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Find Your Peace

Rain has fallen in Hamilton County. Always a blessing!!
  We have five weeks till our county fair starts.  In ten days half the year will be over. Anyone else notice time is flying? 
I tell myself the same lie every year - summer will slow down. HA!
  It’s busier and faster. All the projects I have promised myself would be done this summer and all the lists I am trying to check off seem to get longer and less is getting done which is stressing me out a little.
  Camps, sheep shows, harvest, work, get my daughter to this practice or that game. 
Busy busy busy!
And it’s not just me. Every mom I speak with says the same. 
   It’s hard to carve out some me time. I try. I have been taking more walks with my dogs. In fact, I walked/ran a 5K this weekend.  I was tired and proud at the end. Then someone sent me a picture of myself and I was mortified. 
Instead of focusing on my accomplishment and the overall joy in my life, I was focused on how many chins I could see in the picture. lol.
  My publisher and I are working on book cover designs for my book launch which is tentatively July 7.
No guarantees on the date yet. But I will keep you posted.
I am planning an online event and then a couple local events too. 
 Right now I am sifting through four book cover ideas. I had several family and friends look them over. Everyone had different answers and different reasons. 
I think I am more confused than ever.
One friend said to go with my gut. 
The problem is my gut is telling me different things.
I think one will sell better than others, one would cater to a different group than the others. 
Yes, I am overthinking it all. 
  I have noticed when I start overthinking all my peace goes away. I begin to stress more, get more frazzled, and start to misplace items, forget things, and I don’t feel accomplished at the end of the day.
 Adding to the stress, I have to hurry and get this paper out because I am headed to cover a story for next week’s paper.
    Normally I go for a walk in the morning but there was no time today.
   What do you do when it seems like you can’t catch your breath? 
I would say don’t make any big decisions yet. Walk away for a minute. Remember these times won’t last forever.   
 Do you call a friend? Listen to a song? Pray? 
  On Tuesday, I was sitting in front of my computer refreshing the browser over and over again, waiting for something that was supposed to be there but wasn’t. In fact there were two or three things expected to come in and they weren’t there yet.
  Finally, I got up and went with my daughter to the sheep barn. Stepping outside was magical. 
Getting away from the computer was exactly what I needed.
  After finding my peace, I checked my email on my cell phone. 
Not only the thing I had waited for  came in but ALL the things I had been expecting later were in early. 
  When we came home, I got right to work and things flowed smoothly. 
  When do you push through? When do you take a few minutes to walk away? 
  I guess the point is find your peace.  I would say I can find my peace at a beach house on vacation but that isn’t going to happen for quite some time. 
So how do you find your peace where you are at?
  Maybe the first thing to do is stop, to praise God for some wonderful things in your life, and for getting you through difficult times.
 Breathe. Quiet yourself. Remember no good decisions came under duress. 
Remember this won’t last forever. One day I won’t be rushing from here to there and to be honest that scares me. 
As crazy as this time in my life is, I love being of purpose, giving to my family, and helping. 
 But...I do need a little me time. Hopefully that will come soon. I would take a couple hours of responsibility free time. 
 And maybe it’s time to boldly pray Romans 15:13 (NIV) - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
  Do you do that? Do you pray boldly? Or do we whimper out a - please don’t let this happen?
 I am guilty of whimpers for prayers. So right now I am acknowledging that and praying boldly for me and for all those that read this. 
Be blessed!!

