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Something to Think About - keep (258)

March 8,2019

Erren Harter March 08, 2019

 

Bill Linhart was a special person. His death yesterday ended a sad story involving cancer in its ugliest form.

            Bill grew up in Waverly. Played basketball at the College of Emporia where he was an amazing shooter. I remember a 44 point game before there were 3 pointers!

            He coached several places including Hartford before coming to Emporia High where in his final year led the Spartans to a second place finish in 6A State.

            Billy was also an excellent teacher of government and history at EHS where he retired a few years ago.

            Bill added refereeing to his work list and became one of the best basketball officials anywhere. He moved from high school to college and was being begged to keep blowing his whistle into his seventies!

            This is where Bill Linhart's story becomes unreal.

            A little over a year ago he was calling a championship college game in Wichita when he did a couple of unusual things on the court. They stopped play and determined Bill needed help.

            After being checked over he even drove himself home. In the few days, it was discovered Billy had a brain tumor. He had surgery and an optimistic prognosis but a few months ago the tumor was back with no solution.

            Many knew Bill as he had worked at the Emporia Golf Course and recently at the Country Club. His energy level was epic. While painting my house I observed him run up the ladder.

            Bill is survived by his wife Sharon and 2 daughters.

            I would be remiss if I didn't mention the passing of Mike Turnbull and Kirby Smith as well.

            Mike was well known for his love of the Emporia community.

            Kirby and I go way back to Kid's Wrestling and the Jaycees. Kirby was a doer and his work for Habitat For Humanity is legendary.

            Don't know if there is a carpool to heaven but Emporia just sent 3 good additions.

            Rest in peace gentlemen.

 

November 14, 2018

Erren Harter November 13, 2018

            Today will be my last "Something to Think About" for a while. Bobbi and I are headed to the desert in California to escape weather like the past ten days here at home!

            Physical challenges make vacations like our friends are taking impossible for me. Trips like cruises and vacations requiring a lot of walking are out, so going west for the winter is our game.

            You might have noticed I said away from "home" because Emporia is home and always will be! We lease in California and always will!

            The big reason we can be gone is that of the quality people we work with here at KVOE, at the Candlewood, at ValuNet and son James gets credit too.

            Ron Thomas is a leader whose work ethic is so impressive his co-workers simply follow his example. Tim Miller, Greg Rahe, Scott Hays, Sean Thornton, and Chuck Samples are not only outstanding veteran broadcasters they are the envy of other radio stations. Throw in KVOE's other excellent announcers, our crack sales force and Terri and Kari in the front office and you have a super organization.

            ValuNet delivers high-quality Internet, HDTV and phone service over fiber that isn't just the best in Emporia or Kansas it's as good as you can find anywhere - worldwide!

            Credit Rick Tidwell and Stormy Supiran with awesome vision and leadership at ValuNet with incredible support from pros like Jelinda  Watts, Stephanie Green, Tom Mains, Christy Miller, and Jacob Hill. Fact is: all 32 on ValuNet's team are winners.

            And don't forget Bob Agler! He's retired now, but his fingerprints are everywhere as he taught most of us about hard work, integrity, and accountability.

            The Candlewood? It just keeps rolling. Our veteran and very dedicated housekeeping staff keep our facility the cleanest in E-Town. That's not bragging cause that's what our guests tell us.

            Kurtis Bryan is our new General Manager and his first few months indicate he's a keeper.

            Son James gets credit for vision too as his Hidden Vistas new home addition is a home run of giant proportions. His leadership in things really makes us proud.

            Susan Grother is a name you may not recognize. She started in the office at KVOE over 30 years ago and has stayed with us in many ways.  Today she's the glue tying all our endeavors together. She's the best!

            Some may wonder where Erren Harter fits in. Not long ago someone  asked me "what does Harter do for you?' Before I could answer someone said "a lot" but I corrected him saying "no, he does everything!"

            Officially Erren's title is Promotion Manager at KVOE, but also manages IT, HR, Insurance, United Way, Pack the Pantry and anything else we need. He has his finger in everything I am involved with and my family. There are no words to describe his worth, knowledge and skill.

            Erren Harter is trusted beyond description.

            So, you see we can be gone for a while because we are truly blessed. Have a great Holiday, see you in the Spring.

            I’m Steve Sauder

         

November 7, 2018

Erren Harter November 06, 2018

I prepared this talk on Election Day. While I have no idea how this rather nasty event ends, I do know unless our elected leaders start finding the gumption to act on behalf of their constituents rather than for their party our future as Kansans and Americans will be less than we are hoping for.

          In his book Gumption, Nick Offerman tells about the gumption shown by the founders of America - Washington, Jefferson, Franklin,  Hamilton, Madison, and others.

          He wrote, "The magnificent sons of bitches who founded our United States truly brandished a courage that is hard to fathom.......they saw the extremely rare opportunity to create a new American experiment."

          They were "faced with the choice of either a continued subservience to an overweening Mother England or a gathering of their colonial brass balls in their mitts with which to cast off the taxing yoke of England's imperial control."

          "These forward thinkers envisioned a nation ruled "by the people, for the people," founded on notions like "liberty and justice for all."

          Offerman added some irony to his thoughts "Not only were our fledgling American government and society crafted by human beings but further it must be noted with appropriate gravity, by all white dudes." and "the Declaration of Independence was composed, ratified and signed by several Caucasian men, some of whom owned a great many slaves."

          The stories of Americans showing the gumption to change the course of history with their bold deeds and powerful actions is present in every chapter of our country’s amazing story.

          But today America seems to be hogtied by a lack of courage and leadership from our powerful leaders both in Washington and to a lesser degree in Topeka.

          President Trump calls himself a Republican, but his actions leave much to be desired when compared to Republican leaders of the past.

          I am asking our elected Kansas leaders like Jerry Moran, Pat Roberts, and Roger Marshall when will you stand up and speak out against our President's obvious lack of truthfulness and morality?

          And my friends on the other side while your leader's task is admittedly more difficult what we need from them are fresh ideas and a willingness to compromise not just opposition.

          Gumption has been an attribute of great Americans since our founding. It appears to me time is starting to run short for a new breed of "magnificent sons of bitches" to step forward.

          I'm Steve Sauder and there something to think about!

October 31, 2018

Erren Harter October 30, 2018

          Have you voted yet? If not, beware it's Halloween and there's a candidate dressed like a lamb that's really a wolf in the governor's race.

          If you use Google and Wikipedia you can find an impressive list of accomplishments for Kris Kobach, but if you read on there's baggage associated with this candidate that is not so good.

          Mr. Kobach is well educated - Washburn Rural High School, Harvard undergrad, Yale Law School and Oxford in England. He's been a law clerk, taught law at UMKC, worked in President George W. Bush's administration, served on Overland Park's City Council and was amazingly active on immigration issues in several states before becoming our Secretary of State.

          Pretty impressive resume, but Wikipedia offers:

Kobach is also known for his calls for stronger voter ID laws in the United States and a Muslim registry.  He has made claims about the extent of voter fraud in the United States that studies and fact-checkers have concluded are false or unsubstantiated.

          His voter fraud prosecution record in Kansas is laughable.

          In August of  2018, ProPublica and The Kansas City Star reported that none of the towns where Kobach helped to enact anti-immigration ordinances over a 13-year period still had those ordinances on the books. The ordinances were costly to defend in court, with some localities going bankrupt.  At the same time, Kobach personally profited, earning more than $800,000 on legal work for the localities, paid both by the localities and an anti-immigration advocacy group.

          It is also reported that Kobach and his wife have homeschooled their 5 children creating an interesting situation where Kansas could have a governor who obviously doesn't trust its’ public schools making policy for those schools.

          I don't think so.

          Laura Kelly, on the other hand, offers Kansans a veteran lawmaker who has consistently taken a centrist position working across the aisle to provide good decisions for Kansas. We have survived the Brownback debacle and our state is absolutely poised for growth.

          Electing Kris Kobach governor will eliminate any chance for bipartisan governing in Kansas and also our state's opportunity to prosper.

          Please vote and help select the obvious best choice for governor of Kansas.

          Thanks for listening, I'm Steve Sauder.

         

October 24, 2018

Erren Harter October 23, 2018

The Lyon County League has plenty of athletic legends. Coach's like Hevel, Gaydos, McClain, and players like Waverly's Sean Robbins and Kole Shankie at Madison just to mention a couple.

          But, for discussion let me suggest Olpe leads the league in legends.

          Football at Olpe is adding to that legend but can it top Olpe's Lady Eagle Basketball?

          Carolyn Richard was awesome at Emporia State and continues as a legendary coach.

          Jesse Nelson is obviously more than just an Olpe legend. His girls have won more games than anyone is Kansas high school history and he's still on the sidelines.

          Last Saturday two other Lady Eagle basketball legends added to their stories!

          Michelle Stueve was inducted into the Emporia State Athletic Hall of Honor in the very first year she was eligible! And, Kathryn Flott chose the same day to get married.

          Both ladies were All-State Basketball players for Nelson at Olpe and then matriculated to Emporia State where both had legendary basketball careers. And you can add academic excellence to both their resumes.

          Stueve's name is on one of 7 banners in White Auditorium indicating she’s one of the best ever Lady Hornet's. She is the all-time leading scorer in MIAA history and leads her own school is points, three-point baskets, free throws and is second in rebounding and was a multiple time All American.

          She married Jeremiah Corpening and they have twin girls and a little boy. Before the family, Michelle worked at Wolf Creek. 

          Flott playing in Stueve's shadow still managed to make a name for herself.

          After a solid freshman year at ESU Kathryn experienced two nightmarish years. On the first official day of practice her sophomore year she blew out a knee. Her rehabilitation work ethic is a legend all its own!

          She approached the first official day of practice a year later with amazing enthusiasm only to blow out the same knee again!

          Many would have thrown in the towel, but not Flotty.

          The record shows she played three more years – it took six years total!

          She was twice MVP of the MIAA Post Season Tournament; third in career rebounds for the Lady Hornets; played in 4 Sweet 16 tournaments and one NCAA Final 4.

          Flott, now Mrs. Jared Whitcomb teaches at the Emporia Middle School and we hear she's a great teacher!

          Congratulations to all the Lyon County legends and especially Michelle and Kathryn on their special day last Saturday and on their legendary lives.

          I'm Steve Sauder

October 17, 2018

October 15, 2018

          Let’s have some fun today!

          My topic is “HUGS.” You know those embraces so many people are now experiencing when greeting someone?

          My wife Bobbi is a “hugger.” She WILL hug you if you allow her to. Me, not so much.

          Time magazine weighs in with scientific data saying: “Hugs put a range of health benefits within arm's length……they boost the levels of the bonding hormone oxytocin and the feeling of social support…..leading to less stress, a stronger immune system, and even lower blood pressure. It’s a form of wellness you can share, especially when someone is hurting.”

          A new PLUS One study found that people experiencing relationship problems actually reported an “improved mood if they received a hug the day of the conflict!”

          But, Time also said “Hugs are not warm and fuzzy for everyone. Some people find them disconcerting.” Biggest factors are “the way we were raised, self-esteem and cultural norms.”

          Even the Emily Post Institute suggests skipping hugs that might make someone uncomfortable, especially in a business setting.

          So where are you?

          It’s interesting too that when Bobbi meets her lady golfing friends they almost always hug, but when they complete their round they often don’t even shake hands. Men, conversely never hug, but typically shake hands after a golf match.

          No doubt since meeting Bobbi my hug quotient has gone up a bunch.

          So next time you are involved in a hug try to determine - was that a positive or negative activity? I’m guessing most are positive as most hugs are sincere, fun and well received.

          After all, every one of us has a large need to feel wanted.

          I’m Steve Sauder.

October 10, 2018

October 08, 2018

 

This week's something to think about is in audio form.

 

October 3, 2018

October 03, 2018

          This past weekend’s Ryder Cup experience was a real bummer for fans of the USA like me. Winning was certainly the goal, but at least competing was a requirement.

          The best explanation the Monday Morning Quarterback crew came up with was – the Europeans wanted it way more than our boys.

          Makes me wonder if patriotism has taken a hit here?

          What I do know is I know is the ladies who played in the ECC Club Championship over the weekend were more dedicated to their task than some of the US boys!

          My wife Bobbi will serve as my model of how you plan and prepare for a golf tournament. She took this event seriously.

          This is cool because Bobbi only got serious about golf 12 years ago when we started dating.

          To watch her become a competitive golfer has been fun, but a bit unpredictable.

          Bobbi lost her mom before her fifth birthday leaving she and her 5 brothers – two older than her and three younger, all under 8 to be raised by grandparents.

          She graduated from Yates Center High School, attended Allen County Community College before transferring to Pittsburg State where she and some great roommates earned degrees in Nursing.

          She and her schoolteacher husband spent 9 years in Topeka where she taught at Washburn. She also earned a second Masters from KU. They moved to Kansas City where Bobbi became an elementary school nurse and health educator in the Blue Valley district.

          I met her about 12 years ago. We were both recent divorcees but our first date wasn’t that successful. I was clean shaven including my head and she thought she had a date with her grandpa!

          As we got serious her interest in golf grew as well. Today golf is one of her passions which also include gardening, grandkids and shopping.

          She has had to overcome several medical challenges like a knee replacement, shoulder repair on both sides and most recently a diagnosis of

Lyme Disease.

          But let’s talk golf.

          My thinking is if our Ryder Cup guys were as fired up as Bobbi the Brits would have been in trouble. She didn’t play great on Saturday but led the tournament by a stroke. Saturday night and Sunday morning she was a mess. She prepared her normal breakfast but only ate about 2 bites. She even called our neighbor, Jerrilynn seeking a “hug” for encouragement. Evidently, it worked!

