Even though it doesn’t feel like it, according to the calendar, Spring has officially arrived. Often, thoughts turn to “spring cleaning” when spring arrives and from the amount of items coming into the thrift stores, it is apparent that the annual spring cleaning ritual has begun. more

Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives more

Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives more

Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives more

The Sperry-Galligar Audubon meeting will be held on March 30, in Room 102 of Yate’s Hall, 1702 S. Joplin Street, on the Pittsburg State campus, beginning a 7 p.m. more

This is the second excerpt from Arma native Frank Jeler Jr.’s memories of fishing in S.E. Kansas. — J.T.K more

Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives more

As an elementary school student, I remember learning the Spring, or Vernal, equinox fell on March 21st each year. Apparently, that’s not always the case and now there’s also meteorological Spring that begins on March 1st. And then there’s the Groundhog who supposedly predicts when Spring will arrive. Whenever it comes, Spring is a welcome season and while it hasn’t felt much like it outside the past week, the library is sporting some seasonal décor not to mention new books on the shelves so come in to get your Spring vibe. There’s nothing like a good read while you wait for a Spring-like day so you can get started on your outdoor chores. more

Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives more

I hope everyone had a good St. Patrick’s weekend, although it was more than a little chilly. Checking the weather in Ireland where our friends live, I found their temperatures this week are just about the same as ours. I promised that this week I would follow up what I started last week with a story and information about the Historic Hook Lighthouse in Ireland. more

Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives more

Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives more

Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives more

As spring returns to SE Kansas, this excerpt from “Frogdancer,” Arma native Frank Jeler Jr.’s memoir, brings warm memories of seining for bait and fishing strip pits, ponds, and rivers with dad and grandpa. — J.T.K more

Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives more

Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives more

It’s that time of year when everyone’s Irish, if not genetically than certainly in spirit. Since the Emerald Isle has a rich literary history — think James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, W.B. Yeats, Seamus Heaney — there’s no scarcity of Irish reading material to be found. If you’re like me, you may look for less lofty reading; not to worry since there are plenty of mainstream books written about Ireland and its inhabitants. more

St. Patrick’s Day is a special day for the Irish and so many others. Once treated like the scum of the earth when the Irish immigrants arrived on American shores, they withstood the poor jobs, housing and much more and every year celebrated their Irish heritage being the strong, determined people that they were. more

Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives more