July 8, 2015 News

Birthdays: July 8, Eric Davis, Melody Higgins; July 10, Bob Funk, Brittany Dome, Shelby Bowers, Bishop John Brungardt, Harley Clancy; July 12, Leonore House, Justin Casey, Betty Greenway, Byron Gilbert; July 13, Lenora Stremel; July 14, Travis Elias, Dean Gilbert, Roy Conrad, Bryan Yohe, Zachary Moran, Anna Taylor;

Anniversary: July 13, Shane and Jennifer Anderson.

Welcome to McCracken's 29th Annual Rodeo Weekend, July 8 to 11.

If you would like to send a birthday card to Bishop Brungardt here is his address: P. O. Box 137, Dodge City 67801-0137.

Check the Rodeo ad in the RCN for times of rodeo activities.

St. Mary's will have Mass at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 11th. Father Kumi is expecting a large turnout.

McCracken Rodeo Trail Ride - All in Open range and by Smoky Hill River. Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 11, 2015. The ride will begin at 9:00 a.m. starting at Chetola Gold Road and Road 170. You will need to come in on Road 180. Cinnamon rolls will be served for breakfast and a lunch will be served by the river. Contact John Ficken 785-356-1425 or Lynn Kochenower at 620-786-9764. The Trail Ride is a tradition at the rodeo, come and enjoy.

An Indian doll display and other Indian artifacts, along with cowboy items and western heritage items will be displayed at the Jail/Museum during rodeo week. Indian dolls include Charlotte Ochs recently donated collection, Deb Gaunt's Indian maiden doll, the Higgins girls Spanish dolls that use to be playmates with their Barbies, the late Ruth Yawger's Indian dolls and four of the Zellers' Kachina dolls. A drawing for a sunflower table runner will feature a runner designed, pieced and quilted by Mark Horchem Pens will be given away. If you would like to be a member of the museum, the dues are $5.00 payable each year on July 1

McCracken Public Library will be selling raffle tickets during rodeo for an embroidered hand-quilted quilt in pink and white.

Brad Penka will be scanning old pictures on Saturday, July 11 beginning at 9:00 a.m. at McCracken Public Library. This is an excellent way to preserve your old pictures. Brad has done several displays of pictures of the county at the Rush County Fair. He also has written several books. They will be available for purchase and he will sign them.

Renewals at the Jail/Museum - Walter and Janie Rogers, Arline Rues, Carolyn Thompson, Bob and Marlene Funk, John and Sharon Irvin, Jim, Kathy and Justin Coen, Richard and Linda Conrad, Adelaide Mills, Tom Rues, Larry and Joyce Eisenhour..

Memorials to the Jail/Museum in memory of D. T. “Colonel” and Virginia Dennis from Carolyn Thompson; David and Jacklin Rogers from Walter and Janie Rogers, Muriel Conrad from Rich and Linda Conrad, Joy Mills Gifford from Adelaide Mills, Albert Rues from Tom Rues; Mac and Helen Showalter and Glenn and Icis Eisenhour from Larry and Joyce Eisenhour. A donation from Arline Rues,

A very special 4th of July celebration was held at the rural home of Jeff and Anita Butler. It also was an introduction to the home that rose like the Phoenix from the ashes of the devastating fire. It is such a joy to drive into the yard and see the house sitting in the same location and built to replicate the former home. The first floor features warm colors and the upstairs is painted in all soft pastels. Every effort was to make the home authentic. That was accomplished from pictures and the expertise of builder Marvin Gross. The original home was built by the L. L. Darkes family, later it was the Paul and Ursula Wilson and family home and then the Jack and Verlene Wilson and family home before being purchased by the Butlers. Family and friends gathered for a 4th of July meal that featured a typical outdoor picnic. Welcome to the community Jeff and Anita.

Did you see the convergence of Jupiter and Venus on Tuesday night. They call it “The Star of Bethlehem”. Look it up on the internet. Also on Sunday morning, there was a half rainbow in the western sky, no rain though.

Mildred Mills of Moran, Kansas, and her daughter, Linda Shirk of Lawrence were Sunday afternoon visitors of Addie Mills. Mildred was here for The Gathering of the Leopards at LaCrosse High School.

