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Paying The Price

 “You’re going to pay a price for every bloody thing you do and everything you don’t do. You don’t get to choose to not pay a price. You get to choose which poison you’re going to take.”
Jordan B. Peterson.
  I am currently reading the book Killing the Legends by Bill O’Reilly. 
In the book he talks about Colonel Tom Parker, a con artist who was Elvis Presley’s manager. He took Elvis for exorbitant amounts of money, wasted it on gambling and instead of helping Elvis, he served himself. 
Elvis was a loyal man and refused to turn away from Parker till near the end of his life.
 But one note caught my attention. Elvis began reading books. Parker got mad. “Reading just clutters your mind.”
Elvis had dreams. He wanted to make serious films. He had visions. But he let Parker take over. 
  I think I love biographies because they offer insight into another’s life and I can take from it the lessons from their lives. 
 I like the Peterson quote because it reminds me every choice I make has a consequence - good or bad.
I bought a large metal sign that says Nobody cares, work harder.
 If someone wrote a biography of your life, what would you want them to know about you?
 I would want them to know I never stopped trying. I never gave up. 
 I started taking a new vitamin and I was told the most important thing is to take it consistently every day.
 I laughed. The only thing I am consistent about is not being consistent. I will try almost anything once. Repetition is not my strong suit. 
But if I am honest, there are some things I am consistent with and those are usually not my best habits.
So on Tuesday I tried again. I started a small cycling routine. On Wednesday I did a little longer one. 
 Today I am going to try to add to it. If every day I can lay my head down at night and know I tried, then I have peace. 
   If I am breathing I am trying. And I am growing and learning. 
I went shopping for myself last weekend. It’s something I haven’t done in years. 
It was uncomfortable. I have changed. My body has changed. But a kind sales lady helped outfit me in new clothes and I had a moment when I realized it was time to embrace where I am at today and dress accordingly. 
  Every day is a chance to start over. Every day is a chance to add in new positive elements to your life. 
 The biggest regrets I have in my life are not being in the moment and enjoying that time of my life. 
 So I am stopping today to realize I am exactly where I am supposed to be. And as I go forward I hope to slow down a little more and make better decisions for myself. 
At the end of my shopping excursion, I met up with family and truly enjoyed every minute of it. 
In the words of Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

OPINIONS

40 Days and 40 Nights

Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights and I can’t get through a five minute conversation without getting irritated.    I am laughing - sort of, about this, because in the past few weeks I have had people contact me saying that they “knew I would understand.”... [More]

A Sun Scorched Land

As soon as this paper goes out I am headed to get bloodwork drawn. So I am fasting which means no caffeine, which also means I can’t believe I am able to put words together or function well right now. LOL.  Spring has begun!  As I write this 40+ MPH winds are... [More]

Wonder

I woke up Tuesday from a good night’s sleep and excited for the day to begin. Since I am not a morning person, this was a nice change.  I showered, dressed, and went with my daughter to help her with morning chores at the barn.  Since it hadn’t rained I... [More]

Strong Women

I am writing this on International Women’s Day.  I think about how far women have come but I also love that Syracuse has always had women at the forefront. The first all female Syracuse City Council was in 1887. We have had women mayors, sheriffs, judges, and farm... [More]

Looking Forward

I am writing this on a beautiful Wednesday morning, the first day of March. Snow in the forecast for today, Thursday.  As I write this it looks like a 70% chance of 1 to 2 inches and breezy.   I am always grateful for the moisture but I would be ok with some long,... [More]

Recharge!

I am newspapered out. Is that a word? Certain times of life we are all go no quit, sacrificing self care for what needs done.    On the most beautiful day of the year so far, I had to turn down a walk, give up a healthcare appointment, and watch as many others had those... [More]

What's The Next Move?

Watching the news can be terrifying. Locally, there was an awful car wreck. Nationally, a train derailment causing hazardous chemicals to flow into rivers and release toxins in the air that could affect a large part of the US. Shootings, suicides, overdoses, and war. The world... [More]

ANYTHING GOOD IN MY LIFE CAME FROM HELPING SOMEONE

I heard a quote from an actor Danny Trejo. If you don’t know him, he had a tough past ended up on drugs and in prison.  But that wasn’t the end of his story. While in prison, he found faith, got sober, and cleaned up his life. I admire Trejo for his authenticity... [More]

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SPORTS

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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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SUBSTATE HEARTACHE

Substate began and ended quickly but these Varsity teams left it all out on the court. In heartbreaking last second baskets, our basketball season was over. The boys lost by two points in the last five seconds and the girls lost by three. A wrap up of the season will come in... [More]

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NEWS

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Questions Surround Veterans Access To Local Care

Billy Whitfield can no longer see well or drive- He  and his wife Loretta are in their eighties. Billy is a retired military veteran who served from 1956 to 1958 in Germany and then returned to active reserve status back in the United States for four more years. Billy is... [More]

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FULLMER CATTLE DONATES $10,000 IN MEMORY OF TY FULLMER

It was one year ago when Ty Fullmer and Adriana Zapata-Munoz lost their lives in a fatal wreck on Highway 27. On Tuesday morning several first responders gathered together to accept donations from Fullmer  Cattle Company. Fullmer Cattle donated $10,000 in memory of Ty Fullmer... [More]

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KanCare Members: Update Your Contact Information NOW!

