Marion County RECORD

HEADLINES

No ball drop in Marion this year
A Marion tradition will not be carried on — at least not for this year. According to organizer Davey Hett, there will be no ball drop or fireworks display New Year’s Eve as there has been in the past because the pyrotechnician is not available to detonate the fireworks.
Want to serve on the development board?
Does it matter if a non-Marion resident represents the city on Marion County Economic Development Council? To Marion Mayor Mary Olson, it only matters if the person is sincerely interested in the betterment of Marion County.
Snow doesn't derail Christmas in county
Despite several inches of snowfall and stiff winds on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Marion County residents stayed safe on roads. Marion County Sheriff Rob Craft said that there were only a few weather-related accidents during the holiday.
Hard times inspire people to give
People in Marion County didn’t let bad news about the economy ruin their Christmas spirit. In fact, some people took the recession as a challenge to give. Several charities in Marion County saw more people donate than in previous years. Marion County Emergency Food Bank Director Janet Bryant said economic troubles have hit close to home for many people in 2009.
Give blood Jan. 11 in Marion
The Pilsen Knights of Columbus Council 3423 is sponsoring a blood drive from 2:15 to 6:45 p.m. Jan. 11 at Holy Family Catholic Church- St. Mark’s Activity Center, 415 N. Cedar, Marion. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (800) 448-3543.
Attorney General candidate runs on experience
Ralph De Zago, of Herington, makes a distinction between two types of elected offices: one depends more on political philosophy, while the other demands specific skills. Representatives, senators, and governors are more philosophical officials, he said Monday. Attorneys general, secretaries of state, and registers of deeds should be able to accomplish the specific tasks of their offices.
H1N1 vaccine now available
At long last, the H1N1 vaccine is available to anyone who wants to receive it. Marion County Health Department, 230 E. Main St., Marion, will have walk-in clinics from 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. every Wednesday beginning Jan. 6 for the H1N1 vaccine.

DECADE REVIEW

Decade filled with tragedy, hope
The past 10 years have been eventful in Marion County and throughout the country. The most memorable event for most was Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists carried out planned attacks on American soil by causing commercial jets to crash into the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., and a field in Pennsylvania.
Memories of this decade, hopes for the next decade
“The World Trade Center, when that happened, then my mom passed away the 18th of that month.” “My hope for the next decade is that my health gets better, because I had a scare.” Brenda Moss, Senior center director, Hillsboro

DOCKET

DEATHS

Ella Brose
Ella M. Brose, 82, of Marion, died Dec. 26. Memorial services are pending with Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion.
Anna Groce
Anna Marie Groce, 98, died Dec. 22 at Legacy Park nursing home, Peabody. Born July 28, 1911, in McCloud to Albert and Suzanna (Clem) Otto, she was married in 1982 to Alvin T. Groce.
Joel Hanneman
Joel Hanneman, 94, died Dec. 22 in Hillsboro. Born Oct. 12, 1915, in Peabody to Peter J. and Mary (Penner) Hanneman, he was married Jan. 24, 1940, to Dorothy Burgat in Newton.
Merlin Kaufman
Merlin D. “Merlie” Kaufman, 81, died Dec. 25, at the Memorial Home in Moundridge. Born June 24, 1928, in Moundridge to David D. and Helen (Graber) Kaufman, he was married Nov. 24, 1956, to Verlene “Vicki” Flickner in Moundridge.
Maureen Martens
Maurine Martens, 94, died Dec. 29 at Salem Home, Hillsboro. Born May 9, 1915, northwest of Lehigh to Peter and Marie (Loewen) Stubby, she was married Nov. 23, 1936, to George Martens in Abilene.

GOVERNMENT

County grants variance to pipeline trucks
Marion County Commission voted Monday to grant a variance for weight limits on county roads to TransCanada for construction of the Keystone Pipeline. Trucks hauling segments of pipe are expected to weigh about 80,000 pounds when loaded, but the weight limit for trucks on county roads is 65,000 pounds.
Forethought prepared schools for state cuts
Despite dramatic cuts in state aid, school districts in Marion County will be able to weather the 2009-10 school year, according to superintendents. They credited school boards for taking action to prevent a funding crisis. However, unless the state legislature reverses course on school funding, local school boards may have to make difficult choices in coming years.
City: Do not leave vehicles on street during snowstorms
City residents are reminded that there is a city ordinance that prohibits parking on city streets when crews are trying to remove snow. Marion City Council discussed the ordinance Monday as well as the penalties for those who do not comply.

OPINION

Looking forward
In this edition, there is a recap of the news highlights of the past 10 years. There is always a danger in doing a review of events — whether it’s for 10 years or just one year — that someone will think something should have been included that wasn’t.
Back to the future on economic development
Sparks are flying yet again over composition of the group charged with fostering economic development in Marion County. Marion’s mayor may not completely understand what’s being asked of city officials who have been given a chance to name representatives to the panel.
COLUMNS:
Random Thoughts

