Opinion
LCC health science impacts area
By George Knox Labette Community College president Labette Community College health science programs are making a significant impact on the quality of health care within Southeast Kansas and the surrounding areas. The health science programs at LCC include the nursing, respiratory and radiography programs. Through a Title III grant program, the physical therapist assistant and diagnostic medical sonography programs were added in fall 2011. Th...
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Moisture can easily rot tulip bulbs
By Donna Seeley Gardner's Guide I don’t believe I’ve ever been shown a sign so strong of something I should do as when I picked up Thursday’s Parsons Sun and read that Presbyterian Manor is offering free memory testing as part of that scary word, Alzheimer’s National Awareness Month. The screenings will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, and it takes about five to 10 minutes. I, no, we must do it. I’ve been writing that we need to plant more o...
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Celebrate community foundations
By Anne Allen Parsons Area Community Foundation During the week of Nov. 12-18, the Parsons Area Community Foundation will join more than 700 community foundations across America for Community Foundation Week to tell the stories of how the quality of individual lives and communities have been enhanced through philanthropy and partnership with private and public community leaders and organizations. Launched in 1989 through a proclamation by for...
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Public Minds
Safety issues in Parsons To the Sun:      I noticed that South 21st Street, south of Southern, has a school bus stop. I also noticed it has a narrow bridge that it is very dark, heavily traveled and doesn't appear very safe for pedestrians in the early morning or daylight. I think there should probably be a pedestrian bridge and sidewalk from at least Southern Avenue to the bus stop.       There's also a bus stop at Dwayne's and I think there'...
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What plants to bring inside
I've been trotting around here today ever since I heard the weather man say it may freeze tonight; 36 degrees.  Every fall I say I'll not bring any plants in, especially the beautiful (messy) Boston ferns, and I didn't, but I just could not leave out my large Rex begonia, a houseplant, and three Mandevillas. This is the best they've looked all year. The  trick will be to find spots where they will receive enough sun. I have  two pretty iron st...
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Reporting deadline for wheat acres coming
We need your 2013 wheat acreage reports! Remember the new wheat acreage report deadline is Dec. 15, which is coming up fast. Perennial grass is to be reported by Nov. 15. We have sets of maps printed by producer and ready to be picked up (or mailed, at your request). Producers should come pick up their maps as soon as possible — mark each field with your planted wheat, and grass, data (type, acres, planting date, shares) and drop them off...
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Ways to save money on Halloween costumes
Being a single parent raising three small children on a fixed income, holidays were often times of frugality, enveloped in creativity. Halloween seemed to allow for the greatest stretch of my imagination, as I would search through closets and drawers in an effort to find whatever I could cut, glue, stitch, tape and mold to design a one-of-a-kind costume. Children are often lured by the marketers and retailers who cater to their familiarity wit...
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Garden Guide
As I was passing Morgan on 16th Street I was thrilled to see a blast of yellow, bronze and maroon mums in full bloom in the front yard of Mark Knight's home. I turned in and stopped to enjoy them. His garden is an example of what you can have if you simply plant your mums instead of leaving them to freeze in the pot. Mark has planted his and I would bet he's been separating them for the last two years.                    This morning I wante...
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Chisholm Trail
Some of the keenest wildlife watchers in the late 19th century in southwest Oklahoma were cowboys on the Chisholm Trail. Longhorn cattle were driven north from south Texas and through present-day Oklahoma to the railroads in Kansas. Chisholm Trail Heritage Center in Duncan, Okla., tells that history and relates the heritage of the famed cattle route. "There was a considerable amount of cattle driven up the trail in a fairly short time frame," ...
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Public Minds
Share your voice on Election Day To The Sun: Here are my thoughts on the upcoming election, since we elect a president in November. Once Will Rogers said the best thing about the candidates is that only one can win. While I agree with him, which one do we choose? The first time I voted in a national and local election, I was just out of high school My parents told me to make hard decisions when everyone else doesn't always agree. I want them t...
