CONGRATULATIONS to the Cheylin Football and Volleyball players selected to the Western Kansas Liberty League All-League Teams!
Cheylin players selected for the All-League Volleyball Team:
Stephanie Busse, Jr
Shayla Hubbard, So
Dani Passamai, Jr
Cheylin players selected for the All-League Football Team:
OFFENSE
First Team:
Running Back-Jeremiah White, Sr
Tight End/Receiver-Ethan Young, Sr
Second Team:
Center-Noah Jones, Sr
Guard-Joshua Keltz, Jr
Honorable Mention:
Quarterback-Kenan Reeh, Jr
Running Back-Austin Manners, Sr
DEFENSE
First Team:
Defensive Line-Ethan Young, Sr
Defensive Back-Noah Jones, Sr
Honorable Mention:
Defensive Line-Ruben Razo, Jr
Defensive Back-Jeremiah White, Sr
Defensive Back-Austin Manners, Sr
Discussion of building a wellness center in Bird City has been ongoing for the past several months. Through meetings with the Cheylin community, it is agreed that the wellness center project is wanted and members wish to move forward with making plans.
Rod Klepper, board member of Bird City Century II Development Foundation, has been working closely with the school, the community and the Foundation, organizing the essentials to make it a successful community project.
The Cheylin construction and carpentry classes, along with community volunteers will be doing the basic construction. This will provide the Cheylin classes an excellent ‘hands-on’ learning experience, along with keeping the total cost of the project to a minimum.
Current plans show the building to be 40’ wide x 80’ long with 10’ ceilings, frame construction, cement siding and a metal roof. The location of the building will be on the open lot north of the elementary school.
Bird City Century II Development Foundation is granting $20,000 to help with the cost of the Cheylin Wellness Center. The Cheylin Recreation Commission and the Cheylin Schools (Capital Outlay – Building Fund) are both adding an additional $20,000 each. And recently, a grant was received on behalf of the Bacon Family Foundation for $20,000 to help fund this project.
The Cheylin Wellness Center will be designed so citizens of all ages will have access to the facility, and can benefit from the exercise equipment in a clean and friendly environment.
Anyone interested in volunteering to help with this project can contact Rod Klepper
at 734-2003. Monetary donations for this project are being accepted at Bird City Century II Development Foundation , PO Box 593, Bird City, KS 67731. Make checks payable to Cheylin Schools Foundation Fund (memo: Cheylin Wellness Center).
The mission of the KSBDC is to increase economic prosperity in Kansas by helping entrepreneurs and small business owners start and grow their businesses through professional consulting, training and resources.
The Fort Hays State University KSBDC is a REGIONAL resource and support center for the small business person. Any individual interested in starting a small business or existing small business firm may receive assistance from the KSBDC. There are no charges associated with one-on-one consulting.
The KSBDC Outreach Office in Bird City was opened in 2010, with their temporary location being in the upstairs office of Frontier Ag. In July 2011, the Outreach Office moved downtown to their permanent location at 313 South Bird, north portion of the old Security State Bank buildings. The Bird City Outreach Office oversees a 9 county region in Northwest Kansas.
Bird City’s KSBDC Consultant is Megan Horinek. Stop by the office or give her a call at 785-734-2592.
Bird City Century II Development Foundation is searching for a part-time (20-25 hrs/wk)
Program Officer for Community Development.
For a full job description, check out http://www.birdcity.com/foundation.html, review of applications
is ongoing until the position is filled.
Another Successful Event…
On Tuesday, March 15th, nine students from Cheylin schools participated in the Second Annual Cheylin Entrepreneurship Fair, hosted by Bird City Century II Development Foundation. The E-Fair is open to all Cheylin students in grades
7th-12th. This year we had a young group of participants, six 8th graders, two Freshmen and one Junior.
In weeks prior, the participants created their own business idea, gathered information pertinent to their business (product research, marketing ideas, feasibility, and so on), and wrote a business plan.
The morning of the E-Fair, participants had one hour to set-up their booths. At 8:30 am, the 3 judges went from booth to booth, judging the participants on their displays, their presentations as a whole and a short 5-8 minute personal interview. The students were judged on the following categories: Business Plan, Product Knowledge (Research & Development), Marketing Ideas, Product & Financial Feasibility, Commitment to Rural Economy/Lifestyle and Overall Impression of the Contestant/Product (Verbal Presentation).
