What a Saturday! A brand new event in Hamilton County was created to Grow A Reader and many families turned out at the Barney Akers gymnasium to partake in the event. In fact, 52 families, came with a total of 153 in attendance.
The coalition which put this event together consists of Amy Brucker, Dallie Vernon, Corinna Hines, Erica Rodriguez, Heather Durler, Faith Barnes, Dana Gould, Liz Plunkett, and Jeanie Miller. These ladies put together a fun filled literacy event to encourage families to read more.
Library Director Amy Brucker said, “The “Grow a Reader” early literacy initiative was created by the Early Childhood Coalition for Hamilton County. It grew from grant funds available to our county through the Kansas Masonic Literacy Center (KMLC) at Emporia State University. The grant is also covering the first couple years of Dolly Parton Imagination Library.”
Brucker added, “One of our biggest surprises was the interest in our Digital Literacy Tools. Community members were excited to find out about online picture books and read-alongs for their kids. We are now planning training sessions for the community on these free resources.”
USD 494 offered free hot dogs and hamburgers on their new grill. If you missed the event, the gym was set up in stations.
The Kansas Highway Patrol brought their SWAT vehicle to let kids get an inside look. Trooper Calderon explained that this vehicle travels to Topeka, Salina and more.
Erica Rodriguez welcomed you with a smile when you walked into the gym.
Corinna Hines enthusiastically commented, “The Early Child Coalition team has been working hard to bring more awareness to our families and community about how important early learning is for our children! We learn the most we will ever learn and our brains have tremendous growth in the birth-5 year time period; thats what makes these years so critical! It literally sets children up for success later in in life!”
She added, “Hamilton County is blessed to have so many, many resources to support our children! We had a great attendance for the first year and I am hopeful parents came away with more knowledge about their child and how they can learn and resources available to support their learning…plus this kids had an AWESOME time!” Corinna Hines
Heather Durler added, “I enjoy working with children and their families, so watching the parent/child interactions was one of the highlights of the event. I’m very happy with how everything went, and am already thinking about what book theme we will use next year.“
Brucker surmised, “It was great to see the positive response from the literacy fair. . One of our biggest surprises was the interest in our Digital Literacy Tools. Community members were excited to find out about online picture books and read-alongs for their kids. We are now planning training sessions for the community on these free resources.”
Jeanie Miller of Little Learners preschool said, “I was so excited, to see all of those sweet faces, and their excitement! I’m ready to see what we come up with next year. Parents reading to their children is so important! I had as much fun as the children !”
Lora Horton, K-State Research and Extension Agent “I want to thank the organizers for this family-oriented event. Helping parents to improve family well-being through increasing their knowledge for ways for children to learn at home and what resources are locally available, is instrumental in empowering parents to be engaged parents. All that and it was also very FUN.”
The coalition is looking at future events. In the meantime, the community can check out thier Facebook Page, “Grow a Reader.” The team will be posting activities, tips, and resources for children birth to 5.
