Lend A Hand Up
How crazy is this weather? Between the blizzard and the cold snap, the promise of 40 degree days feels like spring is here!
The kids had two days off then this week we had a two hour delay at school.
But the extreme temperatures caused a few hiccups in our lives. Our dogs couldn't hang out in the backyard. The sheep needed a heat lamp, extra hay, and kept inside the barn for several days.
And cattle decided this was the perfect temperature to drop babies. Sigh!
My vehicle's battery died and thankfully a good friend picked up my daughter and brought her to me.
Soon after, I got notice that a behind the scenes system I use was no longer available and I was moving to the new system soon. Oh wait, they meant right now!
Needless to say I couldn't get many of my walks in with a friend and my dogs. I couldn't do much of the self care I was used to and I started to become frantic.
It has been a long time since I felt so overwhelmed.
The chaotic not knowing what I am doing from one moment to the next is challenging me.
I guess I like routines more than I want to admit.
But life is always changing.
As soon as this paper goes to print I am going out for a walk with my friend and our dogs. Forty-one degrees feels like spring after -20 temperatures.
Closing the doors to the office for a walk feels like a precious gift I don’t want to waste. If you haven’t had a chance to look at the forecast we are headed for another cold snap. So seize the moment if you can!
As the new year has begun there have been changes at work, changes in life. How are you with change? I used to be more adaptable. Clearly I am less so.
A young woman was guided to my office on Tuesday. She enjoys writing and we are going to try a paid internship to see how it goes.
You have heard it a thousand times right? There is no one that wants to work. Well, maybe it’s that no one wants to work at something they despise or no one wants to hear their ideas. Maybe it’s our job to help cultivate workers that find their passion or dream. And maybe they don’t know where to start.
Maybe it’s our job to help lend a hand up.
Many years ago there were ten people waiting to take my job. Now, the landscape is different.
Maybe the field is filled with people wanting to work but don’t know where to begin or what to do.
How are you with the youth that ask questions? Are you open to encouraging them or putting them off? It is easier to do it yourself isn’t it? But that doesn’t help guide the future.
It takes time, listening, and patience. Are you open to hearing their ideas or want it done the way it’s always been done?
Maybe it is time we opened our hearts and minds to work together.
Small town America can be an oasis. You know the teachers at the school well. Your job often lets you leave to volunteer or watch your kids play sports. The cost of living is lower and the commute is amazingly fast.
The opportunities here are also endless. We are in need of youth returning to our towns. We need young farmers, bakers, plumbers.
However, many can't afford to open a business. Housing is limited, and I am sure there are twenty other reasons why it won't work. Or maybe it can.
Maybe it's time to lend a hand up. Maybe you have the opportunity to help a younger member of our community become the next to fill your shoes. But today the youth want to be a part of the process. They want some choices.
Maybe it's time to lend that hand up.
OPINIONS
God Shows Up
There has been a lot of hurting people in our community lately. Death of a loved one, accidents, learning of an illness. Fire blazes to the south of us. Many I know are in pain, and have encountered hard times. Over the last week I have heard some troubling stories... [More]
More love, less hate
Happy Thursday! I am writing this Wednesday morning . When this paper goes out, I need to start on next week’s, the final edition of the year. There won’t be a newspaper for January 1, 2026. The calendar last year left zero room for a break and I am desperately... [More]
Purpose in the Pain
It’s November! It’s a beautiful cool, fall Wednesday morning as I write this. I took a walk with my dogs, chatted with my friend, and coughed. But the cough has been way better! Tuesday was Election Day. The contest for mayor of Coolidge was one many were watching.... [More]
Fruit of the Spirit
October is here! The cool mornings are lovely! Looking forward to cooler afternoons too! Thought I would share some quick updates. My respiratory junk is not wanting to exit this human. Got another round of antibiotics and more breathing treatments. Thankfully I am improving. ... [More]
Where Can God Use You Today?
A long haired shaggy white dog, likely a Great Pyrenees, showed up at our farm last week. After a couple of days, we saw it wasn’t going anywhere. We started to feed it. He let us get closer. What we found was a skinny, malnourished dog with a horrible case... [More]
How Vulnerable Are You?
Thanks for your patience last week. I am still recovering but have returned to the land of the living! I get frustrated with how slow it takes to recover sometimes when really I should focus on the fact that I am recovering. I truly feel like I am getting stronger and then... [More]
Let God
It’s the first week of September. After I get the paper onto stands, we are headed to the state fair. They changed some of the stalling procedures this year for sheep which leaves some unknowns for us. But every year we go, we learn new things. After my irritation and frustration... [More]
Breathing Space
I slipped away for a quick getaway for back to school clothes shopping, visiting family, some good food, and a trip to Barnes and Noble. We left Thursday afternoon and returned Sunday. It was triple digit heat when we left our sheep in good hands to be taken care... [More]
More Opinions
- Building Moments and Memories
- When you don't win
- Where the Frustration Grows
- What's the Lesson?
- There's A Place For You
- Here I am God
- Hurry Up and Slow Down
- Looking for the Good
SPORTS
HI-PLAINS ALL LEAGUE
The Hi-Plains League has announced recipients of all-league basketball honors. The selection process begins when individual coaches submit names. The players are then voted on by the other HPL coaches. However, coaches may not vote on their own players. Syracuse High School... [More]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
More Sports
NEWS
Health Department Adds New Services
The Hamilton County Health Department has been undergoing some exciting changes recently, adding new services that are bringing more people through the doors. While the department is seeking bids to freshen up the office with a new coat of paint, the changes go far beyond... [More]
Everybody Has A Story: Dana Watts - From Syracuse To Washington, D.C.