The nine entries were:
Shawn Pochop – Porkchop Fencing
Mary Anne Orten – Mary Anne’s Green Thumb
Eddie Frisbie – Trapping Services
Shayla Hubbard – Shayla’s Kiddy Care
Wil Orten – Wilhelm’s Custom Reloads
Michael Barnett – Get Hooked Marketing
Jaime Davison – Jaime’s Grocery Express
Ty Carmichael – Ty’s NW Kansas Hunts
Cheyenne Hewitt – Hot Shot Photo Stop
Ben Blecha, an entrepreneur from Benkelman, NE, spoke to the audience about his motivation behind his entrepreneurial story. Ben was diagnosed with bone cancer at the age of 16, which led to the amputation of his right leg when he was in college. After finishing college and working for other employers, Ben decided to turn his career focus to something he could truly relate to, prosthetics. He received his training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Ben took a job in the Denver area before following his heart back to his hometown and starting his own business in Benkelman, “Sky Prosthetics”, where he makes the prosthetics, and his only need for travel is for the initial one-on-one consultations with his clients. Since then, he has opened an additional business, “Ace Ortho Solutions”, offering prosthetics and orthotics for animals. Ben’s personal experience and will to succeed, and his motivation for ‘small-town’ growth, are a few of his attributes that make him stand-out as an excellent role model for future entrepreneurs.
Following the speaker, three scholarship awards were given out on behalf of Bird City Century II Development Foundation totaling $1,000. This year’s winners were:
1st Place – Wil Orten ($500)
2nd Place – Mary Anne Orten ($300)
3rd Place – Ty Carmichael ($200)
All three winners have been accepted to participate in the Rawlins County REGIONAL Entrepreneurship Fair in Atwood on April 1st.
wKREDA (western Kansas Rural Economic Development Alliance) is a network of economic development professionals working together for the common good of Western Kansas.
The following is from the wKREDA brochure…
“As a Western Kansas alum, you know what Western Kansas offers. There’s space to breathe and freedom to thrive here. It’s a great place to grow up or raise a family, and be part of a neighborhood. Children receive personalized education, and we all find peace in those beautiful, clear star-filled skies.
What you may not know is that Western Kansas today is full of unique and plentiful job opportunities. In addition to the traditional industries, there are a host of new businesses that will surprise you. new technologies have transformed our possibilities.
Whether you’re looking for a professional position, entry-level job, or want to start your own company, Western Kansas is where life works.
Folks come home to Western Kansas for a variety of reasons; they want to raise their family in safe, affordable surroundings; need to be close to relatives; may be ready to retire, or perhaps they want to pursue a life-long dream.
There’s a lot to do, the cost of living is lower than other places, and the workplace needs you and appreciates you.”
In 2009, wKREDA put together a website designed to help both employers and those seeking employment in western Kansas. Learn about the opportunities and lifestyle Western Kansas has to offer. Check out their website at www.westernKSjobs.com for more information.
Employers…Take advantage of this advertising tool and post your openings on their website. No matter what level of position you have available, make it accessible to those who are seeking jobs. You just might find that ‘perfect’ applicant through this site.
Those Seeking Employment…Continue to check their website as new opportunities arise. As more and more employers find out about this ‘new’ website, the possibilities may become endless.
Cheylin Cougars selected for WKLL All-League…
VOLLEYBALL: Whitney Churchwell (Senior) and Stephanie Busse (Sophomore) were both selected for WKLL All-League Volleyball Team.
FOOTBALL: 10 players from Cheylin were selected to fill 16 positions for WKLL All-League Football, the most for any school in the League this year!
Caleb Keltz (Senior): Quarterback – Honorable Mention
Dalton Magnani (Junior): Running Back – 1st Team
Jared Cahoj (Senior): Running Back – Honorable Mention
Craig Busse (Senior): Offensive Guard – 1st Team
Adrian Garcia (Senior): Offensive Guard – 2nd Team
Mitchel Jensen (Senior): Center – Honorable Mention
Chris Walden (Senior): Receiver – 1st Team
Ethan Young (Junior): Receiver – 2nd Team
Dalton Magnani (Junior): Kicker – 2nd Team
Adrian Garcia (Senior): Defensive Line – 1st Team
Caleb Keltz (Senior): Defensive Line – 1st Team
Chris Walden (Senior): Defensive Line – 2nd Team
Ethan Young (Junior): Defensive Line – 2nd Team
Jared Cahoj (Senior): Defensive Back – 1st Team
Noah Jones (Junior): Defensive Back – Honorable Mention
Jeremiah White (Junior): Return Specialist – 2nd Team
CONGRATULATIONS to all of you!!!
For the past few months, many projects have been going on around the community to help ‘beautify’ Bird City.
Some of the projects include:
Securing lattice and painting the front of the old Theatre and adjoining building…
Scraping and re-painting the gazebo in front of the Bird City Century II office…
Painting the 2nd Beginnings building and pouring new concrete/steps in front of the building…
Tearing off the old shingles on Hometown Market and putting up new cedar shingles…
Landscaping / flower arrangements along Bird Avenue between 4th and 5th Streets…
Installing new steps in the Bird City swimming pool…
Construction on the kitchenette of the shelter house at Van Doren Park…
And many more yet to happen, including exterior painting on the City shop and exterior updates on City Hall. Watch as new photos and comments will be posted as more projects happen around the community!