The Literacy Fair Participants were Grow A Reader Welcome Table - Erica Rodriguez, Hamilton County Family Practice - Brandee English, PA-C, Hamilton County Food Pantry - Ra Vernon, Griselda Sigala, Vicky Pinto, Hamilton County Library - Amy Brucker, Paola Varela, K-State Research and Extension - Lora Horton, Aly Corter, Julie Cruz, Lil Farmers Preschool - Dana Gould, Miriam Mejia, Little Learners Preschool - Jeanie Miller, Rebecca Gonzales, Parents as Teachers - Dallie Vernon, Russell Child Development Center - Corinna Hines, Kansas State Trooper Anthony Calderon, Syracuse Learn & Play - Dana Gould, Corinna Hines, Syracuse Elementary Early Childhood - Heather Durler, Faith Barnes, Syracuse Elementary Kindergarten Enrollment - Liz Plunkett, Barb Zuzelski, Mecia Luebbers, Barb Summers, Gaby Ramirez, Victoria Gonzalez
Additional Partners were Garden City Vision Source, Hamilton County Sherriff’s Office, Lewis Dental Office and the Syracuse High School FFA
In the last year with food prices and inflation rising, food pantries are being strained more and more. According to Lora Horton, the need outweighs the product. "Right now we are okay but we could always use more. With COVID money, we received monthly boxes of commodities.... [More]
The annual two day Syracuse Youth Athletics Association basketball tournament was held last weekend, and it was great for the community businesses. Black Bison Pub owner Janet Thomeczek said, "It did so much for our business. We haven't had a weekend like that since Christmas!"... [More]
Retired Kansas State football coach Bill Snyder was honored at a luncheon on March 14 at the Kansas Wheat Alliance (KWA) headquarters, Manhattan. While one would think the talk might have been about football, Coach Snyder was responding to the honor of the naming of a hard... [More]
The Future Farmers of America (FFA) Creed begins, "I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds." Our local FFA chapter is putting that into practice with building, giving, learning, and partnering with the community. The Local FFA... [More]
McVey added, “Western Kansas is fortunate to have a nurse as intelligent, dedicated, and kind as Patty King, I sincerely hope Patty makes 2000 more flights, she is truly one-of-a-kind.” As adults, we ask young children what they want to be when they grow up,... [More]
The call came across the radios of a fire in northwest Hamilton County, near County Road L and 7. Fire trucks raced through town, sirens blaring. Farmers loaded up water trailers, tractors, disks, and a community banded together to help save Daryle Lewis home as well as keep... [More]
“Being back in a small town is the single most enjoyable thing so far. The city it not as much fun as what it’s made out to be, at least once you have kids!" Thomas Eddy DPM, son of Kent and Melanie Eddy, has returned to western Kansas, living in... [More]
Scot Schwieterman, a local hay and forage producer was named the Young Farmer and Rancher of the Year at the Kansas Farm Bureau YF&R Leadership Conference in Manhattan February 2-4. The conference is designed to provide educational and networking opportunities for young... [More]
I am writing this as the western Kansas winds blow and gust. The trees shake. I hear the howling which makes it sound colder than it is. I am about to leave for a couple days to a publishing conference in Colorado Springs. I am leaving my family midweek to figure it all out... [More]
Happy Thursday! Looks like temperatures will be in the upper eighties and sunny this weekend. Exciting for many who want to get out and enjoy the weekend, less exciting when you are looking for rain in the forecast. Interesting isn't it how we view our circumstances? Something... [More]
It's April. April showers bring May flowers. Showers are forecasted later this week. Nice gentle rains are always welcome here. I had a phone call with a woman who ended the conversation saying, "I appreciate your candor." I had to laugh. I am not the best at many... [More]
I was struggling this past week as I remembered my parents anniversary, however short was March 31. And I remembered how they couldn't communicate or get through the hard times. As I was growing up I often heard my father say, "Everyone you meet turns to %$^#." I will let... [More]
It's spring! Our lambs are in the barn, there is more daylight, and we are in the last nine weeks of the school year. I am my usual self - exhausted, excited, and overwhelmed with things that need done. At one of the community meetings I attend, someone mentioned... [More]
On Tuesday morning I packed up my daughter and we headed east for Kansas City. The trip with stops took about seven hours. I managed to find and get behind every semi on two lane roads. The interstate got busier as we moved east. I was nervous because I haven’t... [More]
She was unstoppable not because she did not have failures but because she continued on despite them - Beau Taplin My daughter asked me about the word criticism. We discussed it. I mentioned how growing up I quit at the first sign of discomfort. I quit at the first piece... [More]
