RCNews March 4 2010

A Lenten retreat was held at Liebenhaus, Wednesday February 24 with Judy Hoffman, Donimican Associate, conducting.
Those present who enjoyed were Rosarie Jecha, Shirley Higgins, Twila Herrman, Lucy Dechant, Eleanor Moeder, Viola Depperschmidt, Joann Schulz, Lucy Unrein, Maggie Dechant, Rita Oborny, Mary Ann Legletier, and Blanche Tomecek.  Joining them for lunch and prayer was Mary Ann Randa. 
 
Travis, Tina, Katie, and Tanner Elias, Colby were week-end guests of Dave and Carolyn Davenport, Hutchinson. Everyone attended the George Strait/Reba McIntyre in Wichita.
 
Boondocks Café in McCracken WILL NOT open until 5:00 PM on Saturday, March 13, due to St. Patrick’s celebrations in Rush Center.
 
Shirley Higgins was hostess to the DREAM ladies on Friday, February 26. Present were Kathleen Kuchar, Christine Wagner, Carol Heiman, Hays and Carolyn Thompson.  They all enjoyed lunch at Boondocks before their ‘session’.
 
Friday, Saturday guests of Shirley Higgins were Kayla Tacha and Nicole, Jesika Smith, Norton.  They attended the State wrestling tournament on Friday and went again Saturday.  (Norton placed 1st).
 
Rose and Les Diehl, Topeka, spent the weekend at their home in McCracken. Rose had a job at Boondocks Saturday evening.
 
Clayton McFarren, 82, died February 23, 2010. He was born September 23, 1927 to Jesse and Beryl Grumbein McFarren.  Survivors include his wife Doris, five sons, Terry, Marlin, Curtis, Kelly and Shane; a sister Yvonne Grothusen.  His brother, Dean McFarren of McCracken died January 11, 2010.
 
Clifton Bunn died February 17, 2010 in Seale, Alabama.  He was an ordained Baptist deacon at Avalon Woods and Oswichee Baptist churches.  He was a retired US Army veteran serving in Vietnam after 20 years of service. Among his survivors are three daughters, Janie Johnson, Polly Bowers and Donna and her husband, Shannon McKinney.  Interment was in Ft. Mitchell Naational Cemetery.
 
The Western Kansas Dinner Club of Hays enjoyed dinner at Boondocks Saturday evening.
 
Dave and Carolyn Davenport, Hutchinson attended their granddaughter's, Katie Elias, basketball tournament in Goodland on Thursday afternoon. Travis, Tina, and Tanner Elias were also in attendance. Saturday they met Ty, Tina, and Quintin Elias at Boondock's for a delicious meal. There's nothing that tastes that good in Hutchinson. We really enjoyed it. Saturday afternoon Dave and Carolyn accompanied Dave Derr to Dodge City to help support the Boot Hill Casino. Travis and Tina Elias joined them.
 
Ruth Axman, her daughters Hope Ney, John and Melanie Zeller, grand daughters Cassandra Ney, Sarah Urban and her friend Kyle enjoyed dinner at Boondocks Saturday evening.
 Chuck and Pat Heidrick, Aaron and Leslie McGaughey, Jackson and Lillian, Terry and Helen Showalter, Austin McGaughey, Rob and Helena McGaughey were also in attendance at the Café.
 
A memorial has been given to the McCracken Alumni in memory of Cheryl Casey Wiesner from her husband Phil Wiesner
 
Our sympathy to Mike and Nancy Wiebe and family on the death of his father, Theodore “Ted” Wiebe, 84, who died February 23, 2010 at his home in Hutchinson.   He was a teacher, having taught at Beloit High School,moving to Hutchinson in 1957 where he taught English at the former Plaza Junior High School. He then moved to Hutchinson Community College where he taught English and Journalism for thirty year, retiring in 1999.  He married Patricia “Pat” Schibi in 1952.  Burial was in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum.
 
