JANUARY NEWSLETTER

The meaning of most holidays is clear: Valentine’s Day celebrates romance; July Fourth,

independence; Thanksgiving, productivity; Christmas, good will toward men. The meaning of

New Year’s Day–the world’s most celebrated holiday–is not so clear. On this day, many people

remember last year’s achievements and failures and look forward to the promise of a new year,

of a new beginning. But this celebration and reflection is the result of more than an accident of

the calendar. New Year’s has a deeper significance. What is it?

On New Year’s Day, when the singing, fireworks and champagne toasts are over, many of us

become more serious about life. We take stock and plan new courses of action to better our

lives. This is best seen in one of the most popular customs and the key to the meaning of New

Year’s: making resolutions.

On average each American makes 1.8 New Year’s resolutions. When the rest of the world is

taken into account, the number of people making resolutions skyrockets to hundreds of millions.

From New York to Paris to Sydney, interesting similarities arise as shown in two very common

resolutions: people wanting to be more attractive by losing weight, and to be healthier by

exercising more and smoking less. They want to do things better, become better people.

New Year’s Day is the most active-minded holiday, because it is the one where people evaluate

their lives and plan and resolve to take action. One dramatic example of taking resolutions

seriously is the old European custom of: “What one does on this day one will do for the rest of

the year.” What unites this custom and the more common type of resolutions is that on the first

day of the year people take their values more seriously.

Values are not only physical and external. They also can be psychological. Many New Year’s

resolutions reveal that people want to better themselves by improving psychologically. For

example, look at your own resolutions over the years. Haven’t they included such vows as: be

more patient with your children, improve your self-esteem, be more emotionally open with your wife? Such resolutions express the moral ambitiousness of a person wanting to improve his self

and life.

What then is the philosophic meaning of New Year’s resolutions? Every resolution you make on

this day implies that you are in control of yourself, that you are not a victim fated by

circumstance, controlled by stars, owned by luck, but that you are an individual who can make

choices to change your life. You can learn statistics, ask for that promotion, fight your shyness,

and search for that marriage partner. Your life is in your own hands.

But what is the purpose of making such goals and resolutions? Why bother? Making New

Year’s resolutions (and doing so even after failing last year’s) stresses that people want to be

happy. On New Year’s Day many people accept, often more implicitly than explicitly, that

happiness comes from the achievement of values. That is why you resolve to be healthier, more

ambitious, and more confident. You want to enjoy that sense of purpose, accomplishment and

pleasure that one feels when achieving values. It is happiness that is the motor and purpose of

one’s life. It is New Year’s, more than any other day that makes the attainment of happiness

more real and possible. This is the meaning of New Year’s Day and why it is so psychologically

important and significant to people throughout the world.

If people were to apply the value-achievement meaning of New Year’s Day explicitly and

consistently 365 days each year, they would be happier.

So every day, fill your champagne glass of life to the brim with values–and drink deep to your

life and the joy that it can and should be.

Happy New Year. Happy life.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 21, 2019

Martin Luther King, Jr., (January 15, 1929-April 4, 1968) was born Michael Luther King, Jr., but later had his name changed to Martin. His grandfather began the family’s long tenure as pastors of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, serving from 1914 to 1931; his father has served from then until the present, and from 1960 until his death Martin Luther acted as co-pastor. Martin Luther attended segregated public schools in Georgia, graduating from high school at the age of fifteen; he received the B. A. degree in 1948 from Morehouse College, a distinguished Negro institution of Atlanta from which both his father and grandfather had graduated. After three years of theological study at Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania where he was elected president of a predominantly white senior class, he was awarded the B.D. in 1951. With a fellowship won at Crozer, he enrolled in graduate studies at Boston University, completing his residence for the doctorate in 1953 and receiving the degree in 1955. In Boston he met and married Coretta Scott, a young woman of uncommon intellectual and artistic attainments. Two sons and two daughters were born into the family.

