PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

HEADLINES

Algae warning extended, but it doesn't deter campers
Marion Reservoir's blue-green algae warning, in effect since June 26, was extended Thursday until July 17. Over Independence Day weekend, however, the warning did not stop patrons from filling all 53 campsites in Hillsboro Cove and about 49 sites at Cottonwood Point. “Hillsboro Cove was 100 percent full and Cedar Point was about 40 percent full,” acting lead ranger Melissa Bean said. “This is my first year at Marion, but the staff here has informed me visitation for this weekend is consistent with past years.”
Annual Peabody Fourth Fest a huge success
Organizers of the 93rd annual July Fourth celebration proclaimed the event a huge success Monday morning. “The button sales were great. We sold out again so we had more than 5,000 paid admissions,” committee member Lisa Hodges said. “We estimate a couple hundred more people in the park when you add in the volunteers, vendors, carnival people, children younger than 3, and probably a group or two that sneaked in.
July Fourth dog show enjoyed by many
Peabody American Legion Auxiliary’s annual dog show drew about 150 people. “Initially there were 20 entrants,” Auxiliary president Myrna Wood said, “but one poor dog was traumatized by the fireworks being shot off in the area and wouldn’t do anything.”
Motel bid barely over target
Nearly 30 people packed the parking lot Tuesday evening at the former Holiday Motel in Florence. Most were there to watch, but it was Dan Fletcher of Florence that took home the prize with a $7,000 bid on the hotel — with the county standing to lose as much as $30,000 in back taxes. The county set a minimum bid of $5,000, but auctioneer Lyle Leppke had trouble getting that amount at the start. After dropping the price as low as $1,000, a bidding war ensued.
1,094 without power for 2 hours
Power to 1,094 Marion County residences and businesses failed for two hours Friday because of equipment failure on one of several transmission lines serving the area, a Westar Energy spokesman said Tuesday. Last week Westar reported only 446 had been affected.
Tall corn good for farmers, not drivers
Tall corn at the corner of Kanza and 190th Rds. has turned an intersection “very dangerous” for drivers, road and bridge supervisor Jesse Hamm told commissioners Monday. After speaking with the property owner, Hamm was checking with the commission to make sure what protocol should be followed.
Knak returns to EMS post
After more than 22 years on the job and 11 years off, JoAnn Knak will fill in as Marion County EMS director. Her interim appointment comes after former director Steve Smith was relieved of duties June 30.
Six-month coughing spell baffles physicians
Gary Ewert of Marion has no choice other than to be a good loser when playing hide-and-seek these days. Chronic coughing that has plagued Ewert continuously for nearly six months has doctors baffled, but it’s a dead giveaway for his 4-year-old grandson, Kael.
Painting quilts is one woman's passion
She started with a simple painted design on a dog house, but rural Durham resident Joy Waldbauer has bigger plans for her newfound passion, painting quilt patterns on old barns and other farm buildings. “My goal is to do like 100 paintings,” Waldbauer said. A stroll around the farm she shares with her husband, Curtis Wedel, shows she’s off to a good start. Brightly colored painted quilt patterns adorn everything from a barn to an outhouse.
Worker shortage could close Goessel polling place
If additional workers for the Aug. 5 primary election cannot be found, county election officials may have no option but to close a normal polling place at the City Building in Goessel. County Clerk Tina Spencer, who also serves as election officer, is advertising for poll workers and asking city officials for help with recruiting.
Drivers ready for demo derby
Preparation for a demolition derby takes time, and Tyler Wildin is making the most of his. For the past two weeks, Wildin has used evening hours to ready his entry for competition in the derby July 26 at the county fair.
Retiree restores antique radios
Inside a workshop behind his Hillsboro home, Pete Klassen tunes Internet radio to music of the 1940s and ‘50s, while repairing radios made in the ‘40s and ‘50s. Outside of the workshop and within the same garage, Klassen has a hundred other antique radios, half of which are future projects while the rest serve as a radio salvage yard.
Program helps low-income residents pay for A/C
Low-income residents can receive assistance with utility bills to keep cool during hot summer months. The Low Income Energy Assistance Program, which provides annual benefits to qualifying households to pay costly winter utility bills, this year has been extended to help supplement summer cooling costs. To qualify residents must make less than $15,171 before taxes. For each additional person in the resident’s household, that income limit rises by $5,278. Residents who received payments in the winter automatically qualify. More information is available by calling (800) 432-0043.

