PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

USD 398 makes 6th grade decision, twice

The USD 398 board of education voted Monday to have the sixth grade class at Peabody-Burns Elementary School return to the elementary school instead of staying at the junior/senior high school as previously planned, but then reversed that decision later in the evening. The board initially voted to move sixth grade to Peabody-Burns Elementary School, 4-3, with Bruce Burke, Glendon Parks, Shayla Clark, and Tony Zappone for the reversal and Julie Ensminger, Barry Peter, and Terry Eberhardt against it.

Peabody will charge vendors and campers

Peabody City Council adopted an ordinance Monday night to charge for vendor and camping fees at Peabody parks. In the past, the city has not charged vendors or campers to hook up to city utility connections at the parks. The city will require that vendors and campers register with the city clerk and pay a user fee at the rate of $5 per day or $100 per month.

Bus tour to visit interesting cemeteries

Memorial Day is the perfect time to visit any cemetery, but a special tour with knowledgeable speakers at each site provides insight into the lives of Marion County residents, or in some cases, people only passing through. Catlin Cemetery has a newly discovered group of graves of perhaps 13 children who died in an unknown epidemic about 1871.

Postal Service proposes open-hours cut

The U.S. Postal Service released a proposal last week to reduce the retail hours of about 13,000 post offices nationwide, including many in and around Marion County. The Postal Service had previously proposed closing many rural post offices. Post offices in Marion County that the Postal Service proposes reducing the hours of are:

Area graduation ceremonies listed

Marion and Goessel high schools have already had their commencement ceremonies for the 2011-12 school year, and this weekend the rest of the high schools in the county will send graduating seniors on their way with best wishes. Hillsboro High School

WWI painting to be rededicated

At 1 p.m. on May 26, an unusual event will take place at Peabody Township Library. A painting by an obscure and forgotten artist, depicting patriotic images and names of the men who served and died in World War I, will be re-dedicated in a ceremony on the lawn of the library. The painting, which has hung in the library for as long as anyone can remember, is an item of mystery. There does not seem to be any published story about it, no one has heard of the artist, and no one knows why it has long occupied a large section of the library wall.

El Dorado woman killed in rollover

An 18-year-old El Dorado woman died Friday as a result of a one-car rollover accident on U.S. 56/77, four miles north of the K-150 intersection. Brittany Graham was a passenger in a southbound 2001 Chevrolet Impala driven by Matthew Pitzer, 19, also of El Dorado.

Carroll Harder

Carroll Lee Harder, 75, died May 11, 2012, at HCA Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. He was born Aug. 19, 1936, in Newton to Herbert and Helen (Wuthrich) Harder. He was a master plumber and contractor with Harder Construction. He served on the Peabody Fire Department from the mid-1960s through 1980 and was fire chief from 1975 to 1980.

Perry R. Hudson

Perry R. Hudson, 93, of Herington died May 9, 2012, at Herington Municipal Hospital. He was born Nov. 26, 1918, in Parkerville to Franklin H. Sr. and Mabel M. (Roehrman) Hudson. He was a fuel foreman for the Rock Island Railroad in Herington. He was a member of Kansas Masonic Lodge No. 307, A.F. & A.M.; Kansas Chapter No. 73, R.A.M.; Herington Commandery No. 53 K.T.; ISIS Shrine; Esther Chapter No. 93, O.E.S.; and he held an Unlimited Card in the Masonic Lodge. He was also a member of the Brotherhood of the Maintenance of the Way.

Gene W. Johnson

Augusta —Gene W. Johnson, 75, retired structural engineer, passed away at home on Tuesday, May 8, 2012. Visitation with family was Friday, May 11, at Dunsford Funeral Home in Augusta. Funeral service was at the First Christian Church of Augusta, 1600 State Street on Saturday, May 12, 2012.

Roy J. Manka

Roy J. Manka, 81, died May 12, 2012, at Kansas Christian Home in Newton. He was born Aug. 3, 1930, in Peabody to Gilbert Arthur and Gladys (Burton) Manka. He married Betty McAlister on Feb. 14, 2001, in Peabody.

