After the Stockton USD 271 School Board members reorganized for the 2024-2025 school year at the start of their meeting on Monday, July 8th, they turned their attention to the regular business on the agenda. (The board organization article is printed elsewhere in this issue.)

will feature a new column, #NewFarmWife Chronicles,” by Staci McReynolds in its future issues as space allows. Staci states she has only been a farm wife for a little over five months, though she grew up on a farm until age 14. She claims she is not a writer but feels she may have some good things to say to those who might need to hear an encouraging word, get an answer to a question, or just enjoy something funny to read. Look for her first column in this issue.

Stockton City Manager Kayla Hilbrink announced at the Stockton City meeting on Tuesday, July 2nd, that the Stockton Child Care Coalition received a $175,000.00 grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation to build a new daycare facility.

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The Rooks County Historical Society and Museum is proud to announce the Farm Life Photo Contest at the Rooks County Free Fair. The contest provides an opportunity to showcase favorite farm-related photographs from yesterday or years ago. Visitors will be able to view sights, citizens, and events depicting Rooks County’s agricultural experiences. Farm Photo Contest category rules can be found on the Rooks County Free Fair website and at the Rooks County Historical Society. Go to the Fair’s website home page and enter the Forms and Payments location to find the photo contest information. Drop by the Rooks County Historical Society and Museum with questions and contest entries, or call the Historical Society for details. Farm Photo entries need to be brought to the Museum no later than Tuesday, August 6th.

The Heartland Community Foundation recently awarded $126,829.85 to local organizations in Ellis, Rooks, and Trego Counties during the spring/ summer grant cycle. The community foundation helped fund 42 projects, including 12 fully funded and 28 partially funded.

At the Stockton City Commission meeting on Tuesday, July 2nd, the commissioners dissolved the Gift Fund Advisory Board after they dispensed the remainder of the Olive Reed Schafer funds. These funds were distributed to the Stockton Fair Board for $1,000.00 toward the bands for the Fair, the Stockton Rodders LLC for $1,500.00 for their annual banquet, and to the Stockton Recreation Board for the remaining balance of a little over $6,000.00 toward a new press box. The commis-sioners noted that the Gift Fund Advisory Board has made a significant impact on our community by donating to several organizations for various projects over the years.

October 12, 2024, marks the date for the Inaugural Nicodemus Township History Trail Bike Tour, and Bonita Oliva, who lives in rural Woodson, is looking forward to this debut event. Bonita became aware of the event when her long-time friend, Angela Bates, started picking her brain, trying to learn from a biker's perspective what makes a good bike ride. Bonita has ridden thousands of miles in the United States and other countries, so she knows a thing or two about biking.

On Monday, July 8th, Stockton Farmers Union Elevator Manager Michael Carpenter stated that this year’s harvest is over 90% complete. With 400,000 bushels taken in at the Stockton elevator and 360,000 bushels at the Woodston Coop, it is 220% of last year’s crop and 110% of a five-year average.