PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

Fifth St. repair draws Florence critics

Priorities, not pavement, took center stage Monday at a special city hall meeting in Florence intended to solicit public feedback about a proposed Fifth St. renovation. More than a dozen concerned citizens jammed the council meeting room to question how Florence could afford its half of the estimated $600,000 price tag, and argue that other issues, such as town blight and housing, should take precedence over the street repair.

Volleyball coaching assignments almost filled

By Tuesday morning, administrators at Peabody-Burns High School were breathing a bit easier about the approach of the fall sports season. After searching most of the summer for a volleyball coach for the high school team, athletic director Ray Savage announced Tuesday that a coach and assistant coach had been hired.

Primary election results

A total of 2,080 ballots were cast in Marion County for Tuesday’s primary election, for a 27 percent voter turnout. Of those votes, 1,863 were from registered Republicans.

Election workers dedicated to service

For Forrest Kelsey, 2014 marks 20 years of service to his country. His military time ended in 1952, but he still works long hours and has no problem giving orders. For a few days out of the year, anyway. “It’s hard to find poll workers, really,” Kelsey said. “And so once they get ahold of one, they pretty well hang on to him or her.”

County looks to hold line on taxes

County commissioners reviewed the proposed budget Thursday, reaching consensus that the mill levy for next year will remain the same. Increased property valuations will bring in $348,000 more tax revenue, but commissioner Randy Dallke questioned whether the windfall should be used to reduce overall expenses.

Prairieland Partners holds tillage event

A tractor and tent village materialized last week in Dennis Funk’s wheat field three miles east of Hillsboro on old US-56. John Deere dealer Prairieland Partners is conducting a tillage training and sales event Tuesday and today for staff and customers from all nine of their dealerships in central Kansas.

New reservoir campsites open

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers last week opened 23 new campsites in an expansion at Cottonwood Point campground at Marion Reservoir. The new sites feature water, sewer, and electrical hookups, and are available to walk-in campers until Oct. 31.

Results

Morris Engel

Former farmer Morris Engel, 79, died Friday at Valley View Professional Care Center in Junction City. Graveside services with military honors were Monday at St. John’s Cemetery near White City.

Carl Riggs

Former postmaster of 32 years Carl Eugene Riggs, 79, of Burns, died after a battle with cancer among family Saturday in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Viewing will be from 1 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Zeiner Funeral Home in Marion. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Burns United Methodist Church with interment following at Burns Cemetery.

Gayle Harvey

Restaurant manager Gayle Harvey, 49, died July 29 at her home in Hillsboro. Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church, pastor Brian Allen officiating.

Hannah Riffel

Former Tampa resident Hannah Marie Riffel, 79, died July 28 at Waterloo, Iowa. Services were Friday at St. John’s Lutheran Church, in Lincolnville. Burial followed at Lincolnville Cemetery. Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion, was in charge.

IN MEMORIAM:

Accidents reported

Civil division cases

County Jail arrests and bookings

Deeds recorded

Emergency dispatches

Fish and Game division cases

Police incident reports

Traffic division cases

Cooking 101

At a Peabody Historical Society board meeting Monday night I found it necessary to defend my lack of enthusiasm for providing food for community functions. Several years ago when I agreed to take a seat on the board I very plainly stated that a condition of my membership would be that I would not do food things. The committee members all are champion cooks and bakers and I know my own limitations. I would never fit in. I can do other things and told the group I certainly did not mind writing press releases, sorting historical detritus, or providing supplies and equipment from the wide variety of auction assets I own, but I simply do not cook or bake for the public. My friends and family will back me up. When it comes to kitchen talent, I am a menace to society.

Days of Yore

Traylee Woodruff, Peabody-Burns Junior High 7th grader, will sing the National Anthem at the Women’s Ranch Rodeo. Peabody Historical Society’s downtown walking tour will feature music that could have been heard 130 years ago.

Hodson nears end of practice

Marion physician Don Hodson will end his 32-year practice at St. Luke Medical Clinic on Aug. 29. Hodson thanked his patients for allowing him to provide for their health care needs.

80th birthday to be observed

Bill Robinson’s family will have an open house and card shower from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Florence Legion Hall for his 80th birthday. His birthday will be Aug. 6. Cards can be sent to 2335 110th St, Florence KS 66851. The family has requested no gifts.

Herb class slated

Italian food will be the focus of an herb workshop at 10 a.m. Aug. 14 and Aug. 16 at the Villa on the Prairie in Florence. Guests will learn to work with oregano, rosemary, and basil. Cost is $25.

Play games at lake Saturday

In addition to their monthly potluck dinner, Marion County Park and Lake Chat and Dine Club will have outdoor games to play at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the north shelter house. Members and guests can try their skills at horse shoes, ladder ball, and washers or bring their own outdoor game to share.

Couple celebrate 60th wedding anniversary

Residents are asked to help celebrate the 60th anniversary of Paul and Marilyn Miller from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 16 at the clubhouse at Maple Ridge Apartments in Hesston.

WONSEVU:

BURNS:

Hoopes tours the country by bike

Bob Hoopes finished his last bicycle ride in time to make it to yoga class Monday in Marion’s Central Park. Most people never would have started that ride, let alone finish it. The 74-year-old resident of Eastshore at Marion Reservoir had just returned from a three-week, 720-mile trek along the Great Divide bike trail, riding his bicycle with a BOB trailer in tow along dirt roads and mountain passes from Wyoming to New Mexico.

Retired couples make for friendly faces at campsites

For Jim and Judi Monsees, and their little dog Scruffy, Hillsboro Cove is more than a place like home. It is home, at least during camping season at Marion Reservoir. More accurately, their 40-foot recreational vehicle is their home. They sold their last house in 2001 and have been living the RV life ever since.

Couple migrates to where music is during winter

Although they don’t have wings, beaks, or feathers, Marion County snowbirds Maurice and Twila Pritz annually migrate to a warmer climate during winter months where Maurice sings and plays in regular jam sessions. “We go to Apache Junction in Arizona at Golden Vista Park,” Twila said. “Maurice loves the guitar. He sings and plays quite a bit of country western music in the jams there.”

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