One of my most favorite things about weekends when I was younger were the long, rambling country drives my dad would take us on. Most of the time we would wind up lost (or in a parade...), or in my father's words- taking the 'scenic route.' But we always learned something on these excursions.

After the overwhelming response to the inaugural Saturday in the Park series of races organized by IHS' Tammy Roth, a second day of fun has been planned for Saturday, May 4. This year, there will be a one-mile fun run, a 5k, a 5k relay for teams of two to three people and a new event for the younger set — the Toddler-Trot, geared toward kiddos five and under.

State Senator Virgil Peck has announced that he will seek a second term to the Kansas Senate. Peck, a Republican from Havana, says there are still issues he wants to work on for the good of Kansas citizens. “The primary issues in need of attention are in the realm of tax policy – Kansas taxes are still too high – and protecting Kansans from an increasingly expensive and intruding state government,” Peck said. “Additionally, I regularly hear from Southeast Kansas voters who want legislators to take a stand and protect the conservative family values that have made the United States the greatest nation in history. I never hesitate to take that stand.”

Dana Eastes grew up in the days when mom sent you outside to play in the morning and after lunch, then you listened for dad’s whistle to call you in for dinner. “We lived on the edge of town, close to fields, pastures and ponds which provided endless adventures,” says Eastes, whose artwork will on display at the Stone House Gallery, located at 320 North 7th Street in Fredonia, starting May 1.