April 4, 2013 News

Birthdays: April 4, None; April 5, Sarah Urban, Melodie Casey, Brian Fear, Nicholas Petz; April 6, Pat Petz, Chelsea Petz, Sarah Wills, Al Hugh, Norman McNair, Tyron Steinert; April 7, Randy Mills; April 8, Mitchell Pfannenstiel, Elaine Pfannenstiel Fulkerson, Kim Moran; April 9, Darwin Grumbein, Paul Trujillo, Les Diehl, Kelli Marie Rourke, Secily Mills; May 10, Mary Steitz.

Once again I apologize for not getting the birthdays and anniversaries in last week's news. I am still trying to figure out Windows 8. ct

Jan North retired last Wednesday. We are happy to have her back in the community doing all the volunteer jobs! She said to tell everyone that if she wants a job, she will let us know first. That means NO job, she is looking forward to retirement.

There is no fish fry dinner on Saturday night after all. You might try the fried chicken meal at St. Michael's on Sunday.

Congratulations to Isylee and Presley Wilson on their baptism on Saturday evening at the Easter Vigil at WaKeeney. They are the daughters of Clayton and Kizmin Wilson. Their big brother, Gunner, will be receiving first communion this weekend. Marlene Funk was here for Pete Rixon's funeral and she said the baptism and Easter Vigil was wonderful. Of course the Wilson girls were perfect, not crying like all the other babies!

T. J. Milam celebrated his 24th birthday on Friday evening at Guiterrez in Hays. Those celebrating with him were his grandparents, Al and Judy Hugh, Deb Luft and Carolyn Thompson. On Easter Al and Judy Hugh, Mike, Susan and Shannon Keith,Carolyn Thompson and Deb Luft had dinner at the Smoky Hill Country Club. T. J. had to work at Precision Golf, so they all went over to visit him.

Nicole, Clark and Maddie Kirk had as their guests for Easter, Jason, Michele and Marge Moran. Since KU lost John, Ellen and Josh Moran made it back from Dallas for the Easter dinner. Other guests were Shirley Endsley and Cliff and Carol Kirk.

Josh Svaty, former state representative, was the guest speaker for the induction of the members in the National Honor Society at Ellsworth on March 25. Shannon Keith was one of the five inducted.

The article in Sundays Hutchison News about Wilburton, the town that went bust in clouds of dust, quoted Dale Coen, 91. He was in the PBS series “Dust Bowl” and an uncle of Jim and Kathy Huddleston Coen

.Richard Gonzales and his mother Chris were guests of Rob and Helena McGaughey over the weekend. On Sunday they joined Rob, Helena, Ashley and Austin and ate at the Ransom VFW. On Monday Chris helped Austin make an authentic Mexican meal, then they went site seeing in Rush County and ate at Effie's in Rush center. Richard is the boyfriend of Ashley.

How did it get so late so soon? It is night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness the time has flewn-how did it get so late so soon??? Dr. Seuss.

Congratulations to the Wichita State Shockers on their trip to the final four. Ron Baker, #31 is great to watch and it is especially special as he is the great-nephew of Jeannie Elias. Who would have 'thunk' a Utica, Kansas native playing in the final four??? His picture is on the cover of Sports Illustrated and the Wichita Shockers team on the Wheaties Box!!!!!

McCracken Alumni has a face book page. Please add graduate photos, school related activities, rodeo pictures etc. Tell us what you think!

Priscilla Jacobs, Sandra Jacobs, Neal and Amy Jacobs attended graveside memorial services for Pete Rixon at Grandbury, Texas on Friday.

An 80th surprise birthday party was held for Bob Fear at the Four-Corners Restaurant Saturday evening. It was given by his daughter, Nicole Fear and he WAS surprised. Family and friends were in attendance.

Babe and Arlene Gilbert spent Easter with Bob and Marlene Funk in Wakeeney.

A memorial was held this morning at the United Methodist Church for Pete Rixon.The minister, Dean Gilbert was a class mate. Shirley Brackney Gabel and Dight House were in attendance, also class mates. They all graduated in 1953, 60 years ago, and Pete is the only one deceased. The others are Juanita Walker Caviness, Harold Dean (Curly) Juvenal, and Phyllis Rein Higgins.

Tyrel, Tina and Quintin Elias spent Easter in Hutchinson with his mother, Dave and Carolyn Davenport.

Ellen Kershner fixed Easter dinner and brought it to the home of Grandpa Bob House. Guests were Bruce, Ellen, Addie, Clinton, Clayton, and aunt Addie Mills.

Dan and Kim Townsend made a kinda 'surprise' visit at the home of her mother, Mary McCormick Easter Sunday.

Historians Debra Goodrich Bisel and Michelle M. Martin tell the complete story about the state's dramatic military history in their book “Kansas Forts & Bases: Sentinels on the Prairie”. This 144 page paperback leaves no stone unturned in providing a fascinating glimpse into the many forts and posts that dotted the Kansas landscape over the years. The first military outpost in the state was Fort de Cavagnial, which operated from 1744 to 1764 in present day Leavenworth. Kansas Forts & Bases is a follow-up for Bisel to the “The Civil War in Kansas”, which was released in 2012. The McCracken Library hosted Deb Goodrich Bisel on January 26 at the McCracken Community Building about her book, “The Civil War in Kansas; Ten Years of Turmoil”

Roy & Phyllis Conrad ate Easter Dinner at the VFW at Ransom on Sunday. Albert and Louise Zordel were also there but couldn't visit with them much because Louise had to help with the meal. We were told they fed about 250 people. After dinner Roy and Phyllis visited with Father Krause for a while. He is still in LongTerm Care recovering slowly from his knee surgery..

McCracken History Notes: April 1963

Carol Ann Davis and Richard Brown announce their engagement.

David Jefferis received the appointment as Rush County representative of the Kansas Genealogical Society.

Carolyn Higgins and James Sekavec announce their engagement.

97° set a new record Monday in Rush County. Gusty winds up to 55 mph blew Monday giving birth to dust storms. Rains are needed for parched county land.

A grass fire burned off approximately 600 acres of soil bank east of Hargrave.

Richard Hardwick claimed his 7th trophy of the season at the SRCA Drag Races at Great Bend.

A daughter, Laura Jane, was born April 11 to Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Casey.

Mrs. W.J. Sieling died Sunday at the Hadley Hospital in Hays. Her brother James Rixon lives here.

Rodney Lynn Conrad, 15 month old son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Conrad, died April 14.

The Rambler 6 or V8 'Car of the Year' is being shown at the Anderson Motor Co.

Albert Ross Nichol, 63, died of a heart attack in Fowler, Colorado.

Larry Eisenhour is stationed with the US Army in Washington.

Harry Tanck, 79, died April 25 after a one week illness. Burial was in McCracken.

A son, Wade, was born April 18 to Mr. and Mrs. Wendell Hinman.

LaRetta Morgan and John Fitzwater announce their engagement.

Alexander Whippets went 13 innings to 'rack up' their 10th straight win. Lonnie Morgan hit 3 triples for Alexander.

Dewey Dugan died recently in Ness City. His brothers, Leonard and Jack attended the funeral.

Captain Dale Scheideman, son of Mr. and Mrs. R.V. Scheideman graduated from the US Air Force's Squadron Officer School in Maxwell AFB, Alabama.

Wendell R. Conrad was promoted to Private 1st Class at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma.