Marion County RECORD

HEADLINES

Record breaking summer heat arrives early
Summerlike temperatures struck Kansas ahead of schedule this week, but that didn’t stop Forrest Kelsey from planting flowers in his yard Monday afternoon as temperatures surpassed 90 degrees. “Every now and then I take a break and come sit in the shade,” Kelsey said of his strategy for staying cool. “At 85, you take all the breaks you can get.”
Consultant says county pay 9% below peers
Commissioners met with County Clerk Tina Spencer in closed session for 40 minutes Monday discussing possible changes in employees’ salary schedules. April 30 during a special payday meeting, Rebecca Crowder of the Austin Peters Group presented a market wage study reviewing all county positions for proper placement within the current pay plan. Overall, she said the county’s wages are nearly 9 percent behind those of its market peers.
Bait shop hopes to fill void for reservoir
Four years ago, Rachael and Tony Naerebout considered filling the void within the county made by the closing of Canada Bait Shop. It wasn’t meant to be at the time, Rachael Naerebout said, but after she and Tony moved to their current house three-quarters of a mile west of Old Mill Rd. on 230th Rd., she felt it was meant to be.
Theft might be related to string in Chase County
Eileen and Skip Sieger are being more watchful after thieves broke into a shed less than 60 feet from their house in rural Marion last week. They were enjoying an evening at home when the break-in happened sometime after 8:30 p.m. Eileen said they never heard anything.
Woman turns wool into figurines
Ruthann Dies of Lehigh had felted before, but nothing like this. After a quick Internet search, she began using wool from her family’s alpaca herd to create small animal figurines. “Once I got the technique, I went from there,” she said.
Andrew Brunner is one Tough Mudder
EBH engineer and weekend warrior Andrew Brunner didn’t know exactly what to expect as he approached the Tough Mudder starting line where a mass of about 5,200 participants gathered Saturday morning at Heartland Park in Topeka. “I was pretty nervous, my heart was racing as we walked down the stairs to the racetrack,” Brunner said. “I didn’t know if I was in good enough shape to do the running and I had been reading articles online about getting shocked.”
Morel mushrooms good fried, grilled, sauteed
After 10 years, Marion resident Thomas Ash doesn’t have to look for elusive morel mushrooms anymore. He has a spot just outside of town that he can go to and harvest them when the conditions are right, and like any good “shroomer,” that location is his secret. He started hunting morels because he loves the outdoors and likes hunting turkey in the spring, so he started keeping an eye out for them on his turkey hunts.
Graduations coming up
Marion and Centre high schools have graduation coming up in a little over a week, as does Tabor College. Marion High School’s graduation will be at 4 p.m. May 17 in the Sports and Aquatic Center. Centre High School’s graduation will be at 2 p.m. May 18 at the school.
Chingawassa buttons on sale
Buttons for Chingawassa Days are on sale through May 31 for $25. They will be $35 at the gate. Chingawassa Days begins June 6 in Central Park in Marion with a community barbecue at 5:30 p.m., a beer garden, and an ice cream social.
Granddaughter, grandmother team up
Shirley Carlson has worked at Hilltop Manor, a housing complex in Marion, for 23 years. Her granddaughter, Carla Tharp, has helped her in the office since she was a freshman in high school.

DEATHS

Wilma Wilcox
Wilma A. Wilcox, 86, of Lincolnville died Friday at Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Zeiner Funeral Home in Marion. A full notice is expected to follow in a future edition.
Eleanor Edins
Eleanor (Eitzen) Edins, 83, died Thursday in Wichita. She was born Dec. 17, 1930, to George and Sara (Krause) Flaming in Goessel. She is survived by two sons, Galen Eitzen of Valley Center and Stuart Eitzen of Wichita; a daughter, Barbara Riggs of Wichita; a brother, Howard Flaming of Dallas, Oregon; three sisters, Aldina Franz of Hillsboro, LaWanda Oblander of Newton, and Gladys Nickel of Dayton, Ohio; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
LaDonna Giesbrecht
LaDonna C. Giesbrecht, 77, of Newton died April 29 in Wichita. She was born May 12, 1936, in Hillsboro to Pete and Irma (Brandt) Funk. She was a retired CMA. She married Bill Ewert. He preceded her in death. She later married Lee Westhafer; he also preceded her in death.
IN MEMORIAM:
Ruth Viets

DOCKET

FARM

Ag census report shows same farm acres, fewer farms
The United States Department of Agriculture recently released the final 2012 Census of Agriculture. The number of farms in Kansas during 2012 was 61,773, down 6 percent from the 2007 census.
Wheat heads out, short and stressed
On Friday, Keith Jost of Hillsboro was expecting his wheat to head out in the next week or two. Hot weather on Sunday sent the plants into high gear as heads rapidly emerged from their stalks. After a wheat quality tour across the state April 28 to Thursday by farmers, millers, and agriculture experts, the Kansas wheat crop is expected to yield 18 percent lower than in 2013.
County wheat tour is May 15
Farmers and experts from Kansas State University Research and Extension will tour local wheat crops May 15. The event, sponsored by Cooperative Grain and Supply and Marion County Research and Extension, will feature breakfast at 7 a.m. at the fertilizer plant in Hillsboro before heading on a plot tour at 8 a.m.
Burns resident 1st to purchase auto steering swather
Fans of the green and yellow tractor variety can purchase many types of equipment with integrated auto steer. Auto steer uses GPS to steer a tractor, combine, or other machinery across the field guaranteeing accuracy and efficiency.
Canola helps wheat production as rotater crop
Those driving down Sunflower Rd. near 140th Rd. will see two fields of yellow flowers. To the naked eye it merely looks like a stand of brightly colored weeds, but those that look closer can see those weeds are actually planted in rows. Duane Kirkpatrick has been planting canola for four years in crop rotation preceding wheat. He said it is a growing trend among farmers in southern Kansas and Oklahoma. According to the U.S. Canola Association, there are 1.5 million acres of canola grown in the U.S., mostly in the upper Midwest.
May is Beef Month in Kansas
Kansas is home to more than 5.5 million cattle on farms, ranches, and in feedyards, making it one of the largest producers of beef, with an estimated revenue of more than $7 billion statewide. In recognition of that, Gov. Sam Brownback has designated May as Beef Month. Information about beef’s nutritional qualities, as well as recipes and other information, can be found online at www.kansasbeef.org and www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com.
KSU panel discusses global food challenges
Feeding 7 billion people around the world is difficult enough, but in the next 30 to 40 years the world’s population is expected to grow by another 2 billion. The challenges posed by that were the topic of discussion during a panel of experts Monday at Kansas State University. “(The world’s farmers) will have to produce as much food in the next 40 years as we’ve produced in the history of our planet,” approximately 10,000 years of human existence, said John Floros, dean of the Kansas State University College of Agriculture.

OPINION

Keeping Butler will take real investment
Butler Community College is worried it won’t be able to keep its Marion campus in the Bown-Corby school building because it costs too much, despite rent being only $25 annually. Butler of the Flint Hills director Amy Kjellin revealed last week that the college is considering moving out of the building that has been its Marion home since 1991. City Administrator Roger Holter said college officials told him that the cost of high-speed Internet for the building was excessive. The college connects to classrooms at other campuses for several distance-learning classes. The building also is expensive to maintain, Kjellin told me. Surprisingly, Kjellin said nothing about utility bills, and Holter confirmed that Butler officials told him utilities at Bown-Corby are reasonable, despite the building’s age.
ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:
No longer available

PEOPLE

Kiwanis has guests from Emporia
Marion Kiwanis Club had four guests from the Emporia club Tuesday for an interclub meeting. One of the guests, Virginia Higgins, spoke about the work of the state and international Kiwanis foundations. This year the state foundation awarded $24,200 in scholarships, and the international foundation awarded $5,000 in Kansas.
Children travel to Topeka to raise awareness for child abuse
Isaiah and Damien Thouvenell of Marion said they had a good time visiting the capital building in Topeka in April. They were among more than 100 kids from counties across the state who gathered for an event called 105 Reasons to Prevent Child Abuse.
20th Century Club members reminisce
Members of the 20th Century Club installed officers and reminisced over brunch at the Milk and Honey Bed and Breakfast. Club president for the 2014-15 year is Betty Sanders, vice president is Becky Summerville, secretary is Margaret Pickering, treasurer is Sally Hannaford, and corresponding secretary is Carol Laue.
Economic developer attends festival in Wamego
County Economic Development Director Teresa Huffman attended the Kansas Sampler Festival May 3 through 4 in Wamego. She represented Marion County in the Flint Hills tent with volunteers Ken and Tena Lundgren of Marion, and Mike and Sue Wadkins of Hillsboro.
Fish fry is Saturday
Marion VFW Post 6958 will have a fish and mountain oyster fry from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the post, 420 W. Santa Fe St. Admission is by donation. Proceeds will be used for the post’s youth and veterans programs.
Tabor musicians to perform with orchestra members
The Tabor College Concert Choir and Concerto Bella Voce are teaming up to perform John Rutter’s Rutter’s “Requiem” is a 40-minute work for chorus, orchestra, and a soprano solo. The orchestra is comprised of members of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, which will provide a professional combination with the choir.
MARION SENIOR CENTER:
Patrons learn about disasters
MEMORIES:
10, 25, 35, 50, 60, 100, 125 years ago

SCHOOL AND SPORTS

Oborny wins welding competition
Thomas Oborny of Marion received first place in welding fabrication in the SkillsUSA Kansas State Championships in April at Hutchinson Community College. He and 11 other first place finishers will compete in the national championship June 24-28 in Kansas City, Mo.
Free development screening is May 19
A free screening for children birth through 5-years-old will be May 19 at the Hillsboro United Methodist Church. Appointments will be available from 12:30 to 3 p.m.
FFA chapter says thanks over banquet
Marion/Florence FFA chapter thanked parents, members, and businesses that had assisted them this year by serving smothered steak dinner to 130 people Thursday. Several members won Star Chapter and other awards.
Centre students visit cadaver lab
Center High School teacher Cindy Riedel took her anatomy and physiology and crime scene investigations students to visit the human cadaver lab and Biology Department Friday at Cloud County Community College in Concordia. The college offered the visit as a way to get high school students more interested in studying biology and other sciences in their post-secondary education.
Outdoor shooting clinic planned
Guests at Marion Wildlife Area at Marion Reservoir on May 31 can participate in free trap, air rifle, and archery shooting for a chance to enhance their shooting and safety skills. An instructor will teach safe and responsible shooting techniques.
Baseball sweeps Inman
Marion baseball brought out the brooms again Friday and swept a doubleheader in Inman, winning 10-2 and 7-1. Marion led 5-0 after three innings in the first game before allowing a run. The Warriors extended the lead to 8-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning. They added another two runs in the fifth inning to lead 10-1, but the game went the full seven innings with Marion winning 10-2.
Maloney breaks own pole vault record
Marion senior Alicia Maloney broke her own school record in the pole vault Friday at the Beloit Relays. She vaulted 10 feet, 4 inches to win the event. “She has always vaulted well at Beloit, and we look for her to continue to have fun,” head coach Grant Thierolf said.
Blood donations sought in May
There will be an opportunity to donate blood from 2:15 to 6:30 p.m. May 19 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Marion. To make an appointment or for more information, call (800) 733-2767 or visit http://www.redcrossblood.org.

