Marion County RECORD

Dollar General months away

Dollar General, once thought to be opening in Marion as early as spring, still hasn’t begun construction, but remains committed to the area even if progress has been slower than anticipated. The Petrous Group, in charge of development for the store, submitted building plans last week.

St. Luke to treat more locally with tele-medicine

In emergency care, response time can mean the difference between a living, breathing patient and a grieving family. St. Luke Hospital and Living Center recently added a telemedicine program through Avera eEmergency to the list of services that will help save lives.

Diving into the bee swarm

I am a fool, a lucky fool, but still a fool, a fool for new experience. I think that’s why I adored photographing a swarm of over 15,000 honey bees last week while at least another 50,000 bees built hives nearby.

Tree falls at lake, damaging stage

Less than a month before Blue Grass at the Lake, high winds caused a towering cottonwood tree to fall and collapse a stage canopy Friday night at Marion County Park and Lake. “It was an older tree, rotted and hollowed out in the trunk at the bottom where it broke,” lake superintendent Steve Hudson said. “We had some pretty big gusts Friday night that probably caused it to fall.”

VFW Auxiliary may disband

For 68 years, the Ladies Auxiliary for VFW Post No. 6958 in Marion has supported veterans with items taken to hospitals and has helped organize a multitude of community services. The auxiliary is in danger of disbanding.

Florence man honors what he couldn't be

Gerald Cleverley’s dream of joining the military was days from being realized. It was 1970, the Vietnam War was the subject of protests at universities nationwide. The protests at Wichita State University in his hometown incensed Cleverley, who at 17 would have enlisted, if only his parents would have signed the forms.

Sisters make trek of remembrance

Hidden from view on a dirt-packed stretch of Kanza Rd., the cemetery had its last burial in 1933. Few outside of Catlin Township know of Dunkard Cemetery, the last remnant of a small congregation rooted in Old German Baptist traditions. Yet sisters Sandy Robison of Lawrence and Juanita Rees of Emporia not only know of it, but also hold it dear.

Soliders' sacrifices honored at service

A quiet, gray day was the scene of the annual Memorial Day Avenue of Flags ceremony Monday at Marion Cemetery. Those in attendance stood solemn, remembering and honoring those they knew — or didn’t know — who served their country, sometimes making the ultimate sacrifice.

Legacy shapes Hillsboro event

Looking into the crowd from behind a lectern, Josh Plenert could see children among the 200 or so gathered for Memorial Day observances Monday at Memorial Park. The youngest ones rested quietly in the arms of their parents or in strollers, while ones old enough to understand paid respectful attention until they could bolt for play time after the service.

Irene Beames

Retired Herington Duckwall store and Avon salesperson Irene M. Beames, 82, Ramona, died Thursday at Village Manor, Abilene. Services were Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, Herington. Burial was in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, White City.

David Frantz

Farmer and tractor restorer David A. Frantz, 71, died May 20 at Herington Hospital. Services, preceded by Rosary at 10:30 a.m., will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Tampa. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Tampa.

IN MEMORIAM:

Accidents reported

Civil division

County jail

Criminal division

Deeds recorded

Emergency dispatches

Fish and game

Marriage licenses

Municipal court

Offenses reported

Police reports

Traffic division

Tips to quell backseat screamers for vacation

Getting a young child to sit for an extended family trip is a torture the Devil himself might not want to endure. Several parents have offered helpful tactics for combating backseat screamers and road trip tantrums. Alicia Nienstedt and her husband take a trip to Oregon every year. They spend three days and two nights on the road and about a month in Oregon. Their two children, ages 3 and 5, have been traveling since the oldest was a baby.

A Bug's life: Volkswagens run in his family

People who grew up around Volkswagens seem to keep them around for life, if just for sport. Volkswagens always have been a part of Dan Schaefer’s life. His father owned a VW when Schaefer was born. He had a great-uncle who was a mechanic at a Volkswagen dealership in Emporia. Schaefer’s mother had a white 1962 VW.

Miles come easy for car nearing 25 years old

Warren Smith of Florence remembered the first time laying eyes on his 1991 white Toyota Corolla wagon at Eddie’s Toyota in Wichita. “Something about it beckoned to me and said, ‘You need this car,’” Smith said. “And so I bought it.”

Regular car maintenance vital to summer trips

Summer is here, and for many motorists that means a road trip. Car care is important year-round, especially when driving long distances with the family in tow.

The law of the bureaucratic jungle

In this season of patriotism, from Memorial Day through Flag Day to Independence Day, we like to think of ourselves as a nation of democracy, freedom, and laws. Truth is, we’re a nation of bureaucracy, where all manner of regulation — well-meaning or not — is based not on the original intent of the people and their elected representatives but rather on anonymous reinterpretation and backhanded implementation by people and forces few of us have ever heard of.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

Memories shared at P.E.O. meeting

“Memories of Our Sisters Eternal,” written by Jackie Volbrecht and presented by Margaret Pickering was the program May 18 at the monthly meeting of P.E.O. Chapter DB at Marion Presbyterian Church. New Marion High School graduate Kaylie Waner was announced as the recipient of the chapter’s $500 scholarship. President Lois Smith shared proposals that will be acted on at a state convention in June. Co-hostesses Betty Williams, Laura Williams, Eileen Sieger, and Deanna Thierolf served a light supper. The meeting concluded with a sharing of memories of past members.

Democratic women meet for lunch

Marion County Democratic Women heard a presentation from Silver-Haired Legislator Mary Olson when they met for lunch Friday at Marion Senior Center. Olson represents the county in the Kansas Silver-Haired Legislature, a body created by Congress to advocate for those age 60 and older. Sue Clough conducted a business meeting. Connie Fisher read a selection from “Reflections of Love.”

