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To You or For You

I went to bed Tuesday night happy about life and the peace that comes from checking things off your list, helping someone, and having a plan for the next day. 
 I  had a dream that night, I was in a hotel room and it caught fire. Wednesday morning I woke up to pure chaos. There was water in my basement but not sure where it was coming from. I had a situation at my office. And there was a lot of work to still do on the newspaper that was unavoidable due to some other issues. Suddenly I felt like I was drowning. 
Ever have that feeling? 
 We all go through it. It didn’t seem like there was time to catch my breath.  Isn’t it easy to look at someone else falling apart and judge them?  
 How do we act when it’s all going to, as my daughter would say, H-E- double hockey sticks?
 My first thought is how grateful I am nothing that happened was tragic. And that most of my days are not this frustrating. 
Lately I feel like I am behind. The list is bigger than me of things to do and I can’t catch up. I wonder will there be a moment soon to just sit by a pool, read a book , and feel the sun on my face? 
  Even as I write this, the paper isn’t finished. But all week I have had the feeling of just keep putting one foot in front of the other. You will know what to do next. 
But in the middle of it, I am questioning myself. 
Did I do something wrong? Why is this happening?
 I get a “Message from God” email every so often. It is a group I enjoy following. The message was - “Doubt is the rust of life. That doubt holds you landlocked in paralysis unable to move. The time you spent doubting is the time you are not alive. So, rid yourself of the doubt, take that step one way or another, your heart knows what is best.”
 This morning I don’t have time to doubt, question, or pursue dreams. This morning is dedicated to completing the tasks at hand. One foot in front of the other. 
After I get this paper out I need to go clean the water out of my basement and figure out where it is coming from.
Now that I think about it, we  have had some smaller issues with water in the house but they were so tiny we just  ignored them and went on with our lives. Maybe the issue had to get big enough for us to pay attention to it.  
   How about you? 
Does life feel overwhelming? If you look too far ahead or at the mountain in front of you, does it make you excited or want to run away and hide? 
I read the bible verse -  Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” - Matthew 19:26
 It’s true. I feel like all of this is impossible. Yet if I look back, God has brought me through much harder times. 
Honestly these are tiny problems that I have built up in my head as more than they really are.  
 Maybe I just need to take a moment and stop. Catch my breath. Remember all the good things God has brought me to and what He has helped me through.
   Look around. There is good somewhere.
And maybe all the turmoil is pushing you toward something new. 
Is it happening to you or for you? 

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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