Marion County RECORD

HEADLINES

No Christmas bonuses this year for city employees
Even though $100 Christmas bonuses were budgeted by Marion City Council, the governing body did not act on it Monday evening. For the past 15 to 18 years, full-time city employees have received the bonuses. This year, there are 24 full-time employees, a total cost of $2,400.
City needs your assistance: Water problem not easy to figure out
The glass jar of water showed something brown and murky. What was it?
Lake loses dedicated community volunteers
It is amazing how much can be accomplished in a short period of time when those doing the work are dedicated and focused. Dwight and Helen Beckham retired from their teaching jobs in Newton in April 2000 to become full-time residents of Marion County Park and Lake.
1970s courthouse heat, cooling system is outdated
Replacing Marion County Courthouse’s aging heating and cooling system could cost about $500,000, according to a report from Orazem & Scalora Engineering, P.A., of Manhattan. Marion County Commissioners discussed the report Monday.
New, wider sidewalks are among proposed park improvements
Wanting to make sure there weren’t any delays, community volunteer Todd Heitschmidt reminded Marion City Council members Monday evening that decisions needed to be made in the coming weeks regarding improvements at Central/Brooker Park, downtown Marion. Underground electrical lines will replace overhead lines, thus eliminating some poles and improving the appearance of the park.
Making gingerbread houses is a whole-family activity
When Kim Woods accompanied her then first-grade son Jake on a field trip where they made and decorated graham cracker houses, she couldn’t have predicted what it would lead to. A few years later, the Woods and Strunk families, both of Wichita, would earn the title “best in show” at a charity gingerbread house decorating contest.
Abused dog finds new purpose
When the McPherson Humane Society seized Henry, a German shorthaired pointer, in December 2007, rescuers were uncertain that he would survive, even with treatment. He was emaciated and ridden with heartworms and had been abused. Even now he is afraid of feet, indicating he may have been kicked, Henry’s current owner Diana Costello, of Marion, said.
Rex Siebert visits Chisholm Trail sites
In the northwestern corner of the county lies a 1,120-acre pasture belonging to Irvin Christiansen of Durham. It borders McPherson County to the west and Dickinson County to the north. Christiansen’s son, Gordon, runs 250 to 300 yearling heifers on the bluestem grass every grazing season.
Nativity sets reflect true meaning of Christmas for collector
The main reason Nancy Methvin of rural Marion County started collecting nativity sets, also known as a crèche, was her children. “The nativity is important,” she said, and has been part of telling the Christmas story, particularly when her five children were young.
You'd be surprised who's keeping up with Facebook
The technological world moves fast. “I’m just old fashioned,” Shirley Bowers of Marion said. “I would rather use e-mail.”
Pipeline representatives to meet with commission
Representatives of TransCanada responsible for the Keystone Pipeline project will meet with Marion County Commission Monday to discuss road-crossing permits. Commissioners scheduled time from 11:20 a.m. until noon for the meeting.

