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SPONSORED: Eagle seeking administrative & marketing assistant

Are you detail oriented and enjoy supporting your fellow coworkers? Would you like to have a vested interest in your company where you will see your efforts benefit the company and the community? If so, we are looking for you at Eagle Communications!

Eagle Communications is 100% employee-owned and we are hiring for a full-time Administrative Assistant. This person would be instrumental in the corporate office’s day to day operations. The position is located in Hays, KS.

Responsibilities:
– Providing support to management and employees.
– Planning and coordinating company meetings and events.
– Supporting community outreach efforts.
– Designing promotional materials and company branding
– Maintaining internal communications through emails, newsletters and social media.
– Scheduling.
– General office upkeep including ordering supplies, mailing and shipping.
– Answering phones and receiving the public.
– Data processing, recordkeeping, and filing.
– Developing and maintaining documents and forms.

Qualifications/Experience:
– Two years related experience preferred.
– Familiar with Microsoft Office programs and Adobe Acrobat.
– Graphic design experience preferred.
– Event planning experience preferred
– Proper phone etiquette.
– Ability to speak and write clearly and accurately.
– Demonstrated proficiency in typing and grammar.
– Multi-tasking capabilities.
– Interpersonal skills and create a positive experience for others.
– Desire to be proactive and creative.

Salary:
Compensation is commensurate with experience, along with a competitive benefits package including health insurance, 401(k), paid vacation, and employee stock ownership plan.

Other information:
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The selected candidate will be required to pass a criminal history background check and motor vehicle check. Eagle Communications is an Employee-Owned company and an EEO employer.

Click HERE to apply.

Former National Geographic editor delivers reality check on changing environment

Dennis Dimick

Dimick says humans have become dominant force on the planet

MANHATTAN – Former National Geographic environment editor Dennis Dimick offered a dose of reality to the debate on the world’s changing climate Monday, but noted that humans have the ability to provide solutions to complex challenges.

“The basic equation that stands today is that we have benefitted greatly by the use of ancient carbon fossil fuels, like coal and oil and natural gas,” said Dimick, who draws heavily from 35 years experience working and traveling the world for the national magazine, the last 10 of which were as the executive environment editor.

“Our use of those resources has allowed us to do many things to build the modern world, but we’ve begun to see some by-products and effects that are changing the chemistry of the atmosphere. What’s happening is that we are seeing changes on the planet speeding up. Ice is melting, seas are rising and we are seeing more extreme storms.”

Dimick was the sixth speaker in Kansas State University’s noted Henry C. Gardiner Global Food Systems lecture series, which encourages science-based discussion on issues important to growing food around the world. The series is funded by Gardiner Angus Ranch of Ashland, Kansas and hosted by K-State’s College of Agriculture.

The full lecture, titled ‘Living in the Human Age,’ can be viewed online.

Scientists often refer to the acceleration of environmental processes as the anthropocene epoch, or as Dimick says, “a period of time when humans have become the dominant force on the planet.”

“Did it start 10,000 years ago when we first started transforming our landscapes and domesticating them for growing food?” Dimick asked. “Or was it in the 1700s when we learned how to dig up ancient fossil carbon energy (coal) and light it on fire, changing the chemistry of the atmosphere? Or did it start in the last century when we first learned how to blow up bombs?

“It’s a new way to contemplate our relationship with Earth. We do know that the mark of our presence will endure in the geologic record long after we are gone.”

Dimick helped to bring many environmental issues to global prominence during his time at National Geographic. He helped lead or contribute to projects that covered global warming, genetic diversity of crops, population growth, melting glaciers, diminishing water resources, food safety and security, and more.

Through words and pictures, Dimick said National Geographic aimed to connect people back to the land on which they live, “and to the people who grow that food and keep us all from starvation.”

“We wanted to make agriculture not just big and abstract and mega-scale, but we wanted to make it personal. We wanted people to meet the people that grow food for themselves and for us, whether it’s in Mali or Peru.”

Within that framework, Dimick’s team often encountered sobering realities, such as satellite pictures that show that the Arctic cap at the North Pole has shrunk in half from 1979 to 2012.

“Scientists are trying to figure out why the jet stream is becoming wobbly and more unstable,” Dimick said. “They think there’s a connection to the loss of ice in the Arctic and the unusual behavior of the jet stream that is causing things like the storm that hit eastern Nebraska in late March. We’re seeing more extreme weather events across the country; for example, last year in (the state of) Washington we had 70 inches of rain, which was 20 percent greater than we had ever had before.”

