RCNews May 28

Congrats to John Rues Casey on his promotion from French Junior High School, Topeka, last Tuesday.  His grandmother Arline Rues attended the ceremonies.
 
Thanks to everyone who supported the Memorial Day dinner on Monday.  Comments about the tables and chairs were very favorable; no one had to hurry to finish eating, they could set and visit as long as they wanted.
 
Tanner Higgins was promoted from Trinity Junior High, Hutchinson, last Tuesday evening.  His awards in track included 15 firsts out of l6 events in long jump, four by two relay, 75 meter hurdles, and medley relay.  A team mate dropped the baton in the last relay; they missed first by 1/10th of a second. Tanner set a school record in the 75 meter hurdles as did the medley relay team.
 
Memorial weekend guests of Priscilla Jacobs were her brother Pete Rixon and granddaughter Tessa Jacobs.  Tessa is going to stay for two weeks.
 
A memorial has been given to the McCracken Alumni in memory of Grace Thompson from Judith Hugh.
 
Apologies to Bill Greenway, he was missed attending the funeral for his fellow classmate, Glenn Ryan; we missed Tim Rues, who was a passenger on the fire truck that toured McCracken.  With his brother Tony as County Attorney we were a little hesitant including his name.
 
Congratulations to Furlen "Fuzz" Irvin who was the receiptant of the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award in April. This award is considered the most prestigious award issued by the FAA to certificated persons.  Furlen has worked in the same career field for 50 years.  He grew up in McCracken and graduated in 1958.  He told his dad he would some day work on aircraft. His first job was helping his uncle who operated Stearmans as crop-dusters during his senior high school year. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1958.  He started Tech School in 1958 at Sheppard AFB, Tx.  After training, he was assigned to Larsen AFB, WA as a Crew Chief with Military Air Transport Service's 62d Troop Carrier Wing.  They maintained C-124 Globemaster IIs, C-97 Stratofreighters, and C-118 Liftmasters.  He left the Air Force after four years.  Furlen had several jobs between leaving the Air Force and going to the airlines.  In 1966 he went to work for Braniff International Airlines and was made Lead Mechanic.  He was fortunate to work in many areas during this time, unfortunately Braniff ceased operation and he was looking for a new job.  He worked for General Dynamics doing F-16 Fighting Falcon production; he spent six months with Northwest in Minneapolis-St. Paul as a sheet metal mechanic; employed with a start up airline known as Air One as a mechanic and was supervisor; the next stop was Orion Air on UPS aircraft.
He had a job with Southwest Airlines as a Line Supervisor, then to McDonnell Douglas as Director of Maintenance for the E-6 Mercury Proram.  In 2002 he started at AAR as a Quality Control Inspector, moved to a Supervisor's position. He is currently the Swing Shift QC Supervisor. Furlen and his wife Bobbie live in Gainsville, TX.
 
Phil Ochs, Salina, was a Memorial weekend guest of his sister, Diana and 'Arky' McNair.
 
Nancy and Richard Baker and Lynette Kieffer, Manhattan, were Saturday guests of Rose and Les Diehl.  They were in McCracken looking at homes.  Rose, Nancy and Lynette were also checking out the golf course for the 3 man scramble that is being held at McCracken in the near future.
 
'Arky' McNair and Tony Harp golfed in a tournament last week at Brookland Golf Course in Broomfield, Colorado.  They placed 4th out of 20 groups of golfers.
 
  Viola Bergquist, 92, died May 17, 2009 at Tribune.  She married E. R. Bergquist on June 14 1936.  He died August 5, 1982.  Survivors include sons, Walter, R. DeWain and Donald (of McCracken); daughters, Carla Olds; Sister Dorothy Fromm, 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.  Burial was in Greeley County Cemetery, Tribune.
 
The Jail/Museum is now a member of the Kansas State Historical Society.
 
