PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

Golden dream comes true for McSweeney

Debbie McSweeney of rural Peabody enjoys farm life, living simply, and raising as much of the food her family consumes as possible. Consequently, she and her husband Noel have chickens, hoop gardens, beehives, and dairy goats. “For several years now I have been really interested in starting my own herd of Golden Guernsey dairy goats,” McSweeney said. “They are very rare, so I felt fortunate to find two last winter that I could afford to buy and drive to get. They have quickly become my favorites.”

City office sets trash schedule

Peabody city office will maintain regular office hours on Christmas Eve Day and New Year’s Eve Day. The office will close for Christmas and New Year’s, but open at the regular time on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.

Christmas brunch will be Friday at Senior Center

Peabody Senior Center will have a Christmas brunch at 9:30 a.m. Friday. “We hope to get a nice crowd for our final day before Christmas,” site manager Ruth Lott said. “It is a wonderful kick off for the holiday.”

Julie Ann Boydston

MARION — Julie Ann Boydston, 92, passed away Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro, Kan. She was born July 6, 1920, to Harry and Esther (Jensen) Jean in Black Hawk County, Iowa, and grew up in Waterloo, Iowa. She married Glenn L. Boydston on Dec. 29, 1944, in Topeka. They lived their early married life in Iowa, and later moved to a farm near Valley Falls, Kan. There they raised their two children, Harry and Glenna.

Curtis D. Fulton

SALINA — Curtis D. Fulton of Salina passed away Dec. 12, 2012, at the age of 90. Curtis was born in Talmage, Kan., to Harry and Elizabeth Fulton on Dec. 26, 1921. He farmed with his father until he enlisted in the Naval Air Corps in 1942. After his honorable discharge in 1943, he continued to farm until 1966, when he entered the ministry of the United Methodist Church.

J. Frank Rhodes Jr.

J. Frank Rhodes Jr., 91, of Topeka died Friday. He was born April 9, 1921, in Abilene to J. Frank and Beatrice Sword Rhodes. He moved to Tampa at the age of 2.

Victor C. Thompson

Victor C. Thompson, 92, died Dec. 13, 2012, at Schowalter Villa, Hesston. He was born May 6, 1920, to Clarence and Myrtle Myers Thompson in Ozawkie.

Lawrence A. Weber

Lawrence A. Weber, 76, of Herington, died Saturday at his residence. He was born March 27, 1936, at Hope to Arthur “Jack” and Viola (Gruber) Weber.

Harry D. Wedel

Harry D. Wedel, 87, of Durham died Monday. He was born Feb. 14, 1925, to C.C. and Helen (Ratzloff) Wedel in rural Moundridge. He was a farmer and road maintenance worker. He married Lela Jantz on Dec. 21, 1947, in Livingston, Calif.

Accidents reported

Civil cases

County jail

Criminal cases

Deeds

Emergency dispatches

Fish and Game

Hillsboro police

Offenses

Peabody police

Traffic cases

County slashes permit fees

Marion County Commission voted Monday to refund part of a fee the City of Marion had paid for a permit application. County Planning and Zoning Director Richards told the commission she had received a letter from the City of Marion withdrawing an application for a conditional use permit and requesting a refund of any “unused” portion of the $200 application fee.

FSA loan deadline is Jan. 21

The expiration date for filing applications for Farm Service Agency Emergency Disaster loans by farmers and ranchers in Marion County is Jan. 21. Farm Loan Manager Eric Guenther advised that those needing farm credit as a result of hail, high winds, lightning, and tornadoes from April 14 through April 15 should make application to the FSA County Office at 301 Eisenhower Dr., Marion.

Final donation nominations

The final week of nominations for the newspaper’s donation of more than $1,000 for Christmas drew another seven nominations. A common theme among the nominations for individuals and families, all through the weeks, has been people who have remained strong through difficult times. Flo Rahn of rural Hillsboro nominated a single father of three children. “Raising them as a single parent with a full-time job is challenging,” Rahn wrote.

Happy holidays all around

Boy, do I have a big surprise in stock for all six of my regular readers this week! We are publishing one edition on Dec. 19 (the one you are reading) and then (as if by magic) we will turn around and publish another on Dec. 21 … a collectible edition with all the 2012 letters to Santa from the preschool and primary grade students at Peabody-Burns Elementary School and many other county students’ letters. Yup, that is how it is going to play out. Just about the time you get through reading the regular edition for this week, another will be arriving in your mailbox or at your favorite vendor. If you don’t know for sure what your child has on his or her list, that is the issue you are going to need and you are going to need it FAST!