Pat Petz was honored at a "Surprise" Retirement Party in La Crosse on Saturday, June 20th. Her daughter, Angie Timson from McPherson planned the event and her mother, Mary Steitz of La Crosse, assisted. Those that helped celebrate Pat's retirement were: Trent, Tyler, Drake, and Grant Timson, De.Wayne and Vicky Foos, Jendee and Rennick Dalton, Dolores Petz, Kaylyn and Brooklyn Petz, Lee and Pat Petz, Dennis and Karen Krier, John and Rita Liggett, Maurice and Debbie Haas, Lori Brubaker and boys, Betty Schwartzkopf, Terry and Cynthia Seltmann, Cindy Burton, Carolyn Thompson, Coralee Thornburg, Mike and Norma Pipkin, Cheryl and Kevin Moeder, Jolene and Don Hoover, Warren Sager, Ellen Kershner, Lynn and Patty Enslinger, Maynard Steitz, Gerald and Linda Bittel, Carl and Velma Legleiter, Benny and Ardis Viegra, Babe and Arlene Gilbert, Betty Scheuerman, Debbie Scheuerman, Viola Enslinger, Jan North, Paula North, Deanna Bergquist, Jim Huenergarde, Mike Berges, Thess and Matthew Frick, Paula Sramek, John and Carol Weis, Elenora Moeder, Meredith Rose, Shirley Higgins, Diz and Wilma Washaliski, Pam Leiker, Pat Derr, Kathy Felder, Donna Urban, Bob and Lynn Litson, Clem and Viola Unrein, Gloria Blackwell, Twila Higgins, Pat Derr, Connie Stewart, Christi and Alyssa Schneider and Joeby Bryant, and Shirley Harp. Many calls and cards were sent by friends and family that were unable to attend. Everyone had a great time!

The McCracken United Methodist Church appreciates all those that helped make the "Harvest Hamburger Stand" a success; the organizers, the workers, the customers, and to those who provided generous monetary donations. Your participation was very much appreciated!!

Pat Petz spent an enjoyable five days babysitting her grandchildren, Drake and Grant Timson, during this past week as Angie and Trent traveled to Texas on a mini vacation with friends. Good times were had on Thursday at the McPherson Public Library where the children enjoyed a presentation from the Rolling Hills Zoo personnel. That afternoon, the goldfish were observed and fed at a nearby park. On Friday, the McPherson Rodeo was enjoyed by the boys. Drake liked the bucking bulls and Grant's favorite was the horse barrel races. A trip to McPherson wouldn't be complete without a visit to the lake to feed the ducks. We also enjoyed ordering a pizza and eating it at the park and then playing on the playground equipment.

Roy and Phyllis Conrad spent the 4th of July with Mike, Marybeth, Zach and Brandon Peach at LaCrosse. Others attending were Don and Helen Peach, LaCrosse, Don and Susan Peach, Colorado Springs, CO. and Ron Peach, Kansas City area.

McCracken Public Library will be hosting an open house during the rodeo/alumni weekend on Saturday, July 11 beginning at 9 a.m. On display will be old/antique toysand games and a brief history about them. The display will run through August 1. Please stop by the library for refreshments during the open house on Saturday.

We appreciate the hot/hard work the fellas did on the oiling of streets this past week; also the ‘locals’ that are ‘sprucing’ up Main Street for McCracken Rodeo and did all the hard work at the rodeo grounds. Looks wonderful!!

I attended the ‘Gathering of the Leopards’ worship service held Sunday, July 5 at the LaCrosse High School Auditorium. The prelude and postlude were played by Linda Scheideman Seymour; the welcome to worship was given by our own Mark Baus; Psalms 47 and 111 recited by all. A patriotic medley was sung by the Rush County Community Choir directed by Barbara Reinert; the message was given by Mark Baus, entitled “Power and Love; there was special music by Leo and Roger Eilts, sons of Betty Eilts Swartzkopf, Bison; and Cassandra Renz Prediger, daughter of Shelton Renz. sh

Neal and Amy Jacobs, Jaden and Jenna Jacobs and family and Sandra Jacobs spent several days’ vacation at Table Rock.

The Alumni golf tournament will again start at 8:00 a.m. at the golf course. It will be a 4 person Texas Rodeo Scramble, $100 a team. Donuts will be served at the beginning; a lunch will be served at Pete’s Palace at 10:30. Don’t forget the meal at the Community building beginning around 12:30.

I don’t know very much about soccer, but the 2015 woman’s World Cup won by the USA was awesome!!! sh

Trent, Angie, Drake, and Grant Timson of McPherson, were weekend guests of Pat Petz. Friday evening the Timson's were invited to a 1996 Class Reunion party at Robbie and Rachel Holopirek's home in La Crosse. Saturday afternoon was spent watching the La Crosse High School Alumni parade. After the parade everyone enjoyed visiting with classmates and friends at Grass Park. A delicious supper of fried chicken and dumplings was prepared by Grandma Mary at her home. Jendee Foos was also a supper guest. Shirley Chester, a niece of Mary's from the state of Washington, had been staying with Mary since Friday evening. It had been several years since Pat had seen her cousin so it was nice to visit with her. Later that evening, fireworks were enjoyed and then Trent and Angie visited with more friends and listened to the Paramount 80s Band. On Sunday, The Timsons and Pat, met Christie, Alyssa, and Dallas Schneider and Tracy and Joeby Bryant at the Cancun Mexican Restaurant in Ellis.

An 88th birthday party was held Saturday at the home of Ron and Cathy Casey in McCracken for Arline Rues. Guests present were her family; Alicia Rues, Leigh Barrett (the diabetic cat can’t travel); Tom Rues; Tony, Tomi, Emma, Kate, Shelby and Will; Ron and Cathy Casey, Alex, Catherine and John; Maddy Rues; Rose & Les Diehl; Mike and Judy Rues; C.A. and Jeannie Rues; Barry, Jenny and Ashley;Bill Shaw; Susan Hinkhaus; Susanna Stout; Roy and Phyllis Conrad; Priscilla and Sandra Jacobs; Thayne and Machree Jones; Ruthetta Hanson; Austin and Helena McGaughey; Ann and Bruce Gatterman; Cindy Rogers; Jackson and Lillian McGaughey; Bill and Sharon Lovitt; Barbara Reinert; Rich and Phyllis Still; Joann and Allan Lindsfar; Myron and Debi Schuckman; Joann Micheli; Mary McCormick; Barry and Debbie McKinney; Carolyn Thompson; Cheryl Walters, Diz and Wilma Washaliski; Jennifer Gamboa; Bruce and Sue Davis; Shirley Higgins, Dolores Petz; Kaylynn Petz; Arky and Diana McNair; Charlotte Ochs; Martin and Mary Higgins; Norma McNair. Haden and Tessa Legleiter spent Wednesday and Thursday with their grandparents, John and Melanie Zeller.

Joe Higgins found a patch that reads, “A & Z Repair, McCracken, Ks.”  on E-Bay.  It is white with red lettering.  It has been given to the Jail/Museum by Martin and Mary Higgins.  We assume this to be Anderson and Zeller.  It is in first class condition.

History Notes 1980:

It’s 35 years since these ‘kids’ graduated: Dale Elias, Kellye Irvin, Craig Stull, Norma Elmore, Mitchell Jacobs, Phil Swindler, Tammy Higgins, Kathleen Moran and Laura Unrein. The faculty; Lee Roy Schuckman, Gloria Blackwell, Terry Seltmann, Guy Conner, Mark Miller, Rich Billinger, Glenn Conner, Sue Coffman, Bill McKinney and Craig Cooper.

Football homecoming festivities: King Craig Stull crowned Queen Laura Unrein; candidates were Norma Elmore, Kellye Irvin, Tammy Higgins, Mitchell Jacobs; flower girl Mamie Rogers, crown bearer, Todd Sewell. Dance band “Jimmy Dee and the Fabulous Destination”.

The season ended 10-1, the loss to Kensington in sub-state:

ALL AREA: Kellye Irvin, Kevin Rourke, Dale Elias, Craig Stull, Wade Hinman and Jeff McCormick.

ALL LEAGUE: Dale Elias, Craig Stull, Kellye Irvin, Jeff McCormick, Wade Hinman, Kevin Rourke, Doug Elias;

ALL STATE Kevin Rourke, Craig Stull, Dale Elias, Kellye Irvin.