The death of local newspapers was the editorial on “CBS Sunday Morning.” People of Stafford have severely felt that blow. Local news is in crisis. On average two newspapers close each week. Newspaper employees are down 60% since 2000.
Awareness about local events, stories about homecomings, obituaries, school and neighborhood news like Frances Brownlee’s “Zenith News” and Edrie Murphy’s community news. Local editorials like Cleland Cole”s “Outdoors in Kansas” and E. A. Briles (both in the Kansas Newspaper Hall of Fame). Frank Smiley’s “ Frankly Speaking” and David Green, the last owner and editor of the Stafford Courier; they strengthened and added depth to their neighborhoods and communities. Mom loved reading Jane Bauman’s Farm articles and Kim Fritzemeier’s articles about cooking in the Hutchinson News. Wouldn’t she be shocked to know I’m writing a weekly article!
I would like to thank the Great Bend Tribune for trying to fill in the loss of local papers for many communities in our area. Stafford appreciates the coverage they give us. Remember to support your local papers! “The decline of local newspapers and the ‘Nationalization’ of political news are polarizing vote choice,” according to Harvard University
Local libraries
We had a traffic jam of people at our front door last week. The amount of people in and out of Larabee Library has more than doubled! Last week we hosted meetings, read and crafted with children, welcomed visitors to Stafford and other daily activities.
The Library can connect you to unlimited books through the State Library Card, ILL, Rotating collection from SCKLS and our own growing collection. We get together and visit about the books we have read every fourth Tuesday at 5:30.
Larabee Library has public computers, a copier, a shred-it box and public wifi that can be reached from your car. Young families are beginning to come throughout the week to enjoy our kid and family area. If you read this newsletter frequently, you know this is just a sample of all we have to offer. Come see what’s happening at Nora’s Place!
Coming up
• Monday Mornings 10-11 Preschool Story Hour.
• Every Wednesday except 2nd Wednesday - ESOL with Rachel Sandoval 6 p.m.
• Aug. 1 to Nov. 1 “Awesome Library Reads” Book Challenge.
• Working on setting up Open Enrollment for Medicare Part D.
• Recently Read Oct. 28 - 5:30 Come join the conversation!
• Trunk or Treat at Stafford County Hospital.
• Nov. 4 - Parents as Teachers night at the library celebrating Kansas Reads to Preschoolers.
• Nov. 13 - K-State Extension workshop on Smart Technology and You. More details to follow.
• Nov. 19 - Medicare Plan D sign-up. Must call for an appointment.
• November and December - We’re Going on a Bear Hunt at the library! Bring your children and join us!
• Dec. 2 is Giving Tuesday. Early Bird Giving starts Nov. 2. Match Day on Dec. 2.
Gerry Hildebrand is the head librarian for the Nora Larabee Memorial Library, 108 N. Union St. in Stafford. Phone 620-234-5762, email larabeelibrary@gmail.com or visit Facebook at Nora Larabee Memorial Library.
