RCNews July 29

My sincere apologies to Joann Micheli and her daughter Linda Dale for not remembering to put in our McCracken News Joann’s 81st surprise birthday party. It was held Monday, July 12 at her home.  There was awesome food to eat and good friends to visit. Present were Pat Derr, Twila Higgins, Jean Schutte, Kerri Morgