PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

HEADLINES

Flag desecration prompts stricter regulations for cemetery
Because of the desecration of nine flags on the Avenue of Flags in Prairie Lawn Cemetery during Memorial Day weekend, the cemetery board has been in closer contact with Sheriff Rob Craft. Improved communication resulted in the tightening of some rules and regulations that govern the cemetery.
Peabody native will entertain Sunday
Peabody native Herschel Stroud will perform as part of the Sleepy Creek Concert Series in Santa Fe Park Sunday evening. The concert, which begins at 7 p.m., will feature the Rip Chords, a barbershop quartet from Topeka. The group has performed together since 1962 and is a Barbershop Harmony Society-registered quartet. Together they have more than 150 years of quartet singing experience.
Fire marshal to review county jail decision
The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office will review its declaration that Marion County Jail can only hold four inmates, County Attorney Susan Robson told commissioners Monday. She said the decision to review the case was based on architect Tony Rangel’s calculation that the upstairs of the jail should be allowed to hold 20 people including staff.
Donation puts lifesaving equipment in police cars
Three Peabody police patrol cars have lifesaving automated external defibrillators — AEDs — thanks to a $2,800 donation from Peabody Association of Churches. The pieces of equipment are used to shock a heart that is beating out of rhythm back into rhythm, said Steve Smith, Emergency Medical Services Director.
Valuable cattle shot by vandals
Lloyd Klassen, his son, Dale, and some of their neighbors are upset, and rightfully so. On Aug. 17 and 18, an employee of Klassen Dairy at Hillsboro found six injured pregnant Holstein heifers in a pasture southeast of Durham. The heifers were among the 90 head of cattle in the pasture.
Inconsistencies frustrate county
“The right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing”, Commissioner Dan Holub said, referring to personnel in the state fire marshal’s office. That was the consensus Aug. 18 when the county commission met in special session to discuss the jail dilemma.
Food bank continues to give after 25 years of service
Over 25 years with the Marion County Emergency Food Bank, coordinator Janet Bryant said that her greatest joy has been seeing the regular contributors and volunteers — people like Ed and Luke Siebert who give food almost every Monday. “We have people come in every week because they think it’s important,” Bryant said. “Those kind of people keep us going.”

DEATHS

Laura Branham
Laura Grace Branham, 77, of Peabody died Aug. 18 at Legacy Park, Peabody. She was born March 2, 1933, in Hennessee, Okla., to George F. and Elizabeth (Justice) Holm.
Thelma O’Dell
Thelma M. O’Dell, 99, died Aug. 24 at St. Luke Living Center, Marion. Services will be 1 p.m. Friday at Hillcrest Cemetery, Florence. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Zeiner Funeral Home, Florence.
Ginger Richter
Ginger Richter’s mother, Juanita Helmer, also is a survivor, along with Ginger’s children, Nicolas Toupin of Ponchas Springs, Colo., and Natali Toupin of Santa Rosa, Calif.; brother Galen of Marion; and sisters Greta Smith of Marion and Gena Brandt of Yankton, S.D. Ginger died Aug. 14. Her funeral was Friday at Marion County Lake Hall.

DOCKET

OPINION

Let’s hear it for teachers who love to teach
It was really refreshing when I went to Marion Elementary School last Wednesday to take pictures of students beginning another year. Parents were excited about their children’s new school year. Children were anxious, and mostly excited, about embarking on a new experience.
Hope in the Heartland
I keep a library on my desk. Often I carry that same library with me in my hand, in my book bag, on the passenger seat of my car, and other places. I have even been known to take the whole thing into a hospital when visiting a sick friend. I even tote it with me to my Sunday school class. Afterward, it goes with me to the worship service. I keep an identical library at home.
LETTERS:
Victim wants response from sheriff’s office, Undersheriff: Theft investigation is in progress, Taxpayer upset about customer service at transfer station, Transfer station director wants unloading policy

PEOPLE

96-year-old the best bowler at Legacy Park
Residents at Legacy Park in Peabody bowl every other Thursday at Peabody Lanes. The star of those trips has been 96-year-old Dorothy Whistler. “She’s a great bowler,” Legacy Park Human Resources Director Melissa Parmley said. “She bowled a 190.”
Visitors share history, donate photos to museum
Kent, Lynn, and Michelle Estabrook of Sacramento, Calif., visited Peabody last week. The family was searching for information about the E.F. Davison family. They brought heirlooms including their grandmother’s gym suit and photographs.
CORRESPONDENTS:
Ammeter, Burns, Wonsevu

SCHOOL

Drive carefully; school starts Monday
Students in USD 398 will head back to the classroom Monday to begin the 2010-11 school year. “I want to remind everyone to allow a few extra minutes to get where they are going in the mornings now that school is starting again,” Peabody Police Chief Bruce Burke said, “especially the first week when youngsters are excited to get back to school. They probably are not watching out for you so we want you to drive defensively and watch out for the children.”
School staff take on extra duties
School administrators and teachers in Hillsboro, Marion, and Peabody have taken on duties outside of their job descriptions as a result of budget cuts. “The job title gets to be longer each year,” USD 398 superintendent Rex Watson said.
Learning center offers flexibility to learners
The Marion County Learning Center offers flexible and unique curriculum options. A parenting class taught by Parents as Teachers counts as an elective credit.

SENIOR LIVING

Jewett finds fulfillment at senior center
Finding a purpose for living is important as people grow older. For Evelyn (Corey) Jewett, 84, of Marion, the answer lay in her involvement in Marion Senior Center.
Flowers therapeutic for Peabody resident
There are only a few inches of ground in the courtyard at Legacy Park that don’t feature colorful flowers. The garden includes coreopsis, geraniums, moss rose, morning glories, marigolds, zenias, and rose bushes, all planted by Esther Stuckey.
Hillsboro man continues New Testament translation
Retired pastor Bob Fenstermacher of Hillsboro has completed his translation of and exposition on Revelation in his effort to translate the entire New Testament from Greek. He has also completed his translation of 1 John. He is working on his exposition on the book. When he finishes with 1 John he will begin translating 2 John — naturally.
An invitation to all senior citizens
On Oct. 21, Senior Citizens of Marion County, Inc. will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a noon banquet at Marion Senior Center, 309 S. Third St., Marion. All current and former board members will receive special invitations. All other senior citizens age 60 and older are invited to attend for a $5 fee. Registration will be required.

SPORTS

Volleyball tournament is Saturday in Peabody
Peabody-Burns High School volleyball team will compete in the Peabody-Burns Round Robin Volleyball Tournament Saturday in Peabody. The Warriors will play at 9 a.m. against Hartford. They also will play against Central of Burden, Burlingame, Chase County, and Burrton high schools.

PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

Because of the desecration of nine flags on the Avenue of Flags in Prairie Lawn Cemetery during Memorial Day weekend, the cemetery board has been in closer contact with Sheriff Rob Craft. Improved communication resulted in the tightening of some rules and regulations that govern the cemetery.

Lloyd Klassen, his son, Dale, and some of their neighbors are upset, and rightfully so. On Aug. 17 and 18, an employee of Klassen Dairy at Hillsboro found six injured pregnant Holstein heifers in a pasture southeast of Durham. The heifers were among the 90 head of cattle in the pasture.

“The right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing”, Commissioner Dan Holub said, referring to personnel in the state fire marshal’s office. That was the consensus Aug. 18 when the county commission met in special session to discuss the jail dilemma.

Laura Grace Branham, 77, of Peabody died Aug. 18 at Legacy Park, Peabody. She was born March 2, 1933, in Hennessee, Okla., to George F. and Elizabeth (Justice) Holm.

Thelma M. O’Dell, 99, died Aug. 24 at St. Luke Living Center, Marion. Services will be 1 p.m. Friday at Hillcrest Cemetery, Florence. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Zeiner Funeral Home, Florence.

It was really refreshing when I went to Marion Elementary School last Wednesday to take pictures of students beginning another year. Parents were excited about their children’s new school year. Children were anxious, and mostly excited, about embarking on a new experience.

LETTERS:

Residents at Legacy Park in Peabody bowl every other Thursday at Peabody Lanes. The star of those trips has been 96-year-old Dorothy Whistler. “She’s a great bowler,” Legacy Park Human Resources Director Melissa Parmley said. “She bowled a 190.”

Kent, Lynn, and Michelle Estabrook of Sacramento, Calif., visited Peabody last week. The family was searching for information about the E.F. Davison family. They brought heirlooms including their grandmother’s gym suit and photographs.

CORRESPONDENTS:

School administrators and teachers in Hillsboro, Marion, and Peabody have taken on duties outside of their job descriptions as a result of budget cuts. “The job title gets to be longer each year,” USD 398 superintendent Rex Watson said.

The Marion County Learning Center offers flexible and unique curriculum options. A parenting class taught by Parents as Teachers counts as an elective credit.

Finding a purpose for living is important as people grow older. For Evelyn (Corey) Jewett, 84, of Marion, the answer lay in her involvement in Marion Senior Center.

There are only a few inches of ground in the courtyard at Legacy Park that don’t feature colorful flowers. The garden includes coreopsis, geraniums, moss rose, morning glories, marigolds, zenias, and rose bushes, all planted by Esther Stuckey.

Peabody-Burns High School volleyball team will compete in the Peabody-Burns Round Robin Volleyball Tournament Saturday in Peabody. The Warriors will play at 9 a.m. against Hartford. They also will play against Central of Burden, Burlingame, Chase County, and Burrton high schools.