PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

Students participate in food drive

USD 398 students are gathering non-perishable food and personal care items for distribution by the Association of churches in time for Christmas. Students at both the elementary school and the junior-senior high school began bringing items to their classrooms on Friday. The drive will continue until December 14.

Florence library raises funds for new computers

Alice Johnson took the job as Florence’s librarian in March because she loves books — she said that was her singular qualification. She identifies with library regular Betty Fetrow. At 90, Fetrow will stop in at the library once a week and take at least five books off the shelves — sometimes it’s as many as eight novels. She reads them all in one week’s time and returns like clockwork each week, hungry for more. Occasionally Fetrow will ask if Johnson has read a particular book, to which Johnson usually responds, “No but you said it was good.”

Legion national officer to visit Marion

Marion American Legion Post 22 will host National Vice Commander Glenn Hickman on his three-day tour of Kansas with a reception at 3:15 p.m. Dec. 12 at the American Legion Post 22, 424 E. Main St., Marion American Legion Members, guests, and the public are invited to hear Hickman speak on Legion programs and issues concerning veterans and the nation. Hickman is a U.S. Air Force veteran from Grove City, Ohio. He is a life member of Post 1 in Columbus, Ohio. He previously served as department commander in Ohio and has been an active volunteer at the Chalmers P. Wylie VA Ambulatory Care Center in Columbus since 1985.

Visit Santa at Marion library Saturday

Santa will be at Marion City Library from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Children may visit Santa and then make a Christmas ornament in the library. Children may write letters to Santa and drop them off in the library mailbox. Santa will write a letter back. Letters must be received by Dec. 12.

John Leroy 'JB' Bloomer

John Leroy “JB” Bloomer was called home to Heaven on Dec. 3, 2012. He was born to Henry and Caroline Bloomer on April 6, 1936, in Florence, Kan. He was raised in Peabody, Kan., until he joined the Army in January 1955, returning home in December 1956. He married Cora (Clithero) Bloomer on Dec. 19, 1958. The same year he started J.B.’s Repair as the owner/operator. In 1980, he started at the Farmer’s Grain Coop as a mechanic and millwright until his retirement in April 2001.

Nova Louise Bruner

Nova Louise Bruner, 75, of Marion died Nov. 27. She was born Oct. 29, 1937, in Marion to Floyd and Velma Bogart Bredemeier. She attended Marion schools and was a Marion High School graduate with the class of 1955. She married Merle Bruner on Feb. 12, 1956.

Myrna R. Eskeldson

Myrna R. Eskeldson, 75, of Ramona, died Monday at Herington Municipal Hospital. She was born Aug. 10, 1937, to Martin F. and Martha E. (Krause) Brockmeier at their home west of Herington. She was a homemaker. She graduated from Hope High School in 1955. She was a dental hygienist until 1960 and later worked part-time in the Ramona Post Office. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ramona.

Gerald D. 'Jerry' Harp

Gerald D. “Jerry” Harp, retired mortician and past owner of Thompson-Harp Funeral Home in Marion, Kan., passed away Nov. 30, 2012, at the age of 88. Born in Penalosa, Kan., on April 29, 1924, he was the son of Ralph and Myrtle (Hurty) Harp. He spent most of his youth living in Wichita with his parents and brother Ronald and sister Joanne. He was a 1942 graduate of Wichita North High School. He attended Kansas State University and then the University of Kansas.

Ronnie L. Knott

Ronnie L. Knott, 57, died Monday at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. He was born Oct. 9, 1955, in Newton to Robert and Edith (McCann) Knott. He was a graduate of Hesston High School and worked as a carpet and flooring installer.

Robert E. Muhlig Jr.

Robert E. “Bobby” Muhlig Jr., 48, of Herington, died Thursday at his home. He was born Aug. 26, 1964, to Robert Sr. and Judy (Catlin) Muhlig in Manhattan. He was a lifelong resident of Herington and graduated from Herington High School in 1982. He was a supervisor for Hamm’s Quarries for more than 25 years. He loved hunting, fishing, archery, motorcycle riding, and spending time with family and friends.

Accidents reported

Civil cases

County jail

Criminal cases

Deeds

Emergency dispatches

Fish and Game

Offenses

Peabody police report

County gives raises, bonuses

Marion County Commission approved bonuses and merit-based raises for full-time county employees on Friday. Every full-time employee is to receive a $100 year-end bonus, and every full-time employee whose evaluation determined they met expectations will receive a 1 percent pay raise, effective Dec. 21. Marion County has 102 full-time employees, County Clerk Carol Maggard said.

You are a generous community

Times are tough. They are tough for individuals, families, organizations, and even public entities like cities, counties, and school districts. Every organization seems to be crying the blues and it appears there simply will never be enough money to go around. It is possible that is a correct assessment of our lives in the coming years. Or maybe all that gloom and doom will not pan out … hmmm. Oddly enough, there have been quite a few benefit events in Peabody during the past 11 months and many of them have raised significant funds. It always amazes me how generous you people are. By my calculations, more than $150,000 has been donated to local non-profits, needy individuals, and community institutions. By no means am I privy to all the checks written to support local charitable giving, but I do know of some and I think Peabody people do quite well by their community.

Season of giving continues

Our drive to find families, individuals, or organizations in need of help picked up steam this week, as we received 10 nominations for Hoch Publishing Company’s $1,000 Christmas donation. It’s becoming obvious already that there are plenty of worthy causes in Marion County to help, so for the next week Hoch Publishing Company will add $10 to the donation for every new or renewed subscription to the Marion County Record, Hillsboro Star-Journal, or Peabody Gazette-Bulletin. A theme continued from last week’s nominations are families going through hard times because of job loss, either because of health issues or the economy. Marlene Herzet of Hillsboro nominated a family in which the husband lost his job after a fall worsened a preexisting health problem last year. The husband has found work since then, but the pay isn’t as good, and he undergoes treatment for the worsened health problem.

DAYS OF YORE:

Live farm Nativity is Dec. 15 and 16

Tabor Mennonite Youth Fellowship will have a live Nativity scene with actual farm animals, Night in the Barn, from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 15 and 16 in the barn of Maynard Knepp and Carol Duerksen. The come-and-go event will include perspectives from the innkeeper and a shepherd, as well as Christmas carols. There will be a bonfire guests can gather around and hot drinks. Donations to the youth group will be accepted.

A.G. Schmidt advises people to 'give wisely'

Thousands of charitable organizations are registered in Kansas, and many of them rely on the generosity of Kansans during the holiday season. Legitimate charities engage in a wide variety of important work that helps our communities stay vibrant and strong. Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has sent out a message warning people that scammers are out there who may appear to be non-profit organizations but whose real purpose is to take advantage of their generosity.

Dirksen gets Kenya for Christmas

Sierra Dirksen, a 20-year-old college student from rural Goessel, left her heart in Kenya when she went to serve as a teacher among poverty-stricken children. She went to Africa in the summer of 2011 with the Children and Youth Empowerment Center in Nyeri. She plans to spend winter break following her heart back to service in Nyeri, leaving Dec. 15 and returning Jan. 15. “My time there in 2011 was absolutely amazing,” Dirksen said Tuesday, as she finalized packing lists and hurried to get immunizations for her international trip. “I expected to enjoy service, but I had no idea how it would affect me. I went there to work as a teacher, but ended up working with the children, establishing relationships with them and finding ways to break the cycle of violence and drugs they were caught in on the streets.”

Shepherd's Shed is about giving

Shepherd’s Shed, 900 E. Main St., Marion is a clothing charity. Men can come into the store and pickup a suit or other dress clothes for a necessary job interview on Wednesdays. Some mothers will shop for their entire family, for six children. However, Shepherd’s Shed founder Robin Dicks provides more than just a new pair of jeans. On the signup sheet in the front of the store there are slots for name, family members, shopping for, and a blank asking if they want Dicks to pray for them. Dicks has set aside an area with two chairs where she prays with clients.

Chiropractor learned firsthand

Dr. Lane Smith opened his chiropractic office, Smith Chiropractic & Acupuncture, Nov. 5 in downtown Marion, but the path that led him to the office began when he was in high school. Smith injured himself playing football and lifting weights when he was in high school.

