Opinion
Women in ag conference set
Ladies, mark your calendars. The annual Labette Women in Agriculture Conference has been scheduled for Tuesday, March 5, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Altamont. The day will open with state Rep. Richard Proehl and other programs will share information about farm business records, tax law changes, local bird watching, Walk Kansas, land lease laws and Safe Haven Outreach. As always, the conference is free and includes lun...
full story
Time of Feeding influences Time of Calving
A major portion of the losses in a cow-calf herd occur at calving. Supervision of first calf heifers and cows that need assistance is a proven method to increase calf survival. In most operations observing birth is more easily done during daylight hours. The time of day of calving is thought to be influenced by a combination of many variables. These factors would include the time of day that feed is provided, physical activity, daily rhythmic...
full story
Public Minds
Patient thankful for orthopedic, hospital care To The Sun: On Jan. 23 I was one of eight patients of Dr. Brad Meister, all of whom had joint surgery at Labette Health. I had full replacement of my right hip. The surgery went without a hitch and I was delighted with pre- and post-op care, both in the surgical suite and in my room afterward, during a stay that ran through Jan. 25. In addition to Dr. Meister and his surgical team, all the nurses,...
full story
Resolution benefits LCC students
JANUARY 2013 EDITORIAL Ever since I can remember our family tradition has been to make new years’ resolutions. I have to admit that growing up in the 1960s I made my share of ”world peace” resolutions and those other resolutions that fit that stage of our life. I believe that as we mature or get older, whichever comes first, our resolutions become more grounded in reality. Professionally, I resolve each year to find new ways of making sure ...
full story
Judge selection process works
The rule of law is about process. Lawyers work within the judicial process on a daily basis. We understand that a fair and even-handed process promotes a fair and even-handed result, typically the correct result. Americans have faith in the checks and balances within our democracy. We elect our legislators to enact the statutes desired by the majority. We elect our gubernatorial and presidential executives to enforce those statutes. However, ...
full story
Time for action in state is now
There are far too many tragedies across our country that involve a person struggling with a mental illness who did not receive adequate treatment and support. Tragedies such as the events at Virginia Tech, Aurora, Colo., Chardon High School in Ohio and the most recent example in Newtown, Conn., are painful reminders. We must do what we can to make community-based mental health services affordable and accessible to all Kansans through the state...
full story
Public Mind
Transition of Family Peace Initiative To the Sun: I would like to thank several folks who have played a role in the successful transition of the Family Peace Initiative from the auspices of SKIL Resource Center Inc. to Halley Counseling Services PA, the founders of FPI. First, Colleen Surridge of the Parsons Sun has played an instrumental part in helping us communicate the changes occurring at SKIL and the bright future of FPI, the certified b...
full story
A Season of Thanks and Reflection
At Labette Community College, when we speak of seasons, we are usually talking about the most current sport that is practicing and hosting games. Well, this season is also a season of giving thanks and reflection. As the holidays quickly approach, students are studying diligently for finals and instructors preparing for the spring semester. In the midst of the holiday bustle, we should remember to pause and be thankful for all we have and al...
full story
A Catholic education
The value of Catholic education in Parsons To The Sun: Over nine years ago when my husband and I were relocating our family from the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex we chose to move to Parsons for two reasons. One was to be closer to family. The other was because Parsons has a Catholic school in the Wichita diocese. The importance of being in the Wichita diocese is that active, tithing parishioners do not have to pay tuition for their children ...
full story
Public Minds
Red Cross blood drive set To The Sun: 'Tis the season of giving. The season of hope and your American Red Cross blood drive are just around the corner. The last community blood drive of 2012 will be from noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, and from 8 a.m. to noon Friday, Dec. 28, at First Christian Church in Parsons. The theme of the drive is “Give Something that Means Something.” Governed by volunteers and supported by individuals and communiti...
full story
Public Mind
Watch tax exempt progress To The Sun: After living more than 30 years in Montgomery County and more than 20 years in Labette County, I cannot believe that the Kansas Legislature would be inclined to raise the personal property taxes by 38 to 50 percent in these two counties. Lawmakers are considering exempting certain fixtures in counties. (An example would be exempting the tax value of a crane that's attached to a manufacturing building.) The...
full story
Public Minds
Don't change judge selection method To The Sun: I am writing to strongly disagree with the Dec. 5 editorial by guest author Stephen J. Ware of the University of Kansas School of Law. He wants politicians (specifically the Kansas governor) to have a more significant roll in the selection of appellate judges. He admits "appellate judges of Kansas are tremendously important lawmakers." The long term success of our political system relies upon th...
full story
Public Mind
A True Parsonian Each spring the Parsons skies are highlighted by the presence of the purple martin. The martin is known for its aerial acrobatics as well as its sweet melodies. The martin also has an unrivaled devotion to its home, a devotion so ingrained that around the first of March the bird will fly virtually non-stop from the Brazilian rain forest until it reaches Parsons as quick as two weeks later, sometimes crossing the whole of the...
full story
Pearl Harbor affected Parsons
My friend Alice Pefley and I had come to my home from church. She had been invited for lunch and to stay for the favorite Sunday radio show of all seventh graders; "The Shadow." While we waited for the show to begin, my mother showed Alice the two Japanese robes we had just received for Christmas from her 19-year-old nephew, Jewie (a bombardier). His group had just arrived in Manilla, Philippines, and they were waiting for airplanes (which nev...
full story
Hardy shrub lived 10 years
This winter I lost my favorite shrub. I believe I bought it in Joplin, a zone warmer than ours. I had never heard of it and knew it might freeze, but it lived about 10 years and was a beauty with long, shiny dark leaves. In early spring it had clusters of droopy flowers. In 2010 the heat nearly got it, and last winter finished it. I bought a similar shrub that day, which I still have and I’ve lost the tags of both. If you know what it might be...
full story
Public Mind
To The Sun: Reading the headline, “Four more years” (Wednesday’s Public Mind), probably like many other readers, I cringed. Must we put up with negativity-itis another four years? I agree with the letter on two points: “…the most important election of this century is now history,” and “If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always gotten.” The election is over. Ironic how some statements made make points...
full story
November is diabetes awareness month
November is a time to come together as a community to stop diabetes. The vision of the American Diabetes Association is a life free of diabetes and all of its burdens. Raising awareness of this ever-growing disease is one of the main efforts behind the mission of the association. American Diabetes Month is an important element in this effort, with programs designed to focus the nation’s attention on the issues surrounding diabetes and the many...
full story
Public Mind
To The Sun: Perhaps the most important election of his century is now history.  On my Corps of Engineers desk a plaque proclaimed “If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always gotten." This is a politer version of the definition of insanity.  After four years of “hope and change,” the major change was the passage of the unpopular federal health care law.  Projected to be a job killer, it was proved to be...
full story
Veterans’ battle persists at home
By U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran In recent months, our nation witnessed a more intense campaign season than we’d ever seen. While elections and the campaigning that precede them are vitally important to our democracy, I can’t help but be concerned that amid the focus on endorsements, pundits and politics, we tend to lose sight of what is truly important. The celebration of Veterans Day in the week following the election serves as a fitting reminder o...
full story
Work begins on avoiding fiscal cliff
By Lynn Jenkins U.S. Representative, Kansas On Tuesday, I was honored to be re-elected to represent Kansas’ 2nd Congressional District in the 113th Congress. Today, many people are struggling, and many more are frustrated by the gridlock in Washington. Folks want their elected officials to get back to work and make the hard decisions that will put this country and the economy back on the right path. We still face a mountain of work to do, and...
full story