Floral Drought Busters

Hot Kansas Summers - though we haven't seen that yet this year - does not mean the end to colorful flowers. Here are a few drought resistent plants to talk to your nursery about: 1) Agastache or licorice mint - attracts hummingbirds and buterflies 2) Artemisia - Noted for their aromatic and silvery gray or white foliage 3) coreopsis - shades of yellow, red and orange - this will bloor thru autumn and is one of my personal favorites 4) germander - great for edging, low clipped hedge or small groundcover 5) goldenrod - tough plants with yellow blooms which thrive in less than ideal soil 6) lady banks' rose - climbs to 20 feet with yellow and white flowers 7) lavendar - highly aromatic great for herb gardens 8) purple coneflower - despite its names comes in many shades attracting many species of birds 9) rudbeckia or coneflower or black-eyed susan - showy until frost 10) salvia - low maintenance with much appeal 11) sedum - one of my mothers favorites - wide range of colors and shapes with long blooms great for borders 12) yarrow - a daisy family member with cluters of tiny flowers from gold to bronze. (Excerpt from Kansas Country Living April 2008)

KAR Mid-Year Meetings

The Week of June 11th, 2008 led us to the Great Wolf Lodge for a Family Friendly couple of days for education, Federal and State updates and regulations and networking. We were updated on contract changes, disaster relief programs, new company software and management opportunities and progress on the years legislative agendas on the table. The FOX TEAM strives to be involved in the Industry so we can be the best at what we do. Because you - our client - deserve it! The meetings hit at the same period as several Kansas tornados struck our hometowns of Chapman, Manhattan and Soldier. Our hearts immediately went out to the families affected - as the Soldier tornado happened in our back yard as well as affected MANY agents and their families and local hometowns. Upon our return I was contacted by several different boards regarding Realtors wanting to donate funds to the victims in NE Kansas. I was able to get a Fund started at Farmers State Bank, thanks to Judy May and with the support of the local Emergency Managemant Director - Pat Korte. This acts now as a central location for tax deductible funds for the Soldier tornado victims or for the Red Cross donations to filter thru. Beyond damaged homes- fences, crop and pasture grounds and farming supplies were also destroyed.

Kansas Tornados - Tornado Safety in your Home

(Pulled from the Northeast Corner Regionalization Initiative - the Pocket Guide to Emergency Preparedness) Before the storm: Develop a plan for you and your family for home, work, school and when outdoors. Have frequent drills, know the county in which you live and keep a highway map nearby to follow storm movement from weather bulletins. Have a NOAA Weather Radio with a warning alarm tone and battery back-up to receive warnings. Listen to radio and TV for information If planning a trip outdoors, listen to the latest forecasts and take necessary action if threatening weather is possible. IF A WARNING IS ISSUED: In a home or building, move to a pre-designated shelter, such as a basement. If an underground shelter is not available, move to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor and get under a sturdy piece of furniture. Stay away from windows. Get out of automobiles. Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car; instead, leave it immediately. If caught outside or in a vehicle, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression. Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes and should be abandoned. ALWAYS have an emergency kit available. An easy to carry container like a backpack or duffle bag, with adequate emergency supplies in a convenient location. It's a good idea to keep some cash in your emergency kit. Also, be sure that everyone in the family has a list of impt phone numbers and that you've decided on two alternative places to meet in case you become separated. You can also hop online to www.redcross.org to see their suggestions for an emergency kit.

Tornado Victims Fund

A fund has now been established at Farmers State Bank to meet general needs of recent local Tornado victims. This fund has been approved and coordinated by Pat Korte of the Jackson County KS Emergency Management Office. You can use this fund as a general tax-deductible donation to these victims or you may state any specific needs you wish to meet with your donations - Some examples of calls received by those in need or those wanting to donate include: fencing supplies (miles of fence line have been destroyed for our local farmers), Red Cross assistance, household items, etc. For Donations Contact: Judy May Attn: Soldier Relief Fund Farmers State Bank 209 Montana Holton Kansas 785.364.4691 jmay@jbntelco.net You may also contact Pat Korte at 364.2811 with any questions regarding assistance needs. Thank you for your support!

New Weekly Fox Team Listings

Price Reduction 18465 W Road - Denison - $199,000 - 30 acres with berm home - 3BR, 2 BA, 2 car gar, hot tub hook-up, outbuilding, some pastureland, some crop ground - Fast Close date available. Call today for showing 305.1636 NEW LISTING 322 New Jersey - Holton $77,000 - Newly refurbished brick home - hardwood floors, new heat and air system, new roof, updated bathrooms, sheetrock replacing much of the plaster walls, newer foundation, picket fenced in yard - adorable. History abounds in this home! 4BR, 1 BA, 1 Car Garage

Mosquitos

I have not yet tried this personally - but would think it beats any aerisol can spray...Try it and let the Fox Team know how it works..."I was at a deck party awhile back, and the bugs were having a ball biting everyone. A man at the party sprayed the lawn and deck floor with Listerine, and the little demons disappeared. The next year I filled a 4-ounce spray bottle and used it around my seat whenever I saw mosquitoes. And voila! That worked as well. It worked at a picnic where we sprayed the area around the food table, the children's swing area, and the standing water nearby. During the summer, I don't leave home without it