Opinion
Vegetarian diets
Dear Reno: My college-bound daughter has decided to go vegetarian. Will this meet her nutrition needs? Thank you. — R.D. Most people think of vegetarian diets as no meat, poultry or fish. However, depending what is included or excluded, vegetarian diets are further classified as: — Lacto-vegetarian diet, which excludes all meat, fish, poultry, eggs as well as foods that contains these in any form. Milk and other dairy products are included. —...
full story
Public Mind
To The Sun: During this past week, we as Americans witnessed once again America's heroes at their finest. But America has a habit of producing heroes. All of the veterans in all of our wars, conflicts and encounters, where the best are called upon, can always be counted on to step forward and answer the call. Our police, and all law enforcement personnel, put their lives on the line every shift they work. Many times they answer four, five and...
full story
No planning for this
Recently I read: "Life is what is happening while you are making other plans." That's so true. Last week I had a lot going on,  so I sat down with my calendar and my note reminders and saw that I would be able to attend all. Two were funerals of long-time friends, a dinner party, (love 'em and usually miss them) back to back doctors' appointments for Don's hearing aids and the foot doctor. Well, that's enough. I could make it all. Friday I was...
full story
Public Minds
Big Brothers Big Sisters raises $24,788.41 To The Sun: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Labette County Bowl for Kids Sake annual fundraiser for 2013 was a success, raising $24,788.41 toward a goal of $30,000. With the donations given and the pledges made by individuals both far and near, we are close to reaching our goal. There are so many people who helped to make this event a success. I would like to thank them for their time and effort. First,...
full story
Coffee causes some health concerns
  Dear Reno: I have heard that it is good to drink coffee. If so, can you explain? Thank you. – D.P. All coffee drinkers will agree how wonderful it is to wake up  in the mornings to the aroma of coffee brewing, also how great it tastes and that coffee gives a good start to the day ahead. If you are like most people, you drink coffee for the caffeine content or as a daily habit. But do you ever stop to think what it does for your health? Coffe...
full story
Public Minds
Dog tethering law is a bad idea To The Sun: Recently, I've seen stories on the news and many comments on Facebook about the anti-tethering laws that a group in Parsons is pushing to get passed into law, not only locally, but statewide. I personally am against such a law being pushed onto me as I feel it's infringing on my right for self-protection. When I first moved to Parsons, I felt it a close-knit, safe community, but soon after, it began ...
full story
Public MInds
City wasting a lot of money To The Sun: This is in response to the Public Mind article in the Saturday-Sunday edition of the Sun. The letter writer needs to learn to read. The campaign ad that ran Feb. 6 did not ask "why would anyone want to live in Parson?" It said "why would anyone come to Parsons and compete with City Hall?" When you are quoting someone I would suggest you include all the information in the sentence, and not just your opi...
full story
Simple vs. complex carbs
Dear Reno: What are carbohydrates and are some of these more healthy than others? Thank you. – R.K. Carbohydrates provide the fastest source of energy to our body. During digestion, carbohydrates are changed to a simple sugar called glucose, which is essentially “fuel” that is needed for the body and its organs to function. Carbohydrates, unlike proteins and fats, are converted quickly to glucose, giving the body an immediate source of energy ...
full story
Public Mind
A good place to live To The Sun: My wife and I saw a political ad in last Saturday’s paper that asked the question why would anyone want to live in Parsons? I can give you 10 reasons. 1. This is a community of caring people. 2. Our schools are the best in the area. 3. Labette Health is a leading health care facility. 4. We have an excellent Chamber of Commerce and tourism department. 5. Downtown Parsons is promoting our Main Street area. 6. Ex...
full story
PURPLE MOUNTAIN TRAVESTIES
  America is so beautiful, from sea to shining sea. That is until I set foot into the lobby of a bank. All those money holders, being potential breeding grounds for crime and a possible end to loan officers' careers. I sure wish God would shed His grace on thee by crowning thy good in all brotherhood, but not before He knocks some sense into criminal minds. For decades I have wondered if I’d ever be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Preci...
full story
February: Time to prune, clean
February 2013—Time to Clean and Prune Now is the time to get your pruners, loppers and saws cleaned and honed for late winter pruning season. Late February and early March are ideal times to prune many trees and shrubs for the year. Deciduous trees will not have leaves on branches and it’s easier to see which ones are crossing, dead and do not have buds on them, or ones that are broken or damaged. Those branches that are damaged need to be...
full story
Community helps LCC athletes
If you have heard me speak in public, I typically visit about Labette Community College's outstanding faculty and staff, student achievements on the court, field or mat and in the classroom, and recently about the construction of our new health science building. I generally end with a statement very similar to, “Thank you for being a part of the greatest community college in the state of Kansas, and I truly believe that.” Staff like to tease w...
full story
Public Minds
Creative minds at PRC To The Sun: What's good about Parsons? Creative people like those at Parsons Recreation Commission who planned a different approach, the Father-Daughter Valentine's Day Dance. Maybe someone remembered the Girl Scout Dad-Daughter Date Night. And power to Mr. Fuentez. There needs to be more mixing of the generations. Thanks to the Sun for a great story. — WILMA ZINK, Parsons Change the selection process To The Sun: The wa...
full story
Sleep and diet
Dear Reno: Is there a connection between diet and sleep. If yes, what is it? Thank you. — B.J. Eating healthy and getting enough sleep are two important factors for good health. Both quality of sleep and hours of sleep can lead to changes in one’s health and well being. Medical studies have shown that patterns of very short sleep (less than five hours) and short sleep (five to six hours) usually lead to a vicious cycle of feeling more tired an...
full story
Budgeting basics will help families
Money is a part of our daily life. What we wear, what we eat, where we live and the fun things we do are only a few money related decisions we make, says Mary Lou Odle, a county Extension agent. For some people, having a million dollars wouldn’t be enough to satisfy their wants. Millions of other people pay their bills, save for the future and live within their income. Managing money takes time and effort. The way you spend or save money help...
full story
Public Mind
Thank you, Steve Lardy To The Sun: How lucky this community has been. Within my lifetime, I have had the grace to enjoy the rare skills of two men. Jack Harris (the late Parsons Sun sports editor) and Steve Lardy (KLKC Radio). Now Steve has announced that he is leaving this community to enjoy a well deserved retirement. I hope this editorial will illuminate my appreciation for the man and the sportscaster that is Steve Lardy. When he first cam...
full story
Access point
Legislative action from 2012 is trickling down to tickle citizens from slumber again. Citizen access to public documents may be impacted. Cities have complained for some time about the cost of publishing legal notices in newspapers. Sometimes ordinances (city laws) can take up a big chunk of real estate on a newspaper page and these publications are required before the laws can be enacted and they are expensive. Cities complained about a fair...
full story
Public Minds
Don't support judge change To The Sun: I am totally opposed to changing the process of appointing judges. The success of our political system rests on three separate branches. Gov. Sam Brownback and his monied friends obviously have control of two of the branches. To make sure his extreme conservative plans, once passed, remain lawful he needs to control the courts, plain as that! Unfortunately, our senator, Jeff King, supports changing the pr...
full story
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