May 13, 2015 News

Birthdays: May 14, Brooke Deines, Drake Timson, L. Pat Casey, Grant Timson; May 15, David Moran, Tran Pham, Kelly Weber; May 16, Lynette Buhr; May 17, Jeff Crawshaw, Randy Conrad, Brennen Steinert, Olivia Baus; May 18, John Irvin; May 19, Michelle Higgins;

Anniversaries: May 17, Walter and Jeanette Rogers; May 18, Norman and Glenda Pfannenstiel; May 19, Bryan and Treva Bergquist, Ray and Laura Wierman.

The Jail/Museum has received two interesting pamphlets: The Assassination Story: clippings from The Dallas Morning News for November 23 to December 11, 1963 and The Dallas Times Herald from November 22 to December 10, 1963 about The John F. Kennedy assassination. Also received was The Taylor Grazing Act of June 28, 1934 with Amendments to September 1, 1955 by the United States Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Land Management. The purpose is the basic legislative authority governing the management and protection of the vacant public lands of the United States. It is one of the major conservation laws of the Nation. It stops injury to the public grazing lands by preventing over-grazing and soil deterioration, to stabilize the livestock industry dependent upon the public range.
Congratulations to Sheila Brown, daughter of Cecilia Gilbert and Eugene Brown who will graduate from Wichita State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forensic Science on Friday, May 15, 2015 at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita. She plans to continue her education.

There will be Memorial Day Services at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery on Monday, May 25 with a rosary led by the St. Mary's Faith Sharing Group at 10:00 a.m. with the West-Burch American Legion Post 59 presenting the Military Services at 10:30 A.M.

Memorial Services at McCracken City Cemetery will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, May 25. A lunch will be served at the City Building following the services.

The Jail/Museum has renewed their membership in the Kansas Museum Association and the Kansas Historical Foundation.

Everyone coming to the Jail/Museum during Rodeo week will receive a pen that reads “Mustang Country, McCracken Jail/Museum, McCracken, KS 67556” They are blue.

Hoop and Twila Higgins were in Kansas City last weekend. Twila joined the March of Dimes Walk on Saturday, May 2 at the Sprint Center. Their great-grandson, Carter, was born at the Neo-Natal Hospital in Olathe. She marched in honor of him. He was one pound three ounces at birth. He is now a healthy four year old. There were 8,000 at the event. The “Carter's Crew” group had special tee-shirts. There were approximately 54 in their group. Twila walked a mile, but plans to do the three mile walk next year. On Monday, May 4, Carter got a new baby sister, Reese Maryfrances, who also is a preemie weighing in at three pounds one ounce. She is the daughter of Jeremy and Ashley Higgins, granddaughter of Doug and Mary Higgins and great-granddaughter of Hoop and Twila Higgins.

The services for Todd Sewell were officiated by Pastor Norma McNair at the American Legion on Saturday. Following the services a DVD was shown honoring the life of Todd.

Mary Steitz and Patricia Petz enjoyed the weekend in McPherson visiting with the Trent and Angie Timson family. On Friday they attended the McPherson All Schools Day Parade. Trent was able to escort Ava Brunsell, a fifth grade student, who designed the 2015 All Schools Day Button by driving his classic car. After lunch, the family enjoyed the Exotic Petting Zoo, the pony rides, and the inflatable bounce houses. That evening we went to Salina to watch Tyler participate in the track meet. Of course, no trip to Salina is complete without going to Red Lobster! Yum!

On Saturday, we were able to celebrate Drake and Grant's birthdays. Drake will turn 5 and Grant will turn 2 on May 14th. They enjoyed a nice party with their family and friends. Later that evening, we enjoyed going to the lake and feeding all of the ducks and geese.

Mother's Day was so special. Three mothers were able to celebrate together; Angie Timson, Patricia Petz, and Mary Steitz. After church we went to Applebee's and enjoyed a nice lunch. On my way, I was able to stop and visit with Mom Petz and wish her a Happy Mother's Day as well.

Congratulations to Jessica Shapiro, daughter of Martin and Cathie Ryan-Shapiro who graduated Saturday, May 9 from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Strategic Communications.....Cum Laude...and a minor in Spanish. Her sister, Lauren had been working in Mexico City but was able to fly in Thursday night for the celebration. Sunday morning both girls left at 6 a.m., Lauren for Brooklyn NY and Jessie for her very last class, a Journalism class in Havana, Cuba! She will be there two weeks where they are linked with Cuba journalism students and get to meet local people!!!!

Small World!!! Allen and Kayla Casey live in Moscow, Idaho which is only 8 miles from Washington State University.

Tammy Irvin and Shirley Higgins attended a post-graduation party for Jenna Higgins in Hutchinson Saturday afternoon. They were overnight guests of Jerry and Jodi Higgins. Sunday they were treated to a marvelous breakfast at Village Inn celebrating Jodi’s birthday and Mother’s Day!!

I posted this on face-book but think it needs repeating. Senator Jeff Melcher told the Hutchinson News Wednesday, May 6 that farmers have had it good for too many years and he wants them to be on a level playing field. “The folks in the high populated areas – we have borne the burden of the government.” Melcher said, adding that agriculture producers “don’t realize how easy they’ve had it.” Under the plan, a homeowner with an acre of land or less would pay $3 more in taxes, a farmer with 1,000 acres would pay $3,000.. You may call him at 785.296.7301 or e-mail Jeff.Melcher@Senate.ks.gov. Please voice your opinion!!

Scott and Lora Faiman spent Mother’s Day with her parents, Bill and Sharon Lovitt in Ransom. Joining them were Teresa and Jennifer Lovitt.

History Notes, 1972: The Madrigal Singers under the direction of Mrs. Reinert are: Keith Higgins, Patty Littler, Charles Halbleib, Maureen Janke, Danny Mills, Donna Davis, Gary Schuckman, Roxie Rogers, Dave Rogers, Debbie Derr, Mike Legleiter, Pam Showalter, John Irvin, Alicia Rues, Daryl Casey and Lorrie Morgan. The Madrigal earned $2,000 for their trip to Hot Springs, received a I rating at State Music Festival. They earned their money several ways, a talent show, ice-cream social, rummage sale & auction, food stands, two dances, candy and money box sales and a fireworks stand. They sang a Better Government, Inc., Great Bend; F& M Bank banquet at LaCrosse; the Annual Lions Club at Utica; and various other functions.

Dramatics: Rosemary Rues, Janice Brack, Maureen Janke, Alicia Rues, Lori Morgan, Debra Baus, Nancy Higgins, Chuck Halbleib, Craig Wendler, John Irvin, Larry Higgins and Teacher, Yvonne Gantz.

Brownell American Legion finished second in the State Legion B. Tournament held at Ellsworth. They defeated Ottawa 8-2, downed Ellsworth in 12 innings and lost to Belleville 7-5 in nine innings. Galen Pfannenstiel won the sportsman trophy for the tourney. Team members are: Lonnie Irvin, Tony Mudd, Rodney Taylor, Myron Schuckman, Dan Conner, Galen Pfannenstiel, Bill Lovitt coach, Doug Higgins assn’t coach, Tim Pfannenstiel, Rod Fairbanks, Bubba Simon, John Walkeer, Darwin Grumbein, Elldon Pfannenstiel, Larry Higgins, Eugene Flax and Brad Lovitt, bat boy.

McCracken residents have recently learned that their town will be an important setting for a new movie about the American Depression to be filmed by Paramount pictures.