DEATHS

Sarita Blosser
Sarita Blosser, 56, of Goessel, who cooked for AGAPE senior center in Goessel and North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging, died Thursday at Via Christi Hospital on St. Francis in Wichita. Services were Saturday at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. Jost Funeral Home was in charge.
Verna Epp
Retired USD 410 cook Verna Epp, 93, died June 30 at Parkside Homes, Hillsboro. Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Ebenfeld Mennonite Brethren Church. Pastor Lynn Jost will officiate.
Brittney Gallaway
Brittney Gallaway, 26, a former administrative assistant at Salem Home in Hillsboro, died July 4 at Rose Medical Center in Denver. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Parkview Mennonite Brethren Church in Hillsboro. The family will receive guests from 9 a.m. until noon at the church.
Dalton Hein
Dalton L. Hein, 87, a Hillsboro High School graduate and World War II veteran, died June 29 at Lowry Living Center in Denver, where he for many years had managed an auto repair shop. Inurnment will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver.
Stanley May
Former Marion restauranteur Stanley E. May, 66, died July 5 at Dole Veterans Administration Medical Center in Wichita. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 tonight at Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion. A private family graveside service is planned at Marion Cemetery.
Carolyn McGranor
Marion native Carolyn A. McGranor, 78, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, died July 2 at a hospital in nearby Leominster, Massachusetts. Private services and burial were planned in Marion. Brandon Funeral Home of Fitchburg was in charge of arrangements.
Cynthia Tajchman
Lincolnville homemaker Cynthia Dunlap Tajchman, 48, died July 1 at Harry Hynes Hospice in Wichita. A private service and visitation were Monday at Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion.
James Wiederstein
Former Marion resident and oilfield and refinery worker James Wiederstein, 84, of McPherson died July 6 at McPherson Hospital. A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Empire Cemetery, Galva. A memorial fund has been established with the American Legion Riders Chapter 24.
Howard Baker dies
Howard Baker, husband of former Sen. Nancy Kassebaum of Burdick, died June 26 in his hometown of Huntsville, Tennessee, after suffering a stroke. Baker was a long-time senator, serving as Senate majority leader from 1981 to 1985. He also was chief of staff for President Ronald Reagan in 1987 to 1988.

DOCKET

HEALTH

Life's different on other end of stethoscope
Her own health problems, including extensive surgery to remove a liver tumor, have given physician Paige Hatcher Dodson a new outlook on physician-patient relations. Back at work Monday at St. Luke Medical Clinic for her first whole work day since her surgery June 10, Dodson said it had been difficult for her to be a patient rather than a physician.
Elderly encouraged to be wary of heat
Older people, particularly with chronic medical conditions, are more susceptible to hyperthermia, an abnormally high body temperature. The National Institute on Aging recommends that they stay inside with air conditioning or a fan, drink plenty of fluids, and wear light clothing in hot weather. Hyperthermia is caused by failure of heat-regulating processes in the body. Symptoms include dizziness, cramps, and fatigue, and heat stroke.
Batterton to leave St. Luke clinic
Advanced practice registered nurse Melissa Batterton will soon be leaving her position at St. Luke Medical Clinic closing out two and half years at the clinic. Her last day will be July 17. “We wish Melissa and her family nothing but the best during the next phase of their life,” interim St. Luke CEO Jeremy Ensey said. “Her contributions to St. Luke and to our wonderful community are greatly appreciated. She will be deeply missed by St. Luke and her patients.”
$10 physicals set
St. Luke Medical Clinic, 537 S. Freeborn St., Marion, will provide $10 sports physicals from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday and donate proceeds to student athletes’ schools. Each student must have a form, available from the clinic or coaches, and the form must be signed by a parent.

OPINION

Saving your swimming pool
At last week’s city council meeting, Beth Peter, president of the Peabody-Burns Recreation Commission told the council that $20,000 had been set aside from the rec budget to help the city pay for repairs to the municipal swimming pool. How about that? Repairs to the swimming pool liner are estimated to cost $28,000. An additional $8,000 will be needed for a new pool cover before winter weather sets in. That is a grand total of $36,000 just to be able to open the doors in May 2015.
May I say this one more time?
I am sort of reluctant to write another column about the Fourth of July. I feel as if I have discussed just about every facet of the celebration. What more can I say? Well, it was another great day for Peabody, so I guess I can say, “Thank you!” Thanks for the hours of work that went into the creation of a day of great events and activities from dawn until well after dark, and thanks for creating a history of such shows to draw crowds of people who seemed to genuinely enjoy our community. It really does not get much better than that.
Days of Yore
Burns Café and Bakery celebrated nine years of business Saturday with a customer appreciation dinner. Edna Ewert celebrated her 100th birthday July 14.

PEOPLE

Retired teachers to be honored
Senior Citizens of Marion County is seeking nominations of retired teachers to be honored at the group’s annual meeting in October. Nominees must be at least 60 years old and live in Marion County. They may have taught here or elsewhere, at any public or private school or college. Forms are available at local senior centers, online at http://www.marioncoks.net/Portals/ks-marion/documents/Aging/teacher%20nominee2014.doc, or by calling (620) 382-3580. Deadline is Aug. 9.
Villa to sponsor herb workshops
Use of dill, lavender, and tarragon will be the subject of cooking workshops July 17 and 19 at Villa on the Prairie in Florence. The workshops are the latest in a monthly series presented by Karyn Woodward. Cost for each session is $25. Participants may register by calling Phoebe Janzen, (620) 382-4191.
Democrats look at list
Marion County Democratic Women checked a list of 1,025 registered county Democrats at their meeting June 27 at Marion Senior Center. Members packaged pasta for the Marion County Food Bank. Information about a possible 2015 Kansas Day performer will be given at the July meeting.
Chat and Dine to meet
Chat and Dine Club will sponsor its annual cookout potluck at 6:30 p.m. Saturdayat the east shelter house at Marion County Park and Lake. Burgers and hotdogs will be provided. Participants are being asked to bring a side dish.
Golf tournament to fight cancer
The Burdick Bunch Relay for Life team will have its annual golf tournament Aug. 9 at Herington Country Club. The event raises money for the American Cancer Society Included will be a four-person scramble and lunch. Cost is $45 per person.
Area students graduate, earn honors
Bethel Five Marion County students were included on Bethel College’s list of 2014 bachelor’s degree graduates released last week.
BURNS:
Family visits Marvin and Sherol Nightengale
WONSEVU:
Grandparents attend baseball games

PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

Peabody American Legion Auxiliary’s annual dog show drew about 150 people. “Initially there were 20 entrants,” Auxiliary president Myrna Wood said, “but one poor dog was traumatized by the fireworks being shot off in the area and wouldn’t do anything.”

Power to 1,094 Marion County residences and businesses failed for two hours Friday because of equipment failure on one of several transmission lines serving the area, a Westar Energy spokesman said Tuesday. Last week Westar reported only 446 had been affected.

Tall corn at the corner of Kanza and 190th Rds. has turned an intersection “very dangerous” for drivers, road and bridge supervisor Jesse Hamm told commissioners Monday. After speaking with the property owner, Hamm was checking with the commission to make sure what protocol should be followed.

After more than 22 years on the job and 11 years off, JoAnn Knak will fill in as Marion County EMS director. Her interim appointment comes after former director Steve Smith was relieved of duties June 30.

Gary Ewert of Marion has no choice other than to be a good loser when playing hide-and-seek these days. Chronic coughing that has plagued Ewert continuously for nearly six months has doctors baffled, but it’s a dead giveaway for his 4-year-old grandson, Kael.

Preparation for a demolition derby takes time, and Tyler Wildin is making the most of his. For the past two weeks, Wildin has used evening hours to ready his entry for competition in the derby July 26 at the county fair.

Sarita Blosser, 56, of Goessel, who cooked for AGAPE senior center in Goessel and North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging, died Thursday at Via Christi Hospital on St. Francis in Wichita. Services were Saturday at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. Jost Funeral Home was in charge.

Retired USD 410 cook Verna Epp, 93, died June 30 at Parkside Homes, Hillsboro. Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Ebenfeld Mennonite Brethren Church. Pastor Lynn Jost will officiate.

Brittney Gallaway, 26, a former administrative assistant at Salem Home in Hillsboro, died July 4 at Rose Medical Center in Denver. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Parkview Mennonite Brethren Church in Hillsboro. The family will receive guests from 9 a.m. until noon at the church.

Dalton L. Hein, 87, a Hillsboro High School graduate and World War II veteran, died June 29 at Lowry Living Center in Denver, where he for many years had managed an auto repair shop. Inurnment will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver.

Former Marion restauranteur Stanley E. May, 66, died July 5 at Dole Veterans Administration Medical Center in Wichita. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 tonight at Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion. A private family graveside service is planned at Marion Cemetery.

Marion native Carolyn A. McGranor, 78, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, died July 2 at a hospital in nearby Leominster, Massachusetts. Private services and burial were planned in Marion. Brandon Funeral Home of Fitchburg was in charge of arrangements.

Lincolnville homemaker Cynthia Dunlap Tajchman, 48, died July 1 at Harry Hynes Hospice in Wichita. A private service and visitation were Monday at Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion.

Former Marion resident and oilfield and refinery worker James Wiederstein, 84, of McPherson died July 6 at McPherson Hospital. A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Empire Cemetery, Galva. A memorial fund has been established with the American Legion Riders Chapter 24.

St. Luke Medical Clinic, 537 S. Freeborn St., Marion, will provide $10 sports physicals from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday and donate proceeds to student athletes’ schools. Each student must have a form, available from the clinic or coaches, and the form must be signed by a parent.

Burns Café and Bakery celebrated nine years of business Saturday with a customer appreciation dinner. Edna Ewert celebrated her 100th birthday July 14.

Marion County Democratic Women checked a list of 1,025 registered county Democrats at their meeting June 27 at Marion Senior Center. Members packaged pasta for the Marion County Food Bank. Information about a possible 2015 Kansas Day performer will be given at the July meeting.

Chat and Dine Club will sponsor its annual cookout potluck at 6:30 p.m. Saturdayat the east shelter house at Marion County Park and Lake. Burgers and hotdogs will be provided. Participants are being asked to bring a side dish.

The Burdick Bunch Relay for Life team will have its annual golf tournament Aug. 9 at Herington Country Club. The event raises money for the American Cancer Society Included will be a four-person scramble and lunch. Cost is $45 per person.

Bethel Five Marion County students were included on Bethel College’s list of 2014 bachelor’s degree graduates released last week.

BURNS:

WONSEVU: