The 4^th Annual Portis/Harlan Community Picnic & Gospel Concert will be held in Portis City Park, Saturday, September 4 with activities starting at 4:30pm.  Burgers, dogs, drinks, paper products, and utensils are provided by the Portis United Methodist, Portis Grace Brethren, Osborne Bible Baptist, and Harlan churches.  Bring a salad or dessert to share and your lawn chairs.  There will be great gospel music and games for kids of all ages.  Everyone is invited for this evening of good food, fun and fellowship.

The 34^th Annual Logan Labor Day celebration, sponsored by the Dane G. Hansen Memorial Museum and Dane G. Hansen Foundation is planned for Sunday, September 5.  This full day of activities at the Logan Golf Course located on Highway 9 is free.  It begins at 8am with an ecumenical church service and ends with a display of fireworks.  There are lots of activities throughout the day including:  sand volleyball tournament, food booths, car show, kid’s tractor pull, horse rides, and entertainment by “Kid Fiddlers” from Las Vegas and “Bill Barwick” from Denver.  For more information contact Shirley at 785-689-4846.


A pancake and sausage breakfast will be served on Labor Day, Monday, September 6^th at Living Joy Community Church, 354 W. 1^st in Hoisington.  Serving will be from 7 to 9am with take-out available.  All donations will go to the Christopher Schneweis (SCHNAY-wise) Medical Fund.  Christopher is 5 years old and has hydrocephalus and cerebral palsy.  His family is raising funds so he can travel to Germany for a new procedure, which is not yet available in the U.S.   The clinic in Germany offers a procedure that will use Christopher’s own stem cells to regenerate and replace some of his damaged brain stem cells in hopes that he will eventually be able to feed himself, stand and walk unassisted and talk in complete sentences.

The Ellsworth County Medical Center is conducting a Laboratory Health Fair on Saturday, September 11 at the Holyrood American Legion, 416 N. Main Street, Holyrood.  No appointment is necessary.  Cash or check only because no insurance will be filed.  For more information call 785-472-3111.

The Ellis County Ministerial Alliance and the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to  the annual Festival of Faith in Hays on Sunday, September 12^th from 3 to 4pm at the Beach/Schmidt Performing arts Center.  The Festival is free and offers something for all ages.  Celebrate with other members of the Christian Family at this unique event.

In observance of National Assisted Living Week, September 12 thru the 18^th, Sterling House of Hays will host a series of events for residents, families, employees, volunteers and the community to celebrate “Living Life.” 

Sunday, September 12 Open House Grandparents Day at 1:30pm

Tuesday, September 14 Gospel Singers at 3pm

Wednesday, September 15 Bingo at 6:30pm

Thursday, September 16 Trivia in Life Game at 3pm

Friday, September 17 Ride About to Russell Stover Candy Factory at 1pm

Saturday, September 18 Sock Hop Dance at 2pm.

A benefit dinner and silent auction for the Christopher Schneweis (SCHNAY-wise) Medical Fund will be held Tuesday, September 14^th from 6 to 7:30pm at Ellinwood High School, 210 East 2^nd.  Tickets can be purchased at Star of Hope, 13 N. Main, Ellinwood, Everything Under the Son Christian Bookstore, 407 McKinley, Great Bend or by calling 620-617-1156.

The First Christian Church of Great Bend is offering Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University.  Classes begin Monday, September 13^th.     The first class is free.  For more information contact First Christian Church or Randy at 620-786-5881.

The 37^th Annual Hansen Arts & Crafts Fair is scheduled for Saturday, September 18, and it’s FREE!  It’s held each year in Logan on the Hansen Plaza Square on Main Street and sponsored by the Dane G. Hansen Museum.  There will be crafters from Kansas and surrounding states including a chain saw artist.  Activities for children include:  a 22 foot slide, obstacle course, enchanted castle, games, races, turtle races, a sand pile treasure hunt and egg toss.  Live musicians will perform on two stages throughout the day.  Many other activities are planned.  For more information contact Shirley, 785-689-4846.

The Hays After 5 invites all area women to their County Fair and Auction Monday, September 13.  The dinner meeting will be from 6:30 to 8:30pm at the Bakery Shop, 230 E. 8^th in Hays. Herma Trumble from Colorado Springs will share “Growing through Grief.”  Herma is a former business owner.  To make a reservation or for more information call Sherrill, 785-621-4701.

Lovely Branches Ministries is sponsoring  “Managing Your Moods” by Women of Faith, a women’s Bible study.  The study begins Thursday, September 16 at the Stafford Senior Center, South Main in Stafford.  Choose mornings at 9am or evenings at 7pm.  You can pre-register for a free class and book by calling 620-234-6856.  Come learn how to take control of your moods and emotions.

The 37^th Annual Hansen Arts & Crafts Fair is scheduled for Saturday, September 18, and it’s FREE!  It’s held each year in Logan on the Hansen Plaza Square on Main Street and sponsored by the Dane G. Hansen Museum.  There will be crafters from Kansas and surrounding states including a chain saw artist.  Activities for children include:  a 22 foot slide, obstacle course, enchanted castle, games, races, turtle races, a sand pile treasure hunt and egg toss.  Live musicians will perform on two stages throughout the day.  Many other activities are planned.  For more information contact Shirley, 785-689-4846.


Plainville Church of the Nazarene will have a Fish Fry and Pie Auction Saturday, September 25 from 6pm to 8:30pm in the Glendenning Family Life Center.  Adults are $10.  Children 10 and under are $5.  The Pie Auction will begin at 7pm.  All proceeds will go to the annual payment on the Family Life Center.


 The Perspectives Class will be offered during the Spring 2011 semester in Hays on Sunday evening’s at Celebration Community Church.  This 16-week class discusses how God is accomplishing his purposes in history and in our time.  Through a variety of gifted speakers, essays from experienced authors and collaboration with others, lives are changed, people are blessed, and the Kingdom of God is proclaimed.  Bring a friend and come to Cross Point, 1300 Harvest Road in Hays for food and fellowship and to learn more about Perspectives from Claude Hichman on Tuesday, October 12.  To RSVP or for more information contact Ken Ediger, 785-628-8887 or kediger@northoak.net.

Blood Drives

Call 1-800-RED-CROSS to schedule an appointment. 

That’s 1-800-733-2767.

The Hays Blood Service Center, located at 208 E. 8^th Street, is one of only two whole blood centers in the state of Kansas.  It is responsible for 8 full-time jobs in Hays.The Central Plains Blood Services Region is one of the oldest blood service regions in the U.S. and serves over 100 hospitals, most of them rural and in underserved areas.

Join NASCAR’s Greg Biffle in the race for lifesaving blood donations.  It’s easy to participate in Red Cross Racing – you give blood, get points and win prizes.  After you give blood, you log your donation at redcrossracing.com, which gives you points that can be exchanged for great prizes. 

All blood types are needed to ensure the Red Cross maintains an adequate blood supply.  A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.  Donors must be in general good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old.  New height and weight restrictions apply to donors younger than 19.  Visit bloodisneeded.org to learn more.