Ron and Alice Hall, Red Bluff, California was here on Thursday searching for Seth and Sarah Hall.  They were early McCracken residents moving from Hargrave to McCracken in 1887 when the town was founded.  They visited the cemetery and were pleased with the directory.
 
R. B. Hayes called to say he has observed that there are no fruit trees this year and there are no bees.  Rob McGaughey says the peonies are just shriveled buds.  There were very few lilacs but the spiria (bridal wreath) was breathtaking.  The loss is probably a result from the late freeze.  The wheat looks good, but don’t know how the hot dry winds will be on the kernels.
 
Our thanks to West-Burch American Legion Post 59 for the Memorial Day services at Alexander, St. Mary's and McCracken City Cemeteries.  Bill Zeller was Commander, Dennis Elias, Sergeant, Firing Squad, Martin Higgins, Babe Gilbert, Dan Petz, Tony Harp, Arlyn North, Bob Fear and Diz Washaliski;  Honor Guard, Bet McCormick, Richard Showalter, Glenn Conner, Steve Anderson.  Mark Dewald and Sally Jacobs played Taps.  Kerri Morgan and Jan North did Flanders Field and Answer to Flanders Field.  Arlene Gilbert led the choir.  The services at the City Cemetery were dedicated to Red Fear who was a faithful squad member throughout the years.
 
We wish a speedy recovery to Jeff Crawshaw as he recovers from his injuries.
 
Joy Hunter is at Hays Medical Center for therapy.
 
Our sympathy to the family of Ted Gray.  His daughter, Ruthanne Crawshaw and family live here.
 
Our thanks to those who mowed the area around the Barnard Bell and around the city property and museum. The flags along Main Street were impressive. 

Cabbage slaw salad from Norma McNair
2 pkgs shredded cabbage mix
2 pkgs beef ramen noodles
2 ? cups slivered almonds
1 cup sunflower seeds
Mix dry pkg of noodle seasoning with
? c oil
? c sugar
1/3 c vinegar
Mix well, let stand 3 hours.
 
McCracken History Notes
 
 May 1899
John Rodeman and Sarah Haas were married at the residence of the bride’s parents, seven miles northeast of McCracken, May 16.
 
LaCrosse has a brass band.
 
May 1909
Brownell Courier:  Mr. and Mrs. Henry Elias left this evening on the local for LaCrosse where they will visit for a couple of weeks with their son, Richard Elias and family and Earl Elias.  Mr. Elias and wife just returned from a two weeks visit with their son, Oscar Elias and family and their daughters, Mrs. Ben Anderson and Mrs. Al Start and family who live near McCracken.
 
May 1919
Nina A. Ward and Arthur Jones were married in Kansas City, Missouri May 20.
 
William Brenner purchased the old Anderson building and will dismantle it.  The old Kerr building should be the next to go.
 
May 1939
Graduation exercise for 28 grade school students were held Friday evening in the grade school auditorium.  The graduates into high school were Lois Earl, Charlotte Herdman, Leon Higgins, Donald Hinman, Hollis Irvin, Maurine McCaskey, Ethel McClendon, Mary Ann Moran, Sybil Mortimer, Jack Moses, Betty Nowles, Donald Ramsey, Laytha Ryan, Norma Ryan, Rachel Schutte, Allen Showalter, Emma Rose Showalter, Betty Ruth Skinner, Helen Smith and Edwin Wilson.
 
Paul Walker is the new road supervisor for the stretch of State Highway No. 4 which runs through town.  He began work last Friday morning.
 
May 1959
Rush County shows an increase of 53 persons more than in 1958.  According to the census, Rush County now has 6,522 residents.  McCracken 430; Liebenthal 191; Otis 384; Timken 151; Bison 276; Alexander 163 and LaCrosse 1,772.
 
May 1979
First communion was held at St. Mary’s with the following children:  Adam Showalter, Lynnette and Billy Harp, Bruce Barnes, David Moran and Kelly Petz.  Pastor is Father Rory O’Neill.
 
Glenn Conner received a Remington shot gun at the retirement dinner held in his honor.