We wish to thank anyone/everyone
      who helped with the Golf Tournament, the
    buffet at the City Park, the Memorials to the
  to the McCracken Alumni.  Also a special thank   you to those who keep up with their alumni dues!!
         McCRACKEN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
 
The McCracken Jail Museum wishes to thank all those that renewed their memberships and gave memorials in memory of loved ones.
      MCCRACKEN JAIL/MUSEUM COMMITTEE

2005 McCracken Rodeo News

Rodeo followers were greeted this year with two new McCracken signs designed by Kirk Werth of Russell featuring a raring mustang in blue and gold.

The 19th Annual Rodeo week began on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 with the National Women's Barrel Horse Race.

Thursday at 3:00 p.m., July 7, the trail ride began at Hargrave led by Jack Wilson. The riders went northwest passed Hampton townsite and cemetery before turning west. They came into town on the south road then down Main Street to the rodeo grounds. Tony Rues was the coordinator of the trail ride. A thank you barbecue was held at 6:30 p.m. and rodeo slack followed.

On Friday the KPRA rodeo events began with mutton busting and calf riding. Some of the kids were spilled off the animals just like the grown-up cowboys. We even had one broken wrist.

The Opening Ceremonies are always impressive with the Grand March which includes the American Flag, Kansas Flag, McCloy Rodeo Flag, queens, queen candidates and cowboys and cowgirls. Bryan Bergquist led a riderless horse in memory of the late Floyd Thompson before both the Friday and Saturday evening rodeo.

A new event this year was a Wild Horse Race. It consists of a three-man team, which must hold a wild horse using a halter rope, saddle the bronc and ride the horse around a barrel, then return to the finish line.

On Saturday morning the Miss Rodeo McCracken contest was held at the City Building and the Arena with Miss Rodeo McCracken 2004, Amy Wilson, presiding. Candidates included Nikki Brobst, 15, Stockton; Jessica Nicole Ouellette, 16, Clyde; Alyson McCall, 15, Culver, Melia Lynn Mattke, 18, Ogallah. Judges for the event were Cynthia Lohrey Pfeiffer, McCracken and John Ficken Bison. Coordinator is Kathleen Fabrizious. In the evening the crowning began at 7:30 with Melia Lynn Mattke being crowned 2005 Miss Rodeo McCracken. She will represent the McCracken rodeo throughout the year and will participate in the Miss Kansas Rodeo contest. She received a trophy saddle. Nikki Brobst was named horsemanship winner; Jessica Nicole Ouelette was 2nd runner-up and Miss Congeniality and Alyson McCall was first runner-up. Danielle Dinges, Miss Kansas Rodeo Princess 2005 from Ness City, helped in the ring as did former queen Carlee Ann Parke. Special appearance was made by Miss Rodeo Kansas 2004 DeAnna Zemp.

A rodeo raffle is held each year. This years lucky winners were Darletha Moore Horyna, Wade Cook, Terrie Lasater, Gary Barnes, Craig Stull, Travis Haselhorst, Tayler Stull, Jennifer Gaschler Scott, Robert House, Ed Mattke, Jo Evan, Audrey Bain and Janice Stull.

Rodeo winners: Bareback, David Browder, West Tow, Monty Goodwin and Travis Sharp; 40/40 roping, Jeff Switzer & Richard Lightcap, Debbie Fabrizio and Tom Fabrizio, Rod Pratt & Rick Roberts, Ralph Forbes & Clayton Welle, Rusty Tooley & Duane Carson; Tie Down, Ty Hays, Jason Hubbard, John Franzen, Zane Edmondson, Cooper Adams, Kelly Wood; Team Roping, Nick Sartain & Shannon Frascht, Caleb Woodard & Troy Headrick, Troy Boone & Mike Weir, Brian Padilla & Toby Mentzer, Brian Dunning and Scott Morlan, Mitch Murry & Troy Gaston; Breakaway, Kelsey Foreman, Teddi Winfrey, Audra Hays, Cindy Livingston, Karli Sherwood, Erica Brown; Saddle Bronc, Jordan Furnish, Will Payne, Chance Harmon, Austin Boggs, Luke Rush, John Stukey; Bull Riding, Dan Hendricks, Stacy Pipes, Keith Jackson, Rowdy Thomas, Hawk Tucker, Ryan Leeds; Bull Riding Day Money, Dan Henricks, Ryan Leeds, Stacy Pipes, Haw Tucker, Keith Jackson, Rowdy Thomas; Steer Wrestling, Ryan Swayze, Colton Roesner, A. J. Griffin, Patrick Greenleaf, Brady Bartel; Barrels, Nicole Roush, Lorie Wendell, Shelby Jackson, Kasey Etbauer, Nanci Pratt, Tara Timms. The rodeo events draw many athletes because $5,000 is added to the prize money.

Wild Bill Thorpe and the rodeo clowns kept the participants safe in the ring. McCloy Rodeo Company, Morse, Texas, provided the stock.

Plans are already underway for the 20th annual McCracken rodeo in 2006. The committee met July 12 to discuss the event. Those present were Jerilyn and Mike Stull, Sandra Jacobs, Carol Weber, Bet McCormick, Ivan Janke, Tom Prosser, Tyrel Elias, Bill Greenway, L. Pat Casey, G. T. Barnes, Gary Barnes and friend Colleen, Roger Legleiter, Kerri Morgan and Deb Rogers.

Some of the permanent members of the rodeo crew are Tyrel Elias, L. Pat & Jackie Casey, Lance Brenner, Greg Meserve, Bill and Paula Greenway, Roger Legleiter, John Irvin, Mark Brackney, Gary Barnes and Brett Gilbert.

The volunteers who cook, serve, take and sell tickets, are an invaluable part of the rodeo. They are very much appreciated.

_____________Other News________________________

Twenty-six walkers/runners participated in the 2nd annual breast cancer awareness walk on Saturday morning, July 9th. Those participating were Ann Baus, Susan Keith, Richard Dorzweiler, Carolyn Davenport, Veronica Baus, June Rockey, Sarah Martin, Tomi Rues, Shirley Higgins, Shannon Keith, Laura Martin, Lanette Mathews, Aiden Martin, Kim Jay, Marshall Jay, Ronn Martin, Cathy Casey, Carolyn Thompson, John Casey, Betty Grumbein, Marlene Bronish, Elaine Fulkerson, Paula Miyake, Kayla Miyake & Mary Beth Peach.  The Martins walked in honor of Kyle Martin & Icis Eisenhour.  Mary Beth was the coordinator.
 
120 players played the 9 hole 4 person scramble Saturday morning, July 9th.  The winners were:  Championship; Don Irvin, Kellye Irvin, Chad Irvin & Chris Irvin; 2nd place, Mitch Conner, Michael Morgan, Jaden Jacobs, Ken Sweeney; 3rd place, Chris Lohrey, Brian Stevens, Jon Stevens, Garrett Basgall; 1st flight; Seth Albers, Silas Albers, Taylor Trogstad, Jason Huxman; 2nd place, Les Diehl, Pat Salisbury, Bruce Davis, Tommie Smith; 3rd place, Tony Harp, Billy Harp, Sam Harp, Stubby Conner; 2nd flight; Glenn Ryan, Chad Faust, Billy Arnold, Todd Arnold; 2nd place, Danny Etbauer, Butch Dixon, Mike Johnson, Taylor Moore; 3rd place, Steven & Jolene Morgan, Kyle & Deb Sherry; 3rd flight; Les Rogers, Mike Legleiter, Chase Rogers, Mike Hydon; 2nd place, Jason Pavlu, Chad Oberhelmin, Ryan Martin, Curtis Albers; 3rd place, Garrison ?, Tyell Etoauer, Randy Mitchell, Keith ?.  Men's longest drive, Jason Huxman; closest to the pin, Ken Sweeney; longest putt, Pat Wagner.  Women's longest drive, Treva Bergquist.  Other participating were:  Dennis Peters, Ronnie Rein, Bennie McCaskey, Robert Rein, Diz & Wilma Washaliski, Mark Baus, Mike Keith, Heath & Michelle Morgan, Babe & Arlene Gilbert, George Sommers, Cindy Wierman, Joel & Jill Harschback, Bryan & Michelle Yohe, Nick Trower, Leslie Trower, Ty Elias, Corey Shaw, Dennis Hagemen, Garry Williams, Scott Littler, Tom Prosser, Frank Littler, Gerald Washburn, Tim Kroger, Dale Wittom, Kelly Keller, Holly Gilbert, Terry Peters, Gary Barnes, Sean Peters, Jason Showalter, Shelby Burke, Bob Herring, Scott ?, Randy ?, Rich Showalter, Travis Peters, Johnny Mac Showalter, Jeremy Gourd, Scott Foos, John Booze, Corey Schwein, Alexis Nichepor, Al & Judy Hugh (golf cart rider, Ruth Yawger), Mitch McCalib, Ryan Netherland, Lonnie & Teresa Morgan, Jay & Cindy Schroter, Bet McCormick, Martin Higgins, Mark McCormick, Jerry Higgins, Jeff Hinman, Casey Grimme, Jason Whacker, Mike Murphy, Clayton Wilson, Bryan & Treva Bergquist, Spanky McGaughey, Bubba Morgan, Leslie Heidrick, Bailey ?, Danny ?, Butch Dixon, Mike Johnson, Taylor Moore.  Apologies for all the mistakes on the names.  Wal-Mart donated the donuts for the tournament.
 
We appreciate all those who displayed their class rings in the McCracken City Park on Saturday, July 9th.  The display case was made by Frank Littler.  It was made of oak with a glass front, lock & key.  It was later donated to the McCracken Museum. The following rings were shown:  Robert Lovitt 1923, Mildred McKittrick Rein 1930, Orvis Nowles 1930, Gloyd 'Buck' Vogle 1930, Lucy Higgins Vogle 1932, Julia Davenport Zeller 1938, Ruby Littler Myers 1938, George Myers 1938, Donald 'Doc' Davis 1946, Wilfrid Higgins 1946, Bob Derr 1949, Pat Walker Derr 1952, Jack Wilson 1951, Floyd Thompson 1951, Shirley Lovitt Higgins 1952, Charlie Jacobs 1952, Phyllis Rein Higgins 1953, Larry Eisenhour 1957, Marlene Wilson Funk 1958, Louise Gerritzen Zordel 1958, Janice Myers Stull 1959, Gerald Barnes 1959, Elaine Eisenhour Littler 1960, Vicky Zeller 1960, Phyllis Gerritzen Conrad 1961, Franklin Littler 1961, Arlyn North 1962, Mary Ann Higgins Zeller 1963, Martin Higgins 1963, Jan Eisenhour North 1965, Doug Higgins 1967, Jerry Schutte 1970, Frank Foster 1972, Jerry Higgins 1975, Sue Skillett Davis 1977, Ellen Davis Kershner 1978, Kerrie Derr Morgan 1979, Tammy Higgins Irvin 1980, Rhonda Conrad Allen 1983, Kayla Higgins Tacha 1983, Gary Barnes 1984, Susan Thompson Keith 1986.  George Myers received his ring as a sophomore from Hoisington High School but graduated from MHS.  John Zeller graduated from St. Joseph Military Academy.  Susan Keith received her ring as a sophomore from MHS but graduated from Ransom High School.
 
The class of 1950 celebrated their 55th class reunion during the weekend.  Those present were:  Wendell Hinman, Dixie McMullen Allen, Wayne Irvin, Velma Rogers Legleiter, Julius Unrein, Patricia Walker Derr & Bob Thompson.  Not attending was Tony Schlittler.  William Spomer is deceased.
 
The class of 1955 celebrated their 50th class reunion with dinner at the park:  Members present were Bryon Gilbert, Bill Lovitt, Darletha Moore Horyna, Priscella Rixon Jacobs, Dorothy Crotinger Graham & Mary Vogle McCormick.  Twila Graf Solbach, Wilma Pfannenstiel Schaffer were unable to attend.  James Jones, Carol Rein Rixon & Bob Ohlemeier are deceased.
 
The class of 1965 met at the City Park for dinner & their 40th reunion.  Class members present were LuAnne Lohnes Penka, Jametta Peters Basgall, Jan Eisenhour North, Dennis Peters.  Kathleen Stremel was a late arrival.  Members unable to attend were Stephen Anderson, Jim Brown, Kathy Casey Dugan, Susan Irvin Walker, Carol Littler Herdman & James Muller.
 
The 1975 class celebrated their 30th reunion with members Debi Baus Schuckman, Kent Brown, Donald Casey, Bill Greenway, Jerry Higgins, Robbie McGaughey, Nancy Higgins Wiebe, Greg Hinman, Glenn Ryan, Rosemary Rues Diehl & James Unrein.  Not present were Sally Buster, Richard Conrad, Fritz Foster, Allen Kober, Sherry Petz, Gary Schuckman, Julie Seltman Huxman & Linda Sloan Dale. Teachers Rich & Jeannie Billinger.  Mike Moran is deceased. 
 
The 1980 class celebrated their 25th class reunion with 5 members present.  Dale Elias, Kellye Irvin, Tammy Higgins Irvin, Mitchell Jacobs & Craig Stull.  Unable to attend were Kathleen Moran, Norma Elmore Kober, Phil Swindler & Laura Unrein.
 
Mass was held at St. Mary's Catholic Church Saturday evening at 4:00 p.m.  Father Kraus, Ransom, officiated.  The lector was Deanna Bergquist, altar boy Tayler Stull, bringing up the gifts were Fred & Mary Anne Taylor, Jim Schafer & Carolyn Thompson gave out communion.  Organists were Susan Keith & Jerilyn Stull with Susan playing her flute on the last song.  The ecumenical choir was organized by Arline Rues. Those wonderful singers were Bill & Sharon Lovitt, Cathie Casey, Eleanor Halbleib, Judy Hugh, Catherine Casey, Arlene Gilbert, Kelly Crowl, Alex Casey, Joyce Eisenhour, Frances Janke, Becky Crowl, Nicole Kirk, Phyllis Conrad, Debra Gaunt, Rich & Jeannie Billinger.