In 1954, Martin Luther King became pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. Always a strong worker for civil rights for members of his race, King was, by this time, a member of the executive committee of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the leading organization of its kind in the nation. He was ready, then, early in December, 1955, to accept the leadership of the first great Negro nonviolent demonstration of contemporary times in the United States, the bus boycott described by Gunnar Jahn in his presentation speech in honor of the laureate. The boycott lasted 382 days. On December 21, 1956, after the Supreme Court of the United States had declared unconstitutional the laws requiring segregation on buses, Negroes and whites rode the buses as equals. During

these days of boycott, King was arrested, his home was bombed, he was subjected to personal abuse, but at the same time he emerged as a Negro leader of the first rank.

In 1957 he was elected president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization formed to provide new leadership for the now burgeoning civil rights movement. The ideals for this organization he took from Christianity; its operational techniques from Gandhi. In the eleven-year period between 1957 and 1968, King traveled over six million miles and spoke over twenty-five hundred times, appearing wherever there was injustice, protest, and action; and meanwhile he wrote five books as well as numerous articles. In these years, he led a massive protest in Birmingham, Alabama, that caught the attention of the entire world, providing what he called a coalition of conscience. and inspiring his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”, a manifesto of the Negro revolution; he planned the drives in Alabama for the registration of Negroes as voters; he directed the peaceful march on Washington, D.C., of 250,000 people to whom he delivered his address, “l Have a Dream”, he conferred with President John F. Kennedy and campaigned for President Lyndon B. Johnson; he was arrested upwards of twenty times and assaulted at least four times; he was awarded five honorary degrees; was named Man of the Year by Time magazine in 1963; and became not only the symbolic leader of American blacks but also a world figure. At the age of thirty-five, Martin Luther King, Jr., was the youngest man to have received the Nobel Peace Prize. When notified of his selection, he announced that he would turn over the prize money of $54,123 to the furtherance of the civil rights movement. On the evening of April 4, 1968, while standing on the balcony of his motel room in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was to lead a protest march in sympathy with striking garbage workers of that city, he was assassinated.

 LOCAL NEWS Are you in need of grocery delivery service? Call 620-228-5570 for more

information on this new service.

If you need assistance after-hours please call the Iola Dispatch

Center at (620) 365-1437, they will notify the proper personnel.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL LAHARPE CITIZENS CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY THIS MONTH!!!! MAY YOUR DAY BE AS SPECIAL AS YOU ARE TO US!

D ates to remember :

January 1st: City Hall Closed. Happy New Year!!!

January 9th: Winterfest, ALL invited 6:00pm – 8:00pm

January 9th: Council Meeting at 7:00pm at City Hall

January 21st: PRIDE Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the City Hall

January 25th: Past due Utility shut off date. If you can’t pay your account in full at this time then you must submit your reasoning to the City Clerk BEFORE January 25th.

CITY COUNCIL NEWSCITIZENS CALL FOR BUSINESS

a) Richard Luken stated PRIDE will be judging homes decorated for Christmas this weekend and will announce the top 3 winners at the PRIDE meeting Monday night. He shared that they are getting with the poles for the volleyball pit and should have lighting up next month. The next PRIDE meeting is December 17th at 7:00, the public is invited to attend.

b) Damaris Kunkler shared the outcome of the meeting, Local Government for Newbies. She said there were 18-20 people in attendance, people from 4 different cities from the county. The League of Kansas Municipalities put on the training how to become civically engaged. This is the first of a pilot program which is being tested here in La Harpe. In February the Kansas Health Foundation will be here. We have hired a Health & Wellness Coordinator, Alexis Laird. In January K-State students will be back in town, looking at the week of January 6th through January 11th. They will be at the La Harpe senior dinner, also going around town to take pictures of the history of La Harpe so that we have a photo album of La Harpe and can share the beauty of it. Damaris asked for volunteers to form a fund-raising team to help raise $10,000.00 so that La Harpe can get the $10,000.00 match. David Lee and Sharlyn Thompson offered to be on the team.

