November 2015 – Page 8 – Welcome to Wyandotte Daily!

Opinion column: What are we really thankful for?

Window on the West
Opinion column
by Mary Rupert

I have written lists of things I am thankful for over the past month or so, but they mostly are what you would expect – I am thankful for a nice family, enough food to eat, a nice place to live and the many blessings I have received.

Those are the most important things, and I am truly thankful for them.

My list included:

1. I am thankful today that I woke up feeling well.

2. I am thankful today for those who care about me. Thank you!

3. I am thankful for the many opportunities I have had in my life.

4. I am thankful for the many talents I have received.

5. I am thankful for a genuinely nice family.

6. I am thankful for the continuing opportunity to work in my field.

7. I am thankful today for the various messages that are being sent to me via email and mail. Someone took the time to include me. It’s good to be included.

Then I got to thinking – what am I really thankful for that separates me from everyone else? What are those specific things I am really glad about?

So here’s my new list:

1. I am very thankful there is no one watching me work over my shoulder. Generally, I think that creates nervous employees.

2. I am thankful that I no longer have to drive in rush-hour traffic, usually.

3. I am thankful that while there is some amount of routine, there also is a lot of variation in the work I do each day.

4. I am thankful that I live on a side street without much traffic.

5. I am thankful that I live in the Midwest, in Kansas City, Kan., in a place where I have strong roots and there are kind, compassionate people. I am grateful that the kind people far outnumber the mean people.

6. I am thankful for the freedoms that allow me to express my opinions, and that you do, too.

7. I am thankful that when I was very young, in grade school, my teachers insisted on students doing their own work.

8. I am thankful for all of my teachers through the years, from grade school to grad school. Each one helped me along my path.

9. I am thankful that there are a couple of remote controls for the television sets here, so there is no squabbling over what to watch on TV.

10. I am most thankful, specifically, that my son has recovered from an illness that hospitalized him last month.

11. And I am thankful for each reader of this website. Thanks for spending a few minutes now and then, and thanks for expressing your opinions occasionally.

What are you thankful for? Feel free to add your list in the comments section.

To reach Mary Rupert, editor, email [email protected].

Rain in forecast for Thanksgiving here

Winter storm warnings are in effect for much of central Kansas into far northwest Missouri where significant ice amounts could cause tree damage, power outages and travel problems, the National Weather Service said.

A freezing rain advisory is in effect further east and may mainly affect travel, the weather service said.

Meanwhile, flood and flash flood watches are in effect for the southern half of Missouri into eastern Kansas where 2 inches to 4 inches of rain could cause several rivers to flood, according to the weather service.

The weather service said that heavy rain and flooding is possible south of I-70 today and tonight.

Rain may change to freezing rain across areas near and west of I-35 this evening and tonight, according to the weather service.

With temperatures near freezing after midnight, into most of Friday, the rain today could change to freezing rain overnight, ending Friday afternoon, according to the weather service.

Minor icing will be possible, especially on elevated surfaces, the weather service.

Temperatures were 63 degrees at 10 a.m. Thursday, and will fall to around 42 by 5 p.m., according to the weather service.

A south wind of 9 to 15 mph will become north in the afternoon, gusting as high as 21 mph. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain is possible today, the weather service said.

Tonight, rain will continue, mainly before 3 a.m., according to the weather service. The low will be around 32. A north wind of 13 to 17 will gust as high as 25 mph. Between three-quarters and 1 inch of rain is possible.

Friday, rain or freezing rain is likely, mainly before noon, the weather service said. The high will be near 33. A north wind of 15 to 17 mph will gust as high as 25 mph. Little or no ice accumulation is expected.

Friday night, expect rain or freezing rain before 9 p.m., then areas of freezing drizzle, according to the weather service. The low will be around 28. A north northeast wind of 11 to 15 mph will gust as high as 22 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of precipitation is expected.

A 30 percent chance of rain or freezing rain before noon is in Saturday’s forecast, the weather service said. It will be cloudy with a high of 34. A north northeast wind of 8 to 10 mph is predicted.

Saturday night, there will be a 40 percent chance of rain before midnight, then a chance of rain or freezing rain, according to the weather service. The low will be around 31.

Sunday, it will be mostly cloudy with a high near 41, the weather service said.

For more weather information, visit www.weather.gov.

A very small amount of ice is possible in Wyandotte County overnight into Friday morning. (National Weather Service graphic)

Wyandotte County could receive up to 2 inches of rain on Thursday and Friday. (National Weather Service graphic)

Winter storm warnings and watches are in effect to the west of the Kansas City, Kan., area. (National Weather Service graphic)

New book about Wyandotte High School history published

A new history of Wyandotte High School has been published.

Craig Delich’s book, “Images From the History of Wyandotte High School,” is now available.

The book is 240 pages plus two large 8-page gatefolds, embossed hard cover with color dust jacket, published in a very limited edition of 3,000 copies (over 600 sold already) by The Donning Company, a subsidiary of Walsworth Publishing Company in Brookfield, Mo.

The book is a generational history of Wyandotte High School in all four of its locations, using vignetted unseen and rare images in color and period sepia and black-and-white photos, floor plans, ads of the day, places students went, memorabilia, and more, according to Delich.

Anyone interested in historical photos, vintage advertising, scenes from bygone days of Wyandotte County, architecture of buildings (including the current building, which was a WPA project and is on the National Register of Historic Places), and transportation, would be interested in the book, Delich said.

The book may be ordered directly from the author, by sending a check or money order made out to “Images of Wyandotte LLC” in the amount of $44.96 (which includes shipping and Kansas tax) to Craig Delich, P.O. Box 12211, Kansas City, Kan. 66112. If you live outside of the state of Kansas, the amount is $41.90.

Another way to order the book is by credit card from Amazon online.

This book was written and published to honor Wyandotte High School, its staff and students, and all alumni, past, present and future, Delich said. He is a former teacher there, and Wyandotte High School historian.

A book premiere will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, in the Wyandotte High School auditorium, 2501 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan.

The program will include the Wyandotte band playing the school song, as well as a giveaway of a photo to the first 300 people entering the auditorium. Those attending will have the chance to meet the author, who will be signing and autographing books. Refreshments will be served.

The event is open to the public, and reservations are not necessary.

The compiling of the book was the topic of an earlier story in Wyandotte Daily at https://wyandotteonline.com/retired-wyandotte-high-school-teacher-compiles-new-history-of-school/.

See the author’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008105178383&fref=nf.