Marion County RECORD

Test plot mirrors county fields: short and sparse

About 40 farmers turned out for a free breakfast and a tour of Kansas State Research and Extension’s test field Thursday. Farmers came from all over the county, but all noticed one thing: fields were shorter and sparser than average no matter what variety of seed was planted.

Carving dedicated to all soldiers, and one in particular

With Memorial Day approaching, Nanette Lowry of Marion has put up a statue to commemorate all soldiers who have been killed in action, but it isn’t a seasonal decoration to be put out at Memorial Day and Veterans Day. “I don’t ever want us to forget,” Lowry said.

Graduates reflect on past, prepare for futures ahead

Nine seniors who got straight As in high school shared a theme of memories, friendship, family, and ambition in the graduation address Saturday at Marion High School graduation. Caitlyn Maloney opened with “thank-yous” to all the friends and family in attendance and unable to attend for their support through the years. Lauren McLinden said Marion has been a beginning point, and a good one, for all of the senior class, and it will always be part of their history, even if they move somewhere far away.

County to buy grader

On a day with little action, the longest item of discussion Monday for county commissioners dealt with buying a new grader for the road department. With the trade-in of a 1995 grader in the department and a $35,100 six-month rental price, the total purchase price would be $106,760 in 2015. The grader would be used to run the county’s shoulder machine.

Genealogy is human stories, not just names and dates

Rosalie Schmidtberger of Marion has been studying her family’s history and genealogy for more than 25 years, and she thinks most people misunderstand what genealogy is about. “People have the wrong idea,” she said Monday. “They think it’s just names and dates. It isn’t.”

Weak market for upscale homes, agent tells MEDI

Real estate agent Lori Heerey told Marion Economic Development Inc. on Tuesday that homes priced at $150,000 or more aren’t selling well in town right now, and that there is a lot of demand for rental houses. Heerey said the demand for higher-end homes is not there because of tax bills. Houses between $75,000 and $125,000 sell the best, she said.

Dry cleaner irons the stars and stripes for veterans' funerals

In addition to pressing numerous shirts, pants, suits and dresses, as well as delivering laundry and doing clothing alterations, Donna Rosiere had time to iron the wrinkles out of an American flag on Thursday. The flag will be given to a deceased veteran’s family as part of a funeral. “We do it to honor any veteran who served in a conflict,” Rosiere said. “It looks nicer.”

Art and Music Stroll is June 1

Main St. Merchants gathered Monday to finalize plans for the Art and Music Stroll on June 1. More than 20 stops will be included on the stroll, beginning with Gallery 101 and including a new stop at Prairie Oaks Alpaca Shop featuring soft serve ice cream.

Trap, archery, and air rifle class offered

Residents can take safety classes for trap shooting, archery, and air rifles from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 31 at French Creek Cove at Marion Reservoir. The class is part of Quail Forever Youth Day and is for ages 8 to 16, and lunch will be served. For more information and to sign up, call (620) 732-3946.

Physicians clinics merging at St. Luke

St. Luke Physicians Clinic will have the same care and providers but under a new name as of June 2. It and Marion Family Physicians will join in a new clinic called St. Luke Medical Clinic located at 537 S. Freeborn St.

Scam impersonates postal service

The Postal Service is warning customers of a recent scam that seems to be gaining popularity. Scammers are sending people fake emails claiming a package is awaiting them at the post office because it failed to be delivered or payment for postage is requested. The e-mail provides a link customers are requested to click to print a new label for their package. Once the link is opened, a virus is downloaded to the customer’s computer.

County added to disaster list

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has updated the drought disaster list this week to include Marion County. The declaration means low-interest emergency loans are available through the USDA Farm Service Agency. County farmers have eight months to apply for loans to help cover part of their losses due to drought conditions. For more information contact the local FSA office or visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov.

Vernon Friesen

Vernon W. Friesen, 85, died Sunday at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. He was born Aug. 9, 1928, to Jesse and Lydia (Wiens) Friesen at Ingalls. He is survived by his wife, Rachel Friesen of Hillsboro; two sons, Terryl of Arlington, Texas, and Donnel of Lenexa; two daughters, Sarita Blosser of Goessel and Jody Heizelman of Lindsborg; three brothers, Orval of Freemont, Calif., Norman of Shafter, Calif, and Andy of Wichita; a sister, Arlene Dahl of Maple Grove, Minn.; and 10 grandchildren.

James Guthrie

A memorial service for James “Jim” Guthrie will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Peabody United Methodist Church. He was born Feb. 26, 1937, in Peabody and died Jan. 12 in Silver Springs, Md.

