30 years ago

MARCH 13, 1996

Marion County commissioners will open bids May 1 for courthouse improvements including an elevator, courtroom renovations, and a new electric system.

An article on the front page tells about Western Associates marking its 40th anniversary this year. The late John Crofoot turned two orange crates of papers into the business. In the past 40 years, it has grown into a multimillion-dollar advertising specialty business. Crofoot retired in 1987 to let sons Jim and Dave take over.

Nearly 50 miniature quilts will be auctioned Saturday at the annual Hillsboro Smoked Sausage Festival. Made by members of the Country Stitchers Quilters Guild, they will be displayed beginning Friday evening.

Marion High School’s forensics team won first place Saturday at Herington. Those receiving first-place medals were Courtney Goering, Jenny Groening, Gabrielle Longhofer, Amanda May, and Natali Toupin.

Ella Winter has been named Hilltop resident of the month. She moved to Hilltop Manor in 1978 and was employed by the Marion school district for 25 years as a cook. She also worked evenings at Marion Manor from the time it opened until she retired in 1980.

Girl Scouts Jillyan Berg, Kylie Hardey, Lynn Hess, and Johsie Reid are pictured as they offer door-to-door Girl Scout cookie sales to drivers Saturday. Cold weather didn’t keep them from drumming up sales from passers-by.

Student of the month at Centre Junior High School is Natasha Jean Prine, daughter of Robert and Marianne Prine of Tampa. Natasha would like to attend UCLA and become a basketball coach or an oceanographer.