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 had to get out, chores, and more.
When we got home, we were exhausted but still had to clean out the trailer. I was so tired , my heart hurt.
I slept well! Then Monday was go, go, go again. On Tuesday I noticed that spirit of rushing was still in me but I didn’t need it.
I drove around town for errands and admired all the flowers and potted plants. I slowed down enough to notice colors, people tending to their yards, a lanky, black cat arching his back, and lazing in the middle of a road.
I took a couple deep breaths and realized some days are nonstop but others it’s ok to slow it down a bit. It’s a gift.
Have you stopped to admire the sunset? Take it in.
I took time, picked up my book and read.
I decided that as much as possible I would try to spend the summer delivering a quality eight page paper because I need a little downtime. I want to swim with my daughter, feel the sun on my face, and build memories.
The quiet is nice.
After a full week of basketball camp, friends, work, and livestock shows, we came back to the barn to unload.
I was a little bummed after our spring sheep shows because I thought she could have done better.
My daughter said mom interview me. I laughed and said ok what do you want to say. She said I love raising livestock. I asked why. She said I think it’s a good life skill. I like being part of helping to feed people, and I love to play with them. Sheep are my favorite animal.
When I get caught up in winning or pushing her to do better, I need to remember we raise livestock for bigger reasons than banners or buckles. And while I absolutely love her to win more, it took my daughter reminding me of the bigger picture. I am so proud of her attitude, her love of sheep, life, basketball, school, and more.
We aren’t the best out there. We won’t ever be. Someone will always be better, win more, and I am truly happy for them.
Sometimes it’s just a great reminder where we are at. We are at home with each other, happy at the barn with our animals, and joyful that God has given us such a beautiful life. She loves to show sheep, feed and care for them, and hopes to pursue a degree in animal science one day.
I think all the quiet is time to reflect, restore, and refresh.
Sometimes that means getting away to a beach or traveling. And sometimes it means stopping to enjoy where you are at, who you are with, and just playing a game, reading a book, or enjoying the moment.
In the world that seems to get faster and faster, slowing down and enjoying the moment feels like the most beautiful gift of all.
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
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]
Fern Maxcine Shetterly
Fern Maxcine (Campbell) Shetterly was born August 15, 1932,in Holly, Colorado to Roy and Augusta Campbell. She died in Colorado Springs, Colorado on June 23, 2026. Maxcine was born into a hardworking farm family during the height of the Great Depression.... [More]
More Obituaries
- Bonnie (Stevens) Adkisson
- Johnny DuVall
- Eldon “Skip” Reed
- John “Skip” Conard, Jr.
- Peggy Hatcher
- Sharon Ann (Taylor) Englert
- Boyd “Pete” Dwight Bezona
- Larry Vaughn Meyer
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