KanCare Members: Update Your Contact Information NOW!Renewals are coming, and addresses must be up to date to avoid losing eligible coverage.Topeka, KS – Medicaid renewals are starting this year after a three-year pause. If your address with KanCare is not up to date, you... [More]

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New Business: S-D Family Reserve Beef

Who doesn’t love to shop local? While we appreciate our grocery store, drug store, and lumber yard, what about local beef?  We see cows everywhere in Hamilton County. There are feedyards, dairies, cow/calf producers, but looking to buy specialty steaks locally? That’s... [More]

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Hospital Lab Success

Hamilton County Hospital is proud to announce the lab recently underwent a CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment) survey and received zero deficiencies. Hospital administrator, Kelly Hatcher said, “This is a huge win for us, we have struggled for over a year with... [More]

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FARM BUREAU 9TH DISTRICT DISCUSSES WATER ISSUES

Over 30 Farm Bureau members from 11 counties in Southwest Kansas met Wednesday, March 1, at the 9th District Issue Surfacing Meeting held at the Black Bison Pub.  The 9th district included representatives from Hamilton, Stanton, Kearney, Greeley, Wichita, Haskell, Grant,... [More]

PUBLIC NOTICE: FULLMER CATTLE COMPANY SEEKS KDHE PERMIT

Fullmer Cattle Company has applied for a permit from KDHE regarding their confined animal feeding facility. The KDHE is intending to renew or issue a Kansas Water Pollution Control Permit or National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit. If you would like to comment... [More]

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Elementary Carnival Rousing Success

On Saturday night, the Barney Akers gym was transformed into a magical carnival night for families complete with games, food, face painting, but most of all, fun which included lots of smiles and laughs. Over $5,000 was raised this year.  According to Elementary Principal... [More]

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OBITUARIES

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Nathan “Nate” Hobson

Nathan “Nate” Hobson, 45, of Rose Hill, died Saturday, March 25, 2023. Celebration of Life will be at 1:00 pm, Friday, March 31, 2023, at Rose Hill Christian Church. Nate was raised in Syracuse, KS and moved to Wichita in 2005. Throughout his career he was a funeral... [More]

William “Pug” Eugene Mitchell

William “Pug” Eugene Mitchell passed away at Logan County Senior Center in Oakley, Kansas on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at the age of 83.  He was born April 10, 1939 in Beloit, Kansas. He was the son of William Arthur Mitchell and Edna Sophronia (Colby) Mitchell.... [More]

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Victor D. Mustoe Jr.

Victor D. Mustoe Jr. passed away on February 18, 2023 at age 79. The Celebration of Life, conducted by Brother Scott Moore, is 1 p.m. Sunday, February 26, 2023 in the chapel of Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN. Inurnment in Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery will be scheduled... [More]

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Rose Marie (Jellison) Vana

A celebration of a life well lived and so deeply loved for Rose Marie Vana, will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in Holly, CO. Pastor Mike Lewis will officiate. Rose’s final resting place will be in Walsenburg, CO with her... [More]

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Brayan Leyva-Montes

Brayan Leyva-Montes, 16, passed away Sunday, February 12, 2023 due to injuries from an auto accident near Liberal, Kansas.  Brayan was born on August 24, 2006 in Garden City, Kansas the son of Otoniel Leyva and Veronica Leyva-Montes. Brayan spent his entire life living in... [More]

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Kathleen “Kathy” Weckerly

Kathleen Elaine “Kathy” Weckerly passed away at her home in Manhattan, Kansas on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at the age of 67.  She was born November 24, 1955 at Donahue Memorial Hospital in Syracuse, KS.   She was the daughter of Gene and Eloise (Hughes)... [More]

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Beverly Jane Pollart

Funeral services for Beverly Pollart will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 18, 2023 at Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in Holly, Colorado with interment to follow in the Holly Cemetery. Deacon Allan Medina will be presiding. Recitation of the Rosary will be held prior... [More]

Leopoldo Penaran Huerta

Leopoldo Penaran Huerta, 66, passed away Wednesday, February 9, 2023 at his home in Coolidge, Kansas.  Leopoldo was born November 9, 1956 in Urireo Guanajuato, Mexico the son of Salud Penaran Huerta & Maria Piedad Salinas. During his childhood years he worked with his... [More]

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