Outdoors: What next?

Tuesday morning, I harvested this year’s deer, a 2 ½ year old buck just right for the freezer. The morning hunts were not without there setbacks, however. Opening morning as I left town, the steering on my pickup seemed a little “spongy,” and a quick stop revealed a low tire, causing me to head back home for air. I had gotten up late to begin with, so the sun was up when I got to the field, and 2 deer were already grazing just below our blind. Another morning as I left town, I realized my hearing aids weren’t in, meaning another quick trip back to the house. These little inconveniences reminded me of a much worse morning deer hunt ten years ago that could have been called “Doomed from the Start.”

Special Olympics

Dodge City Special Olympics is very grateful for the support The Community Foundation of Southwest Kansas gives to this program and our community. The Community Foundation of Southwest Kansas recently awarded a $10,000 grant to the Dodge City Special Olympics team.

Attitudes of Gratitude

Each year for the past 15 years Diamond Dance gives back to the community during the holiday. This year they chose to sponsor single moms with multiple children.

Kobach nominates former federal prosecutor to serve at KBI director

Attorney General-elect Kris Kobach said Tuesday he would nominate a former Republican rival to be director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Kobach, who won a three-person primary before narrowly winning election in November, said he would seek Kansas Senate confirmation of Tony Mattivi, who served as an assistant U.S.

Care baskets: Holiday pecan, nuts and fruit

During the holiday season, pecans and other nuts are commonly given as gifts or purchased for holiday cooking. Nuts can quickly lose quality if not stored properly. Excessive water loss can lead to shriveled nutmeats, and the fats and oils in nuts can quickly spoil – developing an off-flavor or rancid taste. Store shelled (or unshelled nuts) in the refrigerator, or preferably the freezer. Nuts quickly absorb flavors from other stored products, so store them in a tightly sealed container so they won’t lose water or absorb flavors from other fruits or vegetables. A solid plastic container with a tightly fitting lid is preferred. You can use a heavy grade resealable plastic bag as well. If nutmeats are tightly sealed, they can be stored in a freezer for up to one year, but using them within six months is preferred Another holiday tradition is to give gifts of fruits and nuts (along with other products). Usually these are placed in an attractive basket, wrapped with cellophane covering, and brought (or shipped) to your house. It is important that the fruit contained inside is kept in cool conditions to maintain its quality for as long as possible. Thus, it is wise to disassemble the fruit basket as soon as you receive it and place the fruit in refrigerated storage. If all the products in the basket are tree fruits (such as apples, pears, oranges or grapefruit), you can place the entire basket in a cool place- around 40 degrees F for best results. If the basket contains any bananas or other tropical fruits (with the exception of citrus), remove those fruits and store them separately. About 3-4 weeks is about as long as you can expect to store these fruits without some shriveling and loss of crispness.

POPLOG

Jaquelin Hernandez, 21, probation violation. Steve R.