February 26, 09

Congratulations to Roger McNair on his 60th birthday.  A get to gather was held in his honor Saturday evening at their home.  Many friends and relatives were in attendance.
 
Susan Davis spent a few days last week in Hutchinson with her grandkids, Madison and Hunter.  Madison went shopping with her grandmother in Wichita and had a fun, fun time.
 
Norma McNair is giving Cathy Rues Cathy cooking lessons for 6 weeks or so, or as her husband Ron says, “as long as it takes’”.
 
Friday, Gladys and Wendell Hinman had lunch with Laura Wierman and Jerod in Salina.  They then traveled to Kansas City where they watched Sarah Hinman play basketball.  They spent the night with Larry, Ellen, Cheryl and Sarah.  Saturday morning they visited with Tonya, Wade and Zaccary Hinman.  Saturday evening was spent in Pawhuska, Oklahoma for a surprise birthday party for Carolyn Helmer.  She was joined by her sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews and friends from Kansas, Arkansas and Oklahoma.  On their return home they visited with Donna Miner in Hutchinson. 
 
Jeremy and Tammy Gourd, Zane, Brooke and ‘little’ Tammy of Denver were for the birthday party of her dad, Roger McNair.
 
We had a great rodeo meeting Sunday night - thanks to all of you who attended.  Guest speaker Jared Roberts (ShortGo Rodeo Company) gave us a proposal to listen to about him being interested in becoming a contractor for the McCracken Rodeo.  Gave us lots of input and answered our questions that the group presented to him.  Those attending were Gary Barnes, Colleen Kerns, Roger and Brenda Legleiter, Bet McCormick, Mark Brackney, Shawna North, Holly Gilbert, Ava North, Jerilyn Stull, Nada Wells, Rose Diehl and Shirley Higgins.
 
Next meeting to be held is NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 1ST at 7:00 PM at the Fire Building.  We didn't get to discuss everything that was needed last night and do not want to wait another month to make some decisions about advertising, contests, etc. 
 
A belated Happy 85th Birthday to Addie Mills.
 
The final Bleeding Kansas 2009 program will be held at Constitution Hall in Lecompton on Sunday, March 1 at 2:00 p.m. – free admission.  It is a first-person portrayal of “Governor Andrew Reeder:  At the Request of My President” by Rex Patty, living history educator and reeanactor.
 
Addie Mills was guest of honor for ice cream and cake on her 85th birthday at the home of Marty and Tina Mills on Monday, February 16. 
 
We are looking to purchase two copies of the McCracken Community Cookbook compiled by St. Mary’s Altar Society, McCracken in 1979.  One is for the museum.  Let us know if you have one to sell or donate.
 
We had a letter from Mary Jane Kamieniecki in Manning, Alberta, Canada.  She describes the economic condition there.  She writes, “Activity really slowed down and the recession is being felt here in our town.  Some down sizing and laying off of oil patch and forest workers.  Glad we are not in debt over our ears as some are and grain prices only average.  Some people are selling out in the spring.  House prices dropped and not too many building as lots in town range from $30,000 to $50,000.  We are planning on staying on the farm as have things paid for and can manage on our security and OAS cheques and still help our kids out some.  We have only one store in town and it’s brand new and prices are outrageous.  This company has 17 stores; he forced out our coop store out of town, so we shop at No Frill store in Peace River – an hour and 20 minutes – two times a month.  We work our dental and doctor appointments in also.  We have a doctor who came from Australia for nine months. 
 
Evelyn Cosby treated Addie Mills to supper at the Four-Corner Café on Friday evening as a belated birthday celebration. 
 
If you have news for our column, please e-mail us for Shirley shirleyh@gbta.net
and Carolyn at yawgerr@gbta.net
 
Danny and Marilyn Mills of Gorham and Marty Mills were Sunday afternoon visitors of Addie Mills.
 
McCracken History Notes
February 1889
 
In the counties of Ellis, Rush and Rooks, the great wheat region of the state, a person can buy land for $3.00 to $7.00 per acre.  By making a farm here he can enjoy from the first all the advantages of markets, churches, schools and society.
 
February 1899
Last Saturday Joe Jennings sold thirty bull calves that averaged eight months old for $3000 or $100 per head.
 
February 1909
Wheat has been selling for one dollar per bushel in McCracken for several days but unfortunately there is only a limited supply to market at that price.
 
The test of true friendship was exemplified Saturday when Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Chenoweth, Mr. and Mrs. James Start and J. A. Yawger of McCracken came to Hays overland against a blinding, cold wind store, to bring golden presents and priceless messages of congratulations to their of time friends and neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. R. Mulroy.
 
February 1919
Mr. Norlin is preparing to erect a large two story building 50 x 80.
 
Old timers say the snow drift near the bridge north of town as the largest they had ever seen.  Only the cross bars on the telephone poles were visible above the drift.  Drifts in the Grumbein and Warden yards were 15 feet deep.
 
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Joe McGaughey, February 27, a boy.
 
February 1939
Schoenchen, Bazine and Claflin scored opening round victories in the first team bracket of the REN league invitational tournament held in Otis with 20 teams competing.  McCracken drew a bye in the first round to advance to the second where they will meet Ellinwood.  Other teams mentioned were Hoisington, Alexander, Bunker Hill, Dorrance, Claflin, Bison and Pawnee Rock.
 
Babe Ryan, Brownell, was injured Sunday when the car in which he and four others were hunting coyotes struck soft dirt and overturned.  The accident occurred at the Grumbein place northeast of Brownell.
 
One of the worst dust storm for some time struck Saturday evening, steadily increasing in violence until visibility towards early morning was nearly nothing.  Several wheat fields will be severe losses due to the wind.
 
McCracken’s town team boys protected their undefeated record on the home court here by shellacking a Hays intramural team 48-35.  Francis Lovitt led the scoring with 19 points.
 
February 1949
Albert Janke received an award for outstanding work in soil conservation on his farm.
 
February 1959
James Hanson left Friday morning for Detroit, Michigan where he will be stationed at the Selfridge Air Force base.
 
February 1969
Jerry Schutte received a cut on his leg while operating a power saw at home.
 
Thayne Jones of Valley View Farms is a representative of the soil conservations service project for drainage of farm fields.
 
February 1979
The Mustangs rolled over Bazine 109-84 on Tuesday and won a thriller in double overtime Friday 59-58 over Dorrance.  The boys will meet Healy in the first round of tournament play on February 27.  The girls will play Lewis on February 26.