Chuck's Chat-Welcome to February 2021!

It seems like it was just the other evening I told my wife Happy New Year before dozing off to sleep around 10:15. Time flies when you’re having fun. Or getting older. One thing I have discovered during my graceful aging: “As old gets older, cold gets colder.”

I am thankful that I stacked a rick of hedge for my shop’s outdoor stove yesterday. If the forecast is correct, we will be facing perhaps the coldest temperatures of the current winter this next weekend. We’ve actually had it pretty good so far, with minimal snow and not many hours of consistent below freezing temps here along the Northern Sycamore Urban Boundary. I guess we’ll find out soon enough how the wheat fares in this part of the state.

I purposely waited until the morning of the 2nd to publish this, because I was curious to see what that radical rodent of the east had to say. No not her, but the groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil. As I’m sure you know by now, he is predicting six more weeks of winter. Well, with the first day of Spring this year being March 19, he’s technically correct. However, he’s been wrong 60% of the time over the last ten years. Compared to Major League Baseball hitters, he should be in the hall of fame.

It has been tough trying to conduct and host traditional events. Kansas Farm Bureau’s annual Day at the Statehouse, County Presidents Event, and even our local Coffee with the Legislators have either been held via computer or put-on hold. At the county level, we very much prefer the more personal, face-to-face opportunities. We are looking forward to once again making presentations in schools, host legislative chats, and other events of community interest.

And how ‘bout those Chiefs?!?! Coach Andy Reid and staff have the team running like a well-oiled machine. They have dealt with the injury bug nearly all year, and have performed well with the “next man up” mentality. Their patchwork offensive line has done a tremendous job. Their running back by committee concept seems to have worked very well throughout the season. I just wish some committees in Topeka and Washington D.C. could perform so well…

And finally, Montgomery County Farm Bureau will be awarding five $500 scholarships again this year to deserving students attending either a college or vo-tech in the fall of 2020. Applications must be received by 5pm, April 1 to be considered. The student or their parents must be members to be eligible. Watch for upcoming details on our Facebook page and the application can be found on our website at https://www.mgfarmbureau.org/scholarship.

Be smart. Be safe. Stay strong.

God Bless America

Until next month,

Chuck Voelker