Here we are at the end of February. What are you going with your bonus day? The weather in western Kansas has been wild. 78, 17, 65, and blowing, then snow. When I spent a couple of years traveling the country, I enjoyed the different climates. Eventually I tired... [More]
State golf on Monday had the Varsity Bulldogs miss playing in the finals as a team by one stroke. They finished seventh out of twelve teams. On Day 1, Brody Keller shot a 92 missing day two by two strokes. Ian Brummett shot a 95, Mason Scott and Johnny TeVelde shot... [More]
Junior High Boys Basketball A, B, and C teams travelled to Elkhart on Monday, November 21. The A team won 41-34, B team won 26-21, and C team lost to Elkhart 13-20. Head Coach Vance Keller said, “Elkhart was a tough win for both the A and B teams but both grinded... [More]
The Lady Bulldogs were undefeated during the Border Wars, defeating Eads on Friday, 42-7 and Walsh on Saturday 62-5, bringing their record to 3-1. But the winner wasn’t announced until Tuesday evening. Syracuse Athletic Director Josh Johnson explained, “It came down... [More]
Monday night at home at the Herndon Gym, the Junior High boys swept Lakin! Head coach Vance Keller said, “We’re a young team with only six eighth graders and 12 seventh graders. We’ve had six total that started the season with injuries so we haven’t had... [More]
Three Syracuse High School volleyball seniors were honored on Tuesday, October 5, during the volleyball tournament at Syracuse. Kaetlin Thomeczek, daughter of Joe and Dami Thomeczek has played volleyball since the third grade, playing with Syracuse Youth Activities Association... [More]
Head coach Steve Navarro said, “The coaching staff has really enjoyed working with this group of kids this year. They have been putting in hard work despite some less than stellar conditions for practice and meets. We are excited to see what they can do now that we are... [More]
Baseball: The Bulldogs faced the Goodland Cowboys at home on Thursday, April 8, losing game one, 2-22 and game two, 1-17. Head Coach Dustin Doze said the Bulldogs really struggled throwing strikes again and they had too many errors. We need to clean things up if we want to... [More]
One year ago, athletes and coaches were beginning practice for their spring sport, some practicing during spring break, others enjoying the break from school. Soon they found out their break was extended a week, some with great joy, others with apprehension. Then came the unfortunate... [More]
Graveside services for Ed Crum will be held at the Holly Cemetery in Holly, Colorado at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 13, 2024. Per Ed's request there will be no visitation. Edward Dean Crum was born on July 31, 1949 in Lamar, Colorado to Clifford and Lucille (Frazer) Crum.... [More]
Jimmy Ray Dowell, 73, passed away peacefully on April 5th, 2024 at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka Kansas with his family by his side. Jim was Born on September 2nd 1950 to Charlie and Gaylene (Schockey) Dowell of Syracuse Kansas. He married Loveta (Lindsey) on August 13, 1972... [More]
Graveside services for Holly, Colorado resident, Bob Crum will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, March 28, 2024 at the Holly Cemetery with Military Committal Rites provided by Holly VFW Post #4281. Per Bob’s request, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation.... [More]
Erma Baker Westblade, 95, of Salina, KS, passed away Friday, March 22, 2024, at Pinnacle Park Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. She was born January 26, 1929, in McClure, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late Charles K. Baker and Lillie (Lepley) Baker. On August 14, 1965, she... [More]
Funeral Services for Holly, Colorado resident, Diane Bever will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in Holly, Colorado with Pastor Ian Blacker officiating. Interment will follow in the Holly Cemetery. Visitation for Diane... [More]
Richard S. Everett, age 80, died Sunday, March 17, 2024, at his home in Johnson, Kansas. He was born on February 15, 1944, in Dalhart, Texas, the son of Gerald Thomas and Elizabeth (Rawlins) Everett. Richard grew up in Clayton, New Mexico, where he graduated from high school.... [More]
Shaun Patrick Frieary passed away on March 15, 2024 surrounded by his family. He is survived by his mother Betty Pryschlak, his step-father Stephen, his brother George Frieary, and his daughter Hailey. A family memorial service will be held in New York state. Shaun was... [More]
Harold was born to Hazel and Harold Grinstead in Ordway, Colorado in the local hotel. He grew up in the southwest Kansas area, graduating from Coolidge High School before attending Lamar Junior College. He helped start the rodeo team and host the first college rodeo while at... [More]
©2024 The Syracuse Journal. Powered by Pluto Sites.