Dimick said much of North American agriculture has been affected by warming temperatures and uncertain weather patterns. He showed a chart that indicates an alarming trend of decreased production of wheat, potatoes, rice and corn – including signs that the trend will continue through 2040.

“As one who has kind of been studying this issue for a very long time, there’s a paradox,” he said. “We hear of the need to double world food production to be able to grow more food for a rising population, but the trends are showing us that we’re going in the wrong direction.”

Dimick cited a report published four years ago that offered some of the steps humans can take to help slow negative environmental changes, including managing refrigerants, reducing food waste, saving tropical forests, family planning, building solar farms, and more.

Mark Gardiner, president of Gardiner Angus Ranch and son of Henry C. Gardiner, closed Monday’s lecture with the challenge that drives the series. “When we think about society and policy, we have complicated questions, and we have a delicate balance. It’s our job to figure it out.”

“We’ve got to be part of the world,” Gardiner said, “and we can do that.”

Gove Co. court finds LEMA water-conservation tool constitutional

MANHATTAN — A district court in western Kansas has ruled that the chief engineer of the Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Water Resources acted properly in approving a water management tool proposed by the Northwest Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 4 (GMD 4) to aid in local conservation efforts to extend the life of the Ogallala Aquifer. On October 15, 2019, the Gove County District Court upheld the adoption of a Local Enhanced Management Area (LEMA) in much of the district.

The case, Friesen v. Barfield, was filed under the Kansas Judicial Review Act after two public hearings were held by Chief Engineer David Barfield who then approved adoption of the LEMA. The case was brought by multiple petitioners who are required under the LEMA plan to reduce the amount of groundwater withdrawn over the next five years. Petitioners challenged whether the reductions in water use can be made without those cuts being based on priority (date the water right was approved) and generally challenged the lawfulness of any cuts or use of a LEMA.

In 2012, Groundwater Management Districts were granted the authority to recommend the adoption of a LEMA in order to implement local water conservation goals through the adoption of control measures recommended in their plan when conditions demonstrate a threat to groundwater levels, rate of withdrawal, or water quality. The LEMA process involves meeting specific statutory requirements and holding public hearings before approval by the chief engineer. A LEMA management plan typically requires reductions in water use to achieve the water conservation goal, aimed at extending the life of the local aquifer.

In the case of Friesen v. Barfield, plaintiffs challenged both the specifics of this management plan and the constitutionality of the LEMA statue in general. The court ruling this week found that the “GMD 4 District Wide LEMA should be upheld. The LEMA Plan restrictions do not appear to be unconstitutional on their face or as applied. There is substantial evidence backing the agency’s decision and therefore it is not arbitrary or capricious.”

The first LEMA in Kansas, known as the Sheridan 6 LEMA, was approved in 2012 in the Sheridan County area. It was extended in 2017 for the years 2018-2022 after data from the Sheridan 6 LEMA strongly indicated that the water use goals in the area were met, and that significant indicators showed the conservation efforts had slowed the decline of the water table in the region. “The LEMA has been a very successful tool for our district and we plan to utilize them to extend the life of the aquifer,” said Shannon Kenyon, GMD 4 district manager.

For more information about LEMAs in Kansas, including more detail about the GMD 4 LEMA, visit agriculture.ks.gov/LEMA or call KDA-DWR at 785-564-6640.

Kan. man sentenced in kidnapping, sexual battery case

Lauri photo Douglas County

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A 45-year-old Lawrence man has been sentenced to 11 years and four months in a case in which the reasons for the charges remain unclear.

BJ Lauri was sentenced Wednesday for kidnapping and sexual battery. An affidavit detailing the allegations against Lauri were sealed after a judge determined the victim’s mental or emotional well-being could be jeopardized by its release.

Police previously said that in January, a woman told a Hy-Vee employee she had been held against her will and several “criminal events” occurred during that time. Lauri was originally charged with human trafficking and other more severe charges but pleaded no contest to the two charges.

Lauri’s co-defendant, 51-year-old John Brown, is cooperating with prosecutors. He is charged with kidnapping and two misdemeanors.

Police: Teens use shotgun on 80-year-old Kan. woman’s car, garage

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an aggravated assault and have made an arrest.

