PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

HEADLINES

Senate Bill 505 could cost district $223,000
Peabody-Burns school superintendent Ron Traxson expressed his concern with Kansas Senate Bill 505 at Monday’s school board meeting. The bill would penalize districts that had over 15 percent of operational cash balances as of July 2014.
Technology grant will fund Playaway Launchpads
The addition of programmed tablets to the children’s section of Peabody Township Library will mean more technology tools are available to a generation that will grow up with more than any other age group. In an effort to keep youngsters engaged in learning at the library, Librarian Rodger Charles applied for and received a technology grant from Kansas Book Festival.
The ultimate tactic to avoid being scammed
Most of the 30 people in attendance Thursday at Peabody Township Library for a presentation by Attorney General Derek Schmidt on scams and identity theft seemed to be fairly knowledgeable about how thieves go about their tasks. Schmidt reviewed scams that seemingly involve the Internal Revenue Service and companies that want victims to pay a sum of money to receive a prize they have won. He gave examples of calls from “credit card services” wanting card numbers to review an account for a better rate or to consolidate card balances, as well as other attempts to separate victims from their money or their personal information.
EMS is mission of service for new county director
Incoming EMS director Ed Debesis doesn’t start full-time duties until March 30, but Monday found him in Marion anyway, as were all five county ambulances. It was state inspection day, and there was work to be done.
Dallke concerned with low-income housing
County commissioners met with Mid-Kansas Community Action Program representatives Monday to examine why the agency chose Hillsboro for an affordable housing project. Mid-CAP, which serves 19 counties surrounding Sedgwick County, including Marion, is managing a Hillsboro project to supply low-income affordable apartments.
TOPS coming to Peabody
Take Off Pounds Sensibly, which has 2 groups in Marion, will be adding a group to the Peabody community. The group is a national not-for-profit that offers residents a cost effective option to lose weight and become healthier, and offers weekly meetings with private weigh in, educational programs and information, healthy eating plan, and online resources.
Hillsboro man found dead in cemetery
Emergency personnel responded Sunday to a small cemetery on 190th Rd. east of Limestone Rd. after dispatchers received a call alerting them to the discovery of a body. Sheriff Robert Craft identified the victim as Joseph Melnyck, 29, of Hillsboro.

OTHER HEADLINES

Masons to restore Florentine Masonic Center
A disheveled but beautiful building that is integral to Florence will be the cause for an enclave of motorists cruising through the Flint Hills in April. Masons want to raise about $50,000 to restore the historic Florentine Masonic Center building to its former glory in downtown Florence.
Special ed cooperative launches employee search
Speech therapists are difficult to hire because competition for their services is stiff. Marion County Special Education Cooperative needs another one. Kate Barlow, a speech pathologist with the cooperative, will be leaving after the end of the current school year.
Last call for Girl Scout cookies
Sunday is the last day of this season’s Girl Scout Cookie sale. Brenda Soyez, cookie cupboard manager for the county and Marion Girl Scouts leader, said there will not be a sales booth set up for the final weekend of the cookie season, but anyone wanting cookies before the cutoff date can phone her and she’ll send a scout over. Cookies are $4 a package and sales raise funds for scouting activities. Soyez can be reached at (620) 382-6193.

DEATHS

Bill Olsen
Bill E. Olsen, 74, died March 12 at St. Luke’s Hospice House, Kansas City. Viewing will be from 1 to 5 p.m. today at Zeiner Funeral Home in Marion.
Lenora Woelk
Lenora “Lou” Woelk, 87, died Saturday at Bethesda Home in Goessel. A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Mennonite Church in Hillsboro.
IN MEMORIAM:
Harold Winter

DOCKET

HEALTH

Dyanamic duo plans August triathlon at lake
Adventurous athletes, weekend warriors, and aspiring couch potatoes seeking an excuse to stop vegetating might want to start training for the “Ready, Set, Tri” triathlon. Event organizers Sarah Dye and Shawna Johnson, both of Marion, confirmed the triathlon is tentatively planned for Aug. 27 at the Marion County Park and Lake.
Water aerobics offers fitness without pain
The best thing about water aerobics is that it gives participants a great workout without pain and achiness, a local instructor said. Karen Williams teaches water aerobics four days per week for Marion Parks and Rec.
Weight loss changes woman
Sign up online for Walk Kansas
Spring is here and it’s time to get moving. The Walk Kansas program sponsored by K-State Research and Extension and led in Marion County by extension agent Renae Riedy can help, and for the first time, participants are able to sign up online at walkkansas.org. The program calls for teams of six people who commit to walking at least 423 miles — the number of miles across Kansas — in eight weeks.
Employers work on employee health
Annual employee health assessments have become standard practice for some area employers, yielding benefits for both employees and employers. Tim Diener, supervisor of quality management for Hillsboro-based Countryside Feed, said the manufacturer and distributor of animal feeds has participated in annual employee Health Risk Assessments for three years.

