Travel Is Fatal To Prejudice, Bigotry, And Narrow-Mindedness. So Is Returning Home.
Mark Twain wrote, “Travel is fatal to prejuidce, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”
Last week, my family and I had the opportunity for a fast and furious road trip that landed us in Arizona.
We took our daughter out of school for a couple of days and traveled the country. She learned skills like reading a map for mileage, how to navigate the country, and meeting different cultures of people.
We stopped at Gladstone, NM and visited a town that had a population of five people.
We drove in stop and go traffic, and busy interstates.
We hiked through two national parks and learned about cacti and wildlife.
I would add to Twain’s quote that travel also helps me appreciate what I have where I live as well.
As we were visiting with locals we learned this was their first year back to in-person school.
They have spent the last two years doing school virtually. My heart stopped. We were out for eight weeks total.
Their county fair was virtual as well. It reminded me of the beauty of our small town.
As we researched national parks in New Mexico, we saw backcountry camping was not open due to the reopening from COVID. If you don’t know, backcountry camping is great because there are only a few spots available, the campsites are outdoors, and far away from anyone.
When we returned home we were exhausted but happy. We took the long way around to see new country, built memories together, laughed, had some disagreements, and I saw where small town life had changed me.
I grew up in bumper to bumper traffic, people honking and screaming at each other, etc.
It was nothing to me.
But now, years later, driving on the interstate terrified me. I suddenly realized how much I had changed. I didn’t love that part. But I also discovered the news we are fed daily often makes me afraid of bigger cities and people.
Seeing different cultures and meeting new people reminded me that people are basically good and kind.
It seems the news we watch tends to divide us and makes us afraid. And sharing that education with our daughter was priceless.
Getting out of town is a wonderful opportunity. Returning home is great too!
And gratitude for those who helped us with our animals!
On our trip, I put my phone away. I focused on the beauty of my family, what an incredible gift this time was, how blessed I am, and that family is the most important thing.
Last year I chose staying home and working on the county fair insert instead of camping with my husband and daughter.
I chose work over family. And I feel like I paid for it.
As we hiked through the White Sands National Park, hometown news came in that was important to cover. But I took a breath and decided it would have to wait because these memories are few and far between. Balance is everything.
So this year, if we get the oppportunity to get away or camp again, the insert will come a week late.
The only wish I had was that we had more time.
Time is the gift. How are we using it?
OPINIONS
Double-Minded
We didn’t make it to Cheyenne last weekend. Weather and family coming in caused us to rethink our decision. I admit I had my heart set on it and it stung a bit. But it was the right choice for us. The hardest part was the back and forth of “do we go, do we not... [More]
Day of Action of Thanks
I am sure I just finished typing my last column a few minutes ago. Thanksgiving is in two days and I know November just started. It’s that time of the year when days fly by, my checklist gets longer, and I am not prepared for anything! We are supposed to go to Cheyenne,... [More]
A Bitter Pill
I swallowed a hard pill last weekend when my daughter and I took a self defense class. We raise our kids to be better than we were, or at least I hope that is the goal, it is mine. In the class we were taught to listen to our gut, our instincts. ... [More]
Someone Needs Your Help
I read a quote by Jack Welch that said, “When you were made a leader you weren’t given a crown, you were given the responsibility to bring out the best in others.” Have you ever had one of those days? You are walking along filled with gratitude... [More]
The World Has Never Been Safe
It’s November! Cool weather, leaves changing color, seasons changing. How are you doing? I am making decisions about Thanksgiving printing for the paper. It looks like a long weekend beforehand and I will print on Monday morning of that week, publishing Tuesday. ... [More]
A Time to Laugh
My view today, Wednesday, is beautiful - cool, leaves changing color, mums and pumpkins in my front yard. I am not quite ready for single digit temperatures except perhaps it will kill the flies! Just for fun we bought two skeletons that play instruments. They... [More]
Are You Thirsty?
How much water do you drink? Whatever is in my coffee cup. When I was told I needed to drink more water, I mentioned I’m not thirsty…Ever. Someone shared with me that people who are dehydrated don’t feel thirst. As I started drinking... [More]
He Makes A Way Where There Is No Way
Someone confided in me last week that their life lately had been a rollercoaster of emotions. I mentioned that is where faith comes in. This world is a master at filling you with fear. If you ride the rollercoaster, it will take away everything from you.... [More]
More Opinions
- Why Do It?
