Marion County RECORD

Facelift coming for Marion downtown

The last few days have been fun for Mayor Todd Heitschmidt, because he’s had good news to share about downtown Main St. After two prior applications were declined, city officials received word last week that $715,904 is coming from Kansas Department of Transportation for downtown revitalization between First and Fifth Sts.

Enseys to buy Elgin Hotel

The Elgin Hotel will begin a new chapter in its storied history this summer with new owners and a refreshed vision that includes expansion, enhancements, and collaboration. Jeremy and Tammy Ensey reached an agreement to purchase the Elgin from Jim and Nancy Cloutier. The Enseys envision a destination hotel and plan to incorporate special touches to make the Elgin a place people near and far want to visit time and again.

Puzzling pentagram found at lake

A circle-encased star discovered last week at Marion Reservoir, crafted from sticks and with candle stubs and melted wax at its center, offers only mystery as to its creator and purpose, but a local expert cautioned against jumping to conclusions. A pentagram about four feet in diameter was found April 13, laid out in the dirt of a lightly-used parking area in the woods where 210th Rd. dead ends at the west shore of the reservoir. Two days later it had been obliterated.

Rash of graffiti tags city, county property

A vandal known only by the graffiti tag “XAK” recently spray-painted city and county property with what may have been a twisted attempt at inspirational writing. Last week, Andrew Brunner, facilities committee chairman of Marion Parks and Recreation Department, noticed the message “Do what you love, slave,” scrawled across the top the East Park shelter house. The “o” in “love” was replaced by a heart symbol, and XAK was painted nearby.

Clean up yields curious finds

Marion’s citywide cleanup, which continues through this week, has brought some unusual things to the transfer station in past campaigns, but Bud Druse is hoping there won’t be a repeat of the most unusual deposit to date, a live skunk. Druse, director of the county transfer station, said the skunk surprised everyone — even the man who brought him in. Unbeknownst to the owner, the skunk had made a nest in a no-longer-used boat.

Banking runs in family for new VP

Banking was a natural career choice for Ryan Edmundson, new vice president at Marion National Bank. You might say he was raised for it. “I have quite a bit of family in banking all over the state,” he said.

Biologist brings wildlife back

Landowners who are interested in improving wild bird habitat on their property have at their disposal a biologist with the Natural Resources and Conservation Service who is ready and eager to help them. Allie Rath is a wildlife biologist who operates out of the Abilene USDA office. She works in nine counties, including Marion County, helping landowners and wildlife organizations like Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever establish and maintain habitat.

County commission riffs on road oil

With road work season fast approaching, county commission took time Monday to sort through the puzzle of what oil treatments would work best on county roads. Interim Road and Bridge director Jesse Hamm brought Ergon Inc. representative Larry Reddickin to inform the discussion.

Regional Christian band to play Chingawassa

Cloverton, a Manhattan-based contemporary Christian band, is scheduled to open for Chingawassa Days’ Friday night country headliner Lindsay Ell on June 3 in Marion Central Park. In 2011, Cloverton entered the Christian music scene as the first ever “Rock the Camp” contest winners hosted by TobyMac and Camp Electric, doing so without the help of a record label or outside investors.

Michael Blevins

Michael Blevins, 59, died April 13 in Marion. Family will announce funeral times at a later date.

Harvey Gaines

Harvey Gaines, 92, of Peabody, died April 10. Services were held Friday at Peabody Methodist Church, with inurnment following at Prairie Lawn Cemetery.

Lydia Hein

Lydia “Grannie” Hein, 87, died April 13 at Hillsboro Community Hospital. A memorial service was Monday at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church with interment at French Creek Cemetery.

Billie Hurtig

Billie Hurtig, 83, died April 12 at Salem Home in Hillsboro. She was born April 28, 1932, to Harold and Mabel (Ashley) Thornburgh at Council Grove.

Irene Werner

Irene Werner, 91, died April 13 at St. Luke Hospital and Living Center in Marion. She was born Dec. 31, 1924, to Joseph and Ivka (Naglich) Kos in McKees Rock, Pennsylvania. She married Frank Werner on April 27, 1946.

