Marion County RECORD

Florence man focused on the good

There is no guidebook instructing someone how to die. Bryan Harper of Florence wished he knew the answers, wished he had some advice on how to deal with his body shutting down while his mind remained clear and vibrant. There was no life experience to dwell on for comfort. He was convinced he was headed to a better place, but thoughts of heaven were still clouded with uncertainty.

Local cooks win top chili prize

The top prize in the sixth annual Marion County Park and Lake Chili Cook-off stayed very close to the parking lot where the cook-off was held. Lake residents Gordon and Judy Pendergraft won the $100 first prize for their “award-winning chili.” Bob Priest, who also resides at the lake, sampled the chili offerings at the lake, and he said he liked the Pendergrafts’ entry because it was meaty and flavorful without being overly spicy.

Woman uses ritual to sell house

One by one, six women arrived Sept. 28 in front of the house for sale at 402 Walnut St. They weren’t realtors, and they weren’t buyers. They were there to perform a ritual to help the home’s owner, Patty DiFelice, sell the property. “She had a booth at TC’s What-Not Shop, and we’re all TC girls,” Judy Dannenfelser said. “We’re her buddies. She’s gone, but we can still help her.”

Food banks see rise in need

Families with small children are making up a growing part of the clientele at three Marion County food assistance sites. Directors of The Lord’s Storehouse at Main Street Ministries in Hillsboro, Tabor Food Pantry at Tabor Mennonite Church near Goessel, and Marion County Emergency Food Bank at Valley United Methodist Church in Marion said they are seeing an increased need from families with multiple mouths to feed.

Ensey to take over at St. Luke

Registered nurse Jeremy Ensey has agreed to become the new chief nursing officer at St. Luke Hospital, taking over for recently-retired CNO Linda Kannady. Ensey was previously employed at Galichia Heart Hospital in Wichita. “Jeremy’s bedside and administrative experience is rare in a hospital of our size,” CEO Jeremy Armstrong said. “He will be an asset to our patients and our leadership team.”

Tabor-McPherson football game cancelled

The football game between Tabor College and McPherson College scheduled for Oct. 20 in McPherson was canceled Thursday, said Scott Crawford, commissioner of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. The decision follows the death of Tabor College junior Brandon Brown from a beating Sept. 16 in McPherson. Brown was a redshirt junior on the Tabor football team after transferring from Santa Ana College in California.

Hannaford honors father with Studebaker

He meant to get around to it someday, refurbishing the old 1940 Studebaker Champion two-door coupe that had languished for years in his mother’s garage. He recently had found someone nearby who could do the work. But, as he held the folder filled with notes scrawled on paper, old repair bills, and articles that he had saved since he bought the Studebaker in 1960, Roger ‘Bud’ Hannaford of Marion knew he had run out of time. Cancer had sapped his strength, canceled his plans.

Tractor restoration fuels teen's curiosity

Matthew Regier, 14, of rural Goessel appreciates power. He also has a creative mind and likes to know how things work. It is only natural that these traits came together and propelled him into a reconstruction project these past few months of a 1957 International 450 tractor. “I was raised on tractors. My dad was raised on them, my grandfather, my great-grandfather, we’ve all always had Internationals,” Regier said. “I was driving my dad’s W9, but wanted to have my own, and when we found a 450 that needed rebuilding, well, I needed to have it.”

Family influences truck and tractor choices

Pickups should have a Chevrolet cross emblem on front and tractors should be green. That is how it has always been in Kurtis Duerksen’s world, and if he has a choice, how it will stay. Duerksen, 22, of rural Goessel, works full-time as a tractor technician at PrairieLand Partners in McPherson while at home he usually has a restoration project or two going in the shed.

Dale L. Carlson

Dale L. “Swede” Carlson, 86, of Herington died Oct. 2 in McPherson. He was born March 3, 1926, at Herington to Fred A. and Jennie M. (Peterson) Carlson. The funeral service was at 10 a.m. Monday at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lincolnville, with the Rev. Alan Stahlecker officiating. Burial followed with military honors at the Lost Springs Cemetery.

