By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

A salute to a warmly-remembered Peabody business owner will be part of an all-alumni event in conjunction with Peabody-Burns basketball games Jan. 17.

Dari Crème Snackburgers, burgers once served by Gladys Hart at her Dari Crème business across the highway from Peabody High School, will be sold at the concession stand during the basketball games.

“Gladys Hart had the Dari Crème in Peabody from the mid-50s until she passed with cancer in 1973,” Peabody alumni Marcia Sebree said. “Dari Crème was across the highway from the school. Kids would walk over for lunch.”

Sebree said Hart was an integral part of the lives of Peabody children.

“Gladys donated to the school, helped the kids in many ways and financed city park play equipment,” Sebree said.

“Peabody has a committee that is trying to update the park now. It is the Hart fund for the park. Gladys gave piano lessons, was a Sunday school teacher. She never had her own children but loved the kids of Peabody. She is so well thought of and everyone loved the Snackburgers. I was the last student she hired before she had to stop from the cancer. Agnes Stovall purchased the Dari Crème and ran it for a while.”

“A Warrior Welcome Home” also will feature special recognition of the Peabody 1963 Kansas state basketball team winners and the Burns 1953 Kansas class BB basketball team. The event will raise money for Peabody Burns cheerleaders, who won this year’s state competition, to attend cheer camp.

Denae Kyle, cheerleading sponsor, is coordinating the event. She is being assisted by Sebree, representing Peabody Historical Society.

Many of the Peabody 1963 team are attending the event, Sebree said.

“We are hoping that two of the Burns state team from 1953 will attend,” she said. “For them it will depend on health and weather.”

A display of Peabody and Burns memorabilia from the museums will be on display, including photos of past classes and an assortment of old uniforms.

The girls varsity game starts at 6 p.m. Peabody-Burns cheerleaders will perform routines throughout the game.

The boys varsity game follows the girls game. During the boys game halftime, a program will honor and remember the 1963 and 1953 winning teams.

Peabody/Burns High School items will be raffled to raise money for next summer’s cheer camp.

Game tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children.