The bell at the Methodist rang Sunday thanks to Roger McNair.  Those participating in the ringing of the bell were Emma Rues, Rylin, Zoe, Kameryn and Lexie Anderson,
Courtney and Erica Gilbert.
 
Tony and Tomi Rues and family enjoyed having Tomi's dad out for a long weekend to lay tile. They only hope her dad enjoyed himself as well!!
 
Victor E. Tiger, mascot for Fort Hays State University, celebrated his 10th anniversary at the Fort Hays men’s basketball game on Wednesday.  A bigger than live size representation of Victor E. Tiger was made by Diana Unrein of icing.  A picture of it was in the Hays Daily on Thursday evening.
 
Rose Ann Felder celebrated her 80th birthday at Boondocks on Saturday evening.  Those celebrating with her were her husband, Louis, Mike and Rita Felder, Mary Jo and Robert Hafliger, Frances and Julia Zeller, Geno and Paula Corte, John and Melanie Zeller and Bill Zeller.
 
The retired teachers of Ransom were at Boondocks on Friday noon.  They meet once a month and go to different restaurants in the area.
 
Judy Hugh and Carolyn Thompson attended the Junior High/Middle School Music Contest on Wednesday at Ruppenthal Middle School in Russell.  Shannon Keith participated in piano, voice solo, 7th grade ensemble and band.  Susan Keith is their voice teacher.
 
Family and friends joined Orville Durand on Sunday afternoon for his 90th birthday party at Rush County Nursing Home.
 
The winter Olympics ended Sunday with triumphs and disappointments, but it was a delight to watch.
 
McCracken History Notes
March 1910
James Start and Glenn Stock were absent from the high school room Tuesday.  The high school pupils are preparing a program for the box social to be held at the Opera House Saturday evening.
 
March 1920
Knights of Pythias officers are Noble Campbell, C. B. Kinnamon, N. W. Sidebotton, George McGrath, Frank Ribelin, Lyle Farwell, Ancel Conner, Ray Peacock, Earl Harmon, Albert Muck, J. P. Warden, Charles Lovitt and Lander Davenport.
 
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Sweeney are the parents of a baby boy born Thursday, March 3.
 
March 1922
Arthur Names production of Death Valley has as its cast, Mamie Eno, Nancy Farwell, Leslie Hunt, Leonard Ryan, “Pop” Brackney Roy Mortimer, Arthur Names and “Chub” McGaughey.
 
Mr. Names did other events.  Check out this one:  At the Strand Theatre Tuesday night the “pretty girl” contest drew quite a crowd and they had lots of fun with the contestants.  Bryan “Buck” Start won the prize for being the hardest-looking customer in ladies dress and Robert Lovitt got first money as being the loveliest lady of them all.  Mr. Names plans further novelty shows and will announce them in the near future.  (This event reminds us of a rodeo variety show not too many years ago, when Dean Gilbert portrayed a lady. How fun that was.)   The old time baseball teams use to play in Mother Hubbard dress for their games.
 
March 1940
March 7th is a popular birthday for McCrackenites.  Caroline Ree is 82, Carol Faye Bible is one.  Basil and Laytha Ryan, Shirley Lovitt and Anna Laura Yates were also born on this date. 
 
St. Patrick’s Day is the birthday of Mrs. Frances Kline, our former milliner.  She is now living with her son and wife in Leavenworth.
 
March 1960
Winter still has its cold, white grip on Rush county.  An additional seven inches of snow fell on the county’s already piled-high drifts.  This makes a grand total of 27 inches so far in 1960, 20 of it fell in February.
 
Tom McCormick and Rose Ann Holtz were married Saturday morning at St. Joseph’s church in Colwich.
 
March 1980
Born to Mr. and Mrs. John Showalter, a daughter, Amanda Danyel, March 2 in Ransom.
 
In the first round of Regionals at Ransom, McCracken defeated Healy 86-28.  Jeff McCormick and Kelly Irvin combined for 50 points.  In the second round Dighton defeated McCracken in overtime 58-56.  The Lady Mustangs beat Utica 48-32 in the first round and lost to Healy 52-42 in the semis.