Bird City Century II Development Foundation held a 2-day “Entrepreneurship Camp” for young kids in the community on June 22 & 23.
Sydney Busse, our summer intern, did a super job organizing it and working with the kids the past 2 days.
Besides playing a few games, the kids spent Tuesday taking a walking tour around the community seeing all of the changes that have taken place over the last 5 years; they brainstormed on ideas that they’d like to see in happen in our community; and they heard from Robert Brubaker, one of the original founders of Bird City Century II Development Foundation.
Wednesday, they heard from entrepreneur, Nick Ketzner, High Noon Feeds about how he started out with his business and where he is at today. They also heard from Craig & Stephanie Busse, and Joshua Keltz, who had entered and placed in the top 3 at the Cheylin Entrepreneurship Fair with their business entries.
The kids ended the camp by splitting into 2 groups, each group being responsible for starting their own lemonade/limeade ‘business’. It was suggested for the teams to divide out their roles/responsibilities, (sales, accountant, manager…etc). Each team was given $25 to start their business…in which they had to go purchase their supplies & product from ‘Hometown Market’, (cups, lemons, limes, sugar…posterboard, markers…).
Each team chose their own location to set-up their business, (one on the corner of Bird Avenue and 4th/Bressler…East of ‘Hometown Market’, the other across the street, South of ‘Hometown Market’). They came up with their own prices & marketing strategies. Other than a little supervision, the ‘businesses’ were run by the kids.
After about 2 hours, the ‘businesses’ were audited to compare their income to their expenses. Each ‘business’ had $25 in their cash box to “make change with”. :) Business #1 had brought in a little more than $20. Business #2 was a bit spend-happy…and ‘needed’ more product…they dipped into the $25 start-up cash which resulted in a loss of approximately $15. A great learning experience!! 
After a group discussion and talking with entrepreneur, Wade Carmichael, (co-owner of Monty’s Smoked Jerky), the 2 ‘businesses’ wanted to continue selling their lemonade/limeade, but chose to combine their ‘businesses’ into one, and sold for another 30 + minutes.
It was a fun, yet educational 2-day camp for the kids. This was the 2nd Annual “Entrepreneurship Camp”, however, last year it was only held for 1 day.
The following itinerary for Bird City’s 125th Celebration has been set,
(subject to change if needed)…
Friday, June 11th
Golf Tournament………………………………….TBA
Beer Garden (Big Ed’s)……………………………5:00 – 12:00 pm
Cajun Boil Fundraiser (Legion Hall)………….6:30 – 7:30 pm
Street Dance – ‘DJ Express’……………………..7:30 – 12:00pm
Saturday, June 12th (Downtown Bird City – Events starting in the morning)
Mini-Triathlon……………………………………..7:00 – 9:00 am
Crafters/Food Vendors………………………….9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Bed Races……………………………………………9:30 – 10:00 am
Antique Car Show…………………………………9:30 am – 1:00 pm
Sidewalk Art Contest……………………………..9:30 – 11:00 am
Grand Parade………………………………………10:30 – 11:30 am
Saturday Afternoon (Bird City Park)
Inflatable Playground Equipment……………1:00 – 7:00 pm
Rodeo Clown……………………………………….All Afternoon
Sand Volleyball Tournament………………….1:30 – 4:00 pm
Horseshoe Tournament…………………………1:30 – 4:00 pm
3 on 3 Basketball Tournament………………..1:30 – 4:00 pm
Kids Face Painting………………………………..1:30 – 4:00 pm
Blind Golf Cart Course…………………………..1:30 – 4:00 pm
Band – ‘Flatland Xpress’………………………….3:00 – 7:00 pm
Bull’s Eye Drop…………………………………….3:30 pm
Beard Judging……………………………………..4:00 pm
Rifle/Buckle Raffle……………………………….4:30 pm
Rifle/Buckle Auction…………………………….5:00 pm
*Free Barbecue……………………………………5:00 – 7:00 pm
Beer Garden………………………………………..5:00 – 12:00 pm
Dance – ‘Pieces of Eight’………………………….8:00 – 12:00 pm
Sunday, June 13th (Bird City Park)
Community Church Service…………………..10:30 – 11:30 am
Potluck Meal……………………………………….12:00 – 1:30 pm
*Reservations for the FREE BARBECUE would be greatly appreciated by June 5th! Contact mdowdy@bcks.net or call 785-734-2383 for reservations.
For information on any of the events, please contact Wanda Dowdy at 785-734-2383 or Ken Krien at 785-734-7015.
Additional information about the Celebration along with downloadable forms can be found at http://www.birdcity.com/news.html.
