Marion County RECORD

Family Dollar store coming to Marion

A Family Dollar Store will be built in Marion, Greg Carlson announced at Marion Chamber of Commerce meeting Friday. Family Dollar has purchased the property at 1201 E. Main Street, currently Aunt Bee’s Floral Garden Gifts owned by Wendy Youk. Youk will move to the Main Street location of Gary Carlson’s television and radio service. Gary Carlson will move his business back to his home where he operated the television sales and repair business for almost 50 years.

Crash simulation speaker hits home

Every three years, Centre High School has a car crash simulation and speakers to remind students to be safe drivers. After Friday’s presentation, an observer said it was the quietest they had ever heard the students. After the crash simulation, Lisa Hanschu spoke to the students about the night her son, James Weber, was in a fatal car crash on July 22, 2009. James had graduated from CHS a couple of months before the crash and was preparing to attend Kansas State University.

Tornadoes, hail batter county

Amy Makovec stood in the driveway at her rural Lost Springs home Sunday surveying the damage and debris caused by tornado Saturday. “It could’ve been worse, I guess,” Makovec sighed. “You just never think it’s going to happen to you.”

Morel mushrooms inspire family fun

Sheri Hess grew up at Marion County Lake, so she knows the joys of exploring the woods, but this spring, her husband Keith and 10-year-old daughter, Emmy, have encountered treasure in the woods, and along with Hess, are enjoying the delights of eating morel mushrooms. “My dad taught me about finding the right ones and where to look,” Hess said. “But my husband, who grew up in Pennsylvania, didn’t know about these, and my daughter just last year learned how much fun it is to hunt for them. We’ve really had fun this year and have had a lot of success finding them.”

Volunteers present quilts to soldiers

Quilts of Valor volunteers and Sew What Quilt Shop owners Carol Riggs, Jan Meysinger, and Paula Perry traveled to Fort Riley on April 11 to help present more than 600 quilts to soldiers returning from Afghanistan. Quilts of Valor — Kansas Bee presented 548 quilts to soldiers of the 4th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Division who had just returned from Afghanistan, and more than 100 to another recently returned unit, Riggs said Friday.

Marion native returns to open business

Sometimes a situation lines up perfectly to take a new opportunity, and that was the case for Mike Bredemeier a few months ago. He was in Marion visiting family while on vacation from California, when he saw a business opportunity that would let him return to his hometown and work with his sons. On Saturday, Bredemeir had the grand opening for Mid-America Kitchens & Baths just north of U.S. 56 in Marion.

Springfield a place of renewal for Wiebe

Symbols of faith are important to John Wiebe, so is having a place to “come home” to, and for a man who has moved around and done a lot through the years, Springfield Park west of Hillsboro is where faith and feelings of home come together. “I’ve spent a lot of time moving around,” Wiebe said. “When I inherited this acreage from my folks in the 70s, it became our place to come home to.”

Helmer house burns

The Marion fire department extinguished a fire in the 800 block of Lawrence Street on April 11. Fire fighters responded to the call at 12:35 a.m. The structure fire was located in the rear section of the house. Chris Helmer lives at the residence. No one was injured in the accident.

Robert L. Knott

Robert L. “Bob” Knott, 81, died April 9, 2012, at Schowalter Villa in Hesston. He was born on April 12, 1930, in Newton to Kenneth Leonard and Ruth Elaine Knott. He married Edith L. McCann on Feb. 6, 1949, at Highland Church in rural Hesston. He was a retired farmer and former co-owner of Central Livestock in Hutchinson. He was a member of the United Methodist Church.

Michael Wayne Pagenkopf

Michael W. Pagenkopf died on March 30, 2012, at his home. He was born June 17, 1949, in Newton to Roy M. and JoAnn Kelsey Pagenkopf. He married Rebecca Smith in 1969.

Cecile Penney

Cecile Penney, wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, Godmother, sister, aunt, nurse and friend, passed away on April 13, 2012, at her home. Her life began in 1937 at Baldwin City, Kan. She was the fourth out of five children born to Paul and Carrie (Keller) Nearhood Gooding. She was baptized on April 25, 1941, and confirmed in the Lutheran faith on June 17, 1951, at St. John’s Lutheran Church where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and was active in the Walther League.

Archie Wiselogel

Archie Wiselogel, 87, of Hillsboro died April 14, 2012, in McPherson. He was born Jan. 6, 1925, in Eaton Rapids, Mich., to Archie and Myrtle (Clingan) Wiselogel. He owned Independent Telephone Company.

Joan M. Siler

Joan M. Siler, 82, of Kansas City, died April 14, 2012, at Golden Living Center Parkway, Edwardsville. She was born Sept. 3, 1929, in Herington to Joseph and Leah (Henry) Buckman. She was a homemaker. She is survived by two sons, Jeff Siler of Kansas City and John Siler of Bonner Springs; a brother, Robert Buckman of Kansas City; a sister, Margaret Crain of Carney, Mo.,; and a half-sister, Pauline Pauley of Abilene.

