You Matter
At the funeral of a friend’s father this week, the priest said something that has stuck with me. So often at funerals I think the focus is on the glory of Heaven and what joy there is. But it is rare we stop and discuss the emptiness that is left behind.
During his sermon, is it a sermon in Catholicism? I asked a friend. It is called a homily.
During the homily, the priest said there is a great emptiness where this person occupied. And that hit me.
How do we move forward if we don’t acknowledge the pain. This person’s life mattered. He made a difference for his family, for his church, and for his country.
Not long after the funeral word came of another man from our small town who was killed in a car accident.
While I never had deep meaningful interactions with him, I saw him daily. I saw him at the donut shop, the convenience store, at auctions.
He was quiet but always present.
Now there is emptiness where these men are no longer living.
Maybe the focus is on they are healed, with loved ones, and free.
But stop for a moment. Your presence in someone’s life matters. You occupy a huge space. And your life, your actions, and your decisions affect others.
I was angry at a larger news media outlet sharing news without thought to the fact that many in the family had not been notified yet. And how we move so fast in this life that we forget to slow down.
Maybe that’s the beauty of a small town. You are noticed. You matter. You make a difference.
Let’s raise a glass to those who have gone before us. Thank them whoever they were in your life, for their good and bad memories, and for the legacy they left behind.
And move forward with new vigor as we are still here. Look at the sun and smile, help someone out, forgive a few small issues, and be kinder to our fellow men and women. We are all we have.
“You may think that you are completely insignificant in this world. But someone drinks coffee from the favorite cup that you gave them. Someone heard a song on the radio that reminded them of you. Someone read the book that you recommended and plunged headfirst into it. Someone smiled after a hard day’s work because they remembered the joke that you told them today. Someone loves themselves a little bit more because you gave them a compliment. Never think you have no influence whatsoever. Your trace, which you leave behind with every good deed, cannot be erased.” — Unknown
OPINIONS
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]
Why Do It?
I spent last Sunday on the couch. I literally did nothing except watch a season of a baking competition show with my daughter. I kept smiling and laughing at how happy I was to do absolutely nothing. It felt wonderful. The push to get to the Kansas Junior... [More]
More Opinions
- Please or Thank you
- Helping Others
- Lay Down or Get Up and Fight
- Keep Moving
- Remember Who You Are
- Make Good Choices
- Suffering
- Behind The Scenes
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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