PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

HEADLINES

Food will be big part of Memorial Day festivities
Memorial Day weekend will kick off at 9:30 a.m. May 22 with the Peabody Senior Center holiday brunch. Reservations are needed a day in advance to make sure the kitchen staff prepares enough food. “Anyone who is traveling out of town or getting ready for a houseful of holiday guests could come in for brunch and get a head start on their weekend plans,” site manager Ruth Lott said. “We will be serving biscuits and gravy, coffee cake, fresh fruit, and a drink.”
City properties will sell to highest bidder
The city’s plan to sell a two-story house at 213 E. Division St. and five empty lots took a step forward Monday evening when Lyle Leppke of Leppke Realty and Auction, Inc. in Hillsboro explained the method of sale. Leppke told council members he would sell all the properties at one auction, preferably at an evening sale shortly before or after July 4. He recommended full payment on the lots the night of the auction and said he planned to have a contract for the house written as a 30-day escrow, giving a new owner time to finalize financing.
Free cancer screens in Florence on May 23
The free cancer screening to be offered in Florence on May 23 isn’t an activity Les Allison and other members of Masonic Advance Lodge 114 are doing just because Kansas Masonic Foundation has made cancer a signature cause. Lodge members have seen the devastating effects cancer has had on their Florence neighbor and friend Richard Riggs, Allison’s son-in-law. The group has responded with fundraising efforts to help with the costs of treatment and transportation. Allison doesn’t want to have to do the same for anyone else.
Local man uses pliers to 'witch for water'
Marion farmer and rancher David Oborny possesses a unique ability that borders on a preternatural talent. In some circles his skill is called “dowsing,” but Oborny refers to it as “witching water.”
County gives green light to bluegrass and beer
Taking a cue from Marion’s Chingawassa Days, county commissioners Monday approved the addition of a beer garden for Bluegrass at the Lake on June 20. Chairman Dan Holub delayed the beer garden discussion to allow extra time for members of the public to show up to comment. None did.
Another county ambulance goes down
The hunt for another county ambulance got an unwanted boost in urgency last week when a second unit experienced engine problems while completing a routine run. Marion ambulance No. 1 was making a nonemergency transport to Newton May 4 when its engine overheated, EMS Director Brandy McCarty said.
Solar power provides electricity for vet clinic
Spur Ridge Veterinary Clinic is the first business in Marion to use solar panels as an alternative source of energy. Owner Brendan Kraus said BTI Energy of Greensburg installed the system in December. At present, it provides about 85 percent of the clinic’s needs.

DEATHS

Naomi Fast
Naomi (Brubaker) Fast, 94, former Goessel resident, died Friday. She was born Jan. 16, 1921 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Jacob and Barbara Brubaker. A memorial service was Tuesday at Schowalter Villa in Hesston.
Frances Helmer
Frances Naomi Helmer, 91, died May 10 in Hillsboro. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Zion Lutheran Church in Hillsboro.
Mary Loewen
Hillsboro resident Mary Loewen, 91, died May 5 at Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita. Services were Monday at Ebenfeld Mennonite Brethren Church, rural Hillsboro.
Roland Plenert
Retired diesel mechanic and farmer Roland P. Plenert, 92, of McPherson, a Hillsboro native, died Tuesday at Angel Arms, McPherson. A funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church, McPherson. Burial with military honors will follow at McPherson Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Stockham Family Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m.
IN MEMORIAM:
Walter 'Slick' Jones, Betty Williams Sartorius

DOCKET

GRADUATION

VALEDICTORIANS:
Peabody-Burns High School, Hillsboro High School, Goessel High School, Centre High School, Marion High School

HOME AND GARDEN

Community gardeners get 'good vibrations'
One of the first things Lois Winter of Florence does when she arrives at the Florence community garden is to take off her shoes. “I walk barefooted because I like the ground,” the 82-year-old volunteer said. “Everybody should be walking barefooted at least an hour a day in the grass.”
Fall is 'best time' to control dandelions, henbit
It is safe to say that when children pick dandelions and gleefully blow on them to watch the seeds float off in the breeze, they probably are not thinking about how many weeds they’re spreading into mommy and daddy’s lawn. Even without children’s help, dandelions and henbit, a weed with small purple buds, are two common weeds known for their resilience and ability to spread rather quickly if left unchecked.