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Public Minds
WHAT WILL BE NEXT To The Sun:  Apparently those who work in Topeka have heard the cry for lower taxes and a smaller state government.  They have acted where it makes a big difference in a hurry.     The wealthy in Kansas will no longer paying Kansas income tax while those who work for a wage will pay at a rate only slightly lower than in previous years.  To be specific, incorporated business, those who own businesses that would include the own...
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Viburnums at the Arboretum
Viburnums have arrived at Parsons Arboretum! You may have noticed these shrubs in a horseshoe arrangement at the main entrance. Cheryl Boyer, Ph.D., Kansas State University Research and Extension Service, transported the viburnums here from Manhattan. She is helping a graduate student with a research project to see how well viburnums grow in various parts of Kansas — Parsons was lucky enough to be a test site.  There are 19 varieties at this s...
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Dark chocolate has benefits
Dear Reno: What are the health benefits of eating chocolate and how much should one eat? — J.F. Eating chocolate, dark chocolate to be precise, is of utmost importance. The main health benefit comes from the high levels of flavonoids present in cocoa beans. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants that help protect cells and body tissues from damage by free radicals. Dark chocolate also contains two important minerals, magnesium and copper, both o...
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Reusable Water Bottles...Fill’em Up But Keep’em Clean
Barbara Ames 
Wildcat District Extension Agent 
Independence Experts suggest drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day, and more if you’re exercising. The reason is that liquids consumed are vital for keeping all bodily systems functioning properly including our brain which is 85 percent water. One of the least expensive, easiest and most environmentally responsible ways to get all that water is by using a refillable water bo...
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Peonies can be pulled after first frost
Are you sick of seeing all of those peony plants left from spring lying on the ground? If you wonder when you can get rid of them the answer is anytime after the first hard frost, about the last of October. The longer you leave it, the better. Cut the foliage to within  5 inches of the ground. Pick up the foliage and take it to your mulch pile, because left where it falls can cause it to rot and get botrytis. Many of us wonder why our peonies ...
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Public Minds
Blood drive set next week To The Sun: Summer is over and school and fall activities will soon be under way. I hope your summer was filled with relaxing and fun times spent with family and friends. During busy times, we do not always think of the individuals who are fighting life-threatening diseases. These individuals are in desperate need of blood and blood products in order to maintain a stable quality of life. Make plans to give at the upco...
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The new department
From the desk of Parsons Police Chief Scott Gofourth Over the past few weeks, I have been busy with family issues that have taken precedence over my career, but I am glad to be back. Since taking office earlier this summer, I have been asked by many residents to take a moment to share what direction the Parsons Police Department will be heading. As a lifetime resident of Parsons and with family living here, I have a vested interest in our comm...
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Public Mind
Thanks to Umbarger for his service To The Sun: As a Democrat, a former journalist and a Southeast Kansan by choice, I want to thank Sen. Dwayne Umbarger for his service as my representative in the Kansas Senate. Since our first introduction years ago — when he and I appeared to be polar opposites politically — Sen. Umbarger quickly earned my respect and support with his honesty, independence and moderate approach to the needs not only of South...
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Labette County Fair was super
To The Sun:      The Labette County Fair has came and gone. It was lots of hard work by many volunteers but the rewards of seeing smiles on kids and adults faces made all the efforts worthwhile. Yes the daily temperature was high, really hot.      The heat did contribute to fewer entries in some open class categories, such as fruits, vegetables and floriculture. I am sure there were fewer animals in the barns also because of the high temperatu...
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LCC dedicates building to educator
By George Knox Labette Community College President Labette Community College strives to impact each student’s life. Our mission statement even says so: LCC provides quality learning opportunities in a supportive environment for success in a changing world. Our mission statement is the core foundation of why we do what we do! Administration has numerous meetings on campus each week. During these meetings, the one goal is “is this best for our ...
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