Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters serving Geary County will host a Duck Derby fundraiser in conjunction with the Geary County Convention and Visitors Bureau Float Your Boat cardboard boat races.

After the second division of the boat races, Big Brothers Big Sisters will launch 1,000 rubber ducks to race to the finish line. The adopters of the first three lucky ducks to cross the finish line will receive cash prizes. Ducks are being sold for $5 each and can be purchased online at https://www.kansasbigs.org/geary-duck-derby or in person at local businesses including Coach’s Grill and Bar, Froyo Junction, GEM Studios, Junction City Bowl, KJCK Radio, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Millennium Bank.

This fall Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters serving Geary County will partner with Junction City Bowl to host a Bowl for Kids Sake party. On Saturday, October 20, the public is invited to join KSBBBS at the bowling alley from 7-10 p.m. For $10 community members can enjoy three hours of unlimited bowling. All ticket proceeds will support the Geary County KSBBBS program.

The second night of the Junction City Rodeo Saturday night produced the choice of the Rodeo Queen Junction City 2018, good bareback riding, mild weather and a big audience at the fairgrounds arena.

Daryl Blocker, Junction City Rodeo Association President, said it was a successful year for the rodeo. “Well the weather finally cooperated with us. it’s rained down here a couple of  times but it rained during the day where we didn’t have to worry about it. Arena has been dry enough, good, anyway.”

Cowboys and cowgirls competed in events ranging from bull riding to team roping during the rodeo, which was held for the 25th consecutive year in Junction City.

Zoe Bean, 20,  was named the Rodeo Queen. “This is something I’ve worked on for a long time. I’v been queening

since 2015. it feels really rewarding to finally get a title. ” She had to compete in a number of different categories to become the queen. “We had to do horsemanship where we did a reining pattern. And then we had to do a queen’s run and a flag run. And then we did our speech which was over the topic of “What Old Glory Means to You.” The five contestants also had to do modeling and do a personal interview with the judges.

Bean is currently attending Kansas State University where she is a junior studying animal science and industry with a production management option. She is also working toward getting an equine certificate and is a member of the Kansas State University Marching Band. Bean is originally from the Wichita area.

The Geary County 4-H Public Revue was held this past week in Junction City. We have listed the grand champion  winners in the different categories of the public revue.

Clothing Construction, Junior Division Grand Champion Eliot Oentrich ( blue romper ), Intermediate Division Grand Champion Paige Roeser ( green jacket ), Senior Division Grand Champion Lindsey Ascher ( blue tunic top ).

Constructed Fashion Review, Junior Division Grand Champion Eliot Oentrich ( blue romper ), Intermediate Division Grand Champion Paige Roeser ( safari jacket & dress ), Senior Division Grand Champion Lindsey Ascher ( blue tunic & white leggings ).

Boy’s Buymanship, Junior Division Grand Champion Grady Oentrich ( shorts outfit ), Intermediate Division Grand Champion Elijah Schmidt ( shorts outfit ), and Senior Division Grand Champion Mason Muto ( western outfit ).

Girl’s Buymanship, Junior Division Grand Champion Olivia Harold ( pink dress ), Intermediate Division Grand Champion Macie Muto ( maxi romper ), and Senior Division Grand Champion Aleeya Williams ( navy floral dress ).

The 4-H Public Revue was held at the Geary County 4-H Center.

There will be an open house at the Immanuel Lutheran Early Childhood Center preschool and day care on Saturday, August 18th from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

There will be face painting, games, hot dogs and chips, lemonade, popcorn, a petting zoo, prizes and an inflatables bounce house.

The Immanual Lutheran Early Childhood Center is located at 630 South Eisenhower in Junction City.

Rebecca Nordyke, Geary County Clerk, has announced hours for in person advance voting ahead of the August 7th primary election.

They are 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday, July 23rd through Friday, July 27th, Monday July 30th through Friday August 3rd, 8:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m., Saturday August 4th from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and Monday August 6th from 8:30 a.m. until noon.

Bring a photo Identification if you plan to participate in the in person advance voting. The county clerk’s office is located at 200 East 8th Street.

A voter may also request that a ballot be mailed to them by completing an application and returning it to the Election Office by Tuesday July 31st.

The deadline for receipt of advance ballots, postmarked on or before Election Day, is Friday August 10th.

The Junction City Little Theater will host auditions for “A Christmas Carol” on July 28, 29, 30 at 6 p.m. at the C.L. Hoover Opera House.

This includes a casting call for all ages. Music and readings will be provided, and there is no need to have anything prepared. You only need to attend one night of auditions. Rehearsals begin in mid-October.

Show performance dates are November 29, 30 and December 1, 2.

The American Red Cross blood drive in Junction City wrapped up on Friday at the Municipal Building.

On Friday there were 42 donors, two above the goal of 40 for the day. The Thursday donation total of 56 units also exceeded the goal for that day by two units.  For the two-day period 98 units of blood were received.