Lifestyle

Editor’s Note: This week’s column is written by Jeriah Raber, Gloria’s brother. He is writing the column this week while Gloria catches her breath. As her editor, I’ve encouraged her to take as many breaks from the column as she needs this year, it has been a tough year - Kevin Williams, Editor It was time to pull weeds in the chestnut field. There are a little over 1,100 trees, and most of them had at least a few weeds around the tree - inside the pipe guard - that needed to be pulled. I’d only gotten a good start when Julia came out to help.

For students with allergies and asthma, back to school means more than getting their backpacks filled with paper, pencils, and any needed odds and ends. Keeping your child safe and healthy involves creating a proactive plan to be implemented both at home and at school.

Soon it will be time to seed your lawn if you want a cool season lawn. Many of you have shade trees and buildings that cast shade that you plant into a lawn. So a question I am often asked, “What’s the best shade grass for Kansas?” The answer is simple but requires explanation.

Two students from Newton recently received $1,000 Everence Financial scholarships to pursue college degrees. “Everence recognizes these students for their academic achievements, as well as their service to their communities,” said Kenda Mishler, Member Benefits Manager.

Now if you would tell me what you want to hear about this week I’d know just what to write! I enjoy chatting with you, but neither do I want to bore you with too much rambling about our ‘corner of the woods’. Okay, we don’t really live in the woods, just right next to 300 acres of woods behind and back yonder from our house.

One late summer day, fresh out of residency and seeing patients for the first time as a fullfledged family physician, I examined a young man who had a fever, fatigue, and a bad headache. Considering the time of year, influenza was low on the list of possibilities, and COVID-19 did not yet exist. After a physical exam and listening to his story, I ordered some tests, which resulted in a diagnosis of West Nile virus.

If you look around the county you will see some elm trees that are looking sickly. This may be the result of the elm leaf beetle. Elm leaf beetles are serious nuisance pests of elms wherever they grow. This insect feeds on the elm leaves.