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Keep Moving

A former owner and editor of the newspaper dropped by my office the other day. She is beautiful, smart, fun, and so vibrant. 
We talked about her life. She is busy. She is active. She is involved in her church, in her community, in having fun, and keeping active.
 It was a refreshing joy to visit with her. 
Right now my life is sheep and the newspaper. And sheep. Did I mention sheep? Lol. 
We have two weeks until the state fair. One of our lambs got injured and most of the weekend was caring for her. 
 All my dreams and ideas of nature and the animal kingdom goes out the window with reality. 
 Instead of the other lambs protecting the injured lamb, they started to butt heads with her and essentially kick her when she was down. 
So we made a makeshift shelter to protect her while she was hopefully healing. 
It took a couple of days but finally one of the wethers decided to start protecting her. We let the healing lamb back into the pen with the others and observed. 
She started walking and on Wednesday morning was able to walk a quarter mile. 
We essentially have two weeks to get ready. Injuries, high heat, getting into a school routine, all of these things make caring for livestock and going to big shows harder. 
Between work, school, and livestock there isn’t much time for sitting around.  
So why do we do it?
  I have to say I love being out at the barn with our daughter. I love that she cares for her sheep so much. 
And I enjoy the lessons she learns.
 As for me, it keeps me in fresh air, sunshine, and active. Plus we are always learning and making family memories.
 When my body is achy, the sheep still need fed. When muscles are sore, the sheep still need walked and worked. We press on. 
 From the people I survey who are older than me, staying active seems to be the key. 
Keep moving. Even when it hurts. Keep going. Keep getting sunshine and laughter, keep helping, keep visiting with people. And keep moving. 
Especially when it hurts!
I admit I feel better when I move. I feel better with the sun on my face. And I feel better when I help others.
 Would laying around for a weekend feel good? Absolutely. 
 One day I will have that weekend and it will be free and I will miss this. 
  Time changes things. Next year when my daughter enters junior high, we will have new goals, new pursuits, new dreams. 
For now we go on. And even though I wake up tired and sore, I am smiling. A special shout out to coffee and ibuprofen. LOL!
Don’t leave home without them!

OPINIONS

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]

Look for the Sunsets

  On Tuesday afternoon I drove to southeast Colorado to watch my daughter cheer at a junior high football game. I smile at the things I do that I wouldn’t have done before she was born.    I have said before I was not a cheerleading type of person but watching... [More]

Keep your face always toward the sunshine

It’s October and the temperatures are fluctuating from 70s to 90s.    Life is speeding by! And I have ten minutes left to get this paper to press.  My daily bible verse said, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”... [More]

Do it Afraid

It’s the last week of September. I feel like I start every column with I can ‘t believe how fast this year is going. Fall is here!  We are finally starting to get into a routine.  There are still some logistical challenges but at least I can start to identify... [More]

Thoughts and Actions

I am writing this Wednesday morning and it rained overnight! I fell asleep to the beautiful sound of thunder and rain hitting the ground.  Fall will be here Sunday. While the temperatures are still warm, I am looking forward to some cooler weather.     In Hamilton... [More]

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SPORTS

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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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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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NEWS

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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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Bulldog Bank Open For Business

Pictured Front - Asher Battin, Monroe Kuder, Brynnleigh Bennett, Aytzel Zapata, Emma Simon, Janney Velarde, Katalyna Perez, Bentley Simon Back - Ana Aguilera, Sean Michealis, Vance Keller, Anita Ramos, Deysy Miramontes, Haley Forest, Matt Bennett/photo by Michele Boy

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Hedberg Outback Designs

Rhonda Hedberg is a busy woman. She is an SHS grad who went to school in Hutchinson, came back home, and started a family. She and husband Tim have five children - Kylie Good, Kelly, Keith, Kegan, and Kelsey. She has been a Daycare Provider for over 30 years, and manages Sunflower... [More]

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1961 SHS GRAD PENS BOOK ON HIS MUSINGS AND INSPIRATIONS

Trying to heal from the loss of his wife, 1961 SHS graduate, Garry Warner, at the advice of his family physician and friend, suggested journaling to overcome his grief.  The result, many years in the making, is a published book entitled Musings of a Walmart Greeter.  The... [More]

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FORMER SYRACUSAN WRITES CHILDREN’S BOOK

2015 Syracuse High School graduate Taelor (Oller) Leyva has always dreamed of being a novelist. But as her life and family grew, her priorities became God and her family.  Leyva is the daughter of Crystal Loder and Dustin Oller. She married 2016 SHS grad Diego Leyva and... [More]

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SHS CHAMPION BARNES GOLF CAREER TAKES SHAPE

While many youth in our community have been able to take part in the free junior golf lessons during the summer for many years, Paige Barnes recalls it as what pushed her on this journey.  Barnes said, “When we moved to Syracuse, my first experience with golf was... [More]

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OBITUARIES

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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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Alex Hobson

 Alex Jerad Hobson “Big Al”, 48, passed away October 24, 2024 in Centennial, Colorado.  He was born April 25, 1976 in Moundridge, Kansas.  Alex attended Syracuse High School, granduating in 1994. In addition to playing golf throughout high school, Alex... [More]

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Jim Williamson

 Jim Williamson, 82, died Friday, October 25, 2024, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.  He was born September 21, 1942, in Cedar Vale, Kansas, the son of Alfred Edmond & Evelyn Pauline (MaHocks) Williamson.      Jim... [More]

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Barney Mack Akers, Jr.

Barney Mack Akers, Jr. passed away October 19, 2024 at the Kearny County Hospital, Lakin, Kansas. Barney was the son of Barney Mack Akers, Sr. and Elsie Edna (Griffin) Akers.  He was born August 11, 1931 in Ardmore, Oklahoma.   Barney attended grade school in Springer,... [More]

Douglas Alvin Guldner

Douglas Alvin Guldner of Syracuse, KS passed away on October 17, 2024 at the age of 76.  He was born May 19, 1948 in Lamar, Colorado.  He was raised and lived in Syracuse most of his life.  He enjoyed playing baseball as a kid.  He graduated from Syracuse... [More]

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Craig Freeman

 Craig Richard Freeman of Syracuse, Kansas has passed on but has left, in his absence, a life of great legacy and accomplishment.  Born January 27, 1954, in Sioux Falls, SD, Craig was the oldestof three brothers, Todd and Laird Freeman, born to James and Marilyn Freeman.... [More]

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