Jerry Myers

Jerry Dean Myers, 75, of Hillsboro died Sunday at Newton Medical Center. He was born April 6, 1939, to Edwin and Delores (Spunaugle) Myers in El Dorado. He is survived by his son, Michael Myers of Marion; two daughters, Michele Carlson of Wichita and Melissa Kruse of Marion; two brothers, Gary Myers of Pratt and Michael Myers of McPherson; and five grandchildren.

Eileen Nickles

Eileen K. Nickles, 54, of Hillsboro died Friday at Via Christi-St. Francis in Wichita. She was born April 22, 1960, to Ralph and Margaret (Unruh) Funk at Goessel. She is survived by her mother, Margaret Funk of rural Hillsboro; four sons, M. Michael Nickles of Wichita, Jeremy Lee Nickles-Owen of Barton County, Nicholas C. Nickles of Wichita, and Jacob Isaac Nickles of Topeka; two daughters, Angela Nicole Nickles of Wichita and Valerie Eileen Nickles; two brothers, Melvin Funk of Pueblo, Colo., and Vernon Funk of Lehigh; three sisters, Carol Houdyshell of Wichita, Linda Funk of Wichita, and Annette King of Hillsboro; and eight grandchildren.

Lorene Whitcomb

Lorene May Whitcomb, 93, of Marquette died Saturday. She was born March 14, 1921, to Dean and Letha (Cunningham) Morgan in Elkhart. She married Warren Whitcomb on Aug. 21, 1940, in Cottonwood Falls. He preceded her in death in 1976. She was also preceded in death by her sons, Leroy Whitcomb and Randall Louis.

IN MEMORIAM:

Accidents reported

County Jail arrests and bookings

Deeds recorded

Emergency dispatches

Marriage licenses issued

Offenses reported

Police incident reports

Florence library to repair windows

A little extra money can go a long way, and Florence Public librarian Ali Johnson hopes the $1,000 grant from the Florence Community Foundation will be enough to finish repairing the library’s old and ailing windows. The grant was awarded to the library at Monday’s Florence City Council meeting.

Volunteers hope new patio brings fun and shade

Guests of the Harvey House Museum in Florence often visit to tour its inside, but now an outdoor space can also be enjoyed despite the hot summer sun. Last week a two-man crew consisting of George Grimmett Jr. and his son, Tyson, finished a roofed patio to enclose the current bricked patio.

Old and new materials used in playground project

When childcare provider Michelle Regnier approached construction technology teacher Lucas King about building a new playground for Sunshine Country Preschool, she never expected it would grow so large. “I had plans for him to just build one from scratch,” Regnier said. “He took the design and just ran with it.”

County not underpaying, others are overpaying

Earlier this month, a consultant told the county commission that county workers receive about 9 percent less pay on average than their peers at comparable counties. The recommendation was to spend about $189,000 more a year to bring county salaries and wages in line with comparable counties. The implication was that Marion County underpays its workers, and badly. If that were the case, though, you would think the county would have a lot of trouble hiring workers away from private businesses, and private businesses would be hiring workers away from the county left and right. Plainly put, that isn’t the case.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

Safe driving class offered

A smart driving class will be offered at the Peabody Senior Center from 1 to 5 p.m. June 2 and 3. The class is for all licensed drivers. No driving is required to complete the course.

SAL squadron re-established

American Legion Post 22 re-established its Sons of the American Legion squadron with the installation of officers May 14, with state Cmdr. Douglas Evans present. David Schneider was elected commander; Richard Soyez, vice commander; Gary Chaput, adjutant; Marlin Buchholz, finance officer; Alex “Casey” Case, sergeant-at-arms; and Roger Hannaford, chaplain.

Rudolphs celebrate 50th anniversary

The children of Jimmy and Rosalie (Stika) Rudolph are inviting friends to help celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a dance at 8:30 p.m. June 7 at Pilsen Community Center. Jimmy and Rosalie were married June 6, 1964, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Pilsen. Together they have five children, Randall and Annette who died as infants, Deb Steward, Tracy Rudolph, and Wendy Funk; and several grandchildren.

Marion grad completes master's

Lauren Helmer, a 2008 Marion High School graduate, completed her master’s degree in social work Friday at the University of Kansas. She has accepted a position as therapist in Kansas City, Mo. Darin and Jan Helmer are her parents.

Fall prevention class is June 2

A fall prevention class will begin June 2 at Indian Guide Terrace Apartments in Peabody. From 2 to 4 p.m. for eight weeks, participants will learn to help control their falls, exercises to help improve balance, flexibility, and strength, and changes to reduce fall risks.

Kiwanis plans pancake feed

Marion Kiwanis members signed up Tuesday for their times to work at the Chingawassa Days pancake feed on June 7. Club president Mackey Taylor reported that Circles of Hope thanked the club for providing a meal for a meeting and asked if Kiwanis could do so again. The club agreed to try to find a date in June that would work.

