Opinion
The legacy of Sandy McDonnell
Sanford N. McDonnell died on March 19 at age 89. Not surprisingly, newspaper obituaries are highlighting his many successful years at the helm of the McDonnell Douglas Corp. But I predict that when the history of our era is written, Sandy (as everyone called him) will be best remembered as America’s leading advocate for character education in our schools. Of course, I’m biased because I got to see this humble, compassionate and visionary man ...
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Tax cuts require whittling down
TOPEKA — If Kansas legislators are going to cut taxes this year, they'll have to whittle down a long list of attractive proposals that have already been approved by the House or Senate. The work could prove daunting. Republican Gov. Sam Brownback made cutting taxes his signature issue for this year's session of the GOP-dominated Legislature, proposing to overhaul the individual income tax code. Lawmakers have been equally aggressive in consid...
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Rain is helping flowers pop up
Since last summer, I had thought this would be a good time to call my gardening a day. I was certain I had five dead spruce, different types. I was right. I also thought I had lost hostas, azaleas and more, so I am happy to see them poking their heads through the leaf mulch I threw on the beds. These few days of light rain we've been enjoying are just what they needed. As much as I wanted to remove the leaves, I can't work out, yet, and it is ...
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Public Mind
A bully in the Statehouse To The Sun: From his decisions to defund the Kansas Arts Commission, close some Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services offices and cut funding to our schools, Gov. Sam Brownback has shown disdain for the poor, disabled and lower-income residents of Kansas. And now comes an effort to eliminate or drastically cut the Kansas income tax, which will have the ultimate effect of raising local property and sa...
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Grape seed oil
Dear Reno: Recently, I came across a recipe using grape seed oil. Can you tell me what it is and how is it different from olive oil and canola oil? Thank you. — M.D. Grape seed oil is one of the byproducts of wine making, as such has been around for many years. However, it is getting a lot of recent attention especially in America, because of its many health benefits. For centuries, it has been used extensively in Europe — mainly France and It...
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Nutrition Fact Labels change on meats
Have you noticed the new Nutrition Fact Labels on meat you have purchased this month? Starting March 1, nutrition facts panels will now be on packages of ground or chopped meat and poultry, such as hamburger or ground turkey. Additionally, 40 of the most popular whole, raw cuts of meat and poultry, such as chicken breast or steak, will also have nutritional information either on the package labels or on display at the store. The new nutrition ...
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Public Mind letters
Live here, buy here? To The Sun: I see that the live here, buy here theme has made a full circle. I was amused when I read the Sun on March 21 on how much effort the city is putting into building $100,000 to $200,000 houses. Even local businesses are jumping on board. I will be honest and call most of these people hypocrites. Perhaps some of those employed at the city would like to foot the bill for one of these new homes. Maybe city employees...
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Florida race controversy hits home
I have spent most of my years south of the Virginia-North Carolina border, so it is very difficult for me to ignore what is happening this week in Sanford, Fla. I have never been one to avoid the tough questions, so I have to ask: "Could it happen in Parsons?" I understand segregation, racial discrimination and bigotry. I remember growing up and seeing water fountains marked "white only" and "colored." I remember getting on a city bus and seei...
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Many scholarship opportunities at LCC
Scholarship Opportunities at LCC One of the biggest concerns of students, or parents of students earning a college degree, is how to fund that education. These concerns may be amplified by parents with more than one college-aged child at home or non-traditional students that leave the workforce to retrain and have families at home depending on their income. There are many ways to pay for a college education. One type of financial aid is Pell...
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Beautiful gardening weather before rain
Beautiful gardening days, three in a row. On a recent day last week I spent a half-hour trying out  my new, amazing QVC rake, but that's all it took for my steam to run out and I had to quit. Heck. Yes. I am a QVC junkie. I see a lot of new ideas that you don't see here. This rake wasn't cheap — $40 — but you take one sweep, push a button and the leaf pile is gathered and drops into your bag. Then there are Roberta's and another greenhouse wit...