Ruby Pschigoda

Ruby Fern (Bliss) Pschigoda died May 11, 2012, at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. She was born June 14, 1920, near Tampa to Henry L. and Clara (Moot) Bliss. Her family moved around but always stayed in Dickinson and Marion counties. She attended country schools through the eighth grade.

Glenda G. Razor

Glenda G. Razor, beloved aunt, friend and teacher to thousands of students in Kansas and Santa Ana, Calif., has passed away. Born Sept. 15, 1936. in Hillsboro, Kan., died May 5, 2012, at home in Laguna Niguel, Calif., after complications of recurring illnesses. Glenda was preceded in death by her parents, Wilbur and Lola Razor; sister, Dolores; and nephew, Michael. She will be greatly missed by nieces, Teresa and Sandy; nephew, David; nine great-nieces and nephews; and eight great-great-nieces and nephews. Glenda will also be missed by her many friends, retired colleagues and fellow quilters.

Jon Dale Soyez

Jon Dale Soyez, 74, of Newton died May 7, 2012, at Newton Medical Center. He was born Sept. 21, 1937, in Marion to Emile and Grace (Sampson) Soyez. He was the eighth of eight children.

Accidents reported

Civil cases

County jail

Criminal cases

Deeds

Emergency dispatches

Hillsboro police report

Peabody municipal court

Lincolnville gardener likes raised beds

Darlene Carlson, 68, of rural Lincolnville has found a way to deal with the heavy clay soils that are common in this area. She has been using raised beds in her garden since she moved there in October 1993. She said 95 percent of the gardening she does is done with raised soil. She said the raised beds allow for better drainage and can be filled with lighter soil.

Klaassen family keeps busy mowing grass

Chances are, if the sun is shining (and even sometimes when it is not); Milford Klaassen of rural Hillsboro is out mowing. With dozens of customers to please, and jobs ranging in size from several acres to a few feet across, the JAMM family mowing company is a busy little business with a 25-year- history of good service in the area. “When we first started this, we had about 20 customers and wondered how we would ever get it all done,” Klaassen said. “Now I am usually going full blast from the first of April to the end of October. I am pretty much gone from dawn to dusk.”

Commission informed of narrow banding completion

Narrow banding for Marion County radios was completed this past week, Emergency Management Director Dan D’Albini told Marion County Commission on Monday. First Wireless Inc. reduced the wattage output on nearly 700 radios. Even though the original bid was only slated to cover 491 radios, the contractor did not require more than the projected $6,700 for the job.

Give yourself a refresher on park and lake

Late last week, I received a letter from Helen Beckham of Hesston, along with a fairly hefty packet of information about the history of Marion County Park and Lake, after she read my editorial, “On the subject of names.” Probably the most interesting item Beckham included was a letter dated March 10, 1939. The letter was from James Meisner, who designed and supervised construction of the lake in his role as county engineer, to Jerry Mullikin, the first park and lake superintendent. Meisner — who signed the letter as “Jimmy” Meisner — urged Mullikin to take very good care of his brainchild, not to cut corners in an effort to save a few pennies. He emphasized the importance of developing and keeping a reputation as a great place for families and children to visit.

Reporter makes weight-loss goal

At my weigh in Thursday, I (just barely) reached my weight-loss goal weight at 180 lbs. Like a rapper at the BET Awards, I’d like to give some shout outs. Props to Lucille Bitner and everyone at Taking Off Pounds Sensibly — you have provided me with a resource of accountability.

DAYS OF YORE:

HOPE IN THE HEARTLAND:

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

Farmers market vouchers delayed

The Senior Farmers Market vouchers have been delayed until the week of May 21. Eligibility requirements for vouchers are that recipients must be 60-years-old or older and have an income at or below 185 percent of the poverty guideline — individual income of $1,723 a month or $2,333 for a family of two.

