15 YEARS AGO

OCT. 22, 2008

With the school district having built a performing arts center, most school-related activities now will be at that building, leaving the city auditorium without much use. Marion City Council gave permission Monday to study renovating the city auditorium to better use it.

Construction of a new shelter house at Central Park is near completion. Hett Construction of Marion was the general contractor and provided concrete work. Jack Boese of Marion did stonework. Dusty Hett Construction is doing carpentry. Money for the addition was provided through a memorial contribution.

A new three-ton sign, “Elgin House 1886” is in place on the Elgin Hotel. Dillis Owen of Wilsey, owner of Carved in Stone, carved the sign by hand. It is 23 feet 6 inches tall at its peak.

Elaine Ewert of Marion is pictured posing with her dog, Estelle. The boxer was the inspiration for Ewert’s newly published children’s book, “Estelle Wants to Fly.” She will be reading the book Saturday at Marion City Library and will autograph purchased copies.