SURPRISE, I AM BACK. I had to take some time off to do a project here where we live. I really missed writing the columns. I never imagined doing something like this. Last Feb. I was wanting to put an ad in the Pratt Tribune when Jennifer the Editor asked if I would be interested in writing a regular column. I sure was lucky to have a good editor for my columns, even though one time I did not agree with her. I sure want to thank her for doing what she does.
Jack Frost left his calling card on many windows and windshields this past weekend in Pratt, with interesting designs created by below zero temperatures, biting wind chills, and a small amount of precipitation. Photo by Jennifer Stultz
It wasn’t a white Christmas in Pratt in 2021, but a winter storm brought sleet and ice followed by a small amount of light snow on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, creating a festive scene around those homes still decorated for the season. photo by Jennifer Stultz
FIRST QUARTER - January, February, March In a year fraught with COVID-19 numbers, updates, restrictions and vaccinations, there were other stories in the news that topped Pratt Tribune reader-interest trackers. Many were about local leaders, issues, business news and personalities, and indication that even in COVID-times, life went on for most.
PITTSBURG – The new year is here and so are the 49th Kansas Shrine Bowl rosters. Eighty players were announced to the respective East and West teams to play in the 2022 Kansas Shrine Bowl, which will be played at 7 p.m.
LAST THURSDAY, I met with Shawna Nells, Eric Ward, Darci Paull and Jason Hartman at the Kansas Forest Service who work to protect Kansans and Kansas landowners through protection and management of forests, woodlands and windbreaks. They showed me satellite images from the National Interagency Fire Center as well as data from National Fireguard Detections, a program that monitors heat rather than fire perimeter and helps fill in any informational gaps from the satellite images. From the images and data, I was able to learn more about the extent of the damage from the December 15 fires as farmers, ranchers and communities begin to rebuild. Recovery takes time, and I am ready to assist.
MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas Department of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension will offer virtual workshops January 31–February 4, 2022, to assist farmers’ market vendors and managers, and also for those wanting to sell food products directly to consumers. The workshop series includes four online Lunch and Learn sessions, followed by a half-day virtual workshop. Some K-State Research and Extension offices will be offering in-person watch parties for the February 4 half-day workshop.
A CREW FROM the Guinness Book of World Records has recorded a video of a new world record holder. And where do you suppose this world record holder is found? Would you believe, in rural, Northeastern Kansas?
RECENTLY our family was visiting our hometown and, in trying to get from one location to another in Kansas City, we found ourselves in the middle of road construction. A sign appeared in the middle of the road stating, “NO THROUGH TRAFFIC.” Jeff turns to me and says, “Can we get through here?” and my immediate response was “Sure we can! We just have to cut through this subdivision,” as I pointed to the street to my right.
THANKS FOR JOINING ME again as we take a deeper look into Good Trouble: Seek out the truth and not talking points. In my last article we walked alongside Laura Haviland, our Underground Railroad heroine from the 19th century and for whom the town of Haviland, Kansas was named. Laura had travelled undercover to Arkansas as a seamstress to get a special message to Ann, a slave woman. In the process Laura was almost torn limb by limb by vicious blood hounds trained to chase and kill slaves trying to escape. She also witnessed brutal beatings of young childhood slaves, who at the mercy of their grandmother was simply too sick to awaken them for their morning chores. The worst part of being undercover was she could not reveal the true purpose of her trip. Finally on her boat trip home, she free to come to the rescue of a sweet, grieving slave couple who were being sold down the river from their children. Often the opposite was the case for slaves. It was the children who were generally separated from their parents and sold down the river. In this case it was elderly parents sold away, and Laura was no longer in the difficult role of being an indifferent observer, so she listened intently to their plight and prayed with them. She also promised to continue to pray for them.