DOCKET

DEATHS

Sterling Lunderman
Sterling Roy “Chuck” Lunderman, 90, died Nov. 25 of a massive heart attack at St. Luke Hospital in Marion. Born October 25, 1919, in LaRussell, Mo., to Nicholas and Amanda Rankins Lunderman, he was married Nov. 26, 1944, to Kathryn Mae Webster of Quinter.
Ira Coons Jr.
Ira J. Coons Jr., 92, of Kearney, Neb., died Nov. 19, at Mother Hull Home, Kearney. Born Feb. 8, 1917, in Hymer, to Ira J. and Myrtle Ann (Kirkman) Coons, he grew up in Chase County and graduated from the National Trade School in automotive mechanics, Kansas City, Mo. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from Feb. 28, 1942, to Nov. 30, 1945.
Harry Dies
Harry J. Dies, 73, of Lehigh, died Nov. 24, at his home. Born July 25, 1936, in Lehigh, to Jacob and Hulda (May) Dies, he graduated from Lehigh High School in 1954.
Kathryn Schroeder
Kathryn M. Schroeder, 102, of Hillsboro, died Nov. 24, at Parkside Homes, Hillsboro. Survivors include a son, Junis of Inman; two daughters, Betty Thomas and Rosella Martin of Hillsboro; a sister, Helen Reimer of Meade; seven grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Fern Smith
Fern A. Smith, 84, died Nov. 25 at Mercy Hospital, Moundridge. Born March 5, 1925, in Isabella, Okla., she married Ellis V. Smith, March 10, 1946 in Fairview, Okla. He died Feb. 5, 2008.
Veva Navrat
Veva Lucile Howell was born Oct. 10, 1910, the second oldest child and the second daughter of Melvin Lycurgis and Bessie Ann (Barnes) Howell near Burrton. Another sister and two brothers arrived later. Veva attended rural grade school and then Burrton High School, graduating in 1928. She received two years of business and secretarial training at Salt City Business School in Hutchinson while sharing a house with four other young working women who remained friends for life. She married Edward W. Navrat on July 6, 1932. They moved in with his mother near Lincolnville where they farmed for two years then moved to Marion in 1934. They were married a total of 58 years and had two children, Kay Ann, born in 1938, and Dennis Edward, born in 1942.
Jessie Foust
Jessie Foust, 25, of Wichita, died Nov. 26, at her home in Wichita. Born Sept. 18, 1984, in Marysville, to Graham and Denise (Hynek) Foust, she graduated from Junction City High School.

OPINION

No raises next year?
In last week’s newspaper, I wrote an editorial regarding the City of Marion giving 4 percent pay raises to their employees based on 2008 cost-of-living adjustments. The council made the decision in July, when the 2010 budget was finalized. At the time, the most recent cost-of-living adjustment made to such things as Social Security benefits was 5.8 percent, effective in December 2008.
Complaining is good
The old adage, “You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone,” is really true when it comes to basic necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, and water. We turn on our faucets and expect clean, fresh water to come out. When it doesn’t work out that way, we are shocked and bewildered.
LETTERS:
Call influenza by correct name
COLUMNS:
Random Thoughts, Another Day in the Country

PEOPLE

Hope in the Heartland
I talk with my hands. I wave them. I point here. I aim there. I’ve been told that if I was forced, by rope or duct tape, to keep my hands and arms perfectly still I would not be able to talk. But if my gestures don’t seem to match my words then there is trouble.
BIRTHS:
Jonathan Jason Kruse
CORRESPONDENTS:
Marion Senior Center, Burdick
MEMORIES:
10, 25, 35, 50, 60, 100, 125 years ago

SCHOOL

FFA places in two contests at fairgrounds
Greenhands place fifth in Dairy Members of the Marion/Florence FFA chapter received fifth place in the Greenhand division at the South Central District FFA Dairy Career Development event Nov. 23 hosted by the Hillsboro FFA chapter at the Marion County Fairgrounds.

SPORTS

Marion Classic boosts businesses, prepares teams for coming season
The teams and venue are the same for the Marion Classic basketball tournament, but in its second year and following Marion’s successful turn as the host for a basketball sub state, expectations for the tournament have been raised. “This tournament is so new yet,” USD 408 Superintendent Lee Leiker said. “We’re going to improve a lot of things over the years.”
Centre High School to play in Herington preseason tournament
Centre High School basketball teams will be playing Dec. 10 to through 12 in the pre season tournament at Herington. Six teams will be competing in two pools. Varsity games are as follows: Dec. 10 — Girls vs. Northern Heights, 6:45 p.m.; Boys vs. Northern Heights, 8:15 p.m. Dec. 11 — Girls vs. Herington, 6:45 p.m.; Boys vs. Herington, 8:15 p.m. Dec. 12 playoff games begin at noon. The girls championship game will be at 6 p.m. and boys championship game will be at 7:30 p.m.
Running on a dream
Marion High School cross-country runners Ryan Jones and Jordan Hett both placed in the top 15 at a national qualifying race in Garnett and earned the right to compete in the national cross-country meet, Saturday in Nashville, Tenn. Hett and Jones joined the Brocaw Blazers, a team of runners from all over Kansas and Western Missouri based in Kansas City, after the high school cross-country season ended. Both runners were invited by Blazers coach David Ramsey after medaling at the 3A state championship meet at Wamego: Hett finished ninth with a time of 17 minutes, 40.07 seconds and Jones finished 18th with a time of 18:02.63.