OPINIONS

Faster, Faster

Here we are. Ten days left until the end of the year. While this year has flown by, I am so busy trying to complete these end of year tasks, I am not focused on Christmas.     Yes the stockings are hung, the tree is decorated, and most of the presents are here.... [More]

Stretched

Here is my countdown. 12 days to Christmas Eve.  How are you feeling? Stressed? I know a lot of people including myself that are being pushed to their limits it seems. Where holiday music and lights were once comforting, they don’t seem to be enough.    What... [More]

Gifts from the Heart

It’s December. My tree is up! The lights on the roof light up the night for me along with our outdoor decorations.   I am still struggling that it is December. While I have many presents already purchased, ornaments hung on the tree, I can’t quite get into... [More]

A Kind Turn

It’s one week until Thanksgiving. How did that happen? Next week’s paper will go out early so that is likely my weekend job.   I am thankful I can do some of that work from home.  We had some flurries of snow on Tuesday that got me very excited for... [More]

Drinking in the moments

Monday was a perfectly cold, crisp, fall morning. Colorful leaves falling filled the street with bright yellows, oranges, and reds. Gentle rains fell and a breeze blew in.  I loved it. It felt like a moment when all was right with the world.  There is an 80% chance... [More]

A little bit of fall. A little bit of everything

It is the last day of October. I love the changing colors of the leaves. They stop me in my tracks. Absolutely  gorgeous! There is rain in the forecast. Even if it is a mist, I am ready for moisture!   The clocks turn back on Sunday. It will be darker earlier and start... [More]

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Life moves pretty fast

It rained in Hamilton County this weekend. Thunder boomed and rain soaked the ground, the fields, and put smiles on many faces in town. Conversations in rural ag communities after a rain start off happier.  “Hey, it rained.”   We have a week without sports... [More]

Cats in the Cradle

It’s a cool October morning. It’s weather I love!  I read something that said you should never begin a story with the weather. Well where we live it is the basis for almost everything. Temperature, climate, frost, wind, all determine how a farmer will approach... [More]

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SPORTS

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SHS CHEER TAKES SECOND

Small but Mighty! That is the name high school Head Cheerleading Coach, Marcos Valadez put on the 2024-2025 squad last summer, “We may not have the numbers, but our team has overcome adversity and is always stepping up to the challenge.”  Proving this, the Syracuse... [More]

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BULLDOGS OPEN FALL SEASON WITH FIRST PLACE FINISH IN GOLF

The Syracuse Bulldogs Ladies Varsity Golf Team took first at their season opener in Stanton County on Tuesday afternoon. They shot a team score of 207 at the Prairie Pines Golf Course in Johnson. The varsity team  is Lanee Owens, Bronwyn Lewis, Sammy Schwieterman, Maddy... [More]

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LEWIS HEADS TO STATE TRACK

Qualifying members of the high school track team traveled to Hill City Thursday, May 16 to compete in the 2-A regional meet against 15 teams, Ellinwood, Ellis, Hill City, Hoxie, Lincoln, Meade, Medicine Lodge, Oakley, Plainville, Smith Center, Stanton County, Sublette, Thomas... [More]

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BULLDOGS TAKE SECOND AT REGIONALS - HEADED TO STATE

The Syracuse High School boys golf team battled breezy conditions on Monday May 13 competing in the 2-A Regional meet on their own Tamarisk Golf Course.  Adjusting to windy conditions and competing at home paid off for the Bulldogs Monday, placing second, qualifying... [More]

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STATE GOLF RESULTS

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]

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JH BASKETBALL WINS

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]

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LADY BULLDOGS BORDER WARS CHAMPIONS!!

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]

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JH Basketball Season Underway with JH Boys sweeping Lakin

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]

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NEWS

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Border Wars

The annual Border Wars Tournament is in the books. This year was larger than last year with 36 total games over three days. Kansas took on Colorado. Coming in from Colorado were teams from Eads, Las Animas, Stratton, Cheyenne Wells, and Lamar (JV only). Kansas teams... [More]

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PLUNKETT FINDS TREASURE IN HM COUNTY

The Great Hamilton County Treasure Hunt ended on December 8 at 10 am when Aaron Plunkett and team solved the mysterious location of the buried $2,000.00. The hunt arranged by Jim Barrett had many teams signing up online to receive clues by mail.  Barrett said, “I sold... [More]

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ALUMNI SCRIMMAGE FUN HELPS WITH FOOD PANTRY NEED

The Herndon Gym was filled with excitement for the annual Alumni Scrimmage Saturday, November 30. Admission was a donation to the Hamilton County Food Pantry and fans could enjoy pulled pork sandwiches and homemade desserts with proceeds to benefit the basketball program. ... [More]

