RCNews
Jan 14

Birthdays:  January 14, Maggie Elias; January 15, Lucas McCormick, Cameri Mills, Quinn Anderson, Shawn Baus, Scott Rome, Rose Jones, LuAnn Doerr Weatherby, Audra Schwindt Allen; January 16, Debbie Anderson, Bryce Conner, Kaden Foust; January 17, Helena McGaughey, Susie Parsons, Shirley Harp, Kelly Harp; January 18, Betty Fear, Kyle Rodeman; January 19, Kellan Wiebe.
 
Anniversaries:  January 14, Tim and Stacy Rues, Kellye and Sandy Irvin, Brett and Holly Gilbert; January 17, Larry and Kathy Brenner.
 
Diana Hill is the new pastor of the McCracken, Otis, Bison and LaCrosse Methodist Churches.
 
Roger and Norma McNair traveled to McPherson to the home of Richard and Carol Brown, McPherson where they got Norma’s mother, Marjorie Sloan and took her to her home in Ponca City, Oklahoma. On their return home Roger stopped by his eye doctor where he had surgery on one of his eyes. He is doing well.
 
Bill and Sharon Lovitt returned home from Columbia, Missouri Tuesday where Bill had a doctor’s appointment for his cancer. The doctors released him as he doing ok.
 
The McCracken Main Street Literary Society met Tuesday evening at the library. Members present were Sandra Jacobs, Shirley Higgins, Carolyn Thompson, Ruth Crawshaw and Rose Diehl.

10...20...30...40... oh my, where have the years gone?  How many of you readers can remember what January 2, 1971 was like?  It started out to be the most beautiful day ever.  It was in the 50's or 60's as I recall.  It wasn't until around 6:00 pm that the nice weather started changing to snow.  By 10:00 or 11:00 pm we had a full blown blizzard in Rush County.  Most of the people had left the city auditorium to try to make it home or were staying with friends in the area if the Green Acre and the La Crosse Motel were not already fully booked.  It was a time that many people will never forget and they still talk about it today!  As this was a surprise to many people, Dan planned a surprise for Pat on their 40th anniversary at the Guitteriz Restaurant in Hays to help them celebrate. An enjoyable evening was spent with family and friends.  Those attending were:  Kelly, Melanie, Nathan, Nicholas, Kallynn, and Kameron Petz, Wes and Sandy Oakley of Hays, Trent, Angie, Tyler, and Drake Timson of McPherson, Dolores Petz, Chansler Petz, and Kaylyn Schippers of Mc Cracken, Sherry Petz and Hal Witthuhn of Ellis, Leland and Mary Steitz, DeWayne and Vicky Foos, Maurice and Debbie Haas of La Crosse, and John and Rita Liggett of Rush Center. Thanks to all of you who helped us celebrate this occasion and I hope we can do it again on our 50th!  

Christmas Eve was spent worshipping at St. Michael's Catholic Church in LaCrosse. After mass Dan and Pat Petz hosted a get together at the Senior Center.  Those attending were:  Kelly, Melanie, Nicholas, Kallynn, and Kameron Petz of Hays, Trent, Angie, and Drake Timson of McPherson, Leland and Mary Steitz, De.Wayne and Vicky Foos of La Crosse, and Bob, Jendee, and Gratton Dalton of Bison.

Christmas Day was spent at the Dolores Petz farm with many family members present.  Those enjoying the food and company were:  Danny and Pat Petz, Chansler Petz and Kaylyn Schippers, and Kirby and Joy Petz of Mc Cracken.  Trent, Angie, and Drake Timson of McPherson, Sherry Petz and Hal Witthuhn of Ellis, Chris and Cindy Petz of Goddard, and Curt, Chelsea, and Preslea Wells of Cheney.  It was so much fun to see the two new great grandchildren playing together at their first Christmas. How blessed we are when new children arrive. Grandma Dolores' family sure is growing!

Danny and Pat Petz spent the Sunday after Christmas at the home of Kelly and Melanie Petz's at Hays.  After dinner, a fun time was spent opening presents with Kelly, Melanie, Nathan, Nicholas, Kallynn, and Kameron, and Trent, Angie, and Drake.  Spending the holidays with family is such a precious gift.  We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and wish you all a Happy New Year!
 