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Hillsboro police

Offenses

Peabody court

Peabody police

Traffic cases

City council approves housing project

Marion City Council approved a letter of support for a grant application for Homestead Affordable Housing on Monday despite the misgivings of Mayor Mary Olson. Olson did not want to approve the letter of support until after the platting and zoning process is completed. City Administrator Doug Kjellin said Homestead needed the letter earlier than that process could be completed to meet deadlines for grant applications.

County approves radio upgrade

Marion County Commission approved an upgrade for a voice recorder for the communications department Monday. The upgrade will cost $53,246. The communications department records every 911 call and several other calls that are received by dispatchers, director Linda Klenda said. The recording system itself costs $2,800 with a $500 installation. Most of the cost of the project involved paying for recording channels, including $11,000 for 22 performance recording channels, and licenses, including a $5,000 media player license.

Road sections decreased by county commission

Marion County Commission approved the Road and Bridge Department decreasing from 14 sections to 10 sections Monday. One motor grader is assigned to each section. Road and Bridge supervisor Bud Druse said the change would save the county approximately $12,819 per unused grader in fuel, tire, and oil change costs alone. The 10 sections would be approximately 440 miles apiece. The 10 graders would have an extra 40 miles a piece to cover.

Don't take chances with tornadoes

I was covering Hillsboro High School’s prom Saturday, anxiously watching the sky because of the dire forecasts for that night. The promenade into the dance was going mostly smoothly with nothing worse than some light sprinkles of rain, right until the tornado sirens sounded. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen such a large crowd spontaneously move so quickly. It wasn’t a panic, but almost everyone made a beeline either to the school’s tornado shelters or to their cars to take shelter at home. Not wanting to risk the drive home, I joined the students, chaperones, and several other spectators in the middle school locker rooms.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

Reservoir cleanup day is Saturday

The Marion Reservoir 10th Annual Cleanup Day is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Volunteers will meet at the Army Corps of Engineers Office on the east side of the dam. Volunteers need to call (620) 382-2006 or (620) 382-2101 to sign up.

Better Business Bureau offers sales tips

With the beginning of spring and summer, door-to-door sales are just around the corner. Here are some tips from the Better Business Bureau of Kansas Inc. Listen carefully and be aware of high pressure sales tactics: Some unscrupulous door-to-door sellers will put on pressure to close the deal at the moment. Find a way to end the conversation quickly to avoid long sales pitches.

Florence plans spring fling

Florence’s Spring Fling is Saturday, April 28 in the Florence gym, at the intersection of Seventh and Dean streets. This annual event is a fundraiser for Florence’s Labor Day celebration which will be observing its 75th anniversary. “One Minute to Win It!” competition, a crowd favorite last year, will be repeated this year. Competition is split between two age groups — ages 7 to 15 and 16 to adult. The competition will feature various games and contests. First place in the 7-15 age class wins $50; in the 16-adult age class, $100. Entry forms are available at Cottonwood Valley Bank in Marion, and the Marion County Record in Marion. More details are available by calling Melanie Grimmett, (620) 381-1083.

Water flex account available

The Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Water Resources is accepting applications for the revised program that allows groundwater right holders to manage their water over a 5-year period. The 2012 Legislature made significant changes to the state’s Multi-Year Flex Account program as a part of series of water law changes designed to conserve the state’s water supply and extend the life of Ogallala Aquifer.

Florence receives garden grant

The Fred Harvey Community Garden of Florence Pride organization has been awarded a $4,104 grant through the Kansas Community Gardens Project, a joint initiative of the Kansas Health Foundation and K-State Research and Extension. The Fred Harvey Community Garden is one of only 24 community garden projects in the state to receive the funding, which will help support the growth of the garden.

Aulne church to hold fundraiser

A potato bar and chili feed will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Aulne United Methodist Church as a fundraiser for the church youth and their sponsors, who plan to take a missions trip to San Marcos, Texas, July 22 to 28 to repair homes for the poor. Freewill donations will be accepted. The church is located five miles south of Marion on Sunflower Road and three miles west on 140th Road.

Author to sign books at library

Author Roy Bird, a native of rural Abilene, will be at Marion City Library at 7 p.m. Tuesday to talk about his book, “Little Ike: Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Abilene Boyhood.” Bird grew up while Eisenhower was president and was steeped in Eisenhower lore. The book includes quotes from Eisenhower’s own book, letters, and other primary sources. It is filled with memories of Eisenhower’s family, friends, and community.

Liz Harden likes flowers in Peabody

It is no secret that Liz Harder who lives on North Walnut Street in Peabody has a green thumb and a love for growing living things. The art of growing plants is a talent acquired through many years of trial and error for some. Harder has been growing plants for many years, but she discovered her talent at a younger age than most.

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Quilt donations raise money

High selling quilts brought more than $126,000 on Saturday at the Mennonite Central Committee Sale in Hutchinson. Several quilts from Marion County contributed in the fund-raising efforts, which help fight hunger around the world. “The highest selling quilt went for $8,100 and was made by Four-Ever Friends from Hesston,” MCC local church coordinator Leona Schroeder said.