- You Matter
- Please or Thank you
- Helping Others
- Lay Down or Get Up and Fight
- Keep Moving
- Remember Who You Are
- Make Good Choices
SPORTS
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
More Sports
NEWS
A is for Agriculture
Hamilton County is known for its agriculture. Farmers, ranchers, dairies, feedyards. We raise animals; 4-H and FFA programs help give youth a better understanding, but not all students have access to these rural resources. The Kindergarten classes from Syracuse Elementary... [More]
Celebrating Veterans
“When I raised my right hand at the Air Force Academy, I was 17 years old, like many of the gentlemen in the front row.” Every year Veteran’s Day celebrations at the McCoy Auditorium get better and better. This year, Syracuse School’s Veterans... [More]
LOCAL FFA ATTENDS NATIONAL CONVENTION
The 96th annual National FFA Convention was held last week and from as far as anyone can recall, this was Syracuse’s first time to attend. FFA alumni from 1959 recall going on to the state convention at Kansas State University, but never the national one. Larry... [More]
LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS
Boarders Inn & Suites photo - Pictured from Top Left to Right - Francisco Orta, Albani Dowell, Areia Bustillos, Saraya Lewis, Shauna Valentine, Mayra Orta, Maria Orta, Judy Nielsen
Bottom - Left to Right Brandon Herrera, Yadira Portillo, Ximena Portillo, Alexis Worsley Not pictured - Rebekah Seal, Erica Salgado/photos by Michele Boy
Wheatland Electric photo - Shajia Donecker, social media specialist; Alli Conine, director of member services & corporate communications; Nicole Semenko, payroll specialist; Bruce W. Mueller, general manager; Rick Klaus, director of operations; and Kyle Strickert, manager of substations and metering, accept the 2023 Apprenticeship Champions and Partners Award from Lt. Governor David Toland (center) at the Kansas Business Awards on Oct. 12, 2023, in Wichita.
Dream First Bank photo - Pictured L to R - Roxanne Emmerich, Chair and Founder of The Institute for Extraordinary Banking™ï¸ and Dream First Bank President and CEO Chris Floyd at the Banky Awards Event
The Kansas Cold Weather Rule Takes Effect November 1
The Kansas Cold Weather Rule takes effect November 1 TOPEKA – The Cold Weather Rule, designed to help Kansans who are behind on their utility payments avoid disconnection during the winter months, will begin on Wednesday, November 1 and remain in effect through March... [More]
LARKIN FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT OF SYRACUSE ROTARY CHAPTER
The Syracuse Rotary club was chartered in 1928 when the Rotary Club of Garden City sponsored Syracuse’s membership. Ninety-five years later, Megan Larkin has become the first woman President of Syracuse Rotary. Larkin has been a loan processor at Valley State Bank... [More]
WHARTONS RECEIVE BEEF SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
The definition of sustainability is the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level, “the sustainability of economic growth” and the avoidance of depletion of natural resources to maintain an ecological balance, “the pursuit of global environmental sustainability”. ... [More]
Stop Trafficking
We have all done it. You let your kid use your cellphone while you wait in line at the store, or doctor’s office. You know who else does it? Over 500,000 predators, perverts, and pimps. Some of them are eighth graders luring your child and others. And if your child... [More]
More News
OBITUARIES
Everett “Butch” Buchanan
Everett “Butch” Buchanan A mass of Christian burial for longtime Granada, Colorado resident, Everett Buchanan, affectionately known to his family and friends as Butch will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, November 29, 2023... [More]
Larry Gene Holdren
Larry Gene Holdren was born November 16, 1971, in Syracuse, Kansas to Charles Richard and Beverly Jean (Potter) Holdren. He passed from this life on November 24, 2023, in Highlands Ranch, Colorado after suffering an aortic tear. He leaves behind many family and friends who... [More]
Martina Pena
A Mass of Christian burial for longtime Granada resident, Martina Pena was held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at the St. Francis de Sales/Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Lamar with Reverend Kenny Joe Parlingayan’s.s.s.... [More]
Richard Marquez
A mass of Christian burial for lifelong Granada resident, Richard Marquez will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at the St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Holly, Colorado. A rosary service will be held prior to the mass at 10:30AM with Deacon Allan Medina... [More]
Dorothy Jean (Bules) Leslie Reed
Dorothy Jean (Bules) Leslie Reed, 95, passed away Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at the Hamilton County Hospital in Syracuse, Kansas. She was born November 25, 1927 in Gentry, Arkansas the daughter of Grover Bules & Devona (Huser) Bules. Dorothy began her life in Gentry, and... [More]
María Salgado
Mass of Christian Burial for Maria Salgado will be held at 10:00 a.m. and Recitation of the Rosary at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, November 18, 2023 at St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Holly, Colorado. Interment will take place following the Massin the Holly Cemetery. Visitation... [More]
Evelyn Youngers
Garfield - Evelyn T. Youngers, 93, passed away Saturday, November 4, 2023 at home. She was born June 9, 1930 in Ost, Kansas, the daughter of Frank and Helen (Schauf) Marx. She was a supportive farmer’s wife and a loving mother of twelve children. On May 18,... [More]
Chad Allen Myers
Chad Allen Myers, 51, Spring Hill, Kansas passed away Saturday, October 28, 2023. Visitation will be 3:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. Monday, November 6, 2023 with a Celebration Of Life at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 7, 2023 both at Spring HillUnited Methodist Church, 112 E. Nichols Street,... [More]
More Obituaries
- Letha (Reavis) Kraft
- Loyal Bland
- Alan Ray Chamberlain
- Roy Edward Bullock
- Harold Wayne Kane
- Kamryn Marie McFarland
- James G. Brucker
- Timothy J. "Tim" Haslett
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