RCNews April 15

There will be Bible study at the United Methodist Church on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m.  EVERYONE is invited to join.  They would love to have you.
 
Congrats to Tyrel and Tina Elias on their 1st wedding anniversary on April 4.  They enjoyed their evening at Boondocks.
 
Patricia Petz was treated to a nice birthday supper on Tuesday, April 6th at Gutierrez’s at Hays.  Her husband, Danny, and Maurice and Debbie Haas of La Crosse helped celebrate the special occasion.  After supper the Haas's were invited to come out to the farm and they enjoyed the rest of the evening playing cards. 
 
Bill, Paula, William, Michael, and Stephanie Greenway and Allan and Donna Hill were Easter visitors of Betty Greenway.
 
Easter dinner guests of Don and Dena Irvin were Ruth Irvin, Chad, Amber, Chet and Audrey Irvin, Chris Irvin, Kellye, Sandy, Kayla and Scott Irvin, Anna and Graycie Legleiter.
 
Fred, Kim, Anna, Andrew and Lucas Taylor from Colby were Easter weekend guests of Fred and Mary Ann Taylor.  Additional guests on Easter Sunday were Rod, Bernie, and Whitney Taylor, Randy, Denise and Jordan Taylor, Kelly, Sandy, Taylor and Grace Beisner all of Ellis.  Guests during the week were Charlie Delay of Liberal; Ashley Palmer and Lane of Lawrence; Adam, Lindsey Taylor and Kinley of McCook.  Friday evening guests were Mildred Sauer, DeAnn and JP Mahoney, Marie Herrman, and Suzanne Sauer.
 
Bruce, Ellen, Clinton, Clayton and Addie Kerdhner enjoyed Easter at their home in Rush Center. Sat. night and they ate at Boondocks.
 
Martin and Mary Ann Higgins were in McCracken for the Easter week end and had Easter dinner at Boondocks with Aunt Julia and Uncle Francis Zeller. They had fun visiting Mary Margaret McCormick and Lucy Vogle and enjoyed the visit at John and Melanie Zeller’s house playing with little Haydn. They also visited with Rachel and Lance Legleiter.
 
Easter guests of Priscilla Jacobs were Mitch Jacobs, Terrie Lasater, Anton and Kaden Foust, Neal, Amy, Jaden and Tessa Jacobs, and Jenna.
 
Georgia Eleanor Mills was born on April 3, 1922 at home on a farm near McCracken, Kansas, the daughter of Robert and Hannah Derr Sloan She was a graduate of Alexander high school.  Georgia and Leonard “Hap” Mills married on July 27, 1944 in the Parsonage of the United Lutheran Brethren Church in Kansas. They moved to Florida while he trained and went to Europe and Georgia came back to McCracken.  After his discharge they moved to South Dakota in March of 1951, buying a farm near Raymond. Preceding her in death were her parents, husband and siblings Emmett Sloan, June (Vincent) Higgins and Marjorie “Jack” (Vic) Moran. She is survived by her children, Richard & Joan Mills, Frank and Jaci Mills, John Mills, Sandra and Leland Johnson; 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.  She also leaves a brother Emerson Sloan, Kearney, Nebraska, sister-in-law, Marge Sloan of Ponca City, Oklahoma.  Burial was in the Prairie Valley Cemetery, Raymond.
 
Easter dinner guests of Arlyn & Jan North were Eunice North, Heath & Paula North, Brandon, Logan, Carson and Ted & Shawna North, Clay & Dalton.  We enjoyed a great day outside hunting eggs and riding cycles. Ted and Shawna were victorious over Heath and Paula in the raw egg toss!  Good Friday services at the McCracken Methodist Church were great! 
 
Jim and Lorie Isle, Coffeeville, enjoyed Easter weekend with their daughter, Eric and Melissa Davis.               
 
Babe and Arlene Gilbert took the 'ham' and went to Bob and Marlene Funks in Wakeeney. Lorraine Ryan accompanied them and we all have a great day.  It started with a 'full’ house at church..
 