BALANCING ACT:

DAYS OF YORE:

GUEST COMMENTARY:

HOPE IN THE HEARTLAND:

Air bubbles make Betty's Brittle special

For many, the holiday season would not be complete without special candy and sweets to eat. For Betty Dirks of Hillsboro, even better than eating sweet candy brittle is seeing it crack as it quickly cools in the pan. “You have to work very fast to make it spread even when it is time to pour it out,” Dirks said. “It sets up almost instantly and you can’t use tools, that might break the bubbles and you want the bubbles in there.”

Kansas FSA reports accomplishments

The mission of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency is to serve and help ensure the well-being of the nation’s farmers and ranchers who are responsible for making the agricultural sector of the U.S. economy successful and productive. FSA farm loan programs are a vital source of credit to family farm operations by offering competitive, yet reasonable, financing rates and terms. During this year, the farm loan branch of Kansas FSA approved 1,017 operating, ownership, and emergency-type loans for a disbursement of over $102 million.

Ambulance calls up in November

Marion County Emergency Medical Service responded to 84 ambulance calls in November. That was an increase of 9.1 percent from the same month in 2011. That brings the total for the first 11 months of 2012 to 965 ambulance calls. That is a decrease of 11.5 percent compared to the first 11 months of 2011, when EMS set a record with 1,176 ambulance calls.

Newspaper staff celebrates Christmas

Jay Dee Schafers, Isaac Baldwin, and Alex Stuchlik provided entertainment for nearly a dozen employees and spouses at Hoch Publishing’s annual Christmas party Dec. 12 at Country Lakes Café in Marion. Attending were Adam Stewart, Ben Kleine, Melvin Honeyfield, Jean Stuchlik and husband Alex, Jennifer Stultz and husband Harold, Rowena Plett and husband Jerry, Debbie Steele, and Joan Meyer.

Humanities council offers grants

Grant opportunities are available in 2013 to Kansas nonprofits from Kansas Humanities Council. The council supports projects that use humanities to connect people with ideas, places, and history. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, museum exhibitions and short films, oral history, photograph digitization, and research projects. Deadlines are Feb. 27, May 29, and Sept. 25. Grant guidelines are available at www.kansashumanities.org.

Legion supports veterans and families

The American Legion Post 22 in Marion is no different than any other Legion Post in the state of Kansas or the United States in that members desire to offer support to fellow veterans. Mary Olson’s husband, Warren E. Olson, a World War II veteran, needed legion assistance when he ran into trouble paying for his medication.

Overstake publishes teen novel

Grant Overstake, a former editor of the Hillsboro Star Journal, has published a book, “Maggie Vaults Over the Moon.” Overstake drew upon his coverage of sporting events and country life to create this teen sports novel about life on a Kansas family farm.

Democratic women meet

Marion County Democratic Women celebrated the holiday Dec. 14 at Hilltop Manor. A gift exchange followed with items purchased at thrift shops. Reservations may be made for a Kansas Day celebration at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at Eastmoor United Methodist Church. United Methodist women will prepare the dinner. Marla Matkin of Hill City will present the program, “Cattle Drives and Soiled Doves.”

ANNIVERSARY:

BIRTH:

CORRESPONDENTS:

Kaiser wins crops contest with K-State team

Neal Kaiser of Lehigh and a junior at Kansas State University won high individual honors at the Chicago CME Group Collegiate Crops contest in November. He is part of the Kansas State University crops judging team that recently captured the national title for the fourth consecutive year. To win the 2012 national title, the team won both the Kansas City Board of Trade and the Chicago contests. Participants identified 200 different plant or seed samples of crops and weeds, graded eight different grain samples according to federal standards, and analyzed 10 seed samples for contaminants.

Warrior boys win one, lose another

Peabody-Burns High School boys’ basketball team defeated Burrton Dec. 11, 67-57. The Warriors lost to Berean, 42-35, on Friday. The team will have one more game against Centre before the Christmas break. Burrton

Warrior girls defeat Burrton, lose to Berean

The Peabody-Burns High School girls’ basketball team split with a win and a loss this past week. The squad recorded a Dec. 11 victory over Burrton, 47-23, but lost to Berean on Friday, 34-15. Up next, is the final 2012 contest with Centre. Burrton

Golden dream comes true for McSweeney

Debbie McSweeney of rural Peabody enjoys farm life, living simply, and raising as much of the food her family consumes as possible. Consequently, she and her husband Noel have chickens, hoop gardens, beehives, and dairy goats. “For several years now I have been really interested in starting my own herd of Golden Guernsey dairy goats,” McSweeney said. “They are very rare, so I felt fortunate to find two last winter that I could afford to buy and drive to get. They have quickly become my favorites.”

