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In The Barn

If you told me 25 years ago a livestock barn would be where I found my joy, faced my fears, and built my strength, I would have laughed at your vision. 
For the last four years, I have struggled in 100 degree weather with flies, mice, skunks and rattlesnakes. 
My daughter and I have cried having failed over and over and not understanding completely what we are doing. We have fought exhaustion and gotten blisters on our hands from cleaning out  pens and working sheep.  
We have smiled too with sweat on our brow at the accomplishments of a job well done. Or the job we thought we did well. 
We have won and lost at sheep shows and county fairs. We have been given enough wins to push us forward and enough losses to make us fight to learn and understand more. 
Yes the barn holds family memories, splinters, a little blood and a lot of character building. 
I am amazed at the peace I find in the solitude there. We have watched many brilliant sunsets there, battled ourselves in the ring, and found a deeper sense of God and self there. 
A barn you say? 
Yes, I smile. 
The sheep barn where we grow every year. As my daughter is able to do more on her own there I am proud and sad. I love the strength and the joy she finds caring for her animals. And I am sad that I am not needed as much. But the laughter and the tears still come. And I am grateful. 
Sometimes I look back with sadness that another show mom could have taught her more, faster. That she often failed more because of me than her. But no one else has gone through this journey besides us. And I am continually reminded God put us together for a reason. 
  My husband who has a ton on his own plate with farming and little sheep knowledge since he raised pigs growing up, still manages to carve out time to build family memories and help us.  We would be nowhere without him. 
Last Saturday  after a long fun cold day at a livestock show, my daughter said thanks mom for helping me. It meant a lot. 
  Well my dear that meant everything to me. 
  To the many out there who have done it longer and better, thank you. You push us and teach us and we are grateful! 
And to those who wonder why a barn? Well, that’s where we come together as a family to fail, learn and build memories.  
And we have failed more than we have won but we keep coming back. 
  Many times we drag ourselves to the barn because we are tired or weary. But we spend more times outdoors, sun on our faces, laughing, walking, working and always come away happier.
   Jessica Scott is quoted as saying, “You only get 18 delicious summers with your  kids.  This is one of your 18.  If that’s not perspective I don’t know what is.”
  Now, I love a great beach vacation or exploring an art museum, or traveling to learn history and see new sites. But the day to day  skills, the determination, the character and the memories? For us, those are built in the barn.
  As the news pours in about Uvalde, Tx and the children who lost their lives, these memories become even more precious and I am praying for each and every one of those families.

OPINIONS

Quiet

It’s quiet in town. It’s as if the world left to go on vacation. I can hear birds chirping, a gentle rain shower, and peace is rushing through me.  Last week my daughter had basketball camp and sheep shows. For the past couple months It was go, go, go, the paper... [More]

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Time, Precious Time

I am writing this from a hotel room out of town. Summer is me traveling which sounds exciting but really it is getting my daughter from this camp to that camp to livestock shows, and rarely catching up on chores at home.  Even when I am home I am busy with work or getting... [More]

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It's Dark Sometimes

“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.” - Martin Luther King Jr Have you ever met the person who lives a long beautiful life and dies surrounded by their loved ones?  I think that is awesome.  In truth most of the people I know who died were younger. ... [More]

Thank God for Biting Flies

I am writing this on Wednesday morning. Tomorrow is the last day of school here in Syracuse.  Summer break is here.  We have had a little bit of rain fall, some chances on the radar. Have you seen the Miller moths around here? Wow they are crazy.   But, they... [More]

To You or For You

I went to bed Tuesday night happy about life and the peace that comes from checking things off your list, helping someone, and having a plan for the next day.   I  had a dream that night, I was in a hotel room and it caught fire. Wednesday morning I woke up to... [More]

Practice, Practice, Practice

  Last weekend was our first sheep show of the season. Our lambs had never been in the show ring before. They were nervous with all the different noises, animals, people. And it is to be expected.  After a long couple of days getting ready, we got there and had forgotten... [More]

Changed

I watched a piano recital Saturday afternoon. After the children played, two extremely dedicated and talented pianists performed.  The first played impeccably. She was a virtuoso who became the piece and her fingers flowed almost effortlessly. For what felt like 20 minutes,... [More]

My Plans?