Just after midnight Monday, police responded to a vandalism call at a home in the 1600 Block of North Robin in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

An 80-year-old woman at the residence told police she heard a loud noise outside the home and found damage to a door of the attached garage, to a car parked inside the garage from a what appeared to be a shotgun.

An 18-year-old girl was also inside the home at the time of the incident, according to Davidson. There were no injuries.

Investigators learned that two 17-year-old boys were involved. Police located and arrested them Tuesday without incident. Officers also recovered the shotgun. The 18-year-old girl at the home and the boys arrested are acquainted, according to Davidson.

One of the boys is being held on requested charges that include discharge of a firearm at an occupied dwelling and criminal threat, according to Davidson. The other boy is being held on a requested charge of discharge of a firearm at an occupied dwelling.

Hays High Sounds of the Game, week 6

The Hays High Indians travel to Buhler Thursday night for a week six showdown with the Crusaders.

The Indians are looking to bounce back from a 40-21 loss to Dodge City last week. Hays High is 2-4. The Crusaders are 5-1.

If you missed any of the Indians loss to Dodge City you can check out the highlights below with our Sounds of the Game.

PREVIEW: Fall Radio Auction Oct. 17 & 18

The Eagle Radio Auction kicks off Thursday morning at 8 a.m. on radio stations 101.9 KKQY and 94.3 FM and 1400 AM KAYS.

There are thousands of items to bid on and buy, including a Bad Boy Mower from Farm Implement and Supply.

Retail Price $4099

Bad Boy Magnum – MZ zero turn mower from Farm Implement and Supply. If you’re looking for efficiencies of a zero turn mower at a price that does not compromise on quality construction and quality of cut – turn to the MZ Magnum. Features 42 inch cutting deck. 19 horsepower Kohler engine. Foot assist manual lift with Dial –style height adjustment. Solid steel deck. And Hydrostatic Trans Axle. Bad Boy the strongest, most powerful mower – with the cleanest cut – on the planet.

 

Lifetime Dental Invisalign Program

Retail Price $5500

The Invisalign program from Lifetime Dental Care offers comfort, convenience and confidence while straightening your teeth using trays that are virtually invisible. The Invisalign program Includes office consultation, trays, photos, x-rays, aligners, whitening program and more. Invisalign works great for both adults and teens. Your new smile is waiting. Get started today! lifetimedentalcare.com. THIS OFFER NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER SPECIAL OFFER. Lifetime Dental Care – 2701 Sternberg Drive – Hays – 785-625-7969.

 

Maytag Electric Dryer from Fitzgerald Furniture

Retail Price $1119

Bid on this very nice 7.4 cubic foot electric dryer from Fitzgerald Furniture in Ness City. The color is metallic slate. Hoses for steam connection are included; the electric cord is not provided. The dryer was the refresh option with steam and power dry. Pictures are included on the auction website. Does include pedestal.

Kansas woman hospitalized after rear-end semi crash

THOMAS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 3p.m. Wednesday in Thomas County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Kia Sportage driven by Sabrina R. Smith, 28, Selden, was northbound on U.S. 83 three miles north of the U.S. 24 Junction. The driver had a medical condition and rear-ended a 2010 Kenworth semi that had slowed to make a turn.

EMS transported Smith to Citizen’s Medical Center. The semi driver Shawn M. Terwilliger, 42, Stratton, Nebraska, was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kansas man hospitalized after semi overturns

CHEYENNE COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 11a.m. Wednesday in Cheyenne County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Kenworth semi driven by Manuel Hernandez, 55, Garden City, was northbound on Kansas 27 when the passenger side tire dropped off the roadway on the right side. The driver overcorrected and the vehicle rolled over.

EMS transported Hernandez to the hospital in St. Francis. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Attorney Brad ‘The Bull’ Pistotnik issues statement after cyberattack sentencing

WICHITA—Well known Wichita lawyer Brad Pistotnick was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty to his role in a cyberattack against online sites that were critical of his work.

Wichita Attorney Brad Pistotnik leaves the courthouse -photo courtesy KWCH

On Wednesday, Pistotnick’s attorney Mark Schoenhofer released a statement on his client’s change of plea in Federal Court.

“The U.S. Government dismissed all ten felonies listed in the original indictment against lawyer Brad Pistotnik in exchange for pleas to three misdemeanor “accessory after the fact” charges.

Mr. Pistotnik entered into a plea agreement whereby the government sought no prison time, no probation and Mr. Pistotnik would pay fines of $375,000.00 plus court costs and restitution.