          Bobbi shot the best round she’s ever recorded in a tournament and won the Club Championship. The other ladies played hard, but at the end were excited for Bobbi’s accomplishment.

          Golf is usually fun, but playing in a golf tournament can be stressful. Some thrive on that pressure. That’s my Bobbi and I am proud of her!

          I’m Steve Sauder.

September 26, 2018

September 25, 2018

                                                                   

            Gubernatorial candidate Kris Kobach has demonstrated an ability misinform citizens at a rate unmatched in Kansas politics.

           In June, a federal judge sanctioned Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach for "a pattern and practice . . . of flaunting disclosure and discovery rules" in litigation challenging controversial election reforms Kobach had championed

          Kobach made the erroneous claim that tuition hikes at state universities and community colleges wouldn’t have been necessary if the so-called Dreamers weren’t allowed to pay lower in-state rates.

          Kobach made a bogus claim at the State Fair asserting a Kansas high school had a large number of assistant principals. Turned out his number was correct but it was for two schools, not one.

          A pillar of his platform for election as governor of Kansas is an attack on spending in public education. While the total spent has been the subject of a major disagreement between the legislature and the Kansas Supreme Court, Kobach has taken a different tact suggesting not enough of state funds end up in the classroom.

          Obviously without any fact checking this sounds good, but the truth is Kansas does well in terms of efficiency when compared to other states and our peers.

          Kobach’s suggestion that 75% of funds should go to the classroom sounds great but is very misleading.

          Here’s a look at the numbers.

          53.6% of Kansas education dollars go for “Instruction.” Teachers, paras, aides, coaches, classroom materials and books.

          4.8 goes for “Student Support.” Counselors, health, attendance, social workers, psychology, speech and hearing services.

          “Staff Support” gets 3.3% - library, technology, and assessment

          That’s 61.7% straight to instruction!

          The balance goes for these areas: Transportation, Food Services, Administration (only 4.9%), Maintenance, Construction, Debt Service, Human Resources and related services,  and Superintendents and Board of Education staff (2.1%).

          Many of these other expenses like Transportation and Food Service are mandated.

          It’s popular for Kobach to suggest spending more in the classroom, but what do you cut? The library, technology, safety, maintenance?

          I’m thinking you get the picture.

          Kris Kobach is not to be trusted. He has chased imagined voter fraud, led several cities to adopt immigration laws that ended up not being enforceable and now is misleading Kansas voters about public education.

          He is not the leader Kansas needs.  

          I’m Steve Sauder and there’s something to think about!

September 19, 2018

Erren Harter September 19, 2018

Today an Open Letter to Dr. John Patton my Kansas City Royals season ticket partner the past few years.

          Dear John,

          Please allow me to reconsider my earlier statement to you saying I was not interested in sharing a twenty game season ticket package for the Royals with you next year.

          This past month our guys have won more games than they’ve lost including six in a row. That cost me a steak dinner with our friend David Murphy.

          Recently I spent some time looking at the Royals roster and discovered some exciting facts.

          First, Salvador Perez is only 28 years old and will be back along with Whit Merryfield who has become a truly amazing player.

          Joining them are several other youngsters who have the ability to make the Royals much better. They are led by Adalberto Mondesi who has become a very exciting player at shortstop and with the bat. A switch-hitter he’s changed his swing to take full advantage of his unique power. Add in his fielding expertise and stolen bases and WOW is the best word to describe him.

          Others who add excitement as position players are Ryan O’Hearn who has shown big-time power, but needs to hit lefties, newcomer Rosell Herrera, Jorge Bonifacio who should benefit from playing an entire season and Hunter Dozier.

          Supposedly there are lots of talented position players in the minors waiting their chance, but the pitching at the big club level over the past two months has really blossomed.

          No less than seven pitchers stand out! Names and ages: Heath Fillmyer (24), Jakob Junis (26), Jorge Lopez (25), Jake Newberry (23), Eric Skoglund (25), Jerry Vasto (26) and Brad Keller at only 23 getting Rookie of the Year attention.

          Heck John, the Royals re-building has started. Maybe our purgatory is going to be short-lived? And, supposedly our really hot prospects are in Single “A” where they won a championship.

          Next year it appears the Royals will be devoid of old-timers like Alcides Escobar. True Alex Gordon will likely still be left field, but he’s winning another Gold Glove this season and he has upped his production.

          This season was really awful until recently, but next year looks like fun. Doubtful the Royals will win the Pennant but I think they might win half their games and I want to be there.

          How about you?

          Raised a Royal and always a fan! I’m Steve Sauder.

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