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TEG Tuesday, December 29, 2015 V V V PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1895 V V V Color your way through you journey Good Evening VVV Life is not black and white. WWW.EMPORIAGAZETTE.COM P l an for a s afe an d J o y o u s N ew Year New Year’s Eve activities plentiful By Jessie Wagoner [email protected] Courtesy photo Courtesy Photo A sampling of some of the coloring books and colored pencils that Donna Russell has collected to distribute to waiting patients and family members.  By Jessie Wagoner [email protected] Donna Russell, also affectionately known as Nana Donna, has spent a considerable period of time waiting in hospitals as her granddaughter, Reese Naylor, battles leukemia. Reese was diagnosed with leukemia in 2007. “We have been fighting cancer with my granddaughter since she was 3,” Russell said. Reese frequently has to undergo testing and procedures that leave the family waiting Donna Russell sits in a hospital waiting room coloring. As her granddaughter Reese battles leukemia, Russell and family members use coloring as a way to pass the time in the waiting room. Now Russell distributes coloring books and colored pencils to other families waiting as well.  nervously for information in the waiting room. Most recently, Reese underwent a second bone marrow transplant and remains hospitalized. In preparation for another trip to the waiting room, Russell brought an adult coloring book and colored pencils with her to pass the time. She was shocked that the act of coloring kept the family occupied and helped them shut off the worry of the wait for several hours. Please see Russell, Page 3 A YEAR OF HELPING A N O V E R V I E W hospitals. It would seem that many of the problems in the local detention center could be mitigated by more Editor’s note: This is part two and improved mental health services. of a multi-part series focused on societal concerns resulting from fewer 2015 proved to be a very busy mental health institutions to provide year for the Mental Health Center of for Kansans with mental illnesses. East Central Kansas. At a time when The lack of funding and facilities has state funding continues to decrease, resulted in more mentally ill inmates Please see 2015, Page 3 in local jails and patients in local By Jessie Wagoner [email protected] VOL. 124, NO. 154 O F 2 0 1 5 New Year’s Eve and day are filled with several events to keep people in a celebratory mood. From fun with friends, dancing or even a focus on fitness there are events for everyone. Brickyard 20 Ale House will have live music by The Banned, party favors, a champagne toast and a DJ. A highlight of the evening will be a $1,000 balloon drop. For those over the age of 21 the cover charge is $10 and for those under 21 the cover charge is $15. “Brickyard is where it is at,” Marty Brooks, a student at Emporia State University, said. “I’m meeting up with some friends there to kick it.” Mulready’s Pub will have specials on their specialty martinis for New Year’s Eve. They also plan to have great deals on beers. “Mulready’s has the best martini’s,” Shopper Sarah Donelson said. “I love the Mexican Hot Chocolate Martini. I’m glad it will be a special.” Town Royal will host a champagne toast at midnight. There will be no cover charge for the evening and they are encouraging people to come out for a good time. The Fundraising Committee for the Olpe Community Fitness Complex is hosting a party from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Tickets for the event are $20 per person at the door. DZ Cab is available for those individuals who need a safe ride home from events. For a cab ride call 343-8310. Rollers has two options available for youngsters. A Pre-New Year’s Eve afternoon bash is scheduled from 1 to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $6 per person and includes fun for the whole family. There will be a balloon drop at 3 p.m. pretending it’s midnight. An all night lock-in begins at 7:30 p.m. and lasts until 6 a.m. The cost is $20 and includes skates, pizza and doughnuts with a balloon drop at midnight. “I’m going to Roller’s with my friends for New Year’s Eve,” Dante Edwards, middle schooler said. “It’s fun and you can see everyone that you haven’t seen since school is out.” Plumb Place is hosting a Speakeasy-themed party beginning at 8:30 p.m. Depression-era cocktails, gaming and more will benefit the Plumb Place kitchen upgrade project. For those hoping to start the New Year off on a healthy foot Gravel City Adventure and Supply Co. is hosting a New Year’s Day Run & Ride. There are three events to choose from, a 3-5 mile run, a trail ride or a 14-mile gravel ride. All activities leave from the Dirty Kanza Headquarters at noon. “Right now we are still planning for the day,” Leland Dains with Gravel City Adventure and Supply Co. said. “It will be cold.”