The U.S. District Court accepted the plea deal. Mr. Pistotnik has paid his fines and restitution, and he is now done with this chapter of his life. He looks forward to continuing to assist Kansans who have been injured in serious accidents.”

—————–

WICHITA, KAN. – A well known Wichita lawyer was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty to being involved in a cyberattack, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said. He was ordered to pay a $375,000 fine and restitution of $55,200.

Bradley A. Pistotnik, 63, pleaded guilty to three counts of being an accessory after the fact to making an extortionate threat over the internet. In his plea, Pistotnik admitted he was contacted by attorneys from the legal firm Jaburg Wilk and Ripoff Report regarding cyberattacks launched against Ripoff Report, Jaburg Wilk and Leagle. He falsely denied knowing anything about the attacks.

In fact, Pistotnik knew co-defendant David Dorsett had initiated a flood of emails against the servers used by Leagle, RipoffReport and Jaburg Wilk. Dorsett had met previously with Pistonik offering web design and reputation management services. Dorsett sent emails demanding the removal of information that reflected badly on Pistotnik from their web sites. In one of the threatening emails, Dorsett said, “… if you don’t remove it we will begin targeting your advertisers…”

Co-founder of Rachel’s Challenge shares daughter’s message of compassion

Darrell Scott speaks to those assembled at Webster Conference Center Monday. Photo courtesy Smoky Hill Education Service Center

SALINA – It is not an easy message. It is not supposed to be.

Darrell Scott, co-founder of Rachel’s Challenge, clearly shared his daughter’s message of courageous compassion to a group of about 70 on Monday in Salina.

“We don’t call it ‘Rachel’s Suggestion,’” he said. “A challenge requires something of you.”

Rachel Joy Scott was the first person killed in the Columbine tragedy 20 years ago, and her school essays, personal poetry, journals and real-life examples were the inspiration for Rachel’s Challenge.

“I’m thrilled that my daughter didn’t die when her physical body died, but that her influence has lived on – now 20 years after her death – and is still reaching and impacting millions of people,” he said. “As a parent, I couldn’t be more proud of her as an example of kindness and compassion that goes all over the world.”

Out of tragedy and grief, Scott took inspiration from his daughter and helped to create and run the Rachel’s Challenge organization. He related stories of a time that Rachel made a new student feel included when others rejected her and a moment when she bravely inserted herself between bullies and their intended victim.

Since its inception, Rachel’s Challenge has reached more than 25 million people, prevented at least eight planned school shootings and averted more than 500 potential suicide deaths.

Scott said it is an organization defined by advocating for compassion, rather than focusing on being against negativity.

“We are not an anti-bullying program,” he said. “We are a pro-kindness program.”

As he spoke to the conference of educators, mental health professionals and other community leaders, Scott said that more security is not sufficient to prevent school violence.

“We’ve worked so hard on hardening the target,” he said. “Now finally the pendulum has started swinging back toward softening the heart.”

Changing the culture to emphasize kindness and understanding is a lesson everyone needs to learn today, Scott said.

“We need to return to civility,” he said. “We need to return to kindness and compassion.”

Smoky Hill Education Service Center, the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and STOPit Solutions co-sponsored the event at the Webster Conference Center.

Lisa Gehring, Superintendent of Schools for USD 270 Plainville, brought her entire faculty to the event to hear Scott.

“Darrell has such a powerful message about connecting with students and building relationships with them,” she said. “I’m just so thankful to have this opportunity. I appreciate working with Smoky Hill Education Service Center to be able to bring this to our faculty today.”

The event on Monday was one more link in a chain that started with a sentence Rachel Scott wrote in a school essay, not long before her death.

“If one person will go out of their way to show compassion,” she wrote, “It will start a chain reaction of kindness.”

— Smoky Hill Education Service Center

NW Kansans among winners in Ranchland Trust photo contest

“Herding History” by Nichole Conard

Winners have been announced for the eighth annual Ranchland Trust of Kansas (RTK) photography contest, which concluded Oct. 14.

Each summer, RTK invites amateur and professional photographers of all ages to submit photos that showcase the mission of RTK and Kansas’ ranching heritage. The mission of RTK is: “To preserve Kansas’ ranching heritage and open spaces for future generations through the conservation of working landscapes.”

