After what seemed like an extended winter, temperatures in Southwest Kansas are warming up, and spring is officially in the air.
The warming trend likewise brings more people outdoors, and with the calendar turning to May soon, outdoor activities will become more popular as well.
In Liberal for the past 11 years, one of those activities has been a farmers market hosted by the Liberal Area Coalition for Families, and the 12th year of the farmers market kicks off Saturday and will run every Saturday through September from 8 a.m. to noon at 1195 N. Kansas Ave.
The public is invited to Southwest Symphony Society’s spring concert, “May the Force Boldly Go with You” at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Showcase Theater at Seward County Committee College. Admission is a free-will donation at the door and refreshments will be served.
“Our local musicians volunteer their time and talents, and they have been working several months now on putting together a spring concert that features both classical music and ‘Star Wars’ selections,” Conductor Josiah Smiddy said.
The measles outbreak in Southwest Kansas continues to be a hot topic and last Tuesday, Gov. Laura Kelly paid a visit to Garden City for a press conference to encourage parents to vaccinate their children against the illness.
“I'm here today, and I'm sure you all are too, for one reason, and one reason only – to protect our children,” Gov. Kelly said. “On March 13, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reported a positive case of measles in Kansas, the first case of measles reported in Kansas since 2008. As of April 22, there are 37 confined cases in Kansas, all of them in the southwestern region. This measles outbreak is serious and it reminds us how the health of our community, especially our children, depends on all of us to recognize our collective responsibility to each other. When I was growing up, measles wasn't something you just read about, it was a disease you actually got, and/or your friends got, and it made people incredibly sick. Some were hospitalized, some were left with permanent complications, and some ultimately didn't make it. Measles spreads through our classrooms, our recreation centers, and grocery stores. It lingers in the air and can cause real harm. No parent wants to see their child in the hospital over something we know how to prevent. Measles is not new, and neither is the solution. We have beaten this disease before through common sense and prevention. For decades, measles nearly disappeared, and now it's back. Not because science has changed, but because misinformation got in the way.”
Kansas has shown leadership in public health before, and Gov. Kelly said Kansans need to do so again.
“In 1955, when the polio vaccine became available, the first town in the U.S. to line up and get the vaccine was Protection, Kansas. Those families trusted science, trusted one another, and they took action to keep their children and their neighbors safe,” Gov. Kelly said. “They didn't ask who the president was, or who got credit, they just wanted to protect their children and neighbors. We need that same kind of response now – at the kitchen table, at doctors' offices, and in our schools. Let's be clear – the measles vaccine works, and it is very safe. One dose is 93 percent effective, and two doses is 97 percent effective. Yet, too many Kansas children are still unprotected – in some areas, vaccination rates have dropped below 90 percent, and that's why there is the outbreak we're seeing today.”
Gov. Kelly then gave a direct statement to Kansas parents and guardians.
“I want to speak directly to the moms and dads, the grandparents and caregivers making decisions for their families who might have some questions about the vaccine and want to be cautious and do right by your children. Those are normal concerns, but you do NOT have to do this alone. Talk to your doctor, ask questions, get the facts, and then make a plan. The facts are simple – measles spreads very quickly, and this disease is very dangerous for young children and those with compromised immune systems. You can prevent that with two doses of the MMR vaccine. This is NOT political. This is NOT about ideology. It's about protecting the children in your carpool, at your kitchen table, and in your community. We ALL want our children to be safe, and we want them in school learning and growing, and surrounded by adults who are doing what it takes to keep them safe and healthy. Kansas families have always taken this seriously. We were the first state to respond to the polio crisis and one of the first states to require back-to-school vaccinations, and we have always made our children's health a high priority. That commitment is part of what has made Kansas so strong.”
In recent years, however, Gov. Kelly said, that strength has decreased.
“In recent years, the Kansas Legislature has chipped away at the public health tools communities rely on. They've made it harder for schools and local health departments to act quickly when outbreaks occur. We need those tools back,” Gov. Kelly said. “Even without them, however, we're not powerless. Parents still have the most powerful tool of all – prevention. So now, I'm asking Kansas families to do what Kansans have always done – put your children first. Talk to your doctor(s), and get your child(ren) vaccinated. We've done this before, let's do it again and protect Kansas children.”
KDHE Dr. Dereck Totten also spoke at the press conference.
“This outbreak continues to grow, and will mostly affect those who are unvaccinated. As of April 22, there are 37 cases in eight counties in the southwest part of the state – Finney, Ford, Grant, Gray, and Morton counties each have fewer than five cases. Haskell County has reported the most cases, with eight, Stevens County has reported seven, and Kiowa County has reported six,” Totten said. “At least 30 of these cases are unvaccinated individuals. The vaccine is absolutely our best defense against this outbreak. Measles is very dangerous and can cause severe health issues such as brain swelling and other long-term complications. Children under 5 years old are especially at risk for severe adverse reactions as well as adults over the age of 20, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems. Normally, the recommendation is to get the first dose between 12 and 15 months of age and the second dose given somewhere between 4 and 6 years old. However, with this outbreak, we're recommending an early extra does for infants 6 months old in any of the affected counties and their surrounding counties. Adults who have not been vaccinated can get both doses as long as they are 28 days apart. If you're unsure of your vaccination status, contact your health provider as soon as you can.”
Totten then shared some symptoms to be on the lookout for.
“The first symptoms happen seven to 14 days after exposure. Measles typically begins with a high fever, possibly spiking to more than 104, a cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes,” Totten said. “Tiny white spots may appear inside the mouth two to three days after the symptoms begin. The measles rash appears three to five days after symptoms begin. Flat red spots appear on the face at the hairline and spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. We recommend staying home from work, school and other public spaces if you are sick. We will continue to work with local health departments throughout the state and other government entities and healthcare providers to ensure these cases are properly monitored and taken care of. We're also working to ensure testing supplies and other necessities are available so people can have those.”