City office sets trash schedule

Peabody city office will maintain regular office hours on Christmas Eve Day and New Year’s Eve Day. The office will close for Christmas and New Year’s, but open at the regular time on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.

Christmas brunch will be Friday at Senior Center

Peabody Senior Center will have a Christmas brunch at 9:30 a.m. Friday. “We hope to get a nice crowd for our final day before Christmas,” site manager Ruth Lott said. “It is a wonderful kick off for the holiday.”

Julie Ann Boydston

MARION — Julie Ann Boydston, 92, passed away Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro, Kan. She was born July 6, 1920, to Harry and Esther (Jensen) Jean in Black Hawk County, Iowa, and grew up in Waterloo, Iowa. She married Glenn L. Boydston on Dec. 29, 1944, in Topeka. They lived their early married life in Iowa, and later moved to a farm near Valley Falls, Kan. There they raised their two children, Harry and Glenna.

Curtis D. Fulton

SALINA — Curtis D. Fulton of Salina passed away Dec. 12, 2012, at the age of 90. Curtis was born in Talmage, Kan., to Harry and Elizabeth Fulton on Dec. 26, 1921. He farmed with his father until he enlisted in the Naval Air Corps in 1942. After his honorable discharge in 1943, he continued to farm until 1966, when he entered the ministry of the United Methodist Church.

J. Frank Rhodes Jr.

J. Frank Rhodes Jr., 91, of Topeka died Friday. He was born April 9, 1921, in Abilene to J. Frank and Beatrice Sword Rhodes. He moved to Tampa at the age of 2.

Victor C. Thompson

Victor C. Thompson, 92, died Dec. 13, 2012, at Schowalter Villa, Hesston. He was born May 6, 1920, to Clarence and Myrtle Myers Thompson in Ozawkie.

Lawrence A. Weber

Lawrence A. Weber, 76, of Herington, died Saturday at his residence. He was born March 27, 1936, at Hope to Arthur “Jack” and Viola (Gruber) Weber.

Harry D. Wedel

Harry D. Wedel, 87, of Durham died Monday. He was born Feb. 14, 1925, to C.C. and Helen (Ratzloff) Wedel in rural Moundridge. He was a farmer and road maintenance worker. He married Lela Jantz on Dec. 21, 1947, in Livingston, Calif.

Accidents reported

Civil cases

County jail

Criminal cases

Deeds

Emergency dispatches

Fish and Game

Hillsboro police

Offenses

Peabody police

Traffic cases

County slashes permit fees

Marion County Commission voted Monday to refund part of a fee the City of Marion had paid for a permit application. County Planning and Zoning Director Richards told the commission she had received a letter from the City of Marion withdrawing an application for a conditional use permit and requesting a refund of any “unused” portion of the $200 application fee.

FSA loan deadline is Jan. 21

The expiration date for filing applications for Farm Service Agency Emergency Disaster loans by farmers and ranchers in Marion County is Jan. 21. Farm Loan Manager Eric Guenther advised that those needing farm credit as a result of hail, high winds, lightning, and tornadoes from April 14 through April 15 should make application to the FSA County Office at 301 Eisenhower Dr., Marion.

Final donation nominations

The final week of nominations for the newspaper’s donation of more than $1,000 for Christmas drew another seven nominations. A common theme among the nominations for individuals and families, all through the weeks, has been people who have remained strong through difficult times. Flo Rahn of rural Hillsboro nominated a single father of three children. “Raising them as a single parent with a full-time job is challenging,” Rahn wrote.

Happy holidays all around

Boy, do I have a big surprise in stock for all six of my regular readers this week! We are publishing one edition on Dec. 19 (the one you are reading) and then (as if by magic) we will turn around and publish another on Dec. 21 … a collectible edition with all the 2012 letters to Santa from the preschool and primary grade students at Peabody-Burns Elementary School and many other county students’ letters. Yup, that is how it is going to play out. Just about the time you get through reading the regular edition for this week, another will be arriving in your mailbox or at your favorite vendor. If you don’t know for sure what your child has on his or her list, that is the issue you are going to need and you are going to need it FAST!