Nichole Conard of Wichita was the grand prize winner in this year’s contest. Her photo titled “Herding History,” was taken during the 150th Chisholm Trail Drive south of Mayfield in Sumner County. She spent the day following the herd and this was her favorite image.

“Thank you so much for choosing my photo as grand prize. This is the first contest I’ve ever entered, so it is an honor knowing the hard competition I was against,” said Conard.

Marisa Rose Betts, Russell

Amy Robben of Fall River won the Fan Favorite category by receiving 570 votes on RTK’s Facebook page. Her winning photo, titled “Summer Red Angus”, was taken in the Flint Hills.

Robben said, “I live on a 10,000 acre cattle ranch in the Flint Hills. There are about 100 Red Angus heifers out on this pasture. This picture displays the beauty of summer in Kansas and the beauty of the livestock industry.”

A record number of photographs were submitted to the contest this year. The panel of judges narrowed the selection down to a top 30 for the Fan Favorite category voting on Facebook. All other category winners were chosen by the panel of professional photographers, along with RTK and Wolfe’s Camera representatives. The Facebook album was able to reach over 30,000 Facebook users and nearly 6,000 votes were cast for the Fan Favorite category. Thank you to all who viewed and voted for these beautiful Kansas photos.

Additional winners in each category were: Landscape – Sheryll Marks, Wellington; Livestock – Tony Ifland, Cedar; People – Mike Scheufler, Augusta; KLA Member – Marisa Rose Betts, Russell; Youth – Lily Judd, Pomona; and Honorable Mentions – Stacey Rhoades, Newton; Callahan McIver, Council Grove; and Crystal Socha, Augusta. Socha’s honorable mention photograph was the first photo taken with a drone to be entered in the contest. All winning entries can be viewed on RTK’s Facebook page.

Tony Ifland, Cedar

Prizes, sponsored by Wolfe’s Camera of Topeka, are awarded to the top 10 winning photographers. The photographs will be used, with permission of the photographers, to promote Kansas’ ranching heritage and open spaces.

RTK will have photo stationery cards for sale throughout the year featuring the 10 winning photos. Printed on premium cardstock, the folded cards are blank inside and come in packs of 10 with white envelopes. The card packages can be purchased for $20 by contacting Samantha Weishaar at 785-273-5115 or [email protected].

Crystal Socha, Augusta

🎥 In 36 years as a Hays real estate agent, Stull’s business ‘keeps revolving’

Patty Stull recently sold her Coldwell Banker franchise to independent Hays real estate agent Robert Readle. Stull is still listing and selling real estate as she’s done the past 36 years. Jane Brady has been her administrative assistant for 15 years.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Patty Stull has been a Hays real estate agent for nearly 36 years.

She recently sold her Coldwell Banker corporation to independent real estate agent Robert Readle.

Now there are two Coldwell Banker Real Estate sites in Hays — Readle’s location at 22nd and Vine, and Stull’s longtime office in downtown Hays at 1001 Main. Readle is the supervising broker while Stull is an associate broker.

At age 72, Stull will continue to list and sell real estate. It’s her favorite part of the job.

“I’ve been blessed with so many opportunities to help people find their dreams,” Stull said, “and when they find their dream, it becomes my dream.”

Since 1984, Stull has sold houses, commercial properties and land to area residents and businesses. Some transactions were small, less than $30,000. Her most expensive home sale was $1.2 million.

One of the smallest deals is one of her most memorable.

“The one I love the most is this little two-bedroom house in Victoria I sold to a couple. It didn’t have a basement. They had two little babies. They didn’t have a lot of money.

“And we made it. They were able to close on that house and they went into my arms and wept,” Stull recalled. “Pretty sure they might not have got it, except I was able to help along the way.

“They came back to me years later and said, ‘Thank you. We were really at the lowest point in our life and you helped us have a dream. It may not be a big dream to many, but it was our dream.’ ”

Readle called Stull “a titan in the community.” She’s been selling real estate long enough that it’s come full circle.

“I may start when they’re young and buying their first home. Twenty-five years later, their children return to settle in Hays and come to me to buy their own house. Then the parents become older and buy a different home or a second home,” Stull said. “It keeps revolving and you get to have this family connection.”

Over the years, she’s received many cards and flowers as a thank you for matching people with their dreams.

“A home is an emotional decision. You have to be able to wrap yourself around that situation because it is a big decision and it’s done with the heart. Commercial and land is not done with the heart. It is a business decision.”