The National Day of Prayer tradition predates the founding of the United States, evidenced by the Continental Congress’ proclamation in 1775 setting aside a day of prayer.
In 1952, Congress established an annual day of prayer, and in 1988, the first Thursday in May was designated the National Day of Prayer. Through seven decades, the efforts of the NDP Task Forcehave mobilized to observe this day of prayer in all 50 states and in U.S. territories and intercede for the nation.
The president of the U.S. is required by las to sign a proclamation each year encouraging all Americans to pray on this day.
The theme chosen by the Task Force this year is “Pour Out to the God of Hope and Be Filled!” from the scripture found in Romans 15:13 – “May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Locally, the National Day of Prayer is sponsored by the Liberal Ministerial Alliance and promoted by local churches, organizations, city and county government, businesses and individuals.
The event will take place at noon Thursday at the Light Park Pavilion at 11th and Kansas in Liberal. This is a live event, and the public is encouraged to attend. The event will also stream on the Leader & Times, KZQD Radio Libertad 105.1 FM, local church and individual Facebook pages and other media sources.
There will be Spanish interpretation for the theme prayer and full prayer guides available in English and Spanish. For those who miss the live event, replays will be available on social media sites.
Individuals will be praying over what is referred to as the Seven Centers of Influence in Society or Seven Mountains of Culture – family, church/religion, business/workplace, education, military, arts, media and entertainment.
The individuals presenting at the event are people of Christian faith within the community and are representing everyone of the centers of influence.
“We will open with presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance and a patriotic song followed by prayers of repentance, thanksgiving, worship and petition to God on behalf of the church and our nation as a whole,” local NDP organizer Cindy Hall said. “Prayers for Israel, the persecuted church throughout the world, revival, community transformation, upcoming elections and the different demographics within the family.”
With hope being the theme of this year’s NDP, Hall said it is important to have because hope is the anchor of the soul.
“With all the situations going on in the world, there’s a lot of anxiety and question about what’s going on with the economy,” she said. “There’s good things going on within the government and the nation’s restructuring. There’s change, but change a lot of times bring concern, or people have anxiety about that and how it’s going to affect different things. One of the primary focal points and most important is our family structures, the family unit. That’s a priority.”
Hall said prayer made for progress locally in 2024 following Liberal’s NDP event.
“Within the next week, we had a change within our city logo or motto from ‘Crossroads of Commerce’ to ‘From Generosity to Prosperity,’ getting back to our roots and our foundation for the city of Liberal, more than just a historical thing, but also a spiritual foundation there,” she said.
Nationally, 2024 saw an “A Million Women” event at the National Mall in Washington D.C. to pray for America to turn to God and an overturning of the Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion in the mid-70s.
Hall too said many prayers for elections were cast in 2024.
“Without getting into the political realm with the different parties, we were praying for election integrity,” she said. “We did see that this last year. There were changes there and with the new administration and things nationwide. It trickles down through states and local, some very godly things, setting some things back to righteousness and godly order.”
Hall said she believes this is just the beginning.
“A lot of those things are the result of prayer, and we’re seeing revival and transformation with the young people, the young generation that’s starting within our college campuses,” she said. “We were beginning to see that in 2024 and this year as well. It’s growing. We have hope. It seemed like hope was deferred. There was some disappointment, some questions, anxiety, discouragement. We have hope restored.”
Hall said there is always an urgent need for prayer.
“Sometimes, I think as the church or as people who pray, when we see our answers to prayer, we back off a little bit, or we breathe a sigh of relief, but we need to continue making progress, continue praying, continue persevering, praying for our leaders, keeping them covered and our families, those within our community, our spiritual leaders, our pastors,” she said. “Continue to pray. It’s always urgent. Don’t slack off. Don’t let up.”
The national broadcast will be at 7 p.m. Central Thursday on a variety of networks and digital platforms in the U.S. Joining NDP President Kathy Branzell will be Tim Tebow, Samuel Rodriquez and many others. More information can be found at www.nationaldayofprayer.org.
“We’re also looking for an announcement from President Trump and the White House Faith Office for an event at the Capitol of the U.S. this year,” Hall said. “Come join us for united prayer, however you can, in person, livestream or later by replay. The effective, earnest prayer of the righteous person is very powerful.”
Hall emphasized the need for prayer is urgent.
“It doesn’t ever get any less,” she said. “It’s probably more as the time draws near and with everything that’s going on in the world spiritually and naturally.”
Get ready, Liberal, for some good vibrations. The Sail On tribute band will bring the music of The Beach Boys at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the James Maskus Auditorium at the Liberal High School as a part of the Community Concerts of Liberal, Inc. Association’s 2024-25 concert series.
Sail On will perform all the group’s classic hits, plus some treasures from The Beach Boys’ brilliant extended catalog. Sail On faithfully recreates the timeless songs of surfing, cruising, dancing, and dreaming for all ages, and anybody who wants to have “Fun, Fun, Fun.”
Based in Nashville, Sail On performs more than 100 shows every year, enjoying the unique challenge and privilege of bringing one of pop music’s greatest legacies to audiences everywhere.
Individual tickets for this concert will be available for sale at the door for only $20 per person. The final concert of the season will be on Sunday, May 11 at 3 p.m. featuring the Alliance Brass group.
With it being Mother’s Day, all Mothers in the community to come and enjoy some spectacular live music on their special day.
Individual tickets will also be available at the door.
For ticket information, please contact Mike Brack at 620-482-0466 or email brack.mike@gmail.com.