Yvonne Schmidt Hill

Yvonne Joy Schmidt Hill, 54, of Marion died Oct. 3 at Harry Hines Memorial Hospice in Wichita. She was born Apr. 25, 1958, in Marion to Kenneth R. Schmidt and Lillie (Patton) Schmidt. She worked as a CNA insurance underwriter.

Bryan L. Harper

Bryan L. Harper, 49, died Monday at his home in Florence. He was born Dec. 28, 1962, in Mangum, Okla., to Gary and Sandra Maxwell Harper. He is survived by his children, Jammie Hendrick of Topeka and Bryan “Junior” Harper of Springfield, Mo.; his mother, Sandra Harper of Florence; his brother, Jeff of Marion; and two grandchildren.

Gerald Dean Kelsey

Gerald Kelsey, a lifelong resident of Marion, passed away Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. Gerald was born June 21, 1943, to Donald and Viola (Janzen) Kelsey at the family home. His parents preceded him in death.

Accidents reported

Civil cases

County jail

Criminal cases

Deeds

Emergency dispatches

Hillsboro police

Offenses reported

Traffic cases

County considers asphalt recycler purchase

Dave Griffith with Van Keppel Company talked to Marion County Commission about purchasing a road recycling machine that the county is currently leasing. The quoted price Griffith offered was $202,642 for the 2008 machine. Road and Bridge Superintendent Randy Crawford said he had looked at machines from Caterpillar, the cheapest of which was listed at $350,000.

Department on Aging to assist Medicare enrollments

The Marion County Department on Aging is assisting older adults in comparing and enrolling in 2013 Medicare prescription drug plans. Open enrollment starts Monday and continues through Dec. 7. The department can help compare or enroll individuals in a new plan for 2013.

Adequate education isn't enough

Marion and Centre schools might be well advised to follow Hillsboro’s lead when looking at state assessment and ACT scores this year. Hillsboro Elementary School earned the “standard of excellence” on five of six state assessments in math and reading in 2012. Hillsboro Middle School earned the standard of excellence in all six math and reading assessments, and performed above the state average in science and history. And Hillsboro High School earned the standard of excellence in math and reading, as well.

LETTERS:

Charity gift market returning to Marion

Organizers are planning another Marion County Alternative Gift Market this year. This year’s event, which will benefit five local and 30 national and international charities, is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 10 at Marion Presbyterian Church, 610 Lawrence St., Marion.

Eastmoor to show video series

Eastmoor United Methodist Church will host a fellowship/study series featuring videos of talks given by Brennan Manning in 2006 in Wichita. The five-week series features the teachings of Manning and each session will be given two times: 7 p.m. Sunday evenings and 2 p.m. Monday afternoons starting Oct. 14 and 15.

Children's book available

A children’s book and coloring book “To the Cider Mill” is available at Central Park Antiques in Marion. The book’s author, Danna York of Belton, Mo., has been coming to Marion for Old Settlers’ Day since 1979. Her mother-in-law is a former Marion resident. She said Marion is one of her favorite towns.

Harms ranch ranked

Harms Plainview Ranch, Lincolnville, ranked as fifth largest in registering Angus beef cattle in Kansas during the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, according to Bryce Schumann, CEO of the American Angus Association. They recorded 368 head of Angus with the association in 2012.

Al-Anon meeting moves

The Marion County Women’s Serenity Al-Anon Family Group has moved. The meeting will be held at 8 p.m. on Mondays in the basement of St. Luke Hospital in Marion. All women who have been affected adverserly by someone’s drinking are welcome. The meetings last an hour. Please go to http://www.kansas-al-anon.org for more information.

Piano students and guests to play at Tabor

Eight students of Sheila Litke and four guest pianists will perform in a piano concert at 4 p.m. Oct. 21 in the Tabor College Chapel. The theme is “Afternoon at the Symphony.”

TEEN meeting is Oct. 17

The Technology Excellence in Education Network will have its regular monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 17. The meeting will be conducted via phone conference originating from Hillsboro High School, 500 E. Grand Ave., Hillsboro. Contact Brandi Hendrix at (620) 877-0237 for more information.

