A $16,000 grant from the Beach Family Foundation will help Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas support their efforts to “energize the brand of DSNWK”. DSNWK will be utilizing the grant to update our building signage across northwest Kansas to reflect the new logo and clearer messaging of DSNWK.

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas held its first ever awards ceremony as a virtual event on October 20th. The event was made virtual due to the coronavirus pandemic. Staff, individuals served by DSNWK and community people were given recognition through a special video that is on the DSNWK website www. dsnwk.org.

The holidays are upon us, the typical time for families and friends to gather to rekindle relationships and share traditions. However, as the events of the past year have taught us, 2020 is anything but typical or traditional, changing nearly every aspect of our lives. That includes how we celebrate the holidays in times of pandemic and social distancing.

The New Year is just arriving and Stockton merchants are preparing to meet the first baby born in 2021 with many fine gifts. Cash merchandise and gift certificates are waiting for Mom, Dad and baby, This annual contest is made possible by these area merchants and business people: 183 Lanes, Farmers National Bank, Farmers Union Coop, Heartland Building Center, J-Mart, Nova Theatre, Pizza Hut, RGN Co., Inc.

Throughout the month of December the Stockton Area Chamber of Commerce held several Christmas drawings and contests to encourage people to shop local during the holidays! The popular “Stockton Rocks” had people hunting all over town for the cutest Christmasthemed painted rocks to redeem for fun prizes at the participating businesses. The rocks were different each week with the themes being a snowman wearing a mask, Santa wearing a mask, a gingerbread house and a penguin.

This year’s PRIDE Christmas Lighting Contest winners have been announced and are as follows: (Residence) Kay Morris placed first, Steve and Pat Cook placed second, and Logan and Courtney Flower placed third; (Business) Muir Law Office placed first, Shear Sensations placed second, and Twig & Vine placed third. First-place winners both received a $75.00 Chamber Check, second-place winners both received a $50.00 Chamber Check, and third-place winners both received a $25.00 Chamber Check, all donated by the City of Stockton. Congratulations to all of the winners, and Happy New Year!

The Heartland Community Foundation, which serves Ellis, Rooks and Trego counties, recently awarded $163,059 in grants during its fall grant cycle to area organizations across the three counties. These organizations provide much needed education, health, community development, recreation, or public safety services and programs to the region.

“Finding the Promised Land” is a theme running consistently through American history from the very beginning. George Howard Coddington’s family story perhaps illustrates this theme superbly well.

Rooks County Health Center (RCH) cancels its discounted health screening program held the first Friday of every month, called First Friday Screenings, in order to offer the same screenings at a discount on a daily basis. The screenings now will be offered 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

December may be the season of giving—but it’s typically a challenging time to collect enough blood donations. Add in a pandemic, and this year could be even tougher than usual. That’s why the American Red Cross is urging those who are feeling well to give the gift of life by donating blood this holiday season.