MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

The meaning of Easter came home clearly to us on Sunday. New life, which had been anticipated for months, was gifted to our family. She was our 16th grandchild, and already much loved. Then in a matter of minutes after her birth, little 4-pound Vivian Grace passed from this life to be with Jesus, the giver of life. What a day! Born on Easter and reborn the same day. Her life on earth was short, as is all of ours.

Even with the peace and hope we have as believers in Christ, there's still an overwhelming sense of loss. Of what could have been. The blessings. The shared moments. Her parents knew ahead of time that she would have challenges, but everyone had been "all in" as we anticipated her arrival.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR, Rex Petty, Faith Tabernacle Church

I want to especially thank all of those who donated to this Special Super Bowl Event we have been doing here for over 30 years since 1993.  John Earle, who played Professional football for the Kansas City Chiefs was our Super Bowl Speaker this year.  When he spoke, he told everyone about how he nearly died on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2024, with a massive heart attack plus a blood clot!  The emergency room doctors said he actually died twice before they resuscitated him back to life!  Now one year later after John’s doctors released him in Dallas, he spoke at Faith Tabernacle Church on Super Bowl Sunday and he also visited the Seward County Jail on Sunday and Monday.  He went to all six pods to speak to everyone inside the jail.

GUEST COLUMN, Shannon Francis, 125th District Representative

Carol and I attended the Liberal Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet on Saturday night. It is always a great event and a great way to visit with friends. Thank you to Rozelle Webb and all the members of the Liberal Chamber for what you do for our community. As always, one of the highlights is the announcement of the Chamber Merit Award winner. This year’s recipient was Jo Ann Sharp. I can’t think of anyone more deserving than Jo Ann. She served our community for years as Chair of the Seward County Community College Board of Trustees among many other positions in the community.  Congratulations Jo Ann!

The Legislature is on recess until the veto session begins on April 9. At that time we will take action on bills vetoed by the Governor that we might have the numbers to override. Below are bills the Governor has signed or allowed to become law since we adjourned last week along with a short description of the bill.

GUEST COLUMN, Kim Baldwin, Kansas Farm Bureau

It’s that time of the year when the trees begin to blossom, the wheat fields become a magnificent green and our yard becomes an interesting site thanks to our farm dog, Rosie.

During the winter months Rosie spends a lot of time indoors. Whether it’s taking day naps while my husband or I work in the office, patrolling the shop while equipment is worked on or willingly sleeping inside the house at night.

But when the days and nights warm up, Rosie spends much more of her time outside. She’ll nap outside the office door soaking up the midday sun. She’ll sniff around the shop before leaving to patrol the farmyard. She refuses to come inside the house at night, preferring to sleep on a wicker bench on my front porch.