Marion County RECORD

HEADLINES

The family that prays together...preaches apart
When pastor Amanda Baker was setting up to deliver “Odd Introductions,” her first sermon, at Valley United Methodist Church on Sunday, her husband wasn’t there. “I get nervous every single time that I preach,” she said. “You eventually get used to it, but it’s even more nerve-wracking on the first Sunday when you know people are wondering ‘Am I going to like this preacher? Am I going to relate to her?’”
Detour boosts local businesses
Sellers of food and gas on Marion’s Main St. are reaping the benefits of increased traffic because of the U.S. 56 detour, while business at bypassed Pizza Hut surprisingly remains good. “We’ve been fairly busy for the last month or so, and it hasn’t really changed at all,” Pizza Hut manager Danyal Hamm said. “We see different people, and we have less truck drivers in the back, but as far as impact that’s the only thing I’ve really noticed.”
New site for food center pays off
In transitioning from a cramped, non-air-conditioned corner of a local church to a spacious and accessible facility all its own, Marion County Food Bank, now known as Marion County Resource Center and Food Bank, faced high expectations for improved quality of service. “It’s exceeded,” Gerry Henderson said, “in all cases.”
Dollar General to open in fall
Dollar General should be completed by early November as Tulsa developer Petrous Group Inc. has set a construction start date of Aug. 3 for the site near US-56. Petrous Group got the green light Monday when city council approved a conditional-use permit that was seen as the final hurdle to clear before construction could commence.
A rescue worthy of a caped crusader
A trio of abandoned bat babies was recently rescued by an anonymous Good Samaritan. Lena Kleiner of Hillsboro witnessed the rescue after seeing the bat mom ditch her babies.

OTHER NEWS

More political chuckholes for road crews
Mike Beneke’s anger with how the county is maintaining roads didn’t boil over Monday as it did last week, but he brought along friends to keep the debate simmering. Beneke, along with Fred Carlson and Dan Dalke of Hillsboro, and Jim Bernhardt, Don Stenzel, and Ed Vinduska of Marion, spent nearly 30 minutes expressing concerns about maintenance and the seemingly abrupt firing of a 34-year veteran road employee.
Holub rejects courthouse addition
Responding to taxpayer concerns that they were trying to “sneak it into the budget,” Marion County Commission quickly distanced itself Monday from a preliminary proposal to expand the courthouse. “Marion County cannot afford $7.5 million right now or in the foreseeable future to update the courthouse,” commission chairman Dan Holub said. “I don’t see it happening— not now, and not in the future.”
Salary talk scarce at budget meetings
Suggestions of salary increases were almost nonexistent as county department heads discussed 2016 budget plans with commissioners in a daylong planning session July 1. Commissioners entertained proposals with news that projected revenues would be up about $126,000 in 2016, rather than down.
Burned house condemned
Citing unsalvageable conditions and neglect, city council approved on Monday condemnation of a house at 321 W. Santa Fe St., which was gutted by a February fire. The cause of the fire is yet undetermined. The house itself still carries many relics of inhabitance. Through its doors, which swing unlatched in the breeze, charred furniture sits where it would have before the house burned. A Jack-O’-Lantern floats among storage containers and furniture in the standing water in the basement.
Rec discussion raises questions
In its first meeting since learning it would handle the creation of a recreation department, city council engaged in discussions toward making the department a reality. The discussion bred more questions than answers.
Council to specialize
In an effort to facilitate communication, city council members now will have specific areas to focus on. City administrator Roger Holter suggested the initiative because citizens who want to talk to a city council member about an issue don’t know which council member to talk to.
Nominations sought for health awards
Individual and organizational nominations for Kansas health champions are being sought by the Governor’s Council on Fitness as part of an effort to help Kansans improve their health. Eligible nominees include an outstanding volunteers, schools, communities, newspapers or reporters, local or state policy makers, or employers.