PEOPLE

Preventative health screening available
Life Line Screening will be available Jan. 19 at Eastmoor United Methodist Church, 105 Eastmoor Drive, Marion. The nation’s largest provider of community-based preventive screenings, Life Line Screening’s services can help to identify risks of stroke, vascular disease, and osteoporosis.
Tampa game night is Sunday
Tampa’s game night will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Tampa Senior Center. Everyone should bring a snack to share. The public is invited to attend.
Marion Senior Center to celebrate Elvis' birthday
Marion Senior Center will celebrate Elvis Presley’s birthday starting at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at the center. The public is welcome to attend. A concert by Elvis impersonator Marc Baker, Wichita, will begin at 6 p.m.
Beisels to celebrate golden anniversary
Don and Ramona Beisel of Tampa will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 10 with a reception and dance at Pilsen Community Center. Music will be provided by Barefoot Becky & the Ivanhoe Dutchmen.
Families hold Christmas celebrations
Area families gathered recently to celebrate Christmas. Among them were Jackie Hett and family and Gerald and Sharon Kelsey and family.
Hope in the Heartland: The perfect groom
A groom took his new bride by the hand and said, “Now that we’re married, dear, I hope you won’t mind if I mention a few little defects that I’ve noticed about you.” “Not at all,” the bride replied. “It was those little defects that kept me from getting a better husband.”
CORRESPONDENTS:
Burdick, Marion Senior Center, Tampa
BIRTHS:
Cale Levi Gossen
MEMORIES:
10, 25, 35, 50, 60, 100, 125

SCHOOL

Special education board to meet
Marion County Special Education Cooperative Board of Directors will meet at 6 p.m. Jan. 6 in the Marion County Special Education Cooperative conference room at 1500 E. Lawrence, Marion.

Marion County RECORD

A Marion tradition will not be carried on — at least not for this year. According to organizer Davey Hett, there will be no ball drop or fireworks display New Year’s Eve as there has been in the past because the pyrotechnician is not available to detonate the fireworks.

Does it matter if a non-Marion resident represents the city on Marion County Economic Development Council? To Marion Mayor Mary Olson, it only matters if the person is sincerely interested in the betterment of Marion County.

Despite several inches of snowfall and stiff winds on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Marion County residents stayed safe on roads. Marion County Sheriff Rob Craft said that there were only a few weather-related accidents during the holiday.

The Pilsen Knights of Columbus Council 3423 is sponsoring a blood drive from 2:15 to 6:45 p.m. Jan. 11 at Holy Family Catholic Church- St. Mark’s Activity Center, 415 N. Cedar, Marion. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (800) 448-3543.

At long last, the H1N1 vaccine is available to anyone who wants to receive it. Marion County Health Department, 230 E. Main St., Marion, will have walk-in clinics from 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. every Wednesday beginning Jan. 6 for the H1N1 vaccine.

“The World Trade Center, when that happened, then my mom passed away the 18th of that month.” “My hope for the next decade is that my health gets better, because I had a scare.” Brenda Moss, Senior center director, Hillsboro

Ella M. Brose, 82, of Marion, died Dec. 26. Memorial services are pending with Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion.

Anna Marie Groce, 98, died Dec. 22 at Legacy Park nursing home, Peabody. Born July 28, 1911, in McCloud to Albert and Suzanna (Clem) Otto, she was married in 1982 to Alvin T. Groce.

Joel Hanneman, 94, died Dec. 22 in Hillsboro. Born Oct. 12, 1915, in Peabody to Peter J. and Mary (Penner) Hanneman, he was married Jan. 24, 1940, to Dorothy Burgat in Newton.

Merlin D. “Merlie” Kaufman, 81, died Dec. 25, at the Memorial Home in Moundridge. Born June 24, 1928, in Moundridge to David D. and Helen (Graber) Kaufman, he was married Nov. 24, 1956, to Verlene “Vicki” Flickner in Moundridge.

Maurine Martens, 94, died Dec. 29 at Salem Home, Hillsboro. Born May 9, 1915, northwest of Lehigh to Peter and Marie (Loewen) Stubby, she was married Nov. 23, 1936, to George Martens in Abilene.

City residents are reminded that there is a city ordinance that prohibits parking on city streets when crews are trying to remove snow. Marion City Council discussed the ordinance Monday as well as the penalties for those who do not comply.

In this edition, there is a recap of the news highlights of the past 10 years. There is always a danger in doing a review of events — whether it’s for 10 years or just one year — that someone will think something should have been included that wasn’t.

Sparks are flying yet again over composition of the group charged with fostering economic development in Marion County. Marion’s mayor may not completely understand what’s being asked of city officials who have been given a chance to name representatives to the panel.

COLUMNS:

Life Line Screening will be available Jan. 19 at Eastmoor United Methodist Church, 105 Eastmoor Drive, Marion. The nation’s largest provider of community-based preventive screenings, Life Line Screening’s services can help to identify risks of stroke, vascular disease, and osteoporosis.

Tampa’s game night will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Tampa Senior Center. Everyone should bring a snack to share. The public is invited to attend.

Marion Senior Center will celebrate Elvis Presley’s birthday starting at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at the center. The public is welcome to attend. A concert by Elvis impersonator Marc Baker, Wichita, will begin at 6 p.m.

Don and Ramona Beisel of Tampa will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 10 with a reception and dance at Pilsen Community Center. Music will be provided by Barefoot Becky & the Ivanhoe Dutchmen.

Area families gathered recently to celebrate Christmas. Among them were Jackie Hett and family and Gerald and Sharon Kelsey and family.

A groom took his new bride by the hand and said, “Now that we’re married, dear, I hope you won’t mind if I mention a few little defects that I’ve noticed about you.” “Not at all,” the bride replied. “It was those little defects that kept me from getting a better husband.”

CORRESPONDENTS:

BIRTHS:

MEMORIES:

Marion County Special Education Cooperative Board of Directors will meet at 6 p.m. Jan. 6 in the Marion County Special Education Cooperative conference room at 1500 E. Lawrence, Marion.