Last week Theda Wolford, who has run the hardware store in Hartford for more than 40 years, called to share some common sense advice.
She said she was amazed to read about how the city had to issue a reminder to citizens to clean off their sidewalks or receive a fine.
She wondered what happened to parents sending their children outside to clean off sidewalks and driveways of their neighbors after a snow storm.
She recalled the days of when people did that. The children would get exercise, they would be helping their neighbors and the community and they might make a little money.
She said not everyone was able to get out to clean off their sidewalks or have enough money to pay someone to do it. She said the problem today is children just stay inside playing video games and parents who do not make their children go outside.
After the snow is done falling, Theda wanted to urge parents to send the children out and make a difference by helping to clear sidewalks and driveways.
Her next comment was about people not throwing away trash at White Auditorium.
She attended the Lyon County League tournament and was amazed at how much trash was scattered around the Auditorium. She said it was a sign of disrespect and wondered if people littered their own houses like that. She encouraged everyone to be more respectful and throw away their own trash.
We thank Theda for sharing some common sense advice. We also wish her a happy 84th birthday today.
Chris Walker
Editor & Publisher
sail (anonymous) says...
Great store,if you have not been to it ,its well worth the stop.
February 3, 2011 at 8:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Yes, shopping in that store is an adventure in itself. Plus, she has a lot of quilt shop quality fabric. If I remember right, she opens on Super Bowl Sunday so all the football widows can shop for fabric.
When I first moved to Kansas in 1975, I found that shop and bought my large pickle crock from her. I still use it to make my dill pickles today.
Happy Birthday, Theda.
February 3, 2011 at 9:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bobhornet (anonymous) says...
Chris, keep stirring the pot. Your "paper" is getting more like a tabloid everyday.
February 3, 2011 at 9:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Did you ever go out shovel walks Chris?
February 3, 2011 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
apierich (anonymous) says...
Growing up, not in Emporia but in a small town out west, the kids in my family as well as our friends would go around and geurilla style shovel walks, sidewalks, and driveways during snows as well as rake leaves, mow lawns, and bring polycarts to the street and back up for the elderly and disabled in town. We did it that way so that they wouldn't try to pay us because we didn't want the money, just something to do other than play video games and watch tv. This was in the 90's and early 00's, so it wasn't even that long ago. All it takes is a small group having fun helping eveyone out to make it cool.
February 3, 2011 at 12:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
roxalan (anonymous) says...
Kids today are spoiled by the video games and the television. And who is to blame is the parents! They don't have their kids go outside and do things in the yard instead they tell their kids "I will pay you to go out and do this or I will give you a new game for your game system if you go and do this." It's all monetary not because it would help the parents or the neighborhood. Kids today have it to easy and Theda is right they don't show the respect when they go to places and parents don't make them show respect. So it really comes down to the PARENTS teaching their kids to show respect and the value of being part of a community and help their neighbors.
February 3, 2011 at 1:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporian (anonymous) says...
2 middle school age kids showed up at my house yesterday shovels in hand. They wanted to know if they could shovel my driveway for $10. They did a great job that was well worth the $10 they were asking.
February 3, 2011 at 3:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
flyboy32 (anonymous) says...
I'll do mine with our state and local elected officials shovel theirs.
February 3, 2011 at 4:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )