PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

E-communication brings parents, schools together

The days when teachers pinned notes for parents to children’s jackets or stuffed them in student backpacks is gone. Today those notes may reach parents before their children ever leave school, as Marion County districts embrace Internet-based tools to make communication with parents better and faster. Districts have scrambled to embrace rapidly-changing technology, weaving together websites, e-mail service, social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, streaming video, and smartphone apps.

KDOT repairing overpass

The U.S. 50 overpass at the north end of Peabody is being repaired this week. Work crews are replacing damaged concrete panels in the roadway, between mile markers 290 and 291, on the approach to either side of the overpass.

Emler wins State Senate race

Jay Scott Emler defeated Jesse Bryant in the Republican primary for the 35th District in the Kansas Senate. The preliminary totals were 6,682-2,432 in favor of Emler. Emler was the incumbent. Emler lives in Lindsborg, and Bryant lives in Galva. Emler won in Marion County, 769-408. Incumbent Don Schroeder was unopposed in the 74th District of the Kansas House of Representatives, which now includes southern Marion County, including Hillsboro.

DeLaVerne engine brings history to life

Jim Wiens of Goessel calls himself a stickler for punishment when it comes to involvement with Threshing Days and the work associated with planning and participating in the three-day Mennonite history celebration in Goessel each year. But there is no doubt that he loves to talk about his favorite engine on the grounds of Mennonite Heritage Agriculture and Engine Museum. “Every year I am so tired after this,” Wiens said. “I know I met myself at least five times coming in and out of the shed.”

Trees will likely pull through drought

Don’t start crafting a eulogy for ailing trees just yet. Kansas State University extension agent Rickey Roberts said they will probably survive even if the drought persists. That has not stopped people from worrying. Trees are beginning to shed their leaves way ahead of schedule. Wind row and domestic trees alike have been affected by the hot and dry weather.

Upland corn arrives at local elevators

Farmers began harvesting corn in upland fields around the county this week, with test weights below normal, but coming in nonetheless. “We’re pecking around some,” said Cooperative Grain & Supply Marion elevator manager Mike Thomas. “The upper fields are ready, but the test weights are not real good.”

Gordon Appleby

Gordon B. Appleby, 88, died Thursday at Green Acres Nursing Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., after several years of kidney disease. He was born Jan. 21, 1924, to Clyde L. and Edna (Bragunier) Appleby in Peabody, where he grew up and graduated from Peabody High School. He operated Gordon’s TV & Appliance from 1959 to 1999 in Oklahoma City.

Mary Cole Budde

Farm wife and homemaker Mary Cole Budde, 102, died July 31at Halstead. She was born Dec. 25, 1909, to Harry and Nellie Cole on their farm at Florence. After jobs as a housekeeper and briefly as a Harvey Girl in Dodge City, she married farmer Fred Budde and resided in rural Peabody from the 1930s. After Fred’s death, she married his widowed brother, Frank, in 1982. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Newton, and its women’s groups into her 90s.

Steve Eskeldson

Steven C. Eskeldson, 83, of Ramona died Saturday at the Medicalodges of Herington. He was born May 4, 1929, at Ramona to Stephen C. and Elizabeth (McRae) Eskeldson. He graduated from Ramona High School in 1947 and was a farmer and stockman. He married Myrna R. Brockmeier on March 27, 1960, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lyons Creek.

Earlene Hague

NEWTON — Earlene Hague, 84, formerly of Marion, passed away on Aug. 2, 2012, at Newton Medical Center. She was born April 19, 1928, at Haven, the daughter of Edward and Mildred (Beeton) Nicklaus. She was the former school board clerk and secretary to the superintendent of Marion USD 408. On June 16, 1946, she was united in marriage to Willard Hague, he preceded in her in death. She is lovingly survived by her children: Don and wife Beverly of Gering, Neb.; Dennis and wife Susan of Cedar Point; Roxanne and husband Conlee Mann of Livonia, Mich.; and Douglas and wife Kimberly of Benton; siblings: Edward and wife Rosalyn Nicklaus of Garden City and Delores and husband Robert Haag of Topeka; 10 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.

Herb Jackson

Retired teacher and pastor Herb L. Jackson, 81, of Marion died Friday at Peabody Care Center. An Air Force veteran, he married Joyce Tucker on Dec. 22, 1978, in Liberty, Mo., and the couple moved to Marion in the early 1990s.

Oliver Unruh

Oliver Unruh, 88, died July 31 at Salem Home, Hillsboro. He was born July 12, 1924, to Henry A. Unruh and Eva (Schmidt) Unruh, rural Durham.

Accidents

Civil cases

County jail

Criminal cases

Deeds

Emergency dispatches

Hillsboro police

Marriage lisences issued

Offenses reported

Traffic cases

County fair results listed

City approves 2013 budget

Peabody City Council approved its 2013 Monday night. In Mayor Larry Larsen’s absence, Council President Steve Rose conducted the meeting. City Administrator Mac Manning reviewed the budget before a dozen city employees and interested citizens. No one asked questions or expressed objections about the budget after Manning’s presentation.

Shop for the good stuff

There seems to be a push during every Christmas holiday season to encourage people to shop at home. Oh, shoot, what am I talking about? I ALWAYS use this column during the holiday season to encourage people to shop at home, right? Yup, I do. This past year, there were a number of people in the community, new to the shop-at-home mantra, who made a huge effort to keep their holiday season dollars in the community and did quite well with a little creative thinking about their gift giving. The local merchants were pleased to have the added sales and those of us who support local business were grateful as well. Several of the shoppers noted how easy it was to make the switch from big-box store or catalog shopping to local shopping. Good for them!

Make sure donations go to charity

The state attorney general’s office offers this advice for evaluating charitable solicitations: Ask for written information, including how much of the money raised is used for charitable purposes and how much will go to a professional fundraiser or to administrative expenses.

DAYS OF YORE:

Paddle boat races scheduled for Saturday

Legs will be furiously whirling north of the swimming beach at Marion County Lake for the first-ever paddle boat race 10 a.m. Saturday. “Everybody kept saying we should do paddle boat races,” race co-organizer Maggie Nichols said. “I talked to (lake supervisor) Steve Hudson, and he said, ‘You do it; I’ll back you.’”

Food group gives participants options

Chicken breast fillets, smoked pork chops, sausage links, kiwi fruit, oranges, cauliflower, and queso dippers were just a few of the selections in Christyn Schroeder’s pre-ordered food package last month from Prairie Land Foods. Every third Saturday, a group of 30 to 50 participants meets at the food building on the Marion County Fairgrounds in Hillsboro to unload and distribute food, and socialize a bit while carrying out their volunteer duties.

Stick horses part of Day on the Farm plan

Stick horse races for jockeys of all ages will be a new event Aug. 18 at Agri-Urban’s 16thannual Day on the Farm fundraising event. Participants in the new Willow Spring Downs Derby are encouraged to bring their own stick horses, but some additional ones will be available on site, at the farm of Carol Duerksen and Maynard Knepp, 1582 Falcon Road, rural Hillsboro.

Ramona resident wants pit bull ban

If Norma Bird-Wright has her way, Ramona will be the next city in Marion County to restrict ownership of certain breeds of dogs, specifically pit bulls and similar breeds. She is concerned about safety, especially for children in Ramona.

Blood donors needed

Three blood drives in Marion County will attempt to address what the American Red Cross describes as an emergency need for donations because of inhospitable weather. Donors 16 and older, who weigh at least 110 pounds, may schedule appointments for these drives by calling (800) 733-2767 or visiting http://redcrossblood.org:

Upcoming events listed

A day in the life of a highway sign holder

Roberto Gonzalez made sure he brandished the bright orange “SLOW” sign well above his head on Tuesday as the American-made truck barreled east toward the construction zone on K-150 near the Marion County line. He was lucky because this vehicle was slowing down. Some drivers won’t apply the brakes until they are 10 feet from Gonzalez and his sign. He cautiously walked out from the shoulder of the road to the yellow line separating the lanes. Usually the only reaction he gets from commuters is a glare from an impatient driver, or maybe a wayward cursing rant.

Kid quilter finishes in time for the fair

Trudy Hein of Hillsboro started working on her first quilt when she was 2-years-old. Now at the ripe old age of 6, she is an accomplished seamstress and the owner of the grand champion open class quilt at the 2012 Marion County Fair. “It was kinda hard to stitch it all together, especially when you have big pieces to work with,” Hein said on Tuesday. “My grandma helped me with the hard parts.”

CORRESPONDENTS:

Butler collects school supplies

Donations of supplies for classroom use in USD 408 schools are being accepted Monday through Friday at Butler Community College, 412 N. 2nd St., the Marion Chamber of Commerce Office in the city building, Carlsons’ Grocery, Marion Health Mart and Pharmacy, and Marion Presbyterian Church until Aug. 15. Crayons, pencils, washable markers, glue sticks, scissors, and notebook paper are suggested.

Tabor football plans win pre-season awards

Two Tabor College football players were among 32 athletes listed on the 2012 KCAC preseason all-conference team. Andy Curtis, a senior offensive lineman, from Altus, Okla., and Chris Sanborn, a senior defensive lineman from Pinellas Park, Fla., were included on the list chosen by KCAC head football coaches.

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