Kansas Explorers Club coming to county

More than 40 people will be coming to Marion County Oct. 20 as members of the Kansas Explorers Club. According to Marion County Economic Development Director Teresa Huffman, the group will begin their exploration of Marion County by having lunch at Main Street Café in Durham, arriving in private vehicles.

Annual senior meeting is Oct. 18

The 52nd annual meeting of the Senior Citizens of Marion County, Inc. board is planned for Oct. 18 at Hillsboro Senior Center, 212 N. Main St. Registration begins at 11 a.m., the annual dinner is scheduled for noon with the program at 1 p.m. There are four candidates who will be presented for a vote at the meeting: Lila Unruh of Durham for district 1, Marlene Anduss of Marion for district 2, Joyce Kyle of Burns, and Connie Omstead of Florence for district 3.

Sisters of Hope to perform at hospital

St. Luke Hospital Foundation is planning a fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at the community building in Marion. Money raised will be used for ongoing needs at St. Luke Hospital and Living Center. Entertainment will be provided by Sisters of Hope, a group of six women ranging from age 29 to 82. The current group is made up of five from Hope, including the Lutheran minister’s wife, and one from Abilene. Dressed like traditional nuns, their programs include songs with action and humor. Tap dancing, a guitar, and a harmonica are part of their performance.

Deines family reunion is Sunday

The Phillip Sr. and Maria (Haas) Deines family, which includes descendents of Christopher, George, Adolph, and Marie Deines (Mohn), will have a reunion at noon Sunday at the Lincolnville Community Building in Lincolnville. Reunion hosts are Iva Schlatter, Gerald Riffel, and Karen Neff, children of Emma and Harry Riffel. Those attending are asked to bring a basket dinner — enough for their family — including table service. Drinks will be provided.

Bredemeier family gathers for reunion

Thirty relatives attended a covered dish dinner for the 59th annual Bredemeier family reunion Sept. 30 at Marion City Building. Betty Sanders conducted the business meeting. Family members from out of town included Ray and Carol Peirce, Hesston; Gary and Joyce Mott, Manhattan; David, Kris, and Archer Page, McPherson; John Summervill, Hutchinson; Buck and Joyce Sangwin, White City; and Myron and Bobbie Harris, Peabody.

Bredemeier to celebrate 105th birthday

Clara Bredemeier will celebrate her 105th birthday with family on Oct. 23 at St. Luke Living Center, 535 S. Freeborn St., Marion. Bredemeier is the matriarch of the Hommer and Bredemeier families. She had six sisters and one brother. She was the only sibling to graduate high school and was the salutatorian of her class. She went on to a career as a high school teacher.

Teachers attend 1962 class reunion

The Marion High School class of 1962 held its 50th reunion on Old Settlers’ Day Sept. 28 and 29. Activities included visiting at the rural Marion home of Deanna Klenda on Friday night. On Sept. 29, members and teachers met for the class picture taken by Gavin Peters and to board the class “float” to ride through the parade. Lunch was eaten in the park. The class was introduced during the afternoon program, following the MHS band concert.

Benekes celebrate together

The descendants of Johann “Chris” and Marie Froemke Beneke met for a reunion with potluck dinner Sept. 22 at the Lincolnville Community Center. Hosts were the children and families of William and Marie Beneke: Eldon and Betty Beneke, Doug, and Linda Beneke of Salina; Emil Beneke, John and Michelle Beneke of Valley Center; Steven Beneke of Lincolnville; Jim and Luella Snelling, Brad Snelling, Kay Adams of Wichita and Doranne Beavers of Norman, Okla.; Lynford and Shirley Beneke, and Chris and Sasha Beneke of Parsons.

PEO club visits discovery center

PEO Chapter DB met on Oct. 1 at the Flint Hills Discovery Center in Manhattan for their regular meeting, a tour of the center and a catered lunch. The Program committee hosted 16 members and several guests, and committee chairpersons presented reports. The next meeting will be held at the Doyle Creek Corral in Florence at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15 with officer training at 5 p.m. State Officer Jan Keeley will make her official visit, and a catered meal will be offered at a cost of $10.

Club hears about hope

Members of 20th Century Club met Oct. 1 at Marion Presbyterian Church. There were 16 members present. Jackie Volbrecht gave a presentation about Marion County Circles of Hope. Hosts Janice Case, Cathy Henderson, and Margaret Pickering decorated the tables with pumpkins and gourds, and served pumpkin cupcakes and candy corn.

Kahns speaks to auxiliary

The guest speaker at the St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary meeting Thursday was Diane Kahns, office manager for the hospital. She gave an informative talk, first, about her background leading into the position, and second, about her responsibilities and the importance of keeping accurate records of each patient admitted to the hospital.

CORRESPONDENTS:

MEMORIES:

Board of Education leaves seat vacant

A vacant seat on the Marion-Florence USD 408 Board of Education remained unfilled Monday, after three of six board members voiced opposition to filling it. Dick Varenhorst, Brenda Odgers, and Jana Nordquist interviewed for the position Sept. 24 at a special board meeting called for that purpose. At that time, the board deferred action until Monday.

Students, cooks unhappy about lunch changes

With changes in federal school lunch standards, Marion High School’s cafeteria is emptier this year than in the past. Head cook Kathy Holub said the cafeteria serves about 160 meals a day, down from about 180 last year. The main reason for the decrease is more juniors and seniors leaving school for lunch. And now sophomores are seeking approval from USD 408 Board of Education to extend open lunch to sophomores.

Centre sees lower property insurance

The Centre USD 397 Board of Education received some good news Monday. They learned that the premium on the district’s property insurance dropped from $59,492 last year to $53,732 this year. The policy was issued by Continental Western Insurance Company through Copeland Insurance Agency in Manhattan. The renewal is in effect from Nov. 8, 2012 to Nov. 8, 2013. Several members of the leadership team — Angela Basore, Mallory Jacobs, Karen Nickel, and Laura Vinduska — reported on progress being made at Centre schools to implement the new common core standards set by the state board of education. The team attended a summer conference to learn more about what they already began last year.

FFA tailgate supper precedes game

The Marion-Florence FFA chapter will host a pregame tailgate supper 5 p.m. Friday prior to the Marion-Halstead football game at Warriors Stadium. A hamburger meal, including chips, pop, and a cookie will be served for $5, up until game time. Proceeds from the tailgate will be donated to Marion Community Christmas.

Warriors stumble against Trinity Catholic

Trinity Catholic of Hutchinson scored two touchdowns in only 8 seconds Friday, erasing a 7-point Marion High School lead en route to claiming a 37-25 win over the visiting Warriors. Marion defenders shut down Trinity on their first drive, forcing a punt that gave the Warriors possession on their own 20.

Lady Warriors win 2 matches

The Marion High School volleyball team will take some momentum into the Heart of America league tournament Saturday, coming off convincing wins Oct. 2 at Moundridge against Canton-Galva and Berean Academy. Marion head coach Deanna Thierolf said the girls came out with enthusiasm after having gone flat during their previous outing at Belle Plaine.

CHS volleyball adds victories

The Centre High School volleyball team swept its second consecutive triangular Oct. 2 with victories against Peabody-Burns and Elyria at Peabody. Both games with Elyria were intense with scores of 28-26 and 25-23. Bryanna Svoboda served for 7 points followed by Brenna Shields with 6. Along with Anna Weber, they each aced the ball once.

Hett and cross-country team win at Eureka

The Marion High School boys’ cross-country team and senior runner Jordan Hett finished atop the standings Thursday at the Eureka Invitational meet in Eureka. Four Warriors placed in the top ten of the 42-runner field, topped by Hett’s winning time of 17 minutes, 29 seconds. It was the second consecutive win for Hett, as he gears up for a run for a fourth trip to the Class 3A state championship meet.

Centre wins in third quarter mercy rule

The Centre High School football team scored 44 points Friday in its homecoming game against Cedar Vale/Dexter before the Spartans got on the scoreboard near the end of the first half. The game was cut short in the third quarter due to the 45-point rule after Centre scored two more unanswered touchdowns for a 56-6 victory.

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