Here we are again. I am sitting writing this on a Wednesday morning bracing for another round of high winds, dirt, dust, no rain in sight, crops failing or failed. Will it rain again? It has to right?  When I drove through Oklahoma the dirt looked like powder and the ditches... [More]

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SPORTS

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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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Senior Night Volleyball

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]

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HS Track

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]

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SHS SPORTS WRAP UP

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]

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Spring Sports Start

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]

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NEWS

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McAllister Retires

After 41 years, Steve McAllister saw his last group of students leave his classroom at Syracuse High School on Thursday, May 18. Instead of a big sendoff, McAllister chose to test himself in a 60 mile race.  An avid bicyclist, Steve loaded up his bicycle and headed for Hico,... [More]

Alumni Success - Cecil O'Brate

“I have found no substitute for an honest day’s work, an inquisitive mind, and a desire to always do more.” –  Cecil O’Brate. What happens when a 1940s Syracuse High School alumni crosses paths with a Syracuse Bulldog activity bus? Well,... [More]

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Hamilton County Memorial Day Tribute

This Hamilton County Memorial Day Tribute is brought to you by Scoular. Thank you to the brave and selfless men and women who have gone before us. Thank you for their service and sacrifice. ARTHUR AESCHLIMAN CECIL ADKISSON JIMMY AKERS JERRY ALEXANDER THOMAS AMERINE VERNON ANDERSON... [More]

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FINLAY - NEW BRANCH MANAGER AND LOAN OFFICER FOR VALLEY STATE BANK

The Valley State Bank in Syracuse is pleased to announce Casey Finlay has been hired as the new branch manager and loan officer. His primary duties will be managing employees in the Syracuse office but more importantly, helping customers with their financial needs.  Finlay... [More]

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LEVENS GRADUATES PEPPERDINE MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Ali Levens, 2019 SHS graduate and daughter of Rhonda Levens and Randy Levens recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA. She received her Bachelor of Arts in journalism and double minors in sustainability and multimedia design.  While her degrees... [More]

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Yonkey Book Signing This Saturday in Coolidge

Best-selling Kansas author to speak in Coolidge May 13 Roxie Yonkey, former Syracuse Journal editor and best-selling author, will discuss her newest book Secret Kansas: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure, from 5 to 7 PM, Saturday, May 13, at the Coolidge City Hall,... [More]

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WEEKEND IN SYRACUSE BUSY WITH GOLF, COLOR RUN, AND CAR SHOW

Mother Nature delivered a beautiful day Saturday for the many happenings in Syracuse with the Hamilton County Hospital Golf Tournament, Crusin’ Into Summer Car Show and SHS cheerleader color run.  The first golf tournament had 27 teams enter from Syracuse, Denver,... [More]

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BUSY WEEKEND EXPECTED IN SYRACUSE

It’s an eventful busy weekend coming up! Beginning Friday evening at 4:00 PM, the Syracuse Youth Activities Association is sponsoring the third annual track meet for first through sixth grade.  Grades first through sixth can compete in the 50 to 1600 meter, relays,... [More]

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OBITUARIES

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Mickey Watson

Mass of Christian Burial for Mickey Watson will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Holly, Colorado.  Interment will follow in the Holly Cemetery.  Rosary will be held prior to the Mass, at 9:30 a.m. Mickey David... [More]

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Anthony Contreras

Mass of Christian Burial for Anthony Contreras will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 9, 2023 at St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Holly, Colorado. Inurnment will take place at a later date. Anthony John Contreras was born on November 26, 1976 in Lamar, Colorado to... [More]

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Juliana Zwaantina Houtsma

Juliana Zwaantina Houtsma, age 31, passed away unexpectedly on May 22nd, 2023 at home in Syracuse, Kansas.  The eldest daughter of Algene Jay Houtsma and Johnna Harvill, she was born on September 21st, 1991 in Redlands, California. Juliana spent her early years in Syracuse,... [More]

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Shilo Christine Van Tatenhove

With the heaviest of hearts, we let our friends and family know that Shilo, my wife of almost 30 years and mother to our amazing daughters, passed away suddenly on the evening of Friday, May 12th, 2023, due to complications with a long-term medical condition. She passed on to... [More]

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Eva Wauneta Holdren

Eva Wauneta Holdren, 98, of Faulkton, passed away Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at the Faulkton Senior Living. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 22, 2023, at the United Church of Faulkton with Pastor Shawn Stoll presiding. Burial will follow in the Faulkton Cemetery.... [More]

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Joyce Ann (Reynolds) Horning

A Memorial Service for Syracuse, Kansas resident, Joyce Horning will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at the Syracuse Wesleyan Church with Pastor Ray Frankofficiating.  Inurnment will follow in the Kendall Cemetery in Kendall, Kansas. Joyce Ann (Reynolds)... [More]

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Winston L. Sears

A graveside memorial service for Winston Sears will be held at 11:30 a.m., Monday, May 22, 2023 at the Holly Cemetery in Holly, Colorado with Pastor Kurtis Klinghammer officiating.  Military committal rites will be provided by V.F.W. Post #4281. Winston L. Sears was born... [More]

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Marjorie L. Nairn

Marjorie L. Nairn, age 90 of Johnson, Kansas, died Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Stanton County Hospital, Johnson, Kansas. She was born August 10, 1932, in Dighton, Kansas, the daughter of Royce O. and Ida M. (Long) Wells.   Marge grew up and graduated high school in Syracuse,... [More]

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