NEW BUSINESS

a) 2019 Holidays – Sharlyn Thompson made the motion to approve the holidays as presented. David Lee seconded. Motion carried 5-0. The holidays for 2019 are:

Jan 1 – New Year’s Day

Feb 18 – President’s Day

May 27 – Memorial Day

July 4 – Independence Day (1/2 Day)

Sept 2 – Labor Day

Oct 14 – Columbus Day

Nov 11 – Veteran’s Day

Nov 28 – Thanksgiving (and the Friday after)

Dec 25 – Christmas Day (closing at noon Dec 24th)

b) COLA for 2019 – Tabled until January.c) Intersection at highway 54 and Washington – Danny Ware Jr stated the intersection

holds water and during the winter time, when it freezes, it becomes very slick and hard to stop. Worried that someone will slide out into the highway and get hurt. Mayor Crowell stated that according to KDOT that is the city’s responsibility. David Lee expressed concerns of the right-of-way and we didn’t have the problem before

they did the new highway. Mayor Crowell suggested we let our attorney get a hold of KDOT.

d) Monroe & 5th Street – Danny Ware Jr expressed concerns of the overgrowth and trees in this area, stating we have had complaints that the City needs to clean up their properties if we are going to enforce others. David Lee stated that is a tree problem and we don’t harp on people about their trees. Mayor Crowell suggested the City crew starting cleaning it up.

e) City vacant lots – Danny Ware Jr stated that Ray Maloney had mentioned moving in a home on one of our city lots but never knew the value of the recent lots we have purchased. City Clerk, Michelle Altis, shared a list of pricing the City had in each property. David Lee mentioned the initial intent for these properties were for new home construction. Mayor Crowell stated, if people are willing to move in old or new, we need to consider them because these lots are going to continue to cost us and having someone show interest in these lots will get our money back on utilities and taxes. She suggested selling them for $100.00. David Lee suggested we need at least market value on them. Mayor Crowell agreed that wouldn’t be bad for the Washington lots but the McKinley lots we need to develop a little better on that side of town. Citizen, Ray Maloney, suggested the City not purchase lots and let someone local buy them, that way the City isn’t out any money on maintain them until they are occupied. Mayor Crowell stated these two areas we had no choice but to purchase to try to recoup some of the money we are out in razing these properties.

f) Health & Wellness Director – was absent and will be introduced at the January meeting.

g) Marketing & Communications Manager – was absent and will be introduced at the January meeting.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

a) Heating & Cooling at City Hall – David Lee talked to someone that had submitted a bid and was not comfortable because there were no specs to go from. Damaris Kunkler mentioned she will look for a grant to cover this expense.

b) Ray Maloney – asked the Council if it was okay to bring the home to La Harpe, he stated that it will probably be stored out at the lumber yard until spring. Danny Ware Jr stated as long as a building permit is approved, we are good. David Lee wants clarification on the variance of the ordinance.

c) Stop signs – Mayor Crowell stated that Michelle shared a list of stop signs the guys were suggesting be removed but we have a lot of kids in town and if we start removing stop signs someone is going to get hurt. Danny Ware Jr expressed concerns spending money and labor on replacing them with yield signs. David Lee made the motion to remove the suggested list of stop signs but leave the polls for right now to see how it goes. Danny Ware seconded. Motion carried 3-2 with Sharlyn Thompson and Cynthia Carr objecting. The following will be removed: 2nd & Harrison, 4th & McKinley, 6th & McKinley, 10th & Washington, 10th & Broadway, 9th & Broadway and 10th & Lincoln.

d) Water line west of City – David Lee expressed concerns about the water line that lies west to Gas City, stating that one of these days that line is going to need repaired and will cost the City a lot of money. Those on that line are not La Harpe taxpayers so when repairs are needed our tax payers in the City will be the ones paying for it. Danny Ware Jr suggested we get a hold of Fred and see what we can do about abandoning the line.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS

a) Fred Works, City Attorney – Absent from meeting.

b) Chuck Richey, Water District Representative- Absent from meeting.