Car seat specialist explains safety guides

The National Highway and Transportation Administration, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics recently announced new guidelines for parents to follow when strapping their children into car seats. Child passenger safety technician and maternal child care nurse Stephanie Regier spends three days each week training parents in car seat safety. She knows how important using a car seat properly can be. Regier, of rural Goessel, is a registered nurse at Newton Medical Center. A big part of her job is instructing new parents like Matthew Allen and Brittany Long of Hillsboro and Wichita, how to take their new daughter, Claire Pauline Allen, born on Mother’s Day, safely home.

Chat and Dine dinner small

Marion County Lake Chat and Dine Club gathered for a potluck Saturday at the lake hall. It was a smaller group than usual, because many regulars were busy with graduations in their families. Jackie Volbrecht of Marion County Circles of Hope was a guest speaker. She told the audience about Circles of Hope’s goals and methods to reduce poverty. She said the organization was preparing to sign a contract Monday, officially enrolling for training and curriculum.

CDDO meets Monday

The Board of Directors of the Harvey-Marion County Community Developmental Disability Organization will hold its regular monthly meeting at 4:30 p.m. Monday in the meeting room of its office at 500 N. Main St., Suite 204, in Newton. There will be opportunity for public forum.

Burns petting zoo makes Chingawassa plans

Every year, Chingawassa Days adds a few new attractions to go with returning favorites, and this year is no different. One of the new attractions for 2012 will be “Portable Pets,” a Burns-based petting zoo operated by Phillip Dill and Christine Reust. This will be the third season for Dill and Reust operating the petting zoo, which they relocated from Eureka.

Florence Chess Club meets Saturday

Florence Chess Club will meet from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at 726 Marion St., Florence — the old Catholic school across from the church. All ages and skill levels are welcome, and there is no cost. Former Kansas Chess Association President Rick Hodges will be present to give lessons. For more information, call Holly Pereillo at (316) 305-1780.

Painter loves watercolors

Artist Deborah Hanes-Nelson of Leonardville, formerly of Florence, spoke with visitors May 4 at Gallery 101 in Marion about her artwork. Hanes-Nelson only paints in watercolors. As a medium, watercolors are best known for very pale scenes, but they can make paintings that are as vibrant as any oil or acrylic painting, she said.

Keesling graduates from basic training

Air Force Airman Jerrad M. Keesling recently graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

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PBES teacher to retire

It’s no secret that being in charge of a room full of pre-schoolers or kindergartners takes a lot of patience, more than most people have. This spring, Peabody-Burns USD 398 will lose a teacher who — after 39 years of teaching the youngest age groups introduced to school — demonstrated an almost unbelievable amount of patience, love, and care to her to all of her pupils. Venita Loewen will retire after this year, passing on the classroom she has taught more than two generations.

Wiese sets track records at league

The Peabody-Burns High School track team competed Thursday at Goessel in the Wheat State League Championship. The girls team finished tied for fourth and Wiebke Wiese set two meet records with wins in the high jump and the 400-meter dash. The boys team finished sixth. REsults GIRLS 400-meter dash: 1. Wiebke Wiese, 1 minute, 4.2 seconds — meet record; 4. Kelsie Noble, 1:11.2. High jump: 1. Wiese, 4 feet, 10 inches — meet record. 200: 2. Wiese, 28.9; 5. Noble, 30.4. 3200: 4. Mackenzie Young, 15:08. 100 hurdles: 3. Paige Lewis, 18.4. 300 hurdles: 6. Lewis, 56.0. 4x400 relay: 3. Carlee Wentworth, Lewis, Noble, Wiese, 5:28.5. 4x800 relay: 3. Lewis, Young, Wentworth, Noble, 13:23.0. BOYS 110 hurdles: 2. Seth Topham, 16.5; 6. Zach Preheim, 18.7. 300 hurdles: 1. Topham, 44.4. High jump: 3. Topham, 5-8; 4. Braxton Kyle, 5-8. Discus: 2. Lucas Larsen, 119-6. Javelin: 5. Larsen, 130-11. Shot put: 5. Jayden Miller, 37-6.5. 4x100 relay 6. Michael George, Allen McLaughlin, Larsen, Martin Reich, 49.1. 4x400 relay: 2. Reich, Preheim, George, Topham, 3:51.30.

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