5-10-16 Section 1.qxp:Layout 1 5/5/16 1:03 PM Page 1 Historic craft makes comeback in Cuba By Amy G. Hadachek creations sold like hotcakes metal,” said Lenhart, who The wide-eyed zest and during a packed auction has a vast background in ma- fascination from a ten-year house crowd at the Cuba chining and metal-working, old north central Kansas girl Rockathon fundraiser in and learned blacksmithing and her blacksmith class- mid-March 2016. from the Prairie Black- mates, some in their 60s and “I’m proud of some of her smith’s Association, which is 70s, is propelling a resur- work, and she was a bit still an active organization. gence in the art of black- stunned but excited when “It’s one of the oldest smithing. Once an historic they mentioned her name trades in the world, and orig- craft, blacksmithing, also linked to her artwork, as they inated in the Caucasus called forging, has produced auctioned off a steak turner, Mountains about 4,000 years an ardently supported and a metal cross attached to a ago,” noted Lenhart. Black- well-attended monthly candle base, and a ring that smithing is the trade name, turnout of students inside the she made out of a horseshoe and forging refers to shaping tiny, restored Cuba Black- nail,” said her proud father or forming, but ‘forge’ is smith Shop in eastern Re- Todd Ludacka, who also do- also the name for the oven public County. The stone nated items he made in the where work is also done. building, enthusiastically re- blacksmith class to the Lenhart is quick to credit stored by numerous volun- town’s auction fundraiser. the spectacular, detailed teers years ago, comes alive Harley attends the black- restoration of the Cuba each month with blacksmith smithing class each month Blacksmith Shop to many students sharing cama- with her father. dedicated members of the raderie, intrigue and bur- “I heard about the class, Cuba Booster Club who geoning interest in the craft and asked her if she wanted worked on the project, in- at the monthly classes in to attend,” said Ludacka, cluding Gary Junek, Glen downtown Cuba. Among the who’s been a professional Lojka, Butch Gieber and dozen men in tan coveralls is welder for 11 years. Steve Skocny Jr., and current the unmistakable ear-to-ear The father and daughter Cuba mayor Joe Chizek, as smile of elementary schooler team enjoys participating in well as the late Cuba mayor Harley Ludacka of hobbies together, as well as Dale Huncovsky, Darrell Belleville, clad in her cotton- pheasant hunting. Ten-year old Harley Ludacka of Belleville was assisted as she got started as a black- Kroulik, and numerous vol- candy pink jacket, as she Creating a scribe is one of smith by Lavern Potuzak of Agenda. Photo by Amy Hadachek unteers. The community also joyfully delves into her new a student’s recommended proudly notes the blacksmith craft. first projects, and it is used “But, who knows… through the basics. It’s been and forming it into the shape shop was featured in Nation- “I really like getting to for marking locations on sometimes you start making exciting to watch individuals as desired. al Geographic Magazine. make my own scribe,” said metal; similar to the way a one thing, and it ultimately become a part of the class The art of blacksmithing “I have great praise for all Harley, briefly looking up carpenter uses a pencil on turns into something else,” and build blacksmithing class, held on the first Mon- who helped rebuild the Cuba while beating the hot iron to wood. Students can also cre- explained blacksmith skills, and see their artistic day of each month at the Blacksmith Shop,” Lenhart design her creation, during a ate a screwdriver, and hooks teacher Wayne Lenhart, abilities expressed,” Lenhart Cuba Blacksmith Shop from shared. He also has great joy cold winter’s night in the to hang items on a wall, and from Clay Center. “Students said. 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., is free and for teaching his craft. class. Although Harley was a they enjoy making letter also like making decorative The basic steps of black- open to the public, although As for Harley, she can’t brand new student in January openers, a grilling steak twists, scroll and leaf work smithing are: heating the some materials may require wait 'til the next class. 