Marion County RECORD

HEADLINES

Scully office is leaving Marion
Because of a difference of a few thousand dollars for a lot price, Midlands Farm Services, Inc., the agent for Scully Estates, is relocating to Hillsboro. In Tuesday night’s Hillsboro City Council meeting, the city approved the sale of a lot for $7,000, based on $10,000 per acre, to the company in Hillsboro Heights. According to Midlands Farm Services Agent Doug Sharp, the City of Marion turned down his offer of $3,000 for a lot that was listed at more than $10,000 in the industrial park.
Jenna Tajchman helps families and youth in Moldova
Jenna Tajchman, a Lincolnville native, recently completed a two-year mission to the Republic of Moldova under the auspices of the Peace Corps. She served for 27 months including three months of training. She arrived in September 2007 and returned home in November. It wasn’t her first experience abroad. She spent a summer in the Czech Republic while attending Kansas State University.
Bank gives building to group for youth center
(Editor’s note: This story is part of a series about a proposed youth center in Marion. Every few weeks, we will feature more information with updates about the project.) By SUSAN BERG Managing editor It was a story with a surprise ending.
Dean Batt enjoys hobby after retirement
With each word carefully chosen, Dean Batt the attorney could articulate information to judges, juries, and clients. With each careful stroke of a paintbrush, the artist Dean Batt could express his perspective of a horse in a field, a cowboy leaning against a fence, or the face of a family member.
Where are they now?: Alumnus began successful career in Marion store
With her effervescent personality and the gift of being able to make people feel comfortable, former Marion resident Dona (Anderson) Houltberg was definitely in her element Thursday morning, promoting a fashion show for St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary members. The Salina resident came to her hometown to promote her business and, well, to have fun.
Young family finds a new life in Marion
George and Amanda Hotchkiss were just ordinary people when they got in trouble with the law. They had a family and were struggling to make ends meet. Unable to resist the lure of easy money, they joined friends in stealing items such as old radiators and batteries from abandoned farmsteads and selling them to scrap metal dealers.
Kapaun documentary to be shown Sunday at Pilsen
A full-length documentary, “The Miracle of Father Kapaun,” will be shown at 1 p.m. Sunday in the basement of St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Pilsen. The full-length documentary features some of the soldiers the Pilsen priest saved during the Korean War and a young athlete from Sedgwick County who believes his life was saved through the intercession of Father Kapaun.

DOCKET

DEATHS

Elmer Dyck
Elmer Dyck, 93, died Dec. 13, at Moundridge Manor. Born June 19, 1916, in Hillsboro, he married Edna Koehn Aug. 3, 1941, in Galva. She died Dec. 6, 2008.
Marvin Warkentine
Marvin E. Warkentine, 86, died Dec. 11, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita. Born April 23, 1923, in Goessel, to Henry and Katie (Schmidt) Warkentine, he married Thelma Manka April 19, 1947, in Peabody.
Sherri Druse
Sherri Kelly Druse, 47, died Monday in Wichita. She was born July 13, 1962, to Bob and Donna Kelly of Marion.
Paula Hayen
Paula R. Hayen, 53, of Marion, died Dec. 10 in Hesston. Born Aug. 12, 1956, to Irvin and Pauline (Muno) Schmidt, she was married Jan. 25, 1997, to Brent Hayen.
Lyle Lucas
Lyle L. “Shorty” Lucas, 91, died Dec. 8 at St. Luke Hospital, Marion. Born to Stuart and Beulah (Bueford) Lucas in Chingawassa Springs area, he was married June 1, 1946, to Maedeane Raleigh.
Alice Odgers
Alice Elaine (Norgard) Odgers, 81, of Belleville, died Dec. 11 in Belleville. Born June 10, 1928, in Norway to Oscar and Hilma (Larsen) Norgard, she was married July 27, 1946, to Joseph James Odgers in Belleville.

GOVERNMENT

Water woes continue, city trying to remedy
When a water main broke Monday in the 200 block of South Freeborn Street, Marion, the timing was not good. City of Marion officials were continuing the process of determining how rusty water was finding its way to the home of Ron and Ruth Herbel, 611 S. Freeborn St.
Commission considers fate of recycling program
A mobile recycling pickup program is nearing the end of the original one-year trial period, and Marion County Commission is still trying to decide whether to continue the program. Transfer Station Director Rollin Schmidt said Monday a decision is needed, so he can make plans for the future.