CORRESPONDENTS:

Child screening is Tuesday in Florence

A free screening for children birth through 5-years-old will be Tuesday at the Christian Church, 334 W. 5th St., Florence. Appointments will be available from 12:30 to 3 p.m. At the screening, development will be checked in learning, motor, language, and social areas. Vision and hearing will also be screened. This process usually takes at least one hour for a child to complete. All children are welcome, but an appointment is necessary.

Warrior boys win by 11

Peabody-Burns High School boys’ basketball team opened the 2012-13 season with a victory on Friday at Chase County. The Warriors defeated the Bulldogs, 45-34. Up next for the team is a three-game appearance at the Marion Classic that started Tuesday in Marion. PBHS had the 2-point edge in the first quarter, leading 11-9 at the buzzer. Seth Topham led the first quarter scoring with 4 points. Christian Gard added a 3-pointer. Tommy Morris and Hunter Pickens each had a basket.

PBHS girls drop first game

The 2012-13 Peabody-Burns High School girls’ basketball season opened Friday at Chase County. PBHS lost to the Bulldogs, 43-20. The team will participate next in the Marion Classic Tournament. Games began Tuesday and will continue Thursday and Saturday in Marion. Paige Lewis scored 4 points for the Warriors in the first quarter. Chase County put in five 2-point baskets and two free throws. PBHS trailed 12-4 at the end of the period.

Warrior girls beat Marion

Peabody-Burns High School forward Brandee Burnett hit the winning 3-pointer for the Warrior girls with under a minute to play Tuesday against Marion in Marion. PBHS won the game, 31-25. Burnett lined up the shot with an assist from teammate Paige Lewis, who secured the rebound following a helpful tip from center Rayna Barnes. The PBHS defense then forced Marion guard Katey Ehrlich to dribble out of bounds. Burnett hit three free throws to ice the victory. She was the high scorer for the Warriors with 12 points. She also had 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and the championship belt the team manager awards the best player for Peabody-Burns.

Students participate in food drive

USD 398 students are gathering non-perishable food and personal care items for distribution by the Association of churches in time for Christmas. Students at both the elementary school and the junior-senior high school began bringing items to their classrooms on Friday. The drive will continue until December 14.

Florence library raises funds for new computers

Alice Johnson took the job as Florence’s librarian in March because she loves books — she said that was her singular qualification. She identifies with library regular Betty Fetrow. At 90, Fetrow will stop in at the library once a week and take at least five books off the shelves — sometimes it’s as many as eight novels. She reads them all in one week’s time and returns like clockwork each week, hungry for more. Occasionally Fetrow will ask if Johnson has read a particular book, to which Johnson usually responds, “No but you said it was good.”

Legion national officer to visit Marion

Marion American Legion Post 22 will host National Vice Commander Glenn Hickman on his three-day tour of Kansas with a reception at 3:15 p.m. Dec. 12 at the American Legion Post 22, 424 E. Main St., Marion American Legion Members, guests, and the public are invited to hear Hickman speak on Legion programs and issues concerning veterans and the nation. Hickman is a U.S. Air Force veteran from Grove City, Ohio. He is a life member of Post 1 in Columbus, Ohio. He previously served as department commander in Ohio and has been an active volunteer at the Chalmers P. Wylie VA Ambulatory Care Center in Columbus since 1985.

Visit Santa at Marion library Saturday

Santa will be at Marion City Library from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Children may visit Santa and then make a Christmas ornament in the library. Children may write letters to Santa and drop them off in the library mailbox. Santa will write a letter back. Letters must be received by Dec. 12.

John Leroy 'JB' Bloomer

John Leroy “JB” Bloomer was called home to Heaven on Dec. 3, 2012. He was born to Henry and Caroline Bloomer on April 6, 1936, in Florence, Kan. He was raised in Peabody, Kan., until he joined the Army in January 1955, returning home in December 1956. He married Cora (Clithero) Bloomer on Dec. 19, 1958. The same year he started J.B.’s Repair as the owner/operator. In 1980, he started at the Farmer’s Grain Coop as a mechanic and millwright until his retirement in April 2001.

Nova Louise Bruner

Nova Louise Bruner, 75, of Marion died Nov. 27. She was born Oct. 29, 1937, in Marion to Floyd and Velma Bogart Bredemeier. She attended Marion schools and was a Marion High School graduate with the class of 1955. She married Merle Bruner on Feb. 12, 1956.

Myrna R. Eskeldson

Myrna R. Eskeldson, 75, of Ramona, died Monday at Herington Municipal Hospital. She was born Aug. 10, 1937, to Martin F. and Martha E. (Krause) Brockmeier at their home west of Herington. She was a homemaker. She graduated from Hope High School in 1955. She was a dental hygienist until 1960 and later worked part-time in the Ramona Post Office. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ramona.

Gerald D. 'Jerry' Harp

Gerald D. “Jerry” Harp, retired mortician and past owner of Thompson-Harp Funeral Home in Marion, Kan., passed away Nov. 30, 2012, at the age of 88. Born in Penalosa, Kan., on April 29, 1924, he was the son of Ralph and Myrtle (Hurty) Harp. He spent most of his youth living in Wichita with his parents and brother Ronald and sister Joanne. He was a 1942 graduate of Wichita North High School. He attended Kansas State University and then the University of Kansas.

Ronnie L. Knott

Ronnie L. Knott, 57, died Monday at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. He was born Oct. 9, 1955, in Newton to Robert and Edith (McCann) Knott. He was a graduate of Hesston High School and worked as a carpet and flooring installer.

Robert E. Muhlig Jr.

Robert E. “Bobby” Muhlig Jr., 48, of Herington, died Thursday at his home. He was born Aug. 26, 1964, to Robert Sr. and Judy (Catlin) Muhlig in Manhattan. He was a lifelong resident of Herington and graduated from Herington High School in 1982. He was a supervisor for Hamm’s Quarries for more than 25 years. He loved hunting, fishing, archery, motorcycle riding, and spending time with family and friends.

Accidents reported

Civil cases

County jail

Criminal cases

Deeds

Emergency dispatches

Fish and Game

Offenses

Peabody police report

County gives raises, bonuses

Marion County Commission approved bonuses and merit-based raises for full-time county employees on Friday. Every full-time employee is to receive a $100 year-end bonus, and every full-time employee whose evaluation determined they met expectations will receive a 1 percent pay raise, effective Dec. 21. Marion County has 102 full-time employees, County Clerk Carol Maggard said.

You are a generous community

Times are tough. They are tough for individuals, families, organizations, and even public entities like cities, counties, and school districts. Every organization seems to be crying the blues and it appears there simply will never be enough money to go around. It is possible that is a correct assessment of our lives in the coming years. Or maybe all that gloom and doom will not pan out … hmmm. Oddly enough, there have been quite a few benefit events in Peabody during the past 11 months and many of them have raised significant funds. It always amazes me how generous you people are. By my calculations, more than $150,000 has been donated to local non-profits, needy individuals, and community institutions. By no means am I privy to all the checks written to support local charitable giving, but I do know of some and I think Peabody people do quite well by their community.

Season of giving continues

Our drive to find families, individuals, or organizations in need of help picked up steam this week, as we received 10 nominations for Hoch Publishing Company’s $1,000 Christmas donation. It’s becoming obvious already that there are plenty of worthy causes in Marion County to help, so for the next week Hoch Publishing Company will add $10 to the donation for every new or renewed subscription to the Marion County Record, Hillsboro Star-Journal, or Peabody Gazette-Bulletin. A theme continued from last week’s nominations are families going through hard times because of job loss, either because of health issues or the economy. Marlene Herzet of Hillsboro nominated a family in which the husband lost his job after a fall worsened a preexisting health problem last year. The husband has found work since then, but the pay isn’t as good, and he undergoes treatment for the worsened health problem.