She described herself as a “bookie”! She loved to read growing up, and she considered herself a bit of a bookworm. Her story began on May 29, 1978, born to Ron and Becky Watts (now Wallace). Dana began her life in Bryan, Texas, but moved to Syracuse when she was just... [More]
Bennett is Reserve Champion In Arizona
Cole Bennett has been riding horses since before he could walk. His tireless efforts sometimes come with broken bones, soreness, and not much glory. But eventually, things pay off. Last weekend, Cole competed at the NRCHA Kimes Ranch Western Derby in Scottsdale,... [More]
Angie Moser Retiring, Running For Commissioner
After 23 years serving the public in the Hamilton County Clerk's Office, Angie Moser is retiring. On Tuesday morning, she was honored by the Commission. Her actual retirement date is June 15. The Hamilton County Republican committee will meet on June 10 to make a... [More]
C Double Liquor Open House
It was a busy Saturday as alumni gathered all over town. The Sand Dunes were busy, and It was a beautiful day to check out the new, improved, and redesigned C Double Liquor store, formerly the Liquor Shack. C Double Liquor & Laundry, LLC is owned by brothers Casey... [More]
Airborne electromagnetic survey of Ogallala aquifer conditions planned in southwest Kansas
LAWRENCE — Beginning in late May and continuing until late July, residents of southwest Kansas may see a low-flying helicopter towing a large hexagonal frame. This aerial arrangement is part of a project to map groundwater conditions in the Ogallala aquifer in Southwest... [More]
Everybody Has A Story: Jenny (Verry) Holdredge - From Syracuse to Doctorate
“If you want to get it done, get a woman to do it! “SHE” is Jennifer Suzanne Verry (ALWAYS known as Jenny), born October 1, 1977 to James and Valerie Verry in the small town of Belle Fourche, located on the northern slopes of the famous Black Hills... [More]
More News
- Area Rain Brings Hope To Farmers
- Cruisin’ Into Car Show - Best Turnout In Ten Years
- Coolidge Bridge Opens
- Plunkett Elected to Kansas Angus Association
- Out With The Old: City Wide Cleanup
- Aguilera Appointed to City Council of Syracuse
- Main Street Market Opens With Limited Hours
- Giving Back To Community Brings Joy
OBITUARIES
Judy (McComas) Schwieterman
Judy (McComas) Schwieterman, age 73, passed away on October 3, 2026 at home in Lawrence, Kansas with her daughter, Nicki, by her side. Judy was born on September 25, 1953 in La Junta, Colorado to Bobbie and June (Nicholson) McComas. Judy graduated from La Junta High... [More]
Barbara Thompson
Funeral Services for Holly, Colorado resident, Barbara Thompson will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 21, 2026 at Holly Methodist Church in Holly, Colorado with Pastor Kathy Leathers officiating. Interment will follow in the Holly Cemetery. Visitation for Barbara... [More]
Judy Hill
Judy A. Hill passed away in Lakin, Kansas on August 17, 2026 at the High Plains Retirement Village. She was born in Garden City, Kansas on December 16, 1943. Graveside Services will be at 10:00 a.m. CDT, Thursday, August 20, 2026 at the Lakin Cemetery, Lakin, Kansas.... [More]
Cynthia Anne Long
Cynthia Anne Long, age 89, of Winchester, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 17, 2026, at the Evergreen Health & Rehab Center. Cynthia was born on November 19, 1936, in Syracuse, Kansas, to the late Albert Mickey James and Rowena (Lockridge) James. She pursued... [More]
Jamie (Kennedy) Coleman
Jamie Alyn (Kennedy) Coleman, age 54, of Syracuse, Kansas, passed away on July 23, 2026, in Syracuse. She was born on January 7, 1972, in Wichita, Kansas, to James Allen Kennedy and Diana Grace (Vernon) Kennedy. Jamie began her life in Wichita and she moved with her family... [More]
Pedro “Pete” Torres Rodriguez
Mass of Christian Burial for Holly, Colorado residents, Pedro “Pete” Torres Rodriguez will be held at 2:00 p.m. and Rosary prior to the Mass at 1:30 p.m., Monday, July 27, 2026 at St Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Holly, Colorado with cremation to follow. Pedro... [More]
Richard “Dick” H. Sharp
Richard “Dick” H. Sharp, a longtime resident of Syracuse, Kansas, passed away on July 6th, 2026. He was 86 years old. Dick was born on June 8, 1940 in Sidney, NE to Lawrence and Dorothy Sharp. He grew up in Sidney and graduated high school there. After serving... [More]
Carla (Pfefferkorn) Younger
It is with great sadness that the family of Carla Marie (Pfefferkorn) Younger announces her passing from this life on Friday, June 26, 2026 while surrounded by her loving family. Born on March 2, 1944 in Beloit, Kansas to Carl Henry Pfefferkorn and Gertrude Elizabeth... [More]
More Obituaries
- Fern Maxcine Shetterly
- Bonnie (Stevens) Adkisson
- Johnny DuVall
- Eldon “Skip” Reed
- John “Skip” Conard, Jr.
- Peggy Hatcher
- Sharon Ann (Taylor) Englert
- Boyd “Pete” Dwight Bezona
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