IN MEMORIAM:

Accidents reported

County jail

Deeds recorded

Emergency dispatches

Offenses reported

Police reports

Traffic division

Prom is old school for Good couple

Dancing to the theme “Diamonds are Forever,” Bob and JoAnn Good reminisced Saturday at the Marion High School prom about the time 50 years ago when they attended their first prom together. She was a freshman at Durham High School and he was a senior at Marion.

Many miles and countries to go before he rests

Many people harbor dreams of traveling to London, Paris, or Rome, but former Tabor College professor Richard Kyle has seen enough of them for one lifetime. Of the 31 trips he’s led for Tabor College students, 29 of them have been to Europe. Nevertheless, three years into retirement, the 77-year-old professor emeritus of religion and history is eager to expand his already-broad horizons.

Teacher accepted into Kansas Teacher's Hall of Fame

What student gets the chance to meet a U.S. president, Hawaiian princess, Greek philosopher, or German professor of theology face to face, not mention a whole cast of other historical characters? Goessel High School students have met them all through the dramatic teaching style one could characterize as the Wes Schmidt-Tieszen experience.

Falls prevention important

If there’s anyone in the county familiar with falls, it would be the people who respond when falls result in injuries. Ed Debesis, Marion County Emergency Medical Services director, said county medical crews have assisted with falls many times.

Let the good times roll

Given discussion of late about the county’s economic challenges, people in Marion should be positively giddy about recent developments both private and public that hold promise for a bright future. Monday’s announcement by Tammy and Jeremy Ensey that they intend to purchase and enhance operations of the Historic Elgin Hotel later this summer is but the most recent of good news on the downtown business front.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Calendar of Events

Bluestem Art Guild meets in Marion

Bluestem Art Guild met at Hilltop Manor at 2 p.m. Friday. Members are from Marion, Lyon, Chase, and Morris Counties. Each member brought a drawing of an evening sunset. The Schafers presented a lesson on how to create trees. Doris Gertsner of Emporia was hostess.

BIRTH:

MEMORIES:

SENIOR CENTER:

Burhoop retires after 34 years at Centre

In an unexpected move last week, Yvonne Burhoop submitted her resignation to Marion County Special Education Cooperative after 34 years as special education teacher at Centre. A teary-eyed Burhoop said Monday that she made the decision to retire a year early from teaching after she was informed her longtime volleyball coaching supplemental contract would not be renewed.

Cougars team up to curb bad choices

The Centre chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions is sponsoring “Decision Day” on April 27. It is the latest in a series of activities the chapter has conducted since its inception in 2014. There are 22 members this year. Decision Day will begin at 1:40 p.m., when Marissa Roberts will address a general assembly to relate a personal story about how her husband was killed by a distracted driver.

Girl Scouts collecting non-food items

Marion Junior Girl Scout Troop members working to earn their Bronze Award will conduct a non-food item collection for Marion County Resource Center through Saturday. “It’s the highest award for Juniors,” said Brenda Soyez, troop leader. “They have to put in 25 hours per girl. We made Christmas decorations for residents at the Living Center. We have volunteered at the food bank. While the girls did that, I had the girls look at what there was little of on the shelves. They noticed there were not many non-food items. The food bank director said that money donated goes to buy food.”

Centre students collect items for soldiers

Centre National Honor Society is sponsoring a community drive to collect items for care packages to be sent to soldiers in Ft. Riley’s Bravo Company while they are deployed. An earlier drive resulted in 15 boxes being sent right before Christmas.

Area school menus

Fire for Dreier means cash for kids

Marion Country Club will be swarming with people the first Saturday of May, some out swatting golf balls and others sitting around swapping stories, to raise money for scholarships for deserving Marion High School graduates. It’s all because a certain Warriors football coach once had an impact on his players that has endured long beyond their playing days.

Warriors place at Smokey Valley

Kristen Herzet turned in strong performances against tough competition Friday at Smoky Valley, claiming the lone Marion championship with a 129-feet, 8-inch throw in discus. Her discus is progressing well and she has made herself one of the top throwers in the state,” Coach Grant Thierolf said.

Basore throws farthest for Centre track

Centre’s Kate Basore finished first in javelin to lead all Centre competitors April 12 at Halstead. She had a throw of 120 feet, 4 inches. Carissa Shields scored with a fourth-place finish. The girls team finished fourth of six teams. The boys team finished fifth.

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