downercreeknews

[downercreeknews]

So, It Has Come to This

I don’t even know where to start with all this Roy Moore business in Alabama. And, yes, it affects us here in Trego County and even out on Downer Creek. The U.S. Senate, you know, the one that has so much influence in our lives, might eventually hang in the balance of who replaces Jeff Sessions in Alabama. Yikes. Maybe I’ll start with a really funny meme I saw somewhere. It said, “Did anyone ever say something so stupid it made you squint?” That’s just how I feel when I hear people defending Roy Moore and his continued bid for a senate seat following revelations he had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a 14 year-old girl when he was a 32 year-old lawyer. In what alternate universe is that defensible? What part? The part where he got the mama’s permission? That she was “mature” for her age and therefore capable of giving consent? Really? Do you know any 14 year-old girls? And you STILL think they are capable of giving that kind of consent? Face. Palm. You know that gesture. I just slap my face into my palm and think, “What the f@#$% is WRONG with people? But the one I love is the defense that, in biblical terms, Joseph was waaaaay older than… wait for it…. The VIRGIN Mary and they were the parents of Jesus so… take that you liberal heathens. Face. Palm. There almost isn’t enough space here to take that apart on all levels of wrong. Suffice to say, either Joseph was knocking sandals with Mary... or not. You can’t have it both ways. And, might I mention, Roy Moore, (R-Pedophile GA) is no Joseph. I didn’t have to go to Catholic school to know that. So, it has come to this. Republicans are going to send an admitted child molester, who says he GENERALLY didn’t go for girls of that age, to the U.S. Senate. Not generally? Just once in a while? Well… ok. Guess that’s the new normal for U.S. Senators? As someone said on the internet yesterday, “Alabama, your bible belt buckle is down around your knees. Pull up your pants.” At least it isn’t Kansas. Yet.

[downercreeknews]

Housekeeping

Hello from Downer Creek this morning. We are doing maintenance today on the site so I’m going to town this afternoon to do an interview for a story this weekend. I think you will like it. I’m BEGGING you to like it. I know, writers are a notoriously insecure bunch. I wanted to take a minute here and thank everyone for their overwhelming response to the debut of this news site. Your comments are appreciated and I’m glad word is spreading like wildfire. Thank you, thank you, thank you. As with any new venture, we are still working things out and trying to expand with some new features. All in good time is what my tech guy and I tell each other. Of course, the Type A personality in me says, “All of it! NOW!” And, by the way, I did get permission to name the technical genius behind all this. It is Brad Sarver. You may know Brad from Jake and Chet’s Cafe and the Sundowner Lounge. You may not know he holds a Bachelor Degree from Ft. Hays State in all this technical stuff. I don’t know what I’d do without him. I sure wouldn’t be doing this without help! And, he’s the best, so thank you, Brad. Please pass the word among your friends and family about this site. I know we are just getting started, but, please stick with us while we grow. And, don't forget to send us tips and ideas for stories and posts. You can email me at sandrastenzel@rocketmail.com Thank you, loyal readers. Onward through the fog.

[downercreeknews]

Searching for Meaning

Of course, the old political science major in me looks at these voting numbers and asks, “What does all this mean?” I guess it means nothing except for the meaning we assign. But, when the second highest vote getter for WaKeeney City Council was a write-in candidate, I think that says something. Write-in campaigns are notoriously difficult to run and be successful. I’d say Mr. Weigel and all his supporters did a helluva job. Congratulations. I also think another meaning in all this is that people need to RUN!! Running for office is not easy, but I think anyone who has held elected office will tell you it is rewarding. And, goddess knows we need some new leadership around here. The same old tired faces are getting us the same old tired results, or non-results. However, if you look at all the ballots from yesterday, the voters had little choice. In most instance, there were the same number of people on the ballot as there were openings. Three city council seats open, three people on the ballot. Same with the school board. And most of them were incumbents or, as I call them, the same old tired faces which are bringing us no results or the same old same old results. Whoever said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting different results,” was entirely correct. When things get desperate, as they are right now with the property tax rate in this community, humans tend to do the same things they’ve been doing, they just do them harder and faster. That’s a shame because almost always, what is required is to do something different, not the same things harder and faster. Incumbents and the SOTF, (same old tired faces) know what they know. They are more likely to do the same stuff over than to be creative or forward thinking and do something different than the same old same old. I hope Mr. Weigel can be the person on the city council who says, “Why don’t we try something different?” It will be hard for him to do, walking into a group that is already settled. But, I believe it is what he was elected to do. He needs to get the ball rolling and bring some real change and fiscal sanity to city council. Now, it is up to the voters to support him and any other city council members that want to walk out of the trap of the usual and into the light of change. Good luck, dude. You are going to need it!