DAYS OF YORE:

Live farm Nativity is Dec. 15 and 16

Tabor Mennonite Youth Fellowship will have a live Nativity scene with actual farm animals, Night in the Barn, from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 15 and 16 in the barn of Maynard Knepp and Carol Duerksen. The come-and-go event will include perspectives from the innkeeper and a shepherd, as well as Christmas carols. There will be a bonfire guests can gather around and hot drinks. Donations to the youth group will be accepted.

A.G. Schmidt advises people to 'give wisely'

Thousands of charitable organizations are registered in Kansas, and many of them rely on the generosity of Kansans during the holiday season. Legitimate charities engage in a wide variety of important work that helps our communities stay vibrant and strong. Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has sent out a message warning people that scammers are out there who may appear to be non-profit organizations but whose real purpose is to take advantage of their generosity.

Dirksen gets Kenya for Christmas

Sierra Dirksen, a 20-year-old college student from rural Goessel, left her heart in Kenya when she went to serve as a teacher among poverty-stricken children. She went to Africa in the summer of 2011 with the Children and Youth Empowerment Center in Nyeri. She plans to spend winter break following her heart back to service in Nyeri, leaving Dec. 15 and returning Jan. 15. “My time there in 2011 was absolutely amazing,” Dirksen said Tuesday, as she finalized packing lists and hurried to get immunizations for her international trip. “I expected to enjoy service, but I had no idea how it would affect me. I went there to work as a teacher, but ended up working with the children, establishing relationships with them and finding ways to break the cycle of violence and drugs they were caught in on the streets.”

Shepherd's Shed is about giving

Shepherd’s Shed, 900 E. Main St., Marion is a clothing charity. Men can come into the store and pickup a suit or other dress clothes for a necessary job interview on Wednesdays. Some mothers will shop for their entire family, for six children. However, Shepherd’s Shed founder Robin Dicks provides more than just a new pair of jeans. On the signup sheet in the front of the store there are slots for name, family members, shopping for, and a blank asking if they want Dicks to pray for them. Dicks has set aside an area with two chairs where she prays with clients.

Chiropractor learned firsthand

Dr. Lane Smith opened his chiropractic office, Smith Chiropractic & Acupuncture, Nov. 5 in downtown Marion, but the path that led him to the office began when he was in high school. Smith injured himself playing football and lifting weights when he was in high school.

CORRESPONDENTS:

Child screening is Tuesday in Florence

A free screening for children birth through 5-years-old will be Tuesday at the Christian Church, 334 W. 5th St., Florence. Appointments will be available from 12:30 to 3 p.m. At the screening, development will be checked in learning, motor, language, and social areas. Vision and hearing will also be screened. This process usually takes at least one hour for a child to complete. All children are welcome, but an appointment is necessary.

Warrior boys win by 11

Peabody-Burns High School boys’ basketball team opened the 2012-13 season with a victory on Friday at Chase County. The Warriors defeated the Bulldogs, 45-34. Up next for the team is a three-game appearance at the Marion Classic that started Tuesday in Marion. PBHS had the 2-point edge in the first quarter, leading 11-9 at the buzzer. Seth Topham led the first quarter scoring with 4 points. Christian Gard added a 3-pointer. Tommy Morris and Hunter Pickens each had a basket.

PBHS girls drop first game

The 2012-13 Peabody-Burns High School girls’ basketball season opened Friday at Chase County. PBHS lost to the Bulldogs, 43-20. The team will participate next in the Marion Classic Tournament. Games began Tuesday and will continue Thursday and Saturday in Marion. Paige Lewis scored 4 points for the Warriors in the first quarter. Chase County put in five 2-point baskets and two free throws. PBHS trailed 12-4 at the end of the period.

Warrior girls beat Marion

Peabody-Burns High School forward Brandee Burnett hit the winning 3-pointer for the Warrior girls with under a minute to play Tuesday against Marion in Marion. PBHS won the game, 31-25. Burnett lined up the shot with an assist from teammate Paige Lewis, who secured the rebound following a helpful tip from center Rayna Barnes. The PBHS defense then forced Marion guard Katey Ehrlich to dribble out of bounds. Burnett hit three free throws to ice the victory. She was the high scorer for the Warriors with 12 points. She also had 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and the championship belt the team manager awards the best player for Peabody-Burns.

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