DEATHS

Ann Boese
Former retail clerk Ann L. Boese, 92, died July 1 at St. Luke Hospital in Marion. She was born May 18, 1923, to David and Anna (Eberhardt) Helmer in Burstall, Saskatchewan, Canada
Harold Dyck
Former Peabody merchant Harold Eugene Dyck, 83, of Newton, died July 3. He was born Nov. 22, 1931, to Agnes and John Dyck at Burns. He married Neva Lehrman on Aug. 14, 1955, at Tabor Mennonite Church near Goessel.
LaVada Hagen
LaVada Hagen, 84, died June 29 in Hillsboro. She was born March 7, 1931, to Otto and Miriam (Reuscher) David in Hillsboro. She married Lewis Hagen Dec. 20, 1954, in Hillsboro. She was a hairdresser.
Bonnie Reagan
Bonnie Lynn Reagan, 63, of Hillsboro, died July 1 at her home. A memorial service will be 7 p.m. Thursday in the Herington Chapel and Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home. Inurnment will be at the Sunset Hill Cemetery in Herington at a future date.
IN MEMORIAM:
Ruth Ann Carlson
IN MEMORIAM:
Lois Lake
IN MEMORIAM:
Robert Vantuyl

DOCKET

FARM

Wheat harvest about average this year
Moist cool weather in May gave hope for a higher count in Marion County’s wheat harvest, but with most fields cut, the numbers are about average for the county, Cooperative Grain and Supply grain coordinator Dick Tippin said. “We’re at about 2,400,000 bushel between all our locations,” Tippin said Thursday. “That’s right about average.”
Mr. Brunner goes to Washington
International livestock trade will have a voice from Marion County when Tracy Brunner heads to Washington for his first meeting as part of the USDA’s Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for trade in animals and animal products. Brunner said the first meeting is at the end of the summer, and he’s excited to get started.

OPINION

Making a rec of things
LETTERS:
County taking for itself?
ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:
In the garden of good and evil
CORRECTIONS:
Rabies vaccine for cows

PEOPLE

Pastors Talbot, Ferguson retire
Pastors Sue Talbot and Dan Ferguson are now both partially retired. Pastor Talbot used to preach at Valley United Methodist Church, and Pastor Ferguson preached at Eastmoor United Methodist Church.
Cards requested for 85th birthday
The family of Tony Schafers has requested a card shower for his 85th birthday on Friday. Cards are being received at 100 S. Freeborn St., Marion KS 66861.
BIRTHS:
Ensz
SENIOR CENTER:
Burger flipper celebrates
MEMORIES:
10, 25, 35, 50, 100, 125 years ago

SCHOOL

FFA officers attend conference
Intern visits Mennonite Center
Liz Wittrig, an archival intern for Mennonite Brethren Historical Commission has been at the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies in Hillsboro the past week studying the center’s collection. Wittrig previously visited three of the four denominational archival centers in North America inFresno, California, Abbotsford, British Columbia, and Winnipeg, Manitoba.

UPCOMING

Calendar of Events
Co-ed ranch rodeo added to county fair
Cowboys and cowgirls will team up to test their ranching skills in a co-ed ranch rodeo at this year’s Marion County Fair. Chuck McLinden, fair board member, said the co-ed event replaces the women’s rodeo that has run for over a decade.
Juggler/comedian coming
Juggler and children’s comedian Brian Wendling will perform at 10 a.m. Thursday at Marion Community Center. Marion City Library and Tampa State Bank will sponsor the free event. More information is available at (620) 382-2442.
Chat and Dine potluck Saturday
Marion County Park and Lake Chat and Dine Club will have its annual cookout 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the north shelter house at the lake. Participants are being encouraged to bring a side dish that can go with hamburgers and hot dogs. More information is available at(620) 382-2900.
Wichita opera to perform in McPherson
Wichita Grand Opera, backed by Salina Symphony Orchestra, will perform 7:30 p.m. July 17 at McPherson Opera House. “A Night at the Opera” will include feature excerpts by Giacomo Puccini, Giuseppe Verdi, and Jacques Offenbach.
Blood drive will be Monday
An American Red Cross blood drive will be from 2:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Monday at Eastmoor United Methodist Church in Marion. Appointments are being accepted at www.redcrossblood.org and (800) 733-2767.
TEEN to meet Tuesday
The Technology Excellence in Education Network meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the USD 408 district office in Marion. More information is available from Lena Kleiner at(620) 877-0237.