Mary and Leland Steitz of La Crosse hosted Easter for their family on Sunday.  Those who attended were Danny and Patricia Petz, Trent and Angie Timson of McPherson,
De Wayne and Vicky Foos of La Crosse, and Bob, Jendee, and Gratton Dalton of Bison
 
 Mark Robinson of Denver, brother of Sharon Irvin and Sheryl Rogers, and his family (wife Val and children Raquel & Blake) were guests of John & Sharon Irvin on Easter Weekend. Also staying at the Irvin’s were Lance & Jessie Irvin of Wichita.  Joining them on Saturday were Sheryl & Les Rogers, Chase & Kelsee, Brian Hirsch, Ruth & Dave Heffel of Hays, and Ryan & Kristin Heffel of Lawrence.  The Denver people enjoyed seeing turkeys and other wildlife in the McCracken area.
 
Tyron Steinert, son of Stacey and Trevor Steinert, turned 2 years old on April 6, 2010.  A birthday party was held in his honor on Saturday, April 4 at the City Park in LaCrosse.  Those attending were Stacey and Trevor Steinert, Brennen and Tyron, Frank and Elaine Littler, Brandy Boese, Paula Carver and Billie, Brandy Brazda all of LaCrosse, Brenda Prosser and Scott Littler of McCracken, VelRae "Sis" Starkey of Liebenthal, Brandi and Shon Grow and Treyton of Wichita, Tom Prosser and Bernadine Prosser of Russell, Brandon Brazda and Jody Schremmer and Keenan, Cody Prosser of Hays, Kristy Prosser and Seth Packard, Ella and Jarrett of Gove.  The kids all had fun playing on the playground and Stacey served delicious bar b q beef sandwiches and ice cream cake.
 
Marge, Michele and Jason Moran motored to Hutchinson where they enjoyed Easter with Clark, Nicole and Madison Kirk. Joining them were John, Ellen and Josh Moran, David, Nick, Zach and Abby, Shirley Endsley, Cliff and Carol Kirk.
 
Pat Derr had as guests for Easter Layne, Kerri, Angela and Katlyn Morgan, Deb Rogers, Jenni Rogers, Michael, Jerridy, Eli and Reece Morgan, Ron Johnston, Dave Derr, Scott and Emily Keener.  Allen, Bailey, Carter and Caden Morgan joined them for supper.
 
Sandra Jacobs and Sean Peters were Easter guests of Terry and Charlotte Peters in LaCrosse.
 
Wilfrid and Twila Higgins had as Easter guests, Doug, Mary, Brett, Danielle, Dez  Devin Higgins, Jeremy and Ashley Higgins, Rich, Mary Lou and Cody Higgins, Lakin, Hayley and Carly Robertson, Wheatland, Ashley Higgins, Denver, Craig and Dana Higgins, Charlotte, NC, Michelle Higgins and friend Mike, Grand Island, Neb.
 
A birthday get-to-gather was held this weekend at Boondocks for Les & Rose Diehl.  Those attending were Mel and Jennifer Sauer, Bruce and Sue Davis, Ellen Kershner, John and Melanie Zeller, Francis and Julia Zeller, Ron and Cathy Casey, Catherine, Alex and John, Arline Rues, Tonyay and Tomi Rues, Shirley Higgins, Diana McNair, Carolyn Thompson, Kenny Foster and John “Denver” Evans.
 
Congratulations to Jaden and Jenna on their recent engagement.
 
Easter Sunday dinner guests of Shirley Higgins were Jerry, Tanner, Chuck, Zach, Tammy, Kyra, Cameron, Frank and Kenneth Foster.
 
Norma McNair returned home this week after spending time with her daughter, Dallas and Jamie DeWitt, Mason, Hunter and Maverick in Topeka.
 
The Charles Williams Experience Band at Boondocks Friday evening presented some very good music. We recommend them for any special occasion.
 