Ex-mayor attends senior meeting

Former Marion mayor Mary Olson attended the organizational meeting May 12 in Topeka of Kansas Silver-Haired Legislature, a group created by Congress in 1969 to lobby for issues of interest to people age 60 and older. Olson represents Marion County in the group.

O'Dell youth day planned at lake

The second annual Scott O’Dell Memorial Youth Day will be from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday in French Creek Cove at Marion Reservoir. Participants, ages 8 through 15, will shoot bows, shotguns, and air rifles and watch fur harvesting and black powder rifle demonstrations. Organizer Torey Hett, who is accepting registration at (620) 382-7391, said eight spots remain left in a 50-person event. However, he thinks it wouldm’t be a problem to add a few more.

Lincolnville resident receives award for service to Girl Scouts

Debra Casey of Lincolnville this week was announced as winner of Volunteer of Excellence Award given to Girl Scout volunteers who display excellent service as they work with a troop. Casey leads Troop 30180 and guided her Cadette Girl Scouts to their Silver Award last year.

Calendar of events

MARION SENIOR CENTER:

MEMORIES:

Transition to adulthood key for special ed grads

When David Sheppard became Marion County Special Education executive director several years ago, he was impressed with the services provided for infants through preschool children. “We’ve done a good job at the early age,” he said, “but what have we done for the 18-to-21-year-olds?”

Rhodes retires after 32 years teaching science

The future may be tabula rasa, a blank slate, for Bruce Rhodes. After 32 years teaching USD 408 students, Thursday was his last day at Marion High School.

Preschool ends year with 2 events

A graduation ceremony May 13 and a program May 15 for continuing students concluded the year at Sunrise Country Preschool. At the graduation, the class acted out Eric Earle’s book, “The Grouchy Ladybug.” Afterward, diplomas were distributed and members announced their future college and career plans. One student received a certificate for perfect attendance. Graduates were then honored at a reception.

Centre grad receives scholarship

Kailyn Riffel, a recent Centre High School graduate, this week was announced as a recipient of a $500 scholarship for nursing. She will attend Wichita State University in the fall. Riffel works part-time as a certified nursing assistant at a retirement community.

Summer nutrition program begins

Marion USD 408’s free summer nutrition program began Tuesday. Ten students had lunch at Marion Elementary School cafeteria, and 22 participated in afternoon snack time at the Sports and Aquatic C enter. The program continues weekdays all summer.

Colleges announce degrees, honors

Several colleges and universities have announced spring semester honors and degrees received by Marion County students: BETHANY COLLEGE, LINDSBORG Dean’s list (3.50 to 4.00 GPA) Peabody — Austin Savage, criminal justice. Kansas State University Bachelor’s degrees Canton — Hannah Franzen, business administration. Florence — Adam Cope, agriculture. Hillsboro — Ethan Frantz, agriculture. Marion — Raelene Allen, business administration; Anna Laurin, science; Derek Stuchlik, electrical engineering. Peabody — Emily Harris, arts; Derrick Till, science; Shelby Unruh, music education. Tampa — Darren Mueller, agriculture. Master’s degree Marion — Stacey Bowman, science. MIDAMERICA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY, OLATHE Dean’s list (3.50 to 3.99 GPA) Hillsboro — Hannah Bostic. NEWMAN UNIVERSITY, WICHITA Pinned for completing coursework and beginning two professional internships to become an occupational therapy assistant: Marion — Michelle Morris. PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY Bachelor’s degree Marion — Dillon J. Richmond, technology. University OF KANSAS Bachelor’s degrees Florence — Jeconiah Spangler, pharmaceutical studies. Hillsboro — April Young, biology. Peabody — Taylor Ensminger, French horn. Master’s degrees Hillsboro — Diedre Serene, nursing. Doctorates Canton — Nicholas Wedel (grandson of Lorraine Havlik of Marion), physical therapy. Hillsboro — Aislinn Conrad Hiebner, social work.

Tabor hit by vulgar graffiti

Expected college pranks reached a new and destructive level this year as multiple phallic images have been spray-painted throughout campus at Tabor College. “They were red,” Hillsboro Police chief Dan Kinning said Tuesday. “The four I saw were at least three feet long.” Kinning said the graffiti looked as if a “graphically challenged artist” had painted it.

MHS track and field sends 7 to state

Facing tough competition at its regional meet, Marion nonetheless put seven athletes through to state. Head coach Grant Thierolf called it a “decent day,” but said the Warriors left some events on the table.

Centre sends 5 girls to state

Centre’s Brenna Shields and girls’ 4x800 relay team of Lotti Benning, Nellie Kassebaum, Callie Riffel, and Shelby Makovec will compete this week in the state track tournament in Wichita. They qualified by placing in the top four at a regional tournament Friday at Valley Heights.

Marion baseball falls 2-1 in extra innings

Marion lost a regional semifinal to Council Grove 2-1 in extra innings Thursday at Soden’s Grove Field in Emporia. A double off the wall ended what was one of senior Bret Voth’s best pitching performances of his career, head coach Roger Schroeder said. The hit came after the Warriors’ only error on the day, and a runner scored from first on the powerful, two-out blast.

Wyatt reflects on 31 years as basketball coach

From Hot Rods to Trojans, and now to state

For the third time in four years, the Hillsboro girls’ softball team is headed to the state tournament. The Trojans defeated Council Grove, 10-0, Thursday in a regional tournament at Marion. Team members who have played ball together since they were 8 years old include seniors Juliana Sinclair, Allison Weber, Kennedy Lucero, Madison Klein, Emily Jost, and Bradli Nowak, and junior Shannon Heiser.

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