OPINION

Promote local shopping
Some of you have already finished your shopping and are waiting for the holidays to arrive. For the rest of us, we are frantically searching for those special gifts for those hard to buy for people on our lists every year.
Looking for a job?
Are you interested in serving your neighborhood? Do you want to be part of the solution instead of just complaining?
Limitations needed for elected officials
An interesting e-mail is circulating right now regarding elected congressional positions. Dubbed the Congressional Reform Act of 2009, it would limit terms to a total of 12 years, congressmen would be paid while actually in office and would receive no pay when no longer in the position; they would have to participate in Social Security, could no longer vote themselves pay raises, and would change from their current health care system to participate in the same health care systems as the rest of us.
LETTERS:
One day a week, Changes still needed, Tournament success attributed to community support
COLUMNS:
Random Thoughts, Another Day in the Country

PEOPLE

Hope in the Heartland
Angels have a way of shaking things up. Let’s face it, when an angel appears, something is about to break loose: warning, judgment, blessing, life, and sometimes death.
CORRESPONDENTS:
Burdick, Ramona, Senior Center
MEMORIES:
10, 25, 35, 50, 60, 100, 125 years ago

SCHOOL

Students successful in learning Arabic language
“I’ll give you a choice: A. Tezzecalum, B. Jezzecalum, or C. Chezzecalum,” Khalil Mekkaoui told his three Arabic 1 students during Mekkaoui’s lesson. This is an example of the difficulty of learning Arabic; subtle differences in pronunciation can change the meaning of a word completely.
School board approves insurance, work releases
USD 408 Board of Education members approved the district’s insurance renewal for the 2009-10 school year. EMC Insurance representative, Casey Case, of Marion, showed the board numbers for the coming year. The annual premium for 2009-10 is $99,777, which is an increase of $6,076 over last year.
Cade Harms wins MES geography bee
Fifth-grade student Cade Harms became the 2009-10 Marion Elementary School Geography Bee Champion by correctly answering questions about areas including the Congo River Basin, the Oregon Trail, and the Sabine River. Caleb Hett, a fourth-grader, was runner-up. The bee was Friday with 24 participants competing for the top prize. The participants had to qualify to be in the bee by scoring highest on a qualifying test that was given to all MES students, grades four through six.
Marion scholars advance to televised rounds of Washburn competition
Marion High School scholars bowl team earned a chance to compete on television. The team will play on Washburn University’s quiz show, “Quest,” in January. MHS competed Dec. 5 in the Super Saturday portion of the competition. They and 64 other teams took the same, timed exam. The teams with the 16 best scores advanced to the televised rounds.
Centre enrolls students from military families
Additional new students from military families will qualify Centre USD 397 to do a second FTE (full-time equivalency) count in February that could increase the general fund budget if those students still are enrolled on the count date. The board of education received the news Monday at its monthly meeting.

SPORTS

MHS girls win Classic tourney championship, 51-48
The Marion High School girls basketball played physically against Berean in the first quarter of the Marion Classic Championship game on Saturday. On one particular play in the first quarter, Berean’s leading scorer and the Marion Classic’s most inspirational player, Janelle Rust, and Marion forward Julia Zeiner were both going after a loose ball along the far sideline. Zeiner, running at full speed, supplanted Rust in earth-rattling fashion, sending Rust to the hardwood. After the unintentional contact, Rust left the floor with a split lip. She was forced to sit out the remainder of the first half.
Warriors take second in home tournament
The Marion High School boys basketball team lost Saturday to Berean Academy 45-41 in the final game of the Marion Classic. With 12.2 seconds left, Berean was up 43-41 and had a chance to ice the game at the free-throw line. But, the Berean player missed the front end of the one-and-one and hope sprang into the hearts of the Marion faithful. The ball glanced off the rim and Marion forward Eric Vogel tried to tip the ball to teammate Wil Case, but the ball bounced into the hands of a Berean post player who promptly scored the winning basket.
Wildin, Regnier take first at Hesston
The Marion High School wrestling team scored 132.5 points and came in second at the Hesston invitational wrestling meet on Saturday. Only two Marion wrestlers failed to win their opening matches to move on to the semifinals. The semifinals proved to be a tough round for the Warriors, exemplified by Tylor Neil’s 1-point loss to Smoky Valley’s Tyler Peterson. Neil lost when Peterson quickly eluded Neil’s grasp, turned around, and grabbed Neil from behind winning 10-9 in the last seconds of the match.
Lady Warriors lose to Hesston in overtime
The Marion High School girls basketball team lost to Hesston 60-55 in overtime on Tuesday at Marion. The Warriors were leading 43-41 with just over a minute left in regulation. Hesston tied the score on a post-up basket by Sam Short. Marion failed to get off a shot and the game went into overtime. The teams traded baskets early in the overtime and the score was tied at 47 when the Swathers grasped momentum and didn’t let it go for the remainder of the game.
Warriors lose to Hesston 52-36
The Marion boys basketball team lost 52-36 Tuesday at Marion. The Warriors were unable to solve Hesston’s 1-3-1 defense that held Marion to 32 percent shooting from the field.
MMS boys, girls defeat Lyons
The Marion Middle School boys basketball A team defeated Lyons on Thursday, 42-34, at Lyons. Trever Kinnersley was the Wildcats leading scorer with 16 points. The B team defeated the Lions 28-23. Bret Voth was the Wildcats leading scorer.
CENTRE:
Centre Cougars lose a close one to Northern Heights, Centre girls are 1-1 in preseason pool play

