Peabody farmer taps digital media to grow awareness

Written by Aleen Ratzlaff Tuesday, 11 June 2013 12:14

Derek Klingenberg stands in front of the video green screen he mounted on the interior wall of a Morton building that also houses machinery and the farm office. One of his videos, “Ranching Awesome,” has nearly 250,000 hits on YouTube. Today’s technology has changed the way 21st century farmers and ranchers stay informed and manage their operations.

“Anybody my age and younger probably doesn’t read newspapers or watch the news,” said Derek Klingen­berg, 34, of rural Peabody. “I get it all on Twitter.”

Klingenberg tweets about the family business, Klingen­berg Farms Inc., which also includes father Vernon and brothers Grant and Brett, who pastors a small Mennonite church in Beatrice, Neb.

Klingenberg also maintains an online presence with a farm blog as well as Facebook and YouTube homepages where he makes frequent photo and video posts.

The family homestead was first established by grandfather Willie Klingenberg, an immigrant from West Prussia, in...

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Getting their Nichols worth

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 11 June 2013 12:09

Country singer Joe Nichols sidles up to adoring fans during his Friday night concert. Planners said the concert drew a “good-sized crowd.” Saturday night’s concert featuring the rock group FireHouse was doused by an evening storm. Chingawassa Days had some special moments this past weekend, ranging from an engagement announcement to making one young girl’s dream come true.

Weather also played a big part Saturday night when the rock band FireHouse cancelled its performance.

Chingawassa Chairman Mike Powers talked about the festival and how decisions were made, including Saturday’s entertainment.

“If we could have had the band sit tight,” he said, “I think we could have had the concert start at 10 p.m. or so.”

Although Powers said the committee thought the rain was going to stop, they didn’t know for sure.

The committee didn’t blame the band.

 





“We didn’t know how much time it would take to get the stage safe because it had...

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Chingawassa planners looking for 'best year ever'

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 04 June 2013 17:12

Joe Nichols, performing Friday The 17th annual Chinga­wassa Days is featuring popular country music artist Joe Nichols Friday, June 7, and a hard-rock band, FireHouse, Saturday in Marion’s Central Park.

In addition to top-rated entertainment both nights, several activities, games and events are scheduled all day Saturday, according to Mike Powers, Chingawassa Days committee chair.

“This year may be our best year ever (for entertainment),” he said. “By far the most current act we have ever had will be Friday with Joe Nichols. All of (Nichols’) hits have been in this decade.”

In addition to appearing in Marion, Nichols will also be opening for Tim McGraw next month at Kansas Star Casino in Wichita.

Powers predicted that Fire­House will appeal to a...

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Long-awaited medal comes home

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 04 June 2013 17:06

Patty Decker / Free Press<p>Father Emil Kapaun’s nephew, Ray Kapaun, views the Congressional Medal of Honor before leaving it with the people of Pilsen Sunday. The medal was given to the Kapaun family by President Barack Obama April 11 in Washington, D.C. An overflow crowd of people attended Father Kapaun Day Mass Sunday at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Pilsen and to witness the arrival of his Congressional Medal of Honor.

Kapaun’s nephew, Ray, made the trip from Wichita to Pilsen to deliver the medal, which was given to the family by President Barack Obama in a ceremony April 11 at the White House.

“My dad always wanted to have the medal to bring here,” Ray said. “This is where the medal belongs.”

It was something agreed to by the entire Kapaun family.

Sharing a story about his grandmother, Ray talked about how once or twice a month his family would visit her in Pilsen. His grandfather died when he was young.

Ray said they would come into town and his...

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