2015 when the class formed turner, and other popular and even jewelry, as we gath- iron in a coal fire, then beat- a cost. “The class is for any- a year ago, several of her items. er around the forge and go ing, bending and twisting one who likes working with Inman FFA hosts Barnyard Day for area students By Sarah Krehbiel Students learned about aquaponics systems. Mr. The Inman FFA hosted poultry, rabbits, Boer goats Harman said “Aquaponics their fourth annual Barnyard and their guard llama, pigs, systems are a cool form of Day on Wednesday, April beef cattle, dairy cattle, gardening, they are more ef- 28th. For the second year the sheep, horses, aquaponics ficient.” Harman’s display day was hosted at the Inman systems, swathers, tractors, had a large water trough Country Park. Students from Kansas Farm Bureau, Mid- filled with water and a small- Inman Elementary School, Kansas Co-op and saw a er container filled with rocks Inman Jr. High School, herding demonstration with and plants. There was a McPherson Preschool and cattle and a border collie. pump in the water that is set other community members The event took about 50 on a timer and fills into the were invited to learn more FFA members to put it on. container with plants and about agriculture. Inman FFA Advisor Daniel lets the water drain out. Har- Knapp said, “It's grown-up man explained that the fish show and tell for the (FFA in the larger tank help the members).” The FFA mem- plants and the plants help the bers get to display the items fish. This type of system and animals they work with works well in places like on a daily basis. Barnyard Africa where they do not get Day is a way for the Inman much rain because the sys- FFA Chapter to be “agvo- tem is more efficient and cates” for agriculture. “Most they can eat the vegetables of these kids never see a and fish they raise. farm or animals, it’s a good Knapp explained that this way for them to get hands on is one day of the year that his experience,” explained nontraditional agriculture Knapp. students and his traditional The day is not only teach- A milking demonstration by Jessica Thiessen and her dad was part of the Barnyard agriculture students get ex- ing the visitors about agri- Day hosted by Inman FFA as a means of connecting kids with agriculture. cited. The agriculture stu- culture, it’s also teaching the ior Jessica Thiessen and her FFA member, Rachel Har- cattle. Ms. Harman ex- dents get excited as much as group leaders leadership dad gave a milking demon- man said her favorite part is plained that it’s important the visiting students get ex- skills and the station presen- stration. Thiessen said her “working with the kids.” Ms. for the kids to know that cited to see all the animals. ter’s public speaking skills. favorite part is “teaching the Harman’s station was the dogs aren’t just pets, they Next year the group would Group leaders lead the visi- kids about dairy cattle.” She working dog demonstration can be very helpful on the like to add some games, in- tors to each station where the said it’s important to teach with her mom. Ms. Har- farm. vite more groups to attend station presenter teaches the kids that milking the cow man’s family has two border Max Harman, Inman and have more farming ma- about agriculture. isn’t hurting her. collie working dogs that help Sophomore and FFA mem- chinery. Inman High School Sen- Inman eighth grader and them gather and herd their ber, taught visitors about 5-10-16 Section 1.qxp:Layout 1 5/5/16 11:44 AM Page 2 Page 2 Grass & Grain, May 10, 2016 smaller effect on blood lev- essential fatty acids and nu- els of total cholesterol and trients. harmful Low Density Medical research main- Lipoprotein (LDL) choles- tains yolks are one of the terol than does the mix of richest dietary sources of fats in your diet. choline. This essential There is some evidence amino acid nutrient con- that eating whole eggs in- tributes to brain health by creases High Density Lipo- maintaining the structure of Yolks for healthy folks protein (HDL) the good cho- your brain cell membranes. By John Schlageck, amine and arginine are now lesterol that protects the The variety of nutrients in Kansas Farm Bureau being considered as nutri- heart. an egg yolk is so inclusive, I find few things in life the salon for a new hairdo. When it comes to protein, tion therapy in pre-surgery Heart disease risk in- eggs offer better insurance quite as gratifying as when This is because changing eggs remain the gold stan- patients because of their creased among men and than a multi-vitamin. women with diabetes who A diet rich in choline my adult children sit my hairstyle always trig- dard, because the high qual- ability to stimulate the im- around discussing all the gers a near-breakdown on ity protein in eggs provides mune system.