Marion County RECORD

A trio of abandoned bat babies was recently rescued by an anonymous Good Samaritan. Lena Kleiner of Hillsboro witnessed the rescue after seeing the bat mom ditch her babies.

Suggestions of salary increases were almost nonexistent as county department heads discussed 2016 budget plans with commissioners in a daylong planning session July 1. Commissioners entertained proposals with news that projected revenues would be up about $126,000 in 2016, rather than down.

In its first meeting since learning it would handle the creation of a recreation department, city council engaged in discussions toward making the department a reality. The discussion bred more questions than answers.

In an effort to facilitate communication, city council members now will have specific areas to focus on. City administrator Roger Holter suggested the initiative because citizens who want to talk to a city council member about an issue don’t know which council member to talk to.

Former retail clerk Ann L. Boese, 92, died July 1 at St. Luke Hospital in Marion. She was born May 18, 1923, to David and Anna (Eberhardt) Helmer in Burstall, Saskatchewan, Canada

Former Peabody merchant Harold Eugene Dyck, 83, of Newton, died July 3. He was born Nov. 22, 1931, to Agnes and John Dyck at Burns. He married Neva Lehrman on Aug. 14, 1955, at Tabor Mennonite Church near Goessel.

LaVada Hagen, 84, died June 29 in Hillsboro. She was born March 7, 1931, to Otto and Miriam (Reuscher) David in Hillsboro. She married Lewis Hagen Dec. 20, 1954, in Hillsboro. She was a hairdresser.

Bonnie Lynn Reagan, 63, of Hillsboro, died July 1 at her home. A memorial service will be 7 p.m. Thursday in the Herington Chapel and Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home. Inurnment will be at the Sunset Hill Cemetery in Herington at a future date.

IN MEMORIAM:

IN MEMORIAM:

IN MEMORIAM:

LETTERS:

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

CORRECTIONS:

Pastors Sue Talbot and Dan Ferguson are now both partially retired. Pastor Talbot used to preach at Valley United Methodist Church, and Pastor Ferguson preached at Eastmoor United Methodist Church.

The family of Tony Schafers has requested a card shower for his 85th birthday on Friday. Cards are being received at 100 S. Freeborn St., Marion KS 66861.

BIRTHS:

SENIOR CENTER:

MEMORIES:

Cowboys and cowgirls will team up to test their ranching skills in a co-ed ranch rodeo at this year’s Marion County Fair. Chuck McLinden, fair board member, said the co-ed event replaces the women’s rodeo that has run for over a decade.

Juggler and children’s comedian Brian Wendling will perform at 10 a.m. Thursday at Marion Community Center. Marion City Library and Tampa State Bank will sponsor the free event. More information is available at (620) 382-2442.

Marion County Park and Lake Chat and Dine Club will have its annual cookout 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the north shelter house at the lake. Participants are being encouraged to bring a side dish that can go with hamburgers and hot dogs. More information is available at(620) 382-2900.

Wichita Grand Opera, backed by Salina Symphony Orchestra, will perform 7:30 p.m. July 17 at McPherson Opera House. “A Night at the Opera” will include feature excerpts by Giacomo Puccini, Giuseppe Verdi, and Jacques Offenbach.

An American Red Cross blood drive will be from 2:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Monday at Eastmoor United Methodist Church in Marion. Appointments are being accepted at www.redcrossblood.org and (800) 733-2767.

The Technology Excellence in Education Network meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the USD 408 district office in Marion. More information is available from Lena Kleiner at(620) 877-0237.