The Pratt Presbyterian Church at 202 E. First Street was named one of 10 most beautiful churches in Kansas in a 2015 post by Only In Your State Attractions. Last week it looked stately and impressive as always, despite the cold winter blast that settled in Pratt for several days at the beginning of the new year. Photo by Jennifer Stultz
The Pratt Pilot Club International was on the receiving end of a December Giving project when members of the Pratt High Plains Credit Union presented the club with a check for $1,000 recently. The Pratt Pilot was chosen for this unexpected gift because their mission is to influence positive change in communities throughout the world, a High Plains Credit post on Facebook said.
The family of Bob Doolittle would like to thank John Hamm for officiating the funeral service, Bob Schmisseur for the wonderful eulogy, Larrison Mortuary for their caring service, and the Pratt Regional Medical Center, Dr. Pribil, Pratt Health and Rehab and staff for their care. Casket bearers, all the flowers, prayers, cards and memorials to the B-29 museum in honor of Bob Doolittle were so much appreciated. Also a special thank you to friends Don and Sandy for their help with lunch.
On Martin Luther King Day, January 17, area community colleges are celebrating with different plans. Pratt Community College has called off classes in recognition of the national holiday.
Kansas Wesleyan University announced its fall honor rolls on Jan. 7, a listing of 314 students across two separate honor rolls.
MENUS FOR THE COMING WEEK: Monday, Jan 17: Chicken Alfredo, Fettuccini Alfredo, Broccoli, French Bread, Fruit Cup Tuesday, Jan 18: Chili, Mixed Vegetables, Cinnamon Roll, Fruit, Crackers Wednesday, Jan 19: Chicken Cordon Bleu, Green Beans, Fruit, Roll Thursday, Jan 20: Pizza Casserole, Mixed Vegetables, Vanilla Pudding, Garlic Bread Friday, Jan 21: Enchilada, Cheese dip, Side Salad, Pineapple, Tortilla Chips The menu is subject to change even more so in these uncertain times with shortages for supplies. Please remember the menu is subject to change.
JANUARY 11 and Super Bowl Sunday are two important days to keep in mind each year. One is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, and the other is the largest human sex trafficking event of the year in the United States (Lapchick). Human trafficking is a crime and, by definition, is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons for the purpose of exploitation (DOJ). Through false promises, manipulation, and violence, traffickers can trick, lure, and exploit their victims for sexual work, forced labor, or organ removal and selling. Victims usually experience physical and psychological abuse in the hands of their captures, are sleep-deprived, and constantly hear of threats of violence against family members to deter noncompliance of the victims (Glowbalact). They are deprived of their personal rights, freedom of speech, independence, and self-respect. The fastest-growing criminal industry in the world is buying and selling people (DOJ).
Many states are in the process of raising the minimum wage. Missouri now has raised theirs to $12 an hour on the way to $15 an hour.
I sometimes wonder about the significance of Pratt’s motto: Gateway to the High Plains. On one hand it sounds like the beginning of a great adventure, much like that of the pioneers who traveled through on horseback and in covered wagons about 150 years ago. On the other hand, it rather makes me think living here is kind of a gateway to something more, like going from rural living to a more citi-fied existance, or the other way around, on a small scale.
“TO ER IS HUMAN, BUT TO REALLY FOUL THINGS UP USE A COMPUTER!” Paul R. Ehrlich We all took a much needed break at the end of the year.