The following is the second excerpt from a memoir by Norma Lee (Lowe) Bird about Lowe's Grocery & Mercantile in Hepler beginning in 1946. It continues her look at small town life centered around a small grocery store and other businesses. Poignant scenes that were duplicated all through rural Kansas. Last week I mistakenly wrote that Norma Lee now lives in Oswego. It’s Ottawa. — J.T.K. more

Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives more

Guests can once again go around the world in a few hours when the International Student Association at Pittsburg State University hosts the annual International Food and Culture Fair from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 4.   more

The following is the first excerpt from a memoir by Norma Lee (Lowe) Bird about Lowe's Grocery & Mercantile in Hepler in 1946. It’s a classic look at small town life centered around a grocery store (and pool hall) that was duplicated all through rural Kansas. Norma Lee now lives in Oswego. — J.T.K.  more

Friday, February 16   Dinner at the Arma American Legion   The Arma American Legion, located at 512 E. Main, is open Friday nights serving good food and drinks. The kitchen opens … more

We’re six weeks into 2023 and the list of books I want to read grows longer with each shipment that arrives at the library. Here’s a partial listing of new titles available so you can see what you want to read next. Come on in and pick out your new favorite.   more

An exhibit titled “Real Abstraction” by artist Nick Gadbois will open at the Harry Krug Gallery in Porter Hall, home to the Pittsburg State University Department of Art, on Feb. 15.   more

Last week’s excerpt from Frank Jeler Jr.’s memoir described trapping muskrat hereabouts in 1951 –’52. This week he continues his description of the art of trapping near Arma — sharing the benefits (and dangers) of trapping beaver. — J.T.K.  more

When it comes to flavor, say yes to bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts. Chicken breasts often get a bad rap for their dryness and lack of flavor. Leaving the bones and skin on the breast helps to solve this problem. more

Last week I observed children picking out boxes of Valentines to exchange with their schoolmates and it took me back to grade school. Remember the excitement of those days before Feb. 14 — decorating your “mailbox” at school that sat on your desk, just waiting to be filled with a flurry of small white envelopes? more

Isn’t it interesting how a single event can “trigger” your memory? That happened to me this past week when I learned that there was to be an auction at the Gay Parita in Carona, Kansas, last Sunday.  more

I probably shouldn’t admit this in print, especially knowing the director will read it, but there are days I feel like I could do my job in my sleep. more

Special Olympics of Kansas (SOKS) will be hosting its Southeast Kansas Regional Basketball Competition next Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 7 and 8, at the Weede Gymnasium on the Pittsburg State University Campus. more

When the weather is gray and cold, it's time to pull out the big bowls. Winter soups and stews are hefty and can lean rich, meant to encourage slurping with big spoons and passing napkins to catch … more

It's a slow-cooking time of year, which calls for a meal like this: an aromatic pot of braised short ribs, blanketed in a richly fortified sauce, exuding warmth and comfort. more

The bleaker the weather, the brighter the food, I say. It's the new year, and January can be a cold, wet and dark second act following the holiday festivities. A perfect antidote is to create light and vibrant food to ward off the seasonal blues and balance out any celebratory excesses.  more

Pittsburg State University is inviting the public to attend a free event in February celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Eva Jessye, a Southeast Kansas native and Artist in Residence at PSU from 1978 to 1981.  more

Party food can be healthy, too. In fact, during the festive season, it's important to have a few recipes up our sleeves that are fancy enough to be invited to a holiday party while balancing the season's excess. more

Everybody enjoys baking and decorating cookies for the Christmas season. For many households it is a family tradition that will hopefully be passed down to future generations, as these traditions become memories that will last a lifetime.   more

Do you need a holiday timeout? When we are in the eye of the storm, aka the lull between Thanksgiving and December celebrations, it helps to step off the conveyor belt of planning, cooking, baking and entertaining. more