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Small Town Life

Small town life is good isn’t it?

I think sometimes we forget how good it is. When I see what goes on in large cities I cringe.

Example, a woman called me because she had an error in an obituary and would I fix it? And she was so sorry to bother me.

I gave her my cell number and said if you find another error call me day or night. I am here. And I am so sorry for your loss.

Obituaries here are free and we like them long. We want to know stories and really remember the person.

When my father passed away in a larger area in Florida in 2006, the funeral home said it would be $1.00 a word for his obituary.

But his name date of birth and date of death were free. I can’t remember now if they charged me for the dash in between.  sarcasm

In a small town neighbors and friends can get on your last nerve but at the end of the day if tragedy strikes, those same people are at your door with a meal or an offer to help.

Politics get put behind relationships. These are the people of our town. We work with them. Seeing the new teachers faces in the newspaper made me happy.

If I see one of them downtown, I can say hi and introduce myself. Or I can try to help if needed.

I remember when I lived in New York City and the homeless were everywhere. I walked by them, stepped over them without a second thought.

The way I spoke to people and how others spoke to strangers shocks me.  Random people will just walk up to you and scream obscenities or tell you off.

In a small town you don’t do that. You work through things. If there is a homeless person, someone or several someones try to help.

Community, interpersonal relationships and humanity were evident at the county fair. People got on each other’s last nerves. But I know I could call any one of them today in an emergency and they would be there in minutes.

We are interconnected here. Our actions and our words matter to each other. And if someone is having a bad day or a bad year we may cringe a little but our door is still open to them.

When the world seems crazy and the news gets to you, the beauty of a small town is we can shut the television off, go for a walk, go help a neighbor or just be kind.

I wasn’t born in a small town but I appreciate Syracuse more than you will know.

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]

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SPORTS

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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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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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NEWS

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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