c) Marc Waggoner, Fire Chief- Absent from meeting but minutes were shared; The LaHarpe Volunteer Fire Department met for the monthly meeting on Sunday, December 9, 2018. Present: Marc Waggoner Sr., Dennis Sidebottom, Nick Trester, Josh Sparks, Jeremy Kinzer, Michael Waggoner, Meghan Waggoner, Marc Waggoner Jr., Tori Danford, Criag Trester, William Gay and Rick Noyes. Ronald Splechter joined the fire department. Absent was Ronald Richardson. Had fire meeting, updated pager then discussed first aid class for the end of January, I am making the first aid class mandatory because we are rescue personnel. Then we were visited by the La Harpe senior center and they gave us a big thank you, which we greatly appreciated and that is why we are here to protect and serve you to keep La Harpe safe. The fire department welcomed new member Ronald Splechter and took trucks out for a run, returned to the fire barn and ended meeting. Next meeting will be December 30, 2018. Marc Waggoner Jr was present and asked the Council if the City fire department could purchase hoodies for the firefighters. Mayor Crowell stated they have the money in their budget so yes, that would be fine. Marc also stated he is making a tool that will take a wall, door or window down and would like to use it. Mayor Crowell was concerned about the legality of it and the required training to use it. She stated she would visit with the attorney but I would probably say probably not at this time.

d) Michelle Altis, City clerk- Asked the Council if she could take sealed bids on the old City truck. Council agreed and Danny Ware Jr requested to have bids submitted by the January Council meeting.

Mayor: City Attorney: Ella Mae Crowell (496-6219) Fred Works

City Municipal Judge: Police Chief: Patricia Miklos

Fire Chief: City Clerk: Marc Waggoner Michelle Altis

Assistant City Clerk: City Treasurer: Penny Ebert Teresa Driskel

Maintenance Staff: Code/Animal Control Paul Beasley & Bryan Peters

City Council Members: David Lee (496-2333) Danny Ware Jr. (496-2156) Cynthia Carr (496-7500) Sharlyn Thompson (496-3348)

Ron Knavel (496-2508)

Laharpe City Hall Hours: Monday-Friday

902 S. Washington 8:00-12:00 & 1:00-5:00 P.O. Box 10 Ph. (620) 496-2241 Laharpe, KS. 66751 Fax (620) 496-2240

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE; CITYOFLAHARPE.ORG

New Year's Day Black-Eyed Peas"Remember, black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day bring good luck for the entire year!"

Ingredients 1-pound bulk pork sausage 1-pound ground beef 1 large onion, diced 4 cups water 3 (15 ounce) cans black-eyed peas, drained 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers (such as RO*TEL(R)),

undrained 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 3/4 teaspoon garlic salt 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chilies 4 teaspoons molasses 4 beef bouillon cubes 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

Directions1. In a large Dutch oven, cook and stir the pork sausage and ground beef

with the onion over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink, 10 to 12 minutes; drain off excess fat. Pour in the water, and stir in black-eyed peas, diced tomatoes, tomatoes with green chiles, Worcestershire sauce, garlic salt, salt, canned green chilies, molasses, beef bouillon cubes, black pepper, and cumin until thoroughly mixed.

2. Bring the soup to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes.

Golden Sweet Cornbread

Ingredients 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup yellow cornmeal 2/3 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon salt 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 egg 1 cup milk 1/3 cup vegetable oil

Directions1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Spray or lightly grease a

9-inch round cake pan.2. In a large bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt and baking powder.

Stir in egg, milk and vegetable oil until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pan.

3. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.

Eggnog Cake

Ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1 cup white sugar 1/4 cup butter 1/4 cup shortening 2 eggs 1 teaspoon rum flavored extract 3/4 cup milk

Directions1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8x4

inch loaf pan. Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and ginger; set aside.

2. In a large bowl, cream together sugar, butter, and shortening until light and fluffy. Blend in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the rum extract. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the milk, mixing just until incorporated. Pour batter into prepared pan.

3. Bake in the preheated oven for 65 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.