RCNews April 13
           
Thanks to Roy Conrad, Bill Zeller and Thayne Jones for the pictures on the McCracken Alumni web site.  We also thank Mary Wyman for her pictures of Cedar Bluff Lake. 
 
McCracken Library had 12 ‘kids’ attend the Manners Class given by Tomi Rues held Wednesday evening at the library.  They learned about basic manners and manners at school.  The class was given last year at the Beloit Public Library and they graciously sent the material to the Library.  Those attending were Haily, Courtney and Erica Gilbert, Derek and Carly Derr, Austin McGaughey, Sheila Brown, Courtney Tammen, Emma Rues, Zach Peach, Angela Morgan and Scott Irvin. 
 
The 26th of March, Marge Elias, Dennis and Jeannie Elias went to Colby to visit Allen and Sherry Rupp.  Staci Elias and Maggie, Tampa, Florida was visiting her parents.  Joining them were Travis and Tina Elias, Katie and Tanner.  It was Spring break for Staci and it was also her birthday. 
 
Ron and Sabrina Hurt and Sam spent a few days last week in Winter Park skiing. 
 
The alumni letters were mailed Tuesday.  Please don’t throw yours in the trash.  Look at the letter and think how long it took to compose, stamp the envelope, the return envelope and of course the money used to buy stamps.  We hope you all will make an effort to pay your dues, attend the alumni festivities and help celebrate the 20th anniversary of the McCracken Rodeo.  See you July 7th and 8th!!!!!
 
A horse measuring stick made from a bull has been donated by Ben McCaskey, grandson of Ben Hicks, to the Jail/Museum.
 
Shane Anderson, son of Steve & Sharon Anderson, is now serving in Iraq near Mosul.  He received his combat training at Fort Carson, Colorado.  He is a member of the Air Force attached to the 101st Airborne.
 
Anna Bergquist was featured in the WaKeeney paper this week.  She is in the 4th grade and they are working on a challenge to double their AR (accelerated reading) points. She ended up tripling her points.  She attributes her success to living in the country with no cable or satellite TV.  Congratulations Anna and thanks to Dad for not providing distractions!!  Anna is the daughter of Bryan and Treva Wilson Bergquist
 
Congratulations to Bill Greenway on his re-election to the City Commission.  Thanks to Robert Tilford for running.
 
 Mike & Shannon Keith and Carolyn Thompson attended the Palm Sunday Cantata Service presented by the Ellsworth Community Choir.  The Cantata was entitled "Resurrection Day! He is Risen, He's Alive!"  Susan Keith was the accompanist.
 
It was nice to see Eddie & Gloria Blackwell at the Regional Music Contest at Russell on Saturday.  Spring had a 1 in the French horn.  She will advance to the State Competition.
 
McCracken History Notes
April 1906
The marriage ceremony was performed between Mr. S. Clay Farwell and Miss Fern Alice Robertson at the home of the bride's parents. They will be at home in Little River where the groom is engaged in the hardware and furniture business.
 
April 1936
Mrs. Carl Ogan (Jennie Lovitt) was killed in a car accident near Sedgwick on Easter Sunday.  She was killed instantly when she was hurled through the top of the car when it hit a rut in the road and turned over twice.  Her 10 year old son, Billy Jim, received a fractured left arm and possible internal injuries.
 
Miss Irma Irvin is opening a beauty shop this week in the building recently vacated by the Vogue Dress Shop.
 
April 1946
Mr. and Mrs. Noble Campbell returned Friday from Los Angeles, Calif. where they had spent the winter.  They were accompanied by Mrs. Jessie Robertson who came to visit her daughters, Mrs. Lester (Loraine) Ramsey and Mrs. Frank (Drewie) McGaughey and other relatives and friends here.
 
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. James Cramer of Wichita, on the birth of a daughter, Jennie Lou, born April 3.  Mrs. Cramer was formerly Rachel Renner.
 
Jessie Lee Barnes received his discharge from the navy March 30 at Norman, Okla.
 
T/4 Orville G. Wahl received his discharge from the army, April 3, at Ft. Douglas, Utah.  He was inducted into the army August 18, 1943.
 
April 1956
The McCracken Library had an open house at its new location on Saturday.  Officers elected were Toncie Walker, Grace Metz, Helen VanWinkle and John P. Moran.  June Bible is the librarian.  The library is organized as a city library and is primarily financed by city funds.
 