OPINION

The Avenue of Flags needs you
There are times in this column when I am sure I get repetitious. I have some favorite causes that I like to promote from time to time. This is one of those weeks. Coming up is Memorial Day weekend and our well traveled U.S. 50 highway just north of town will be host to thousands of cars traveling east and west for the holiday. By radio and social media traffic and sometimes by thank you notes from people we will never meet, we know that travelers coming upon the lighted flag display at Prairie Lawn Cemetery pass our community in awe, with great respect for the thousands of American soldiers who fought to keep them free. They do not know us, nor do they know our soldiers, but they know what they are seeing and they love it.

PEOPLE

Days of Yore
Peabody Historical Society opens its season with a tour of the “Springs of Marion County.” Books are not the only item in the Peabody Township Library since a DVD collection is being started.
Gospel group at Opera House
Southern Gospel quartet Ernie Haase and Signature Sound will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at McPherson Opera House. The group is composed of Haase, a former member of the Cathedrals, as tenor, Paul Harkey, bass, Doug Anderson, baritone, and Devin McGlamery handling the lead vocals.
CDDO board to meet
The Harvey-Marion County Community Developmental Disability Organization (CDDO) board of directors will meet 4 p.m. Monday at the CDDO office, 500 N. Main St., Suite 204, Newton. There will be a public forum at the beginning of the meeting.
Card shower requested for Boese's 92nd birthday
The family of Ann (Helmer) Boese has requested a card shower in her daughter’s home to honor her 92nd birthday. Those who want to send birthday wishes should address cards to her at 2104 340 St. Lost Springs KS 66859.
Neo-Century Club installs new officers
New officers installed during an annual Neo-Century Club dinner meeting May 4 at Burns. Officers for 2015-16 are president Suzanne Thole, vice president Shirley Carlson, secretary Donna Freuchting, and treasurer Elaine Morse.
Blood drive Monday
By giving one pint of blood, approximately three lives can be saved. A blood drive will be from 2:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday at Our Savior Lutheran Church 320 S. Cedar St. in Marion.
Senior Citizens board to meet at Marion
The Senior Citizens of Marion County board of directors will meet at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Marion Senior Center. A noon lunch will be served. Reservations are due today by calling Janet Bryant at (620) 382-2942 or the Department on Aging at (620) 382-3580. Anyone needing transportation should call the office by Thursday.
WONSEVU:
Williamses attend high school reunion
BURNS:
Grandchildren visit Nightengales

SCHOOL

Tabor students learn what teaching is about at MES
Four Tabor College education majors discovered they knew more and less about teaching than they thought as they completed student teaching at Marion Elementary School this spring. Kendra Flaming worked with Debbie Allen teaching second, third, and fourth graders who were receiving special services.
Retired professor and Tabor alum to speak at school's commencement
Norman Ewert, a Tabor College alumnus and retired economics professor, will speak at graduation ceremonies slated for 10 a.m. May 23 at the Joel H. Wiens football stadium in Hillsboro. Ewert graduated from Tabor in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in history and then went on to earn a graduate degree in economics at the University of Kansas and a doctorate in economics from Southern Illinois University.
Musicians finish building guitars
After about a semester of sawdust, two Marion High School students have finished creating their own guitars. Senior Bret Voth constructed an acoustic guitar that won first place at Heart of America League Industrial Arts Show, and freshman Corbin Wheeler made a unique three-string cigar box guitar.