Marion County RECORD

(Editor’s note: This story is part of a series about a proposed youth center in Marion. Every few weeks, we will feature more information with updates about the project.) By SUSAN BERG Managing editor It was a story with a surprise ending.

With each word carefully chosen, Dean Batt the attorney could articulate information to judges, juries, and clients. With each careful stroke of a paintbrush, the artist Dean Batt could express his perspective of a horse in a field, a cowboy leaning against a fence, or the face of a family member.

Elmer Dyck, 93, died Dec. 13, at Moundridge Manor. Born June 19, 1916, in Hillsboro, he married Edna Koehn Aug. 3, 1941, in Galva. She died Dec. 6, 2008.

Marvin E. Warkentine, 86, died Dec. 11, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita. Born April 23, 1923, in Goessel, to Henry and Katie (Schmidt) Warkentine, he married Thelma Manka April 19, 1947, in Peabody.

Sherri Kelly Druse, 47, died Monday in Wichita. She was born July 13, 1962, to Bob and Donna Kelly of Marion.

Paula R. Hayen, 53, of Marion, died Dec. 10 in Hesston. Born Aug. 12, 1956, to Irvin and Pauline (Muno) Schmidt, she was married Jan. 25, 1997, to Brent Hayen.

Lyle L. “Shorty” Lucas, 91, died Dec. 8 at St. Luke Hospital, Marion. Born to Stuart and Beulah (Bueford) Lucas in Chingawassa Springs area, he was married June 1, 1946, to Maedeane Raleigh.

Alice Elaine (Norgard) Odgers, 81, of Belleville, died Dec. 11 in Belleville. Born June 10, 1928, in Norway to Oscar and Hilma (Larsen) Norgard, she was married July 27, 1946, to Joseph James Odgers in Belleville.

When a water main broke Monday in the 200 block of South Freeborn Street, Marion, the timing was not good. City of Marion officials were continuing the process of determining how rusty water was finding its way to the home of Ron and Ruth Herbel, 611 S. Freeborn St.

A mobile recycling pickup program is nearing the end of the original one-year trial period, and Marion County Commission is still trying to decide whether to continue the program. Transfer Station Director Rollin Schmidt said Monday a decision is needed, so he can make plans for the future.

Some of you have already finished your shopping and are waiting for the holidays to arrive. For the rest of us, we are frantically searching for those special gifts for those hard to buy for people on our lists every year.

Are you interested in serving your neighborhood? Do you want to be part of the solution instead of just complaining?

LETTERS:

COLUMNS:

Angels have a way of shaking things up. Let’s face it, when an angel appears, something is about to break loose: warning, judgment, blessing, life, and sometimes death.

CORRESPONDENTS:

MEMORIES:

“I’ll give you a choice: A. Tezzecalum, B. Jezzecalum, or C. Chezzecalum,” Khalil Mekkaoui told his three Arabic 1 students during Mekkaoui’s lesson. This is an example of the difficulty of learning Arabic; subtle differences in pronunciation can change the meaning of a word completely.

USD 408 Board of Education members approved the district’s insurance renewal for the 2009-10 school year. EMC Insurance representative, Casey Case, of Marion, showed the board numbers for the coming year. The annual premium for 2009-10 is $99,777, which is an increase of $6,076 over last year.

The Marion boys basketball team lost 52-36 Tuesday at Marion. The Warriors were unable to solve Hesston’s 1-3-1 defense that held Marion to 32 percent shooting from the field.

The Marion Middle School boys basketball A team defeated Lyons on Thursday, 42-34, at Lyons. Trever Kinnersley was the Wildcats leading scorer with 16 points. The B team defeated the Lions 28-23. Bret Voth was the Wildcats leading scorer.

CENTRE: