December 2022

COVID vaccine unrelated to sudden loss of hearing

DEAR DR. ROACH: My friend lost hearing in one of her ears after a vertigo and dizziness spell a few months ago, when she also noted tinnitus. Her hearing issues have not resolved, unfortunately. Given some anecdotal reports of issues like this happening after receiving a COVID vaccine, she is wondering whether to get the new booster or not. She wants to, but losing hearing in her other ear would be devastating. Her doctors haven’t had real answers. Any thoughts on the issue or on who to contact for a more educated answer? -- K.L.R.

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New Mural Honors Czech Immigrants and the Railroad in Rural Kansas

Unveiling and Dedication of art to showcase historical growth of Wilson on December 17th from 1-3pm at the Midland Railroad Hotel Barn Wilson, KS. The Wilson Tourism Hub, in collaboration with the Kansas Czechs, Inc., has been awarded a grant to develop a mural for Wilson, Kansas. The murals will depict Czech immigrants arriving at the train station in Wilson, along with a nod to the history of the horse racing track that was in Wilson at the turn of the century. It was located near the Midland Railroad Hotel, which was built in 1899 and was one of the premier hotels in the Midwest for travelers between Kansas City and Denver. The murals will honor this history as well as showcasing Wilson as the Czech Capital of Kansas.

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Safe mobility is the driving factor in Older Drivers Safety Awareness Week

Keeping older adults active in their communities and maintaining safe transportation are the goals of Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, which is Dec. 5-9. Normal activity such as shopping, working, volunteering and socializing should not become safety limitations or strand seniors at home, according to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

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Indians capitalize at the free throw line in win over Railers

Indians capitalize at the free throw line in win over Railers On day one of the 40th Annual Gerald Mitchell Hays City Shootout, the Hays High girls basketball team earned their first win of the season over Newton, 45-29. “You want so bad for your girls to move to the right side of that bracket and they did it tonight, I’m proud of them,” Head Coach Len Melvin said.

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PHEASANTS PAST AND PRESENT

Dear Readers, Merriam-Webster’s defines nostalgia as “…a wistful or excessively sentimental yearning for a return to a past period or irrecoverable condition.” Though memories of Christmases past rise this time of year, that’s not why I’ve been I’ve teetering on the brink of melancholy. Matt Peek (the wildlife biologist whom I recently interviewed for The Sunflower Seven) UNINTENTIONALLY both contributed to my current predicament and keeps me from toppling into despair over the scarcity of pheasants in Kansas.

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