Rebecca Savage married

Rebecca Savage and Brett Alstatt married April 12 at First Presbyterian Church in Hays in a ceremony officiated by the Rev. Carl Helm. The bride was escorted by her father, Rex Savage of Florence. Her honor attendants were her sister, Jennifer Allenbach, and friend, Savanna Crow. Kristin Alstatt, sister of the groom, and Ashley Jenson, friend of the bride, were her attendants.

MARION SENIOR CENTER:

MEMORIES:

On to state: Warriors walk off in regionals

The Marion baseball team defeated Wichita Collegiate and Wichita Independent on Tuesday to advance to the 3A state baseball tournament, winning both games by walk-off in the seventh inning, 2-1 against Collegiate in the semifinals and 3-2 against Independent in the championship. The Marion regional was arguably the toughest in 3A with Marion, Independent, Collegiate, and Sedgwick, who entered the postseason with one loss — to Marion.

Marion track teams take 2nd in league

The Marion High School track and field teams both took second place in the Heart of America League meet Friday in Marion. “The HOA is a very competitive track and field league and if we catch a break here or there, we might have been able to pull out a championship,” coach Grant Thierolf said.

Softball season ends at regionals

The Marion softball team lost in the regional quarterfinals Monday to Trinity Catholic of Hutchinson, 8-7, to end the season. The Warriors compiled several highlights in the game, though. Marion got on the scoreboard first with a two-run double by Megan Richmond in the top of the first inning, taking a 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the inning, the defense made a highlight reel play when catcher Paige May picked a Celtic runner off first base, resulting in a rundown. Shelby Felvus made the tag near first base.

Ty Simons, Shelby Makovec place 1st at league track meet

Ty Simons and Shelby Makovec led their teammates Thursday at the Wheat State League track meet at Goessel, with first place finishes. Simons placed first in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 15.8 seconds. Makovec placed first in the 3,200-meter run with a time of 13 minutes, 13 seconds.

Centre finishes 4th of 8 teams at regional golf

The Centre High School golf team ended the season Monday with a fourth place finish at the regional tournament at Herington. Centre was the tournament host. The top three finishers qualified for the state tournament. They were Centralia, Baileyville B&B, and Blue Rapids-Valley Heights.

8th-grade track teams win league

Marion athletes left their mark as champions May 13 at the Heart of America League middle school track meet. The eighth grade boys and girls both won their divisions while the seventh grade girls’ and boys’ teams placed third and fourth in their respective divisions.

Marion Elementary students compete at field day

Marion kindergarten through second grade students competed in a number of events Thursday morning at the football stadium. “They are competing in a number of events this morning like the 100-meter dash, tennis ball throw and long jump,” physical education teacher and event organizer Nicki Case said Thursday. “Once the kids are done with their events, we have some other fun things, like a parachute and Frisbee golf, for them to play with in their extra time.”

Mueller, Riffel, and Hill named chapter stars

At least 132 members and guests attended the annual FFA banquet May 14 at Centre High School. Chad Mueller of Tampa received the chapter star farmer award and chapter and district proficiency awards for his involvement in dairy and beef production. He raises and shows dairy heifers and beef cows. He plans to expand his operation in the future.

Band surprises Barlow with lightsaber

The Marion High School pops concert featured a number of instrumental and choral solos as well as group pieces and a few unexpected and amusing moments. Before the high school band’s last number, Alicia Maloney, her sister Caitlyn Maloney, and Christian Czarnowsky, expressed their gratitude to band director Chris Barlow on behalf of the band.

Readers send principal to the roof

The Marion Elementary School student body teamed up to send Principal Justin Wasmuth to the school’s roof on Monday by collectively reading more than 20,000 minutes last week during the annual nationwide event and reading celebration, Children’s Book Week. “I set the schoolwide goal 20,000 minutes for the kids to reach by Friday,” librarian Lori Kirkpatrick said. “They read 24,148 minutes. We’re a school of readers!”

Never a dull moment for state FFA officer

The past year has been a busy one for 2013 Centre graduate Carrie Carlson. After serving as president of the Centre FFA chapter, she was selected as the state FFA vice president at the state convention last May. Her one-year term will end May 31 when a new officer will be installed in her place.

New members inducted into National Honor Society

Conner Montgomery, Ally Basore, Abigail Svoboda, Cassie Thompson, and Kristin Vinduska were inducted May 13 into the Centre High School chapter of the National Honor Society. The induction ceremony was the opening segment of an evening that highlighted students’ achievements in academics and athletics.

Former teachers instruct Centre graduates to pursue goals with character

Retired teachers Stan and Deb Wiles of Ramona were speakers at the Sunday commencement at Centre High School. They reminisced about their time at Centre, Stan as a physical education teacher, and Deb as a junior high science teacher.

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