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TRAINING THE NEXT GEN OF OFFICIALS

The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) announced Scott Goodheart of Pratt, Kansas became the Director of Officials. Goodheart serves in the role that Francine Martin fulfilled during the 2022-23 school year, the first year for this position at the KSHSAA.... [More]

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VETERANS DAY TRADITION CONTINUES

Veterans Day, the day we honor all veterans who served in times of war and peace. Veterans day, originally Armistice Day, marking the end of WW l which ended on the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. This tradition of honoring veterans during school... [More]

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BENEFIT FOR BATCHELOR BATTLING ALS

Brandon Batchelor is a husband, father, and grandfather who was diagnosed with ALS. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that causes the gradual loss of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ... [More]

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COACH CASTRO AWARDED BETHANY COLLEGE ATHLETIC HALL OF HONOR

Jen Castro is the Junior High Football Coach, Head Softball Coach,  Powerlifting Assistant Coach, Elementary Interrelated Special Education teacher, and now can add the honor of being awarded the Athletic Hall of Honor Award from her alma mater Bethany College.   ... [More]

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GENE DIKEMAN IS KBA’S NEW CHAIRMAN

Darrell Gene Dikeman II (Gene), has recently been named the Kansas Bankers Association’s 2024-2025 chairman. The mission of the KBA is “Together we support our member banks and bankers with leadership, advocacy, and education to benefit the communities and customers... [More]

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OBITUARIES

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Rohn Kester

 Rohn Kester, 59, passed away on Friday, December 6th, 2024 in Trenton, Nebraska.  He was born at the Hamilton County Hospital on February 22, 1965 in Syracuse, Kansas. The son of Thomas and Betty Kester, he grew up in Syracuse where he attended Syracuse High School... [More]

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Charles

Charles “Carl” Gould was born on May 18, 1956, to Dennis and Karleen (Helfrich) Gould in Syracuse, Kansas. He grew up in Syracuse, where he attended school and graduated from high school in 1975. After graduation, Carl worked for various farmers in the area but... [More]

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Vaughn Chamberlain

   Vaughn Chamberlain, 94, passed away peacefully at his home in Harlowton, Montana, on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.  He was born at home on September 21, 1930, in Syracuse, Kansas, the son of Artimus & Evadee (Craven) Chamberlain.       Vaughn... [More]

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Raymond Henry

 Raymond Lewis Henry, 94, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Saturday, November 23, 2024, at his home in Syracuse, Kansas. Raymond was born in Chariton, Iowa on July 22, 1930, to Guy Martin Henry and Nellie (Curtis) Henry. At three years of age his family moved... [More]

Darrel Glen Cook

Darrel Glen Cook, 62, of Syracuse, KS passed away peacefully in Garden City on November 20, 2024. He was born July 24, 1962 in Syracuse to William and Leota Cook. Darrel grew up with a big family on the family farm. He played football in school and graduated in 1980. Darrel was... [More]

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Max Williams

 Graveside funeral services for Max Williams will be held at 11:00 a.m. MST, Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at the Holly, Cemetery in Holly, Colorado.  Max Shane Williams was born August 21, 1940 to Roy O. and Thelma L. (Hager) Williams in Wellington, Kansas and went... [More]

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Julie Lewis

Julie Ann Lewis. What was in a name and in a life? Julie is derived from the Latin name Julia associated with qualities such as youthfulness, beauty, and vivacity.  It is associated with a person who is gentle, kind-hearted and a strong sense of loyalty. Ann is a derivative... [More]

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Celinda Barrett

 A graveside memorial service for Celinda Barrett will be held at 11:00 a.m. MST, Saturday, November 9, 2024, at the Coolidge Cemetery in Coolidge, Kansas with Pastor Kathy Leathers officiating.  Celinda’s family invites those in attendance to join them at The... [More]

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