Pianist gives 30 years of music to community

Vada Ann McPheeters has been playing piano at Westview and Peabody Care Center nursing homes in Peabody for nearly 30 years. She also plays once a month at First Baptist Church. She has never had formal training.

Peabody woman keeps CDL for 42 years

Pat Hunnell of Peabody is proud of the accomplishments of her many careers, including one of the toughest, being a mother. She is also proud that she kept her Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) certification for 42 years. “How many great grandmas do you know that still had their CDL? I kept it for as long as I did because it was an ego thing,” Hunnell said.

Poverty topic of next learning session

Denise Brown of Hillsboro, motivational speaker and mother of two Tabor College football standouts, will be speaking at Learning in Retirement Friday on “What Everyone Should Know about Poverty.” Brown trained with Ruby Payne, a career educator, and now shares with churches and teachers about her research into how social class affects the way we perceive others.

Generation Bridge brings together old and young

Robert Unruh is 84; he grew up and spent his whole life in the Goessel community. Cameron Myers is 11-years-old and moved into the school district just a few weeks ago. The two might not seem to have much in common and probably never would have talked to each other or even met if it was not for the Generation Bridge program at Bethesda Home in Goessel. “The Generation Bridge program brings together old and young people in fun ways that benefit them both,” Goessel fifth- grade teacher Ilona Abraham said. “We’ve been doing this for 13 years now, and everyone always looks forward to it.”

Annuities earn money

Direct donations and leaving a portion of an estate for charitable purposes are well-established giving practices, but gift annuities are an alternative more donors are turning to as a way to get a return on their charitable investment. A gift annuity provides a donor with fixed income payments based on the amount of the donation they make and their age. Those payments make gift annuities an attractive investment alternative.

Exchange students at Centre make friends

According to the five exchange students at Centre High School this year, making new friends was a positive experience. They all said they have enjoyed going to school at Centre and participating in school activities. They were appreciative of their host families. Several said they viewed buffalo close up, and two took trips to places like Chicago, Ill., San Diego, Calif., and Washington, D.C.

Marion FFA members receive awards

Several members from the Marion/Florence FFA chapter were recognized at the South Central District FFA Banquet on Monday as district proficiency award winners. Jacob Cope was the winner in the area of beef placement. He works for Doyle Creek Ranch where he is involved in all aspects of the beef operation. He helps treat cattle, check pens, assist with calving, herd management, embryo transfer, feeding, and moving cattle. Cope was also recognized for winning the district proficiency award in the area of forage production. His activities in these areas involve working for Doyle Creek ranch with the hay operation. He helps put up 1,500 acres of grass and brome for hay and is involved in swathing, raking, baling, and moving hay.

Simons chosen for KSU honor

Kansas State University junior Carlye Simons was chosen as a member of Chimes, Kansas State’s Junior honor society. The group promotes scholarship, leadership, and service. To qualify for Chimes, students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Simons is majoring in food science. She is a graduate of Centre High School and is from Lincolnville.

Centre golfers compete

Two members of the Centre High School golf team participated in the Hillsboro Invitational tournament on April 5. Dylan Svitak scored an 88, and Kodey Johnson scored a 94. No team score was recorded. At the Northern Heights Invitational on April 10 at Emporia, Centre scored a total of 415, for ninth place among 13 schools.

CHS track teams place fourth

Competing against Hillsboro, Moundridge, Halstead, and Canton Galva on April 10 at Moundridge, the Centre girls’ and boys’ track teams both finished in fourth place. Theo Kassebaum finished first in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 16.7 seconds. Cacey Simons placed first in high jump, with a leap of four feet, eight inches.

Centre to hold golf benefit

Centre High School will hold a benefit golf tournament on April 28 at the Herington Country Club golf course. The shotgun start will be at 9 a.m. The four-person scramble requires an entry fee of $45 per person or $180 per team. This includes the greens fee and lunch.

Warriors split games at Sedgwick

The Marion High School baseball team got roughed up 10-1 in the first game Friday against Sedgwick, but returned the favor in the nightcap with an 11-5 thrashing of the Cardinals. Sedgwick ace Logan Thompson shackled the Warrior bats in the opener, allowing just one run in the fourth inning.

Softball team struggles

Four games, 28 innings, 7 runs — the Marion High School softball team had a collective hitting slump against Canton-Galva and Sedgwick that led to four losses, dropping their season record to 4-8. The bulk of the scoring came April 10 at home against Canton-Galva, but it wasn’t enough to avoid 2-6 and 4-6 losses to the Lady Eagles.

MHS boys' track take third

Colten Johnson was the team leader in points scored as the Marion High School boys’ track team took third place Friday in the Smoky Valley Invitational at Lindsborg. Johnson soared 13 feet in the pole vault for the only first-place finish of the day for Marion. Johnson placed third in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 16.43 seconds, and third in the 300 hurdles, finishing the race in 42.32.

Lovelady starts good for MHS golf

Marion High School golfer Hogan Lovelady started the season in style April 3 by winning the Herington Invitational tournament at Herington Country Club. Lovelady carded a 78 on the rolling par 72 layout. On that day, all parts of his game were in sync.

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