visible warning or way to tell if water surrounding a boat, marina or dock is energized or will become energized in seconds with fatal levels of electricity. Most often, electricity enters the water when an electrical fault occurs aboard a boat. Typically, the electric fault is intermittent. For example, the fault that places deadly current into the water may only occur when a light switch is turned on, or when another electrical device cycles on. Water can appear and feel “safe” and in a split second become energized with deadly electricity.

Technician. Boats with AC systems should have isolation transformers or equipment leakage circuit interrupter (ELCI) protection, comply with ABYC standards, and should be serviced by an ABYC-Certified® Technician. ffTalk to marina operators about the danger of

electric shock drowning. Ask them to install GFCI’s on all shore power pedestals and on all marina wiring circuits. Ask if their marinas are regularly inspected by qualified electricians familiar with National Fire Protection Association Codes: NFPA 303 and NFPA 70.

If You Witness an ESD ffUnplug a boat’s shore power or shut off the

closest circuit breaker and call 911.

ffToss something buoyant, such as a Type IV

throwable float or a life jacket toward the person in the water.

ffExtend a PVC-handled boat hook or wooden

(non-conductive) oar to try to reach the victim and guide them AWAY from the boat or dock.

The ideal rescue would be to paddle out in a non-metal-hull boat and pull the person away from the current, then try to haul him or her aboard. If the person can swim, suggest getting as far away from the dock as possible to avoid the electrical current. KCL Information provided by Electrical Shock Drowning Prevention Association.

The typical victim of electrical shock drowning is a child swimming in or around a marina or dock.

Preventing Electrical Shock Drowning ffNEVER swim in or near marinas, docks or ffTell others about ESD. Most have never heard

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ffIf you are a boat owner, have your boat

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Baby Back Ribs with Dry Rub

Early Morning Fajitas

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Become a top chef by mixing your own dry rub and barbecue sauce.

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Start your morning off right with a variation of steak and eggs.

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Skip the drive-thru and opt for homebaked sweet potato fries with a surprising dipping sauce.

Strawberry Spritzer Sip on summer as pink lemonade gets

Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Lemon Meringue Dipping Sauce

ff 2 Tbs. flat leaf parsley

ff 1 Tbs. lemon juice, freshly squeezed

ff 1 lemon, zest

ff 1 clove garlic, finely minced

ff 3/4 cup mayonnaise

Dipping Sauce

Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Lemon Meringue Dipping Sauce Sweet Potato Fries ff 3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into matchsticks ff 2 Tbs. olive oil ff 1-2 tsp. kosher salt

Preheat oven to 450 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Peel sweet potatoes and slice into matchsticks, roughly the same size. Place in a large bowl and toss with olive oil and salt. Bake for 20 minutes on the parchment-lined baking sheet, tossing halfway through to crisp both sides. While fries are baking, mix together mayo, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest and a pinch of salt. Once fries are done, garnish with parsley and serve with lemon meringue dipping sauce. Serves 6.

ff 1 can (12 ounces) frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed

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Strawberry Spritzer ff 1 package (10 ounces) frozen sliced strawberries, sweetened and thawed ff 2 liters lemon-lime soda, chilled

In a blender, process strawberries until blended thoroughly. Pour strawberries into a large pitcher; stir in soda and pink lemonade. Serve immediately. NOTE: Ginger ale may be used in place of soda. May also substitute your favorite frozen summer fruits for variations on this spritzer.

COURTESY FAMILY FE ATURES

ff 1/2 tsp. pepper

Early Morning Fajitas ff 1 flank steak, 1 pound

ff 6 eggs, beaten

ff 6 flour tortillas, 8-inch diameter

ff 1/2 tsp. ground cumin

ff 1/2 small green bell pepper, thinly sliced

ff 1/2 cup colby jack cheese

ff 1/2 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced

ff 1 small white onion, thinly sliced

ff 1/2 tsp. salt

In a skillet over medium heat, brown steak until it reaches 135 F on an internal meat thermometer for medium-rare doneness. Remove from skillet and set aside.

In same skillet, add onions, green and red bell peppers, salt, pepper and cumin. Sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add eggs and scramble. Return beef to mixture and heat for 1 minute. Heat flour tortillas on a hot skillet or griddle.

ff 3 Tbs. ground cumin

ff 2 Tbs. paprika

ff 2 Tbs. dried thyme

ff 2 Tbs. chili powder

dark brown sugar

ff 1/4 cup packed

molasses

ff 2 Tbs. dark

ff 2 Tbs. maple syrup

ff 1 Tbs. liquid smoke

sauce

ff 2 cups barbecue

Sauce

CO URTESY BL ACK WELL A NGUS , B L ACKWELL ANGUS .COM

Evenly distribute beef and egg mixture into tortillas. Sprinkle with cheese and roll into burritos. Serve with your favorite salsa. Serves 4-6.

Rub ff 1/4 cup kosher salt ff 2 Tbs. coarsely ground black pepper

coriander

ff 1 Tbs. ground

Baby Back Ribs with Dry Rub ff 3 racks pork baby back ribs, 1 1/2 pounds each

apple wood chips

ff 3 cups hickory or

ff vegetable oil

To make rub, combine ingredients in medium bowl. Place ribs flat in a non-reactive roasting pan. Using 3/4 cup of rub, sprinkle over both sides of each rack and rub lightly. Soak wood chips in cold water for at least 30 minutes. Set up grill for indirect cooking. Prepare a medium fire in a charcoal grill or preheat one side of a gas or electric grill on medium. Drain chips and sprinkle half over coals or place half inside grill’s smoker box. Place disposable foil pan under the grate to catch drippings. Brush grill grate with vegetable oil. Arrange ribs, meaty-side down, on the side of the grill without hot coals. Cover and cook for 45 minutes. Turn ribs and add remaining wood chips. Cover and grill another 45 minutes.

While ribs are cooking, combine barbecue sauce, liquid smoke, maple syrup and molasses in a bowl. When ribs have cooked for a total of 1 1/2 hours, brush generously with sauce. Using tongs, slide the rib onto the grate directly over the hot coals. Grill, uncovered 5 minutes. Turn ribs over, baste again and grill another 5 minutes. Cut between bones, slicing racks into individual ribs. Serve immediately. Serves 6-8.

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JUNE 2019

KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING

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TOGETHER and you could save

Have GEICO car insurance? Get home insurance through the GEICO Insurance Agency and you could get a Multi-Policy discount.

Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states, in all GEICO companies, or in all situations. Homeowners, renters and condo coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. ÂŠ 2018 GEICO