[downercreeknews]

Ok, we had a little miscommunication with the County Clerk's office which means I didn't see these results on the second page of the document they sent. Mea Culpa. It was late when I posted. Grandma needs coffee before posting! UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 208 (Trego County) SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER Jason Dinkel 325 Dawn Howard 350 Doug Minson 272 Write-Ins 0000 0000 UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 208 (Trego County) SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER – UNEXPIRED TERM Seth Kastle 369

[downercreeknews]

OK, Sports Fans. Here's the main election results from the Trego County Clerk's office. City of Collyer City Council Member Jeff Knop 11 Larry Walt 11 Tyler R. Walt 9 City of WaKeeney City Council Member Irene Dirks 222 Lynelle Shubert 194 Diane Wagner 110 WRITE IN Allen Weigel 217 John Fose 124 Golden Prairie Extention Districe #12 Extention District Board member Michelle Bliss 211 Danelle Newman 179 Brandon E. Payne 134 Kathleen Richards 212

[downercreeknews]

Election Results

Hi Y'all. Trego County Clerk Lori Augustine has promised me election results tonight whenever they are final. It could take a while because of several write-in campaigns and more provisional ballots. I promised her if she gave them to me, no matter how late, I'd stay up and post them here so you, dear readers, can get them as soon as possible. James Cordon and I are about to become best friends for the evening. It is also American Horror Story tonight and I'm having company for a watch party and dinner. That show even scares me and I'm not afraid of much, so, it was likely I wasn't going to sleep tonight anyway! Thanks, dear readers. Pop some popcorn, get out the red wine and prepare for election night fun.

[downercreeknews]

Best Joke of the Weekend

I laughed so hard I cried. I saw that when Trump and his party landed in Hawaii over the weekend, he was greeted by protesters carrying signs saying, "Welcome to Kenya." HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Damn. Wish I had thought of that!

[downercreeknews]

Polly Deines Rhoades

Most of you know I have a lot of music swirling around in my head.  So, when I clicked on the Schmitt Funeral Home website today, it was the Beatles playing on my head station.  “I heard the news today, oh boy.”  Seeing Polly Deines Rhodes’ picture there was nothing less than a shock. Yes, I knew she was terribly ill, but somehow, I never really accepted that she would leave us. But, that day has come. Polly was a nothing short of a godsend for the people of this area for so many years.  A lot of people have worked in healthcare here, especially at the local hospital.  But, some of those folks are extra special and Polly was the most special of all. She had the touch.  When she came into a room, flashed that smile, and laid hands on the person in bed, the hope level in the room was always elevated. The comfort level was also raised, and any family members there could breathe a sigh and relax a little.  Polly was there, so things were ok. 

My mother, following a devastating stroke in 2003, spent three years in and out of hospitals and nursing homes.  It was a horrible time.  She could not speak, walk, or use any of her right side.  My mother was always independent and active, and the sudden stroke was a most cruel way to cut her down.  Because she could not speak, or even point and gesture appropriately, she was trapped in her own body and mind.  That’s a horrible fate for anyone, but especially for someone like mom.  It made her difficult to care for, and, even though she tried hard to be a good patient, her condition was frustrating at best and horrifying at worst.  The best among us would have been cranky and discouraged.  And, understandably, mom was both, and so was I.

Some people, knowing it was difficult to care for mom, made quick trips in and out of her rooms. They didn’t speak to her much knowing she could not answer back.  They barely acknowledge mom was there.  But, Polly didn’t let any of that cloud her vision of mom as a person, a human in need of care.  She would sit with my mom, late at night, and talk to her.  Mom’s eyes would light up; she would vigorously nod her head and give a half smile on the good side of her face.  Polly told me one time mom was a night owl, and being unable to communicate, would wake up and just stare at the ceiling.

