50 years ago

april 20, 1961

The Marion “Centennial Belles” got off to a rip-roaring start Saturday night when between 150-160 women attended a kick-off meeting at the city building.

For the third consecutive year, Barbara Musgrave was the winner of the Marion County Spelling Bee and will represent Marion County at the state contest April 29 in Topeka. Other top spellers were Jane Ann Bina, Pilsen, Kenneth Koslowsky of Hillsboro, Arlene Peters of Williams school, and Anita Rudolph, Pilsen.

The Junior Class of Marion High School will present “The Man Who Came To Dinner” April 28 at the Marion City Building. The cast of players includes James Meisner, Dick Morse, Dick Varenhorst, Gary Hammer, Bob Klose, Larry and Gary Maltbie, Steve Krispense, Rocky Hett, Dale Bernhardt, Dennis Pankratz, Jerry Siebert, Diana Goertz, Deanna Klenda, Deanna Kimball, Carol Kline, Norma Nice, Georgie Helmer, Jean Williams, and Karen Schroeder.

Mr. and Mrs. Albert Bernhardt, who have been visiting their daughter Margie, son-in-law, and new grandson, Thane, in California, had the thrilling experience of attending a track meet at which their son-in-law Lt. Richard Schwartz, broke the U.S. Marine Corps discus record. Schwartz topped the record of 161’4” held by Bob Mathis, former Olympic Decathlon winner. The new record was set at 164’5”.

The newly formed junior club has been named KanzAton, a combination of Kansas and Aton, Greek word for 100, signifying the club was organized during Kansas’ centennial year.