EnglishSpanish

Kindness Matters

Here I am less than an hour from deadline trying to come up with something to write about. 
Many newspapers have begun to remove or lessen their opinion section. With social media and daily news outlets opinions, people have grown weary of more opinion. At least according to their surveys. 
I don’t care for being told someone’s opinions either. I do appreciate those who push me to think critically. 
I appreciate personal experiences and their outcomes. When people spout off their indignations I tend to shut down. If we haven’t walked in their shoes how do we know what it is like. 
Many people today are living in desperation. I have always appreciated the Salvation Army’s theory that you need to offer a shower and a meal to someone. Basically help meet their needs for them to be in a place to hear you. 
It seems the general tone by the loudest folks is let me tell you what’s wrong with you.
It is rarely a let me take a look at myself and what is this trying to teach me?
  It’s tough isn’t it? It takes courage, a willingness to be vulnerable and not run away or leave a difficult situation. None are my strengths.  
  In truth life is a journey. In some ways I have taken full advantage by getting extremely uncomfortable and trying new and different things to help my point of view and perspective. In other ways I have failed miserably with a lack of roots and years of depression and wrong choices. And as they say in the movie A River Runs Through It - I had a lack of stick-to-it-ivity. Regardless it made me who I am today. 
  When I was younger I yearned for anonymity. I wanted to be far away from people who knew me and I could do whatever I wanted. Well be careful what you wish for, you may surely get it. 
Anonymity is lonely and sad. No one is looking out for you.  And if something happens to you, it is rare that anyone cares.
  And while small towns mean everyone can be in your business, it also means people are watching out for you too.
  Small towns have a great way of offering accountability, if you are looking for it.  
And it taught me that I can love people and not agree with them. Some friendships I appreciate are those that push both of us to consider another opinion,  be happy with our own, be willing to disagree and continue the friendship. 
  As I write this a father is about to bury his young son, a truly unimaginable experience. One I do not want! But many in our small town rallied to support a young boy’s family with funeral assistance, food, and prayers. Many who don’t even know the family -The beauty of a small town. 
We hurt for those in pain. We put aside our differences to come together when it really matters. I hope we all remember that as we find so many things to disagree on. 
  Perhaps we could start off each day with a kind thought for someone we struggle with. I guess that is really all I can do.  Maybe, try to offer a bit of kindness to the next person I meet, add something positive to this universe.
Send someone a note, buy someone a small meaningful gift,  and hope that sends a wave of goodness along. 
   Desmond Tutu wrote, “God’s dream is that you and I and all of us will realize that we are family, that we are made for togetherness, for goodness, and for compassion.“

OPINIONS

Surrender

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]

A Dynamic Shift

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]

Opportunity disguised as discomfort

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]

Unstoppable

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]

Never Not Be Afraid

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]

The Trouble with John

It’s going to be a beautiful 70 plus degree day in February as I write this. As soon as the paper goes to print I am spending as much time outside as possible. Days like this should be savored.  There is one week left of February. Sometimes I think February is the... [More]

On the Horizon

February is half over. The sun is shining, the wind is at bay. Spring is just around the corner. For us basketball season will end this weekend at my daughter's tournament.  Spring means a lot of different things to people. To me, it is the start of fair season.  In... [More]

A Better Team

I had a discussion with someone out of the area about what community journalism means. It was interesting because I believe it is dependent on where you live. Wichita has television news channels, a daily newspaper, websites, social media pages, and staff.  In our small... [More]

More Opinions


SPORTS

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

thumb

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]

More Sports

NEWS

thumb

LOCAL KSU ALUMNI GROWS KS BILL SNYDER WHEAT

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]

thumb

FFA - MAKING THEIR MARK

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]

thumb

King Completes 2,000 EagleMed Flights

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]

thumb

RAGING FIRE BRINGS COMMUNITY TOGETHER

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]

thumb

SHS ALUMNI RETURNS TO WESTERN KS

“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]

thumb

Schwieterman Wins YFR Award

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]

thumb

A NEW EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY COMES TO SYRACUSE

“Now I can learn right along with my child and know how I can help him to read.”   The Bulldog Cafeteria was the site for joy, laughter, and a trial run for a new educational opportunity when Syracuse Elementary School opened its doors to 25 families for Decodable... [More]

thumb

Maria's Family Restaurant

Local people, local atmosphere, local family establishment. Owners Mario Moreno and Maria Leyva want the message out that Maria's Family Restaurant is open for business and ready to serve the community of Syracuse. Mario is the Safety Supervisor at Fullmer Cattle Company. For... [More]

More News

OBITUARIES

William “Bob” Crum

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]

thumb

Erma Westblade

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]

thumb

Diane Bever

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]

thumb

Richard S. Everett

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]

thumb

Shaun Frieary

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]

thumb

Harold Richard Grinstead

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]

thumb

Lucile Koenig

Mass of Christian Burial for Lucile Koenig will be held at 10:00 a.m. and Recitation of the Rosary at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at St. Francis de Sales/Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Lamar, Colorado.  Interment will follow in Fairmount Cemetery.  ... [More]

thumb

Ron Seybert

  Funeral services for Granada, Colorado resident, Ronald Seybert, will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in Holly, Colorado with Pastor Kathy Leathers officiating.  Interment will follow in the Holly Cemetery. Visitation will be... [More]

More Obituaries

View All Obituaries