Les and Rose Diehl have purchased the former Larry Edmundson property on West Locust.  Those helping make great improvements in the yard this weekend were the Casey’s, Rues’ and Diehls.  
 
The fried chicken dinner in support of the McCracken pool had a very nice turnout Sunday noon.  We thank all who came and participated.
 
Improvements have been made at the McCracken Golf course.  Join the club, and enjoy!
 
Jim Slemp returned to Alabama from Iraq on Sunday, April 11.  We give thanks.
 
A golf club meeting was held Sunday evening at the club house.  Those attending were Richard Showalter, Arky McNair, Tony and Brian ‘Butch’ Harp, Bruce and Eric Davis, Bob Fear, Sean Peters, Roger and Norma McNair.  There will be another work day Saturday, April 17th beginning at 9 a.m. There was talk about the bridges that will be replaced and hopefully work will be done on them.  Golf carts will be available if needed for the alumni golf tournament during the rodeo.  These need to be reserved by the middle of June.  Thanks to everyone for their work.
 
Easter guests of Gerald and Signe Barnes were Gary Barnes, Stuart, Brenda, Hailey and Harley Clancy, Calgary-Alberta Canada, Bruce, Carol, Lexea and Landon Barnes, Ness City.
 
Lucy Vogle and Katherine Ryan were guests of Aaron and Lesley McGaughey and family at Easter Dinner on Sunday.
 
Galen and Carolyn went to Quivira Wildlife Refuge on Tuesday.  They thought they saw a Whooping Crane in flight.  They have a seven foot wing span.  Some of the areas were closed because the Whooping Cranes were present.  There are a lot of Pelicans and shore birds in the two Salt Marshes.  The marshes are fed by fresh creek water, but the salt seeps up from underground to make the water salty.  There is a visitors center just north off 4th street road – NE 70th Street, Stafford County. You can access the area between the two salt marshes by going down NE 140th Street.  On Monday they had a grass fire that burned 3,000 acres. The fire came right down to the waterline.  They do some control burning because they lease some of the ground for cattle, but this was of unknown origin.  You should take a day trip and see the new visitor’s center at Cheyenne Bottoms on Highway 156 and then go down to Quivira.  They have maps at the centers. Be sure and take binoculars.
 
Our sympathy to the family of James Franklin Carpenter, 51, of McCracken.  He was born to Carl Estill and Mary Alice Carpenter.  The funeral was held on Saturday, April 10 at Richardson Funeral Home, Owingsville, Kentucky.  He is survived by a son Jamie and his wife Lisa Carpenter of Lexington, Kentucky; four brothers, Paul of Nicholasville, Kentucky; Jack and his wife Misty Carpenter of Morehead, Kentucky; Keith Carpenter and Kevin Carpenter of Owingsville, Kentucky; two sisters, Sharon Carpenter of Lexington, Kentucky and Dana McCarty of Owingsville, Kentucky and good friend Carol Weber, McCracken.  Burial was in the Carpenter Family cemetery at Ore Mines.  He was a plumber at Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas.  Reverend Anthony Anderson officiated.  Jim was killed in a one-vehicle accident l.5 miles east of Wilson on Interstate 70 Tuesday afternoon.  He was eastbound when his car drifted into the center median, hit the embankment for a crossover road and overturned several times.  The accident occurred about 1:30 p.m.
 
In the Hays Daily News on Tueday, April 6, 2010, McCracken Rodeo Princess Mikaela Brackney and McCracken Rodeo Queen Katie Wasinger, visited residents at Sterling House in Hays.
 
A letter to the editor appeared in the Tuesday Hays Daily News written by Karen Madorin, Ellis.  She was a former teacher at McCracken High School.  She was generous in praise of the small school that is supported by all the townspeople and the people of the area surrounding the town.  She says, “Small towns and small schools provide a culture that large schools cannot”.  We thank her for remembering us.  She has been a teacher for 20 years at Ellis High School and was responding to the countywide consolidation editorial in Ellis County.
 