BALANCING ACT:

DAYS OF YORE:

GUEST COMMENTARY:

HOPE IN THE HEARTLAND:

Air bubbles make Betty's Brittle special

For many, the holiday season would not be complete without special candy and sweets to eat. For Betty Dirks of Hillsboro, even better than eating sweet candy brittle is seeing it crack as it quickly cools in the pan. “You have to work very fast to make it spread even when it is time to pour it out,” Dirks said. “It sets up almost instantly and you can’t use tools, that might break the bubbles and you want the bubbles in there.”

Kansas FSA reports accomplishments

The mission of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency is to serve and help ensure the well-being of the nation’s farmers and ranchers who are responsible for making the agricultural sector of the U.S. economy successful and productive. FSA farm loan programs are a vital source of credit to family farm operations by offering competitive, yet reasonable, financing rates and terms. During this year, the farm loan branch of Kansas FSA approved 1,017 operating, ownership, and emergency-type loans for a disbursement of over $102 million.

Ambulance calls up in November

Marion County Emergency Medical Service responded to 84 ambulance calls in November. That was an increase of 9.1 percent from the same month in 2011. That brings the total for the first 11 months of 2012 to 965 ambulance calls. That is a decrease of 11.5 percent compared to the first 11 months of 2011, when EMS set a record with 1,176 ambulance calls.

Newspaper staff celebrates Christmas

Jay Dee Schafers, Isaac Baldwin, and Alex Stuchlik provided entertainment for nearly a dozen employees and spouses at Hoch Publishing’s annual Christmas party Dec. 12 at Country Lakes Café in Marion. Attending were Adam Stewart, Ben Kleine, Melvin Honeyfield, Jean Stuchlik and husband Alex, Jennifer Stultz and husband Harold, Rowena Plett and husband Jerry, Debbie Steele, and Joan Meyer.

Humanities council offers grants

Grant opportunities are available in 2013 to Kansas nonprofits from Kansas Humanities Council. The council supports projects that use humanities to connect people with ideas, places, and history. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, museum exhibitions and short films, oral history, photograph digitization, and research projects. Deadlines are Feb. 27, May 29, and Sept. 25. Grant guidelines are available at www.kansashumanities.org.

Legion supports veterans and families

The American Legion Post 22 in Marion is no different than any other Legion Post in the state of Kansas or the United States in that members desire to offer support to fellow veterans. Mary Olson’s husband, Warren E. Olson, a World War II veteran, needed legion assistance when he ran into trouble paying for his medication.

Overstake publishes teen novel

Grant Overstake, a former editor of the Hillsboro Star Journal, has published a book, “Maggie Vaults Over the Moon.” Overstake drew upon his coverage of sporting events and country life to create this teen sports novel about life on a Kansas family farm.

Democratic women meet

Marion County Democratic Women celebrated the holiday Dec. 14 at Hilltop Manor. A gift exchange followed with items purchased at thrift shops. Reservations may be made for a Kansas Day celebration at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at Eastmoor United Methodist Church. United Methodist women will prepare the dinner. Marla Matkin of Hill City will present the program, “Cattle Drives and Soiled Doves.”

ANNIVERSARY:

BIRTH:

CORRESPONDENTS:

Kaiser wins crops contest with K-State team

Neal Kaiser of Lehigh and a junior at Kansas State University won high individual honors at the Chicago CME Group Collegiate Crops contest in November. He is part of the Kansas State University crops judging team that recently captured the national title for the fourth consecutive year. To win the 2012 national title, the team won both the Kansas City Board of Trade and the Chicago contests. Participants identified 200 different plant or seed samples of crops and weeds, graded eight different grain samples according to federal standards, and analyzed 10 seed samples for contaminants.

Warrior boys win one, lose another

Peabody-Burns High School boys’ basketball team defeated Burrton Dec. 11, 67-57. The Warriors lost to Berean, 42-35, on Friday. The team will have one more game against Centre before the Christmas break. Burrton

Warrior girls defeat Burrton, lose to Berean

The Peabody-Burns High School girls’ basketball team split with a win and a loss this past week. The squad recorded a Dec. 11 victory over Burrton, 47-23, but lost to Berean on Friday, 34-15. Up next, is the final 2012 contest with Centre. Burrton

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