OPINION

Do something about it
Let me tell you about the power of the press. I joined a small group of lunch customers at a downtown establishment a couple days ago and one of the people at the table said he got my message. I was immediately in a panic because I could not remember sending him a message. I could not remember if I even thought about sending him a message. In fact, I did not recollect thinking of him at all in the past two or three weeks. What message? Was I supposed to do something? Did I fail to complete an advertising transaction? What?
The 'ieds" of March
Scholars of ancient Roman history don’t need reminding, but for those whose knowledge of the past, save for the Bible, begins in 1492 when Columbus sailed the ocean blue, we just passed a significant date. The Ides of March was a midmonth holiday in the Empire, the culmination of festivities marking a new year. In addition to feasting and drinking, some sources say the celebration included a bizarre ritual of dressing up an old man in animal skins and beating him until he left the city, symbolizing the departure, once and for all, of the year past.

PEOPLE

Music key to long life for 91-year-old Hillsboro woman
Rubena Suderman will celebrate her 91st birthday on March 26, and she says three things have made it possible to live that long: being an optimist, trusting the Lord, and making music her life. Suderman has been musically involved at Ebenfeld Mennonite Brethren Church of rural Hillsboro since 1946, having played piano for 17 years and organ for 53, keeping her skills sharp and never falling flat.
County providers attend conferences
Several Marion County providers attended child care conferences March 5. Those who attended the Mad Hatter Tea Party in Manhattan included Barb Kaiser of Lincolnville; Doug and Joy Vogel, Melinda Banning, and Daniel and Lisa Adame, all of Marion; and Deb Regier of Peabody.
Senior menu
DAYS OF YORE:
10, 25, 50, 100, 125 years ago
WONSEVU:
Ms. Rogers goes to the caucus

SCHOOL AND SPORTS

Tabor to hold youth soccer academy
Tabor College women’s soccer will have the second annual Tabor College youth soccer academy for players 1st grade and up. Spring session practices and games will be held at the college practice field Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Tuesday and going through April 30. Games will be Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons.
Area school menu

UPCOMING

Calendar of events
Genealogy seminar is April 2
Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies will conduct a genealogy seminar April 2 at Tabor College. The event will highlight areas of Prussia, Poland, Volhynia, and Ukraine. Speakers will include Glenn Penner, Steve Fast, Rod Ratzlaff, Peggy Goertzen, and John Theisen.

PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin

Peabody-Burns school superintendent Ron Traxson expressed his concern with Kansas Senate Bill 505 at Monday’s school board meeting. The bill would penalize districts that had over 15 percent of operational cash balances as of July 2014.

Incoming EMS director Ed Debesis doesn’t start full-time duties until March 30, but Monday found him in Marion anyway, as were all five county ambulances. It was state inspection day, and there was work to be done.

Emergency personnel responded Sunday to a small cemetery on 190th Rd. east of Limestone Rd. after dispatchers received a call alerting them to the discovery of a body. Sheriff Robert Craft identified the victim as Joseph Melnyck, 29, of Hillsboro.

A disheveled but beautiful building that is integral to Florence will be the cause for an enclave of motorists cruising through the Flint Hills in April. Masons want to raise about $50,000 to restore the historic Florentine Masonic Center building to its former glory in downtown Florence.

Speech therapists are difficult to hire because competition for their services is stiff. Marion County Special Education Cooperative needs another one. Kate Barlow, a speech pathologist with the cooperative, will be leaving after the end of the current school year.

Bill E. Olsen, 74, died March 12 at St. Luke’s Hospice House, Kansas City. Viewing will be from 1 to 5 p.m. today at Zeiner Funeral Home in Marion.

Lenora “Lou” Woelk, 87, died Saturday at Bethesda Home in Goessel. A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Mennonite Church in Hillsboro.

IN MEMORIAM:

The best thing about water aerobics is that it gives participants a great workout without pain and achiness, a local instructor said. Karen Williams teaches water aerobics four days per week for Marion Parks and Rec.

Several Marion County providers attended child care conferences March 5. Those who attended the Mad Hatter Tea Party in Manhattan included Barb Kaiser of Lincolnville; Doug and Joy Vogel, Melinda Banning, and Daniel and Lisa Adame, all of Marion; and Deb Regier of Peabody.

DAYS OF YORE:

WONSEVU:

Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies will conduct a genealogy seminar April 2 at Tabor College. The event will highlight areas of Prussia, Poland, Volhynia, and Ukraine. Speakers will include Glenn Penner, Steve Fast, Rod Ratzlaff, Peggy Goertzen, and John Theisen.