SPORTS

Warriors take 3rd at Hesston, compete in 36-hole event
The Warriors took third out of three schools competing in the combined Wheat State League-Heart of the Plains League tournament Monday in Hesston with a team score of 501 strokes. Goessel hosted the tournament and took first with 427 strokes, followed by Pretty Prairie with 428.

PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

Marion farmer and rancher David Oborny possesses a unique ability that borders on a preternatural talent. In some circles his skill is called “dowsing,” but Oborny refers to it as “witching water.”

Taking a cue from Marion’s Chingawassa Days, county commissioners Monday approved the addition of a beer garden for Bluegrass at the Lake on June 20. Chairman Dan Holub delayed the beer garden discussion to allow extra time for members of the public to show up to comment. None did.

The hunt for another county ambulance got an unwanted boost in urgency last week when a second unit experienced engine problems while completing a routine run. Marion ambulance No. 1 was making a nonemergency transport to Newton May 4 when its engine overheated, EMS Director Brandy McCarty said.

Spur Ridge Veterinary Clinic is the first business in Marion to use solar panels as an alternative source of energy. Owner Brendan Kraus said BTI Energy of Greensburg installed the system in December. At present, it provides about 85 percent of the clinic’s needs.

Naomi (Brubaker) Fast, 94, former Goessel resident, died Friday. She was born Jan. 16, 1921 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Jacob and Barbara Brubaker. A memorial service was Tuesday at Schowalter Villa in Hesston.

Frances Naomi Helmer, 91, died May 10 in Hillsboro. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Zion Lutheran Church in Hillsboro.

Hillsboro resident Mary Loewen, 91, died May 5 at Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita. Services were Monday at Ebenfeld Mennonite Brethren Church, rural Hillsboro.

IN MEMORIAM:

VALEDICTORIANS:

One of the first things Lois Winter of Florence does when she arrives at the Florence community garden is to take off her shoes. “I walk barefooted because I like the ground,” the 82-year-old volunteer said. “Everybody should be walking barefooted at least an hour a day in the grass.”

Peabody Historical Society opens its season with a tour of the “Springs of Marion County.” Books are not the only item in the Peabody Township Library since a DVD collection is being started.

Southern Gospel quartet Ernie Haase and Signature Sound will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at McPherson Opera House. The group is composed of Haase, a former member of the Cathedrals, as tenor, Paul Harkey, bass, Doug Anderson, baritone, and Devin McGlamery handling the lead vocals.

The Harvey-Marion County Community Developmental Disability Organization (CDDO) board of directors will meet 4 p.m. Monday at the CDDO office, 500 N. Main St., Suite 204, Newton. There will be a public forum at the beginning of the meeting.

The family of Ann (Helmer) Boese has requested a card shower in her daughter’s home to honor her 92nd birthday. Those who want to send birthday wishes should address cards to her at 2104 340 St. Lost Springs KS 66859.

New officers installed during an annual Neo-Century Club dinner meeting May 4 at Burns. Officers for 2015-16 are president Suzanne Thole, vice president Shirley Carlson, secretary Donna Freuchting, and treasurer Elaine Morse.

By giving one pint of blood, approximately three lives can be saved. A blood drive will be from 2:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday at Our Savior Lutheran Church 320 S. Cedar St. in Marion.

WONSEVU:

BURNS:

Four Tabor College education majors discovered they knew more and less about teaching than they thought as they completed student teaching at Marion Elementary School this spring. Kendra Flaming worked with Debbie Allen teaching second, third, and fourth graders who were receiving special services.

After about a semester of sawdust, two Marion High School students have finished creating their own guitars. Senior Bret Voth constructed an acoustic guitar that won first place at Heart of America League Industrial Arts Show, and freshman Corbin Wheeler made a unique three-string cigar box guitar.

The Warriors took third out of three schools competing in the combined Wheat State League-Heart of the Plains League tournament Monday in Hesston with a team score of 501 strokes. Goessel hosted the tournament and took first with 427 strokes, followed by Pretty Prairie with 428.