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Six Tips for Achieving Financial Fitness
  You may be focused on getting in shape for swimsuit season, but take a break from the gym this spring and spend some time on your financial fitness. Here are six tips to help get your investment portfolio into prime condition. 1. Shed the weight of extra accounts. It’s not unusual to acquire multiple retirement accounts over the years, especially if you’ve changed jobs several times. Consider consolidating them to simplify the management of...
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March is National Nutrition Month
National Nutrition Month officially kicked off on March 1.  The theme for this year is “Get Your Plate In Shape.” The month is a nutrition education and information campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). The campaign was started in 1973 and focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing healthy eating and physical activity habits. Here are tips to “Get Your Plate in Shape” from the...
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Public Mind
To The Sun: Republicans recently caucused to vote for their preferred presidential candidate and immediately have shown problems getting their facts straight. Some, however, have no trouble grandstanding.  After Channel 7 TV news covered the caucus in Parsons, the local Republican representative being interviewed commented on the lower number of voters turning out to participate this time. Immediately he suggested, “it’s Obama’s fault.” It’s...
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Shape Up Your Kitchen Cleaning Routine
According to a 2011 report, kitchens, not bathrooms are typically the “germiest” places in our homes. Try these simple tips to clean it up, and protect your family! Kitchen Sponge. Used to clean dishes and countertops, sponges have the most germs in the house! Instead of using a sponge, start out each morning with a clean dry cloth. If you strongly prefer a sponge, microwave it wet for one minute every day to kill many of the bacteria, and r...
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Street repairs
We all know that Parsons has some rough streets as well as some pretty nice streets. But who hasn’t ruptured a disc along 13th Street by Labette Community College, or bumped along Kennedy, or Felix or any number of streets in the north half of town, including all streets in Orchard and Floral parks? How many have left Mother Earth temporarily on 13th at Appleton (a big dip) for north- and southbound traffic? Maybe this intersection just needs ...
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Columnist likes flowering trees
I'm writing while stretched out on my recliner, trying to recover from pneumonia. It hadn't been my intention to continue with my article any longer, until I ran across a couple of interesting pieces somewhere that I wanted to pass on.   A couple of people have asked me when I would start again and now I can't remember where I saw those pieces Trees are a true love for me. I especially love flowering trees and planting unusual ones.  I planted...
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Public Mind letters
St. Paul / Erie blood drive honored Verl Diskin To The Sun: The blood drive honoring Verl Diskin, former blood drive coordinator for the St. Paul / Erie blood drive, was held Tuesday, Feb. 28, in St. Paul. Verl had received his 13 gallon pin and had donated his 106th pint of blood in December 2011. There were 93 people who came to donate blood in memory of Verl. Of those 93 donors, 86 productive pints of blood were collected making t...
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Growing Our Community
A lot of small communities are struggling. Each is different, but in ways they are all the same. How do we change our community so it survives? A town hall meeting has been set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, at the Labette County High School Cafeteria with dinner provided by Labette Bank of Altamont. Please join the Hometown Economic Leadership Program (H.E.L.P.) in learning ways to grow our community. There will be two guest speakers: Ben All...
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Public Minds
Recall petition approval explained To The Sun: In mid-February, the Labette County Attorney’s Office received a telephone inquiry regarding how to commence a recall of a city councilman. The caller was directed to the county election official. The caller was informed that upon completion of the form, the county election official would submit the petition form to the county attorney for review. It was approved as to “form” initially on Feb. 20....
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The Generosity Guide
There are many wonderful characteristics of the people of Parsons that make this such a great place to live, work and raise a family. But there is one characteristic that I believe transcends all the others – generosity. A generous person thinks of the needs of others and responds to those needs with their own time, talent and treasure. A person cannot be generous and selfish at the same time. We are blessed that so many people who live he...
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