Stull started her work life as vice-president of First Federal Savings and Loan in Beloit and as loan manager for a Russell bank. She moved to Hays, without a job lined up, and was approached in 1984 with an offer to buy the Coldwell Banker franchise by owner Robert Finch’s son-in-law.

She hesitated. “Those guys upset me a lot over the years when I was making them loans. I didn’t even really like them. And that’s pretty well what I told him.”

The Finches talked her into “giving it a try.”

The divorced mother with three young daughters decided to pursue her dream, although her self-employed father, Ralph J. Werth, advised against it. ” ‘Please don’t do that,’ he said to me in German. ‘It’s going to be a hard life.’ ”

“You got to remember back in those days women were not supposed to be in authority. When I came into this city as a broker/owner, the other five were all male owners. I had a lot of bad times. They just couldn’t believe a woman was doing this and wondered why I was doing it.”

One of the male broker/owners did support Stull. “Dean Ellner stood by me. He helped me and taught me.”

A Dean Ellner agent, Lana Whitney, helped Stull buy a house.

“Unbeknownst to Lana, I admired her so much and she became my ‘silent’ mentor as I eventually decided I wanted to be just like Lana. I want to help people. I’m going to do a huge volume of real estate. And one day, it happened and one day, I went past Lana. But I’m not taking anything away from her. She’s an amazing woman and a very, very good real estate agent.”

Stull got her business loan from Golden Belt Bank to buy Coldwell Banker. “I don’t know how they ever believed in me. If I hadn’t had Golden Belt Bank by my side, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Less than 30 days after Stull acquired that loan, a major employer, Travenol, closed its doors and the Hays economy slumped into a 10-year recession.

“There were over 800 houses on the market. The houses I sell today at $135,00 sold for $33,500 then and people could not afford to buy a house.” It would be 11 years before her new business was in the black.

“Those were very, very hard years but there are always hidden blessings and struggles. It makes you become strong, makes you look for different things in your life.

“Out of it all, I evolved and I hope I’m the best I can be and look forward to every single day being even better.”

Stull credits her religious faith and the support of a large family for her success.

“My mom and dad taught us faith. That was the foundation of our home. And they taught us how to work hard, to not expect anything, to go and earn it … to have ethics, honor, and to be truthful.”

Stull is the oldest of 16 children, eight boys and eight girls.

She finds it interesting that she has been self-employed – just like her dad – for more than 30 years and many of her siblings are also self-employed. “We’re independent. We grew up that way.”

Her father died at the age of 64.

Her mother, Martina Werth, is 91 years old and has 109 grandchildren and great-grandchildren and is expecting the first great-great grandchild next year.

“She is the matriarch, our queen. Our mother to this day is so sharp. She has a lot of pain but she does her own checkbook. She’s an amazing cook in the kitchen and she’ll beat you up in any game of pinochle. Every day, she’s in a chair embroidering something to make somebody happy.”

There are a number of step-siblings in the close-knit family.

“So many people ask why our family is so close. We grew up near Catharine and we only had each other. In those days, you didn’t drive to town because you were bored and you wanted to go swimming, or whatever,” she laughed. “Mom and Dad made sure we had plenty to do. At an early age we learned how to clean, how to cook — lots of cooking.

“I’ve been extremely blessed in my life. Sure, there have been struggles in many ways, but I’m no different than anyone else.”

Stull has four daughters. “One is in heaven,” she says. “Wendy passed away in 1997 when she was 23. It broke all of our hearts.”

Her husband of 11 years, Rich Sieker, has two married children and four grandchildren. Stull has eight grandchildren. “We love them all.”

Stull’s grown daughters have their own businesses and she didn’t expect them to have her same passion for the real estate business. Stull missed a lot of her daughters’ activities, including school sports, as they grew up. “They understood my passion but as I look back I wish I could have been there.”

Teaming up with Readle was the answer to her prayers.

“I believe in Robert and I’m going to mentor him and his growth. I no longer am a supervising broker but I will always be a broker. The thing that’s changing is I don’t have to worry about the whole operation. The only thing that you’re going to see different is that I’m not signing the checks,” she laughed.

“You’re gonna see a lot of smiles on my face. I may have the opportunity to go play some golf, go see my grandbabies and participate in their sport lives.

“We only have today,” Stull reminds us.

“Find a reason to smile, tuck the sadness in your heart where it belongs. The past makes you who you are today.”

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