Addie Mills was a super guest of Evelyn Cosby last Tuesday at Traci’s in LaCrosse. Addie visited with Donna Hansen in Hays on Sunday.
 
Since we are in the process of beautifying McCracken, we thought this article would be of interest from 1941.  Mr. Herrman of the extension service at Hays spent Arbor Day supervising the local workers with landscaping plans for the City Park.  Some 300 trees in all have been set in the park, including Chinese and American elms, Russian olive, pine and cedar.  Extensive plans for the beautification of the park include two more ovens with two tables for each and curved walks will be lined with trees.  The bandstand is to be moved to the southwest and circled with ornamental trees.  The entire park will be bordered with trees and a tamarack hedge.
 
Anyone interested in genealogical research is invited to a DAR membership workshop to be held at North Central Kansas Technical College, 2205 Wheatland Avenue, Hays, on Saturday January 29 from 9-5.  There will be a lunch break from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.   Dress comfortably.  Bring note taking material and questions.  We will have the use of the school’s computers and internet (free), but if you’d rather bring your laptop, please do.  The workshop is sponsored by Courtney-Spalding Chapter NSDAR of Hays.  If you have questions, please call Carolyn at 785-394-2446.
 
Maynard Swisher broke his right wrist in a fall this past week end. We wish him a speedy recovery.
 
On Saturday afternoon Stephanie Greenway celebrated her 14th birthday.  Guests were Courtney and Erica Gilbert, Betty Greenway, Bill, Paula, William and Michael Greenway, Matt and Jessica Casey, Ron and Ruth Crawshaw and Jeff and Billie Crawshaw.
 
Our sympathy to the family of John Wayne Gottschalk, 72, Schoenchen, who died January 4, 2011 at Hays Medical Center.  He married Esther Werth on October 26, 1957 in Antonino.  He was the owner of Johnnie’s Service and Repair in Schoenchen having started the business in 1970.  He semi-retired in 2007.  Johnnie was an early supporter of the McCracken Rodeo. He took out one of the first ads in our rodeo booklet. 
 
Our sympathy to the family of Harold Otto Beisner, 85, of Topeka who died January 3, 2011.  One of his sons is Kelly Beisner, of  Ellis.  Kelly is the husband of Sandra Taylor Beisner.  He was a U. S. Navy veteran, serving during World War 11.  He worked for the Kansas Highway Department for 42 years.
 
Our sympathy to the family of Don and Deanna Bergquist on the death of their sister-in-law, Patricia Kay Bergquist. She was born November 4, 1947 and died January 4, 2011. Her husband was DeWain Bergquist. He survives with daughter, Jodi, sons, Erick and Erin, five brothers; five sister; two stepbrothers, two stepsisters and three grandchildren. 
 
Our sympathy to the family of William C. (Bill) Bannister, Hays, who died January 4, 2011.  He was the son of Charles and Gladys Hanson Bannister of Alexander.  He was born March 25, 1937.  He married Marcia Swenson in Jewell, Kansas, on January 24, 1959.  They were married for 52 years.  He is survived by his wife, and four sons, Mark, Ted, Grant and Joel and eight grandchildren.  His vocation was teaching and farming.  Burial was in the Great Bend Cemetery.
 
McCracken History Notes
January 1891
 
Hon. John Lovitt left for Topeka Wednesday to attend the meeting of the Legislature.
 
January 1911
This week the temperatures have been between 5 to 20 below 0.
 
The high school looks forward to getting into the new building.  The heating plant is the best on the market and the ventilation will be almost perfect.
 
January 1921
The Kansas-Texas Oil Company is constructing a filling station on the corner opposite of the Earlenbaugh Produce house.
 
January 1941
 
An extensive remodeling and rearranging program is now in progress at Norlin’s store.  The grocery department is being moved from the rear of the building to the north side where new shelving and display racks of modern design are being built.  The new arrangement will give an up to date look.
 
January 1961
Plans for a Rush County Centennial celebration will be held May 6.
 
January 1981
The City of McCracken will hold a public meeting to discuss assessments and developments in the waste treatment system.
 
A New Year’s party and dinner was held at the home of Larry Edmundson.