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Opinion
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Wednesday, 02 June 2010 08:00 |
The Piercing Arrow Youth Ranch in La Cygne is truly a hidden gem in Linn County.
The therapeutic horse ranch has been in operation for about three years, and a group of Paola youths recently joined a few others for an informative and inspirational riding session.
The ranch offers a free horseback-riding experience to riders ranging in age from nine to young adulthood, with a special emphasis on children with special needs, children of low-income families or children suffering from illness.
Everything sounds too good to be true, but there is just one problem — few people seem to know about it.
Owner Carolyn Zillner, who also is a postal carrier in Paola, said she thought people would be lining up at her door to ride the horses, but she’s been surprised by how few she’s seen.
Some of the riders who participated Thursday were recruited by Zillner during her mail-delivery route.
Paola’s presence at the ranch is strong, with many of the youths and volunteer riding mentors hailing from Panther country. But those who haven’t heard of the ranch should visit its website or give Zillner a call.
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Opinion
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Written by Editorial Board
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Wednesday, 26 May 2010 08:00 |
Veterans are scattered across this country and throughout the world, but Paola has a special collection of war heroes, and their presence can easily be seen throughout the community.
Not many cities the size of Paola can boast having a memorial the size and quality of the Miami County Veterans Memorial at the corner of Baptiste and Hospital drives.
The development of the memorial can be traced back to the hard work and dedication of many local people, not the least of whom is Carl Gregg, whose story is featured on the Republic front page this week.
The city also has shown its support for veterans by donating the land on which the memorial currently stands.
Besides the memorial, active members of the American Legion Post 156 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Sheldon Banta Post 3712 are constantly helping out the community and working to ensure Paola residents never forget the sacrifice made by those who have served and continue to serve.
All Paola residents should be proud to live in a community so strongly in support of veterans, and Monday is a perfect opportunity to show those veterans how much you appreciate them.
Two separate Memorial Day services will be offered in Paola on Monday.
The first will begin at 9 a.m. at Paola Cemetery at the corner of Miami and West streets. The second service will take place at 2 p.m. at the Miami County Veterans Memorial.
If you can’t make it to both services, try to attend at least one. It’s a great opportunity for families to bring their children and give them the chance to shake a veteran’s hand and thank him or her for their service.
If Paola’s reputation holds true, there will be no shortage of people at either event.
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Opinion
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Wednesday, 19 May 2010 08:00 |
Paola residents have many things for which to be proud, but the efforts of the Paola FFA team members is right up near the top of the list.
Local team members recently were named state champions in poultry judging and agri-business management, helping the Paola FFA program win the sweepstakes award for being the top FFA chapter in Kansas.
It’s the sixth straight year Paola has been in the top five in sweepstakes, and the second time Paola has been named champions.
Much of the success of Paola FFA can be traced back to the tireless work of advisors Jeff Hines and Josh Evans, along with all those who help them teach, guide and coach the Paola FFA team members.
A simple conversation with any of the staff members will clearly illustrate the level of their dedication to their students.
At a time when every school activity, sport or program seems to be on the chopping block during talks of budget cuts, let’s hope Paola’s FFA program continues to get the support it needs.
The students who achieve a high level of success in the FFA program are doing far more than building up their school’s reputation. They are securing a future in which they will have the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in an agricultural-based career field, giving them another option for future employment.
And that’s something that we all can be proud of.
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Opinion
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Written by Editorial Board
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Wednesday, 21 April 2010 08:00 |
Most Paola residents have a memory that pops into their head when they think of the late Miami County Republic outdoor columnist Bob Harrington.
For some, it may be the fishing pole he repaired for their child or the gun safety class he taught. Chances are, though, the first thing popping into many people’s heads is the annual tradition of having Bob order them and their classmates around so he could get a reunion photograph taken for the paper.
Unfortunately, with Bob’s passing, the annual tradition of having his presence at all of the class reunions the first weekend in June will come to an end this year. Still, life goes on, and Bob wouldn’t have it any other way.
Even without Bob, the staff at The Miami County Republic wants to assure local residents that we plan to get all the class reunion photos taken and printed in the paper as normal — but we’re asking for your help to get it accomplished.
Sign-up sheets for June 4 and 5 are at the Republic office, 121 S. Pearl St., and we want to make sure every class is assigned a time slot for a photographer to come out and get a group picture.
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Opinion
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Written by Editorial Board
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Wednesday, 14 April 2010 08:00 |
Facing a budget crisis is not a time to get scared, it’s a time to get creative.
That can be a difficult approach for Paola USD 368 officials, who are staring at a budget pinch that to parents and teachers is absolutely scary.
People are scared about the loss of jobs, they’re scared about the loss of activities and, worst of all, they’re scared about the loss of educational opportunities for their children.
Like Superintendent Rod Allen said Monday night, officials are running out of ways to shield students from the budget cuts.
“We have a great school system, but we’re faced with a budget just like everyone else,” Allen said. “Students will be affected. We can’t protect it, because there’s nowhere else to go.”
There’s no doubt that difficult budget decisions will have to be made moving forward, but with those decisions also comes the opportunity for the district to find creative ways to lessen the burden on parents and staff.
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