Well, Polly was having none of THAT!  She entertained mom as well as cared for her needs. She was a welcome and familiar face to my mother, having known each other for decades, and mom would light up like a Christmas tree when she saw Polly.  She actually “listened” to mom, even though no words were exchanged.  My mother felt heard and safe and happy when Polly was on duty.  I felt like the weight of the world was lifted when Polly was there.  I could go home and tend to things on the farm, knowing mom would be well loved while I was gone.

For someone like me, an only child trying to live, care for her mother, hold down a job and keep things together, Polly can only be described as an angel of mercy.  I could breathe, take time for myself, and feel confident my mother was getting good care when Polly was on duty.  Unless you have been there, you have no idea the value of having such a friend. And Polly was a friend to all. 

Polly is the person I envision when I hear Christ’s words about caring for the least of these.  She was such a beautiful embodiment of the things we learned in Sunday School, country school, and home.   She was as beautiful on the inside as she always was on the outside. I don’t know what Mom or I would have done without our rock, Polly, to lean on.  She was our touchstone.

Polly’s passing will leave a huge hole in our community.  She was an anchor for many and a comfort for all.  And, maybe all that is left is to say thank you, Polly for giving so much and asking so little in return.  We will remember and speak of you so no one forgets what an angel you were even before you earned your wings.  Sail on, sister. Sail on.

[downercreeknews]

Ready, Set, GO!

Welcome to the Downer Creek News site.  This is our first day of live operation, November 1, 2017.  I first of all want to say thank you to my friend who did all the technical stuff on this site.  Those things make my eyes roll back in my head, so I’m thankful for my cool friend with the technology skills to do this. I didn’t ask him if he wants to be named, but I’ll name him later if he agrees.  You know, tech guys like to work behind the scenes and all.  

I also want to thank my loyal readers from the Western Kansas World for following me over here, and welcome to people who did not read the World but are reading here.  As Ringo Starr would say, “I get by with a little help from my friends.”

This news site is currently a case of building it while we are flying it.  Downer Creek News is not as far along as I would have liked for a launch date, but launch we did.  I could say a bunch of clichés such as “no time like the present,” or, “strike while the iron is hot,” but, instead, I’ll say, “never let perfect be the enemy of good.”  If we waited for this site to be perfect before we launched, well, it would never get launched.  There will be frequent changes to the look and format here until things get settled. Just keep clicking!  Think of it as us moving into a new house.  We’re not sure where we want the furniture to sit and we’re cleaning and unpacking as fast as we can!

We’ll be updating this site with posts of both news and opinion.  I’ll try to warn you which is which, but if I do my job correctly, you’ll know the difference without being told.  We want to certainly cover WaKeeney and Trego County news, but we’d also like to do more regional news as well.  I’ll leave state and national news to others unless it directly impacts us on Downer Creek. Or, if I read something that made me good and mad and I need an opinion rant to get my blood pressure back to normal. We want to be your local and regional news source.   But, to do that, we need leads and tips about news.  

PLEASE, dear readers, send us your news items or story ideas.  Things you’d like to see covered here.  Unlike a regular printed newspaper, we don’t really have deadlines, (Yes, I can post in my PJ’s at midnight if I want!) so send us your stuff, like notices and announcements, on short notice and we’ll do our best to get it in.  We need ideas and tips for longer stories, too, so don’t be shy.  My email address is still the same.  You may contact me at sandrastenzel@rocketmail.com just like always.  And, I’ll still respond slowly, as always.  Somethings just never change.  Oh, and we like pictures, too, so send us some of those and you might see them here if you give us permission.

I think that’s about all the housekeeping.  I’m excited and nervous and scared and unbelievably thrilled about the launch of this site.  I’ve been so excited Summer the Weim has been barking and running in circles all morning. She knew something was up, she just wasn’t sure what, so she decided to bark and run for good measure.  Oh yeah, because that’s how we roll on Downer Creek. When in doubt, bark loudly and run in circles!

Ok, so here we go… whoosh. You have plunged with me into the bracing waters of Downer Creek. It is cold and clear, and there is nowhere else like it in the world!  Welcome.

[downercreeknews]

Welcome to Downer Creek News.  Pardon us while we get this thing together!