The McCracken Historical Society Jail/Museum has renewed their membership in the Kansas State Historical Society, Inc. for another year.  The museum receives the publications Kansas History and Reflections.
 
Congratulations to Kevin and Valerie Anderson on the birth of a daughter, Saydie Clair on Wednesday, April 7, at Hays Medical Center.
 
Our sympathy to Robert Tilford on the death of his mother, Arlene Tilford.  Arlene was a resident of the Rush County Nursing Home in LaCrosse.  She had a good friend in the late Icis Eisenhour.  Her body was donated to KU Medical Center.
 
Our sympathy to the family of Judy Moran, 62, Alexander, who died April 10, 2010 at home.  She was born April 22, 1947 to Frank and Lioba Mermis Chlumsky.  She married Paul Moran, December 30, 1967.  He survives.  Other survivors are a son, Mark; a daughter, Amy Sramek; her mother, Lioba Chlumsky; a brother, Joe Chlumsky and four grandchildren.  Funeral mass was held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in McCracken with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.  Judy was our postmaster in McCracken.  She “fought the good fight of cancer” and is at peace.  We loved her and will miss her.
 
Area singers and Felten and Kennedy Middle School Choirs joined with The First Methodist Chancel Choir of Hays and composer/conductor Mark Hayes on Sunday evening to present “When In Our Music God Is Glorified”.   Mark Hayes’ vocal and instrumental writing is widely acclaimed and performed across the nation.  He is well-known for his unique choral settings which draw from such diverse styles such as gospel, jazz, pop, folk and classics.  Judy Hugh is a member of the Chancel Choir.  Susan Keith represented the choir of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Ellsworth.  Carolyn’s cousin’s daughter, Allison, was a member of the Middle School Choir.  Al Hugh, Carolyn Thompson and Don and Donna Lubbers attended.
 
Alicia Rues, Topeka, attended the Phi State Convention of Delta Kappa Gamma - - women in education at Junction City over the weekend.  She saw Joyce Eisenhour, Salina; Shirley Harp’s aunt, Marilyn Caldwell, Grinnell; and Homer and Juanita Pederson, Horton.  The Pedersons’ daughter, Carlita, is a K-State friend of Susan Keith’s.  They also missed Arline Rues at the Convention as she is a faithful attendee.
 
McCracken History Notes
April 1910
The Bloomer girls were victorious and twenty to eight was the tune.  The Hoisington basketball ladies came into town with a knowing smile and confidential air which plainly read, “We will have an easy time today.”  From start to finish it was an easy victory for the local team.  Ida Darkes made a flying leap during the first half which put all records for both broad or high jumps in the shade.  All seemed to have it in for Wharton as she was rolled and thrown around by everyone, including the referee.  With practice the girls could beat any co-ed team in the state!
 
April 1920
Ruth Hicks will attend the Normal school at Hays.
 
McCracken Opera House has changed hands; R. C. Buxton of Ransom is the new owner and manager.  Mr. Names will leave for Topeka where he will finish studying law.
 
April 1940
The farm home of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Derr came dangerously near being destroyed by fire Saturday when a water heater blazed up.  Being in the cement basement and all door closed was probably all that saved the home.
 
Fred Foster’s orchestra practiced at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Doerr Tuesday evening.
 
April 1960
Bill Lovitt’s hand was badly injured when a jack slipped and crushed his right hand.
 
Frank McGaughey escaped serious injury when hit by a Mo. Pac. Freight train.
 
April 1980
Sarah Ann Moran died Tuesday in Kansas City, Missouri.  Burial was at St. Mary’s cemetery.  She is survived by her parents, Bill and Marge, three brothers and two sisters.
 
Boys track members are Jeff McCormick, Kevin Rourke, Wade Hinman, Dale Elias, Craig Stull, Doug Elias, Mike Stull and Phil Swindler.  The manager is Chris Jones.