The Flints Hills Rodeo — one of the longest-running professional rodeos in the world — kicks off its 79th year Thursday in Strong City . The rodeo lasts three days and will wrap up Saturday night .

FILE PHOTO

By Frank J . Buchman

Special to The Gazette

Bright lights will again be shining at the oldest consecutive rodeo in Kansas .

Likewise , this is one of the longest-running professional rodeos in the world , and , as importantly , has the most unique heritage in the sport of rodeo .

“ Continuing the tradition of rodeo at its best , the 79th Annual Flint Hills Rodeo is set for 8 p . m . Thursday , Friday and Saturday in the historic arena at the north edge of Strong City , Kansas ,” announced Buck Bailey , Chase County rancher and president of the Flint Hills Rodeo Association .

The richest rodeo legacy surrounding the Flint Hills Rodeo was started 79 years ago by E . C . Roberts at his home west of Strong City .

It was 1937 , when Roberts , his sons and daughter decided to have a rodeo following their love for riding wild horses .

Neighbors from nearby and even further distance came , and

it was such a success , the rodeo turned into an annual affair and training ground for what would be the famous Roberts Rodeo Family .

Ken and Gerald Roberts were multiple-times world champions in bull riding and bronc riding — as well as collecting all-around championships — while daughter Marjorie was a champion cowgirl bronc rider , known for her trick riding ability as well .

When the senior Roberts moved to a home at the north edge of Strong City , he built an arena right out in his front yard , and the rodeo continues there today .

While the list of attractions for this year ’ s rodeo , sanctioned again by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association is most extensive , a “ special noteworthiness is the return of Cervi Brothers Rodeo Company , Padroni , Colorado , to supply the livestock for this year ’ s rodeo ,” Bailey said .

“ With more than 800 head of bucking stock , the rodeo company can produce an exciting ro-

Please see Rodeo , Page 5

By John Robinson john @ emporia . com

John Koelsch wears many hats for Lyon County .

In addition to being undersheriff at the Lyon County Sheriff ’ s Office , Koelsch is also chair of the MUPP Board and has taught the police patrol bicycle training course for 22 years .

With the Dirty Kanza 200 just a few days away , Koelsch discussed some things to keep in mind before going for a bike ride .

Get the gear

“ First of all wear a helmet , always — even for a short ride — the most common injury is from falls ,” Koelsch said . “ No matter what level of cyclist you are — a small kid or an adult — falls are still the most common type of injury .”

According to Koelsch , a properly fitted helmet needs to be secure and should have about a finger ’ s distance between the chinstrap and the bottom of the chin .

“ The one thing you don ’ t want to do with a child is pinch them right off the bat ,” he said . “ So what

Please see Bicycle , Page 5

HELMET : Properly secure and able to fit a finger between the strap and the bottom of the chin . On adults , have the straps form a “ Y shape ” just below the ear lobe .

REFLECTIVE COLORS : Wear something bright and that will be visible at night . Bright green or yellow are good colors . The darker the color , the more it appears black in reduced lighting .

RESPECT THE WHEELS : Whether four wheels or two , motorized or not , be aware of the road and the other people who are using it .

REFLECTORS AND FLASHLIGHTS : Put a reflector on the rear of the bicycle and a flashlight on the front of the bicycle . Reflectors are also available for the sides of bicycles .

JOHN ROBINSON / GAZETTE

Taylor Rains , an employee of High Gear Cyclery , demonstrates some of the proper safety measures to take when riding a bicycle .

By Jessie Wagoner jessie @ emporia . com

CrossWinds Counseling and Wellness is the first mental health center in the state to offer consumers neurofeedback . Neurofeedback is using brainwave training to teach the brain to work at its fullest capacity and switch gears as needed for the task at hand .

Shari Sippola is one of two trained neurofeedback practitioners at CrossWinds . Sippola has been trained in neurofeedback for many years and is excited to see CrossWinds offering the service to consumers .

“ I have been trained in neurofeedback for 10 to 15 years ,” Sippola said . “ I started out with kids with ADHD in my private practice . But it also helps with so many other things .”

Sippola said most people will benefit from neurofeedback depending on their goals . She has seen good results in treating ADD / ADHD , anxiety and headaches . Some of the most common uses for neurofeedback are : ✦✦Depression ✦✦Insomnia

Please see CrossWinds , Page 5

By Mary Ann Redeker maryann @ emporia . com

The second annual Art in the Garden of Red Rocks will take place Saturday and Sunday .

The William Allen White Community Partnership is still seeking artists so it ’ s not too late to sign up or stop by the show to see , experience and buy some great works of art .

The event takes place from 10 a . m . to 5 p . m . each day , at Red Rocks State Historical Site , 927 Exchange St ., and coincides with Emporia ’ s internationally-known Dirty Kanza 200 bicycle race .

“ We are still taking artists and will be even taking walkins ,” partnership member Roger Heineken said . “ Riders , support teams and spectators from all

Artists & Writers exhibiting at Red Rocks

10 A . M . - 4 P . M ., SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

✦✦Matthew Thierer , Rochester , NY ; Jewelry and Hand Engraving ✦✦Miguel Alaniz , Emporia ; Ceramics and Glass ✦✦Kate Rhoads , Emporia ; Acrylic on

Canvas Paintings ✦✦Don Meyer , Emporia ; Oil and

Acrylic Paintings , Prints ✦✦Karen Weatherholt , Admire ;

Mixed Media

over the U . S . and several foreign countries will converge on Emporia and the Flint Hills to savor our unique part of America . All our area artists contribute to the regional flavor of what we are and what returning participants like about us .”

An enclosed garden , covered porch , deck and visitor ’ s center add to the atmosphere of the

✦✦John King , Emporia ; Acrylic on Canvas Paintings

✦✦Beth Thomas , Emporia ; Sculpture , Mixed Media

✦✦Lynda & Charles Schreck , Emporia ; Engraving

✦✦Emporia Authors ; Books by local writers ✦✦Jerilynn Henrikson , Emporia ; Books

space , which is the historic home of Pulitzer Prize winner and newspaperman William Allen White .

“ The DK has a flurry of activity and events with different times throughout the day ,” Heineken said . “ There is a lot of down time with the DK even though there is a lot going on downtown . People

VOL . 124 , NO . 285

Please see Arts , Page 5

COURTESY PHOTO

Beth Thomas of Emporia created the Gypsy Wagon as a conversation piece . The wagon will be on display this Saturday and Sunday at the Art in the Garden Show and Sale at Red Rocks .