Opinion

The life of Joe McCoy

There were cattle drives before there was a Dodge City, and this man played a big part in getting them started. On December 21, 1837, Joseph Geiting McCoy was born on a farm in Sangamon County, Illinois to David and Mary (Kirkpatrick) McCoy.

Read MoreThe life of Joe McCoy

Daughter Susan and Ervin get married

I am Lovina’s “English” friend Ruth, and I had the opportunity to help Lovina the week of Susan and Ervin’s wedding by taking photos of the wedding prep, running a few last-minute errands, and also attending the wedding on Friday, December 30. Typically, Amish weddings are held in the shed (pole barn) of the bride’s parents’ house, but with it being winter Susan and Ervin decided to use the CYC (Community Youth Center), which is a beautiful building that is used primarily for the youth to gather on Saturday nights for social activities but is also available for the Amish community to use for special events.

Read MoreDaughter Susan and Ervin get married

Starting seed indoors

While it may seem that Spring is along way off, gardeners can get a jump start by starting seeds indoors. Sometimes, it can be difficult to find specific onion varieties in sets or transplants, so growing from seed may be a preferred option.

Read MoreStarting seed indoors

Local organ procurement agency sets performance standards nationally, encourages systemwide improvement

Recently, governmental committees have raised concerns about the performance of nonprofit, federally designated healthcare entities around the country that facilitate organ, eye and tissue donation called organ procurement organizations (OPOs). While the system as a whole — including the United Network for Organ Sharing, the third-party organization that has held the federal contract for overseeing the work of OPOs since 1986 — certainly can and should improve, I can reassure you that you are in excellent hands with Midwest Transplant Network, the OPO serving all of Kansas and the western two-thirds of Missouri.

Read MoreLocal organ procurement agency sets performance standards nationally, encourages systemwide improvement