Marion County RECORD

Even though $100 Christmas bonuses were budgeted by Marion City Council, the governing body did not act on it Monday evening. For the past 15 to 18 years, full-time city employees have received the bonuses. This year, there are 24 full-time employees, a total cost of $2,400.

The glass jar of water showed something brown and murky. What was it?

It is amazing how much can be accomplished in a short period of time when those doing the work are dedicated and focused. Dwight and Helen Beckham retired from their teaching jobs in Newton in April 2000 to become full-time residents of Marion County Park and Lake.

Replacing Marion County Courthouse’s aging heating and cooling system could cost about $500,000, according to a report from Orazem & Scalora Engineering, P.A., of Manhattan. Marion County Commissioners discussed the report Monday.

In the northwestern corner of the county lies a 1,120-acre pasture belonging to Irvin Christiansen of Durham. It borders McPherson County to the west and Dickinson County to the north. Christiansen’s son, Gordon, runs 250 to 300 yearling heifers on the bluestem grass every grazing season.

The main reason Nancy Methvin of rural Marion County started collecting nativity sets, also known as a crèche, was her children. “The nativity is important,” she said, and has been part of telling the Christmas story, particularly when her five children were young.

The technological world moves fast. “I’m just old fashioned,” Shirley Bowers of Marion said. “I would rather use e-mail.”

Representatives of TransCanada responsible for the Keystone Pipeline project will meet with Marion County Commission Monday to discuss road-crossing permits. Commissioners scheduled time from 11:20 a.m. until noon for the meeting.

Sterling Roy “Chuck” Lunderman, 90, died Nov. 25 of a massive heart attack at St. Luke Hospital in Marion. Born October 25, 1919, in LaRussell, Mo., to Nicholas and Amanda Rankins Lunderman, he was married Nov. 26, 1944, to Kathryn Mae Webster of Quinter.

Harry J. Dies, 73, of Lehigh, died Nov. 24, at his home. Born July 25, 1936, in Lehigh, to Jacob and Hulda (May) Dies, he graduated from Lehigh High School in 1954.

Kathryn M. Schroeder, 102, of Hillsboro, died Nov. 24, at Parkside Homes, Hillsboro. Survivors include a son, Junis of Inman; two daughters, Betty Thomas and Rosella Martin of Hillsboro; a sister, Helen Reimer of Meade; seven grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Fern A. Smith, 84, died Nov. 25 at Mercy Hospital, Moundridge. Born March 5, 1925, in Isabella, Okla., she married Ellis V. Smith, March 10, 1946 in Fairview, Okla. He died Feb. 5, 2008.

Jessie Foust, 25, of Wichita, died Nov. 26, at her home in Wichita. Born Sept. 18, 1984, in Marysville, to Graham and Denise (Hynek) Foust, she graduated from Junction City High School.

LETTERS:

COLUMNS:

I talk with my hands. I wave them. I point here. I aim there. I’ve been told that if I was forced, by rope or duct tape, to keep my hands and arms perfectly still I would not be able to talk. But if my gestures don’t seem to match my words then there is trouble.

BIRTHS:

CORRESPONDENTS:

MEMORIES:

Greenhands place fifth in Dairy Members of the Marion/Florence FFA chapter received fifth place in the Greenhand division at the South Central District FFA Dairy Career Development event Nov. 23 hosted by the Hillsboro FFA chapter at the Marion County Fairgrounds.