April 1966
Mrs. Rachel Fletcher entertained at a coffee Thursday morning honoring Mrs. Lucille Lamer on her birthday.  Guests included Loreen McCaskey, Ruby VanWinkle, Ruby Ryan, June Bible, Eunice North, Ruth Janke, Helen Showalter and Joan Buster.
 
Mrs. Emmett Sloan, Gail and Norma, Mrs. Bessie Davis and Mrs. Richard Brown and Shelly went to Kinsley Saturday to visit Mr. and Mrs. Raynard Dykes and family who moved there recently from Pratt.
 
April 1976
A pre-contest concert will be presented by the McCracken Junior High and High school at the McCracken Grade School.   Numbers will be presented by the high school band, mixed chorus, ensembles and choir with Mrs. Gloria Bland, director.  The concert is in preparation for the State Music Festival.
 
Guests editorial were sent to the Rush County News by Mrs. Conner's fifth grade.  They were entitled Creep Crime Shows by Kayla Higgins; Stop Pollution by Mike Stull; Come again Ness City by Doug Elias; Dog Laws by Brenda Barnes; Patty Hearst by Rhonda Conrad; The advantage & disadvantage of attending a small school by Sandra Taylor; Why do dogs have to be chained by Joy Mills; and Myron Schuckman, by Kevin Casey.
 
April 1986
Jeff Crawshaw, Kristi Brackney, Melissa Morgan and Trenton Herdman are on the track team in Bazine.  Trenton Herdman qualified for regionals.
 
April 1996
Bill Zeller, John Irvin, Sally Irvin, Dave Rogers and Babe Gilbert starred in the play “Cellmates” at the McCracken United Methodist Church on Good Friday.  They were directed by Rev. Rexine Bryant.  The story line of the play dealt with Barabbas and Jesus.
 
MHS Year Book Notes
1946-1947
Freshmen:  Duane Brackney, Tony Schlitter, Wendell Hinman, Calvin Wilson, Robert Thompson Jr., William Spomer, Wayne Irvin, Julius Unrein, Rita Moran, Velma Rogers, Edith Moses, Dixie McMullen and Patricia Walker.  Sponsor is Miss Miller.
 
Sophomores:  Bob Derr, Bob Davis, Betty Koerner, Elaine Pfannenstiel and Janice Regenos.  Sponsor:  Mr. Oliver Pearson.
 
1956:
Freshmen:  Janice Myers, Allen Showalter, Gerald Barnes, Judy Whitis, Carl Smith and Melissa House.
 
Sophomores:  Norman Pfannenstiel, Patty Graf, Joyce Showalter, James Hanson, Marlene Wilson, Gary Oller, Donna Knight, Perry Irvin, Alberta Anderson, Karen Walker, Gary Walker, Louise Gerritzen, Arlene Wilson, Billy Wierman, Carla Rodeman, Furlin Irvin and Peggy Harper.
 
1966:
Freshmen: David Halbleib, Patricia Foos, Valandia Derr, David Davenport, Patricia Casey, Gloria Baus, Jim Brack, Timothy Brown, Jack Beebe, Rita North, Donald Schuckman, Sherry Osborn, Timmy Petz, Debra Schuckman, Richard Showalter, Bill Wetzel, Richard Higgins, Douglas Whitis, Wayne Johnston, Robert Mason and Kirby Wendler.
 
Sophomores:  Dennis Elias, Sharon Parsons, Eileen Pfaff and Marie Rourke.
 
1976:
Freshmen:  Jerry Casey, Sandy Foreman, Susan Moran, Lanette Stremel, Joe Conner, Larry Hinman, Craig Rixon, Patty Swartz, Kerri Derr, Shannon McKinney, Tim Seltmann, Rashell Schwindt, Andrea Dome, Marty Mills, Lisa Schuckman and Freddie Taylor. 
 
Sophomores: Mark Baus, Ellen Davis, Hope Johnston, Karin Seltman, J.D. Bell, Jim Dome, Michelle Kershner, Janet Unrein, Larry Buster, Cheryl Foreman, Layne Morgan, Caroline Casey, Dan Halbleib and Peggy Rixon.
 
The McCracken High School Boys’ Baseball Team ended their fine season with a record of 12 and 3.  The young Mustangs coached by Rich Billinger had two of the team members pitch a no-hitter against the Victoria Knights.  They were seniors Steve Foreman and Chuck Higgins.  The team also had an opportunity of traveling to the State baseball tournament at Emporia where they were defeated by Pittsburg-Colgan 12-7.