Marion County RECORD

Eileen and Skip Sieger are being more watchful after thieves broke into a shed less than 60 feet from their house in rural Marion last week. They were enjoying an evening at home when the break-in happened sometime after 8:30 p.m. Eileen said they never heard anything.

Ruthann Dies of Lehigh had felted before, but nothing like this. After a quick Internet search, she began using wool from her family’s alpaca herd to create small animal figurines. “Once I got the technique, I went from there,” she said.

Marion and Centre high schools have graduation coming up in a little over a week, as does Tabor College. Marion High School’s graduation will be at 4 p.m. May 17 in the Sports and Aquatic Center. Centre High School’s graduation will be at 2 p.m. May 18 at the school.

Buttons for Chingawassa Days are on sale through May 31 for $25. They will be $35 at the gate. Chingawassa Days begins June 6 in Central Park in Marion with a community barbecue at 5:30 p.m., a beer garden, and an ice cream social.

Shirley Carlson has worked at Hilltop Manor, a housing complex in Marion, for 23 years. Her granddaughter, Carla Tharp, has helped her in the office since she was a freshman in high school.

Wilma A. Wilcox, 86, of Lincolnville died Friday at Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Zeiner Funeral Home in Marion. A full notice is expected to follow in a future edition.

LaDonna C. Giesbrecht, 77, of Newton died April 29 in Wichita. She was born May 12, 1936, in Hillsboro to Pete and Irma (Brandt) Funk. She was a retired CMA. She married Bill Ewert. He preceded her in death. She later married Lee Westhafer; he also preceded her in death.

IN MEMORIAM:

The United States Department of Agriculture recently released the final 2012 Census of Agriculture. The number of farms in Kansas during 2012 was 61,773, down 6 percent from the 2007 census.

Fans of the green and yellow tractor variety can purchase many types of equipment with integrated auto steer. Auto steer uses GPS to steer a tractor, combine, or other machinery across the field guaranteeing accuracy and efficiency.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

Isaiah and Damien Thouvenell of Marion said they had a good time visiting the capital building in Topeka in April. They were among more than 100 kids from counties across the state who gathered for an event called 105 Reasons to Prevent Child Abuse.

County Economic Development Director Teresa Huffman attended the Kansas Sampler Festival May 3 through 4 in Wamego. She represented Marion County in the Flint Hills tent with volunteers Ken and Tena Lundgren of Marion, and Mike and Sue Wadkins of Hillsboro.

Marion VFW Post 6958 will have a fish and mountain oyster fry from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the post, 420 W. Santa Fe St. Admission is by donation. Proceeds will be used for the post’s youth and veterans programs.

MARION SENIOR CENTER:

MEMORIES:

Thomas Oborny of Marion received first place in welding fabrication in the SkillsUSA Kansas State Championships in April at Hutchinson Community College. He and 11 other first place finishers will compete in the national championship June 24-28 in Kansas City, Mo.

A free screening for children birth through 5-years-old will be May 19 at the Hillsboro United Methodist Church. Appointments will be available from 12:30 to 3 p.m.

Marion/Florence FFA chapter thanked parents, members, and businesses that had assisted them this year by serving smothered steak dinner to 130 people Thursday. Several members won Star Chapter and other awards.

Guests at Marion Wildlife Area at Marion Reservoir on May 31 can participate in free trap, air rifle, and archery shooting for a chance to enhance their shooting and safety skills. An instructor will teach safe and responsible shooting techniques.

Marion senior Alicia Maloney broke her own school record in the pole vault Friday at the Beloit Relays. She vaulted 10 feet, 4 inches to win the event. “She has always vaulted well at Beloit, and we look for her to continue to have fun,” head coach Grant Thierolf said.

There will be an opportunity to donate blood from 2:15 to 6:30 p.m. May 19 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Marion. To make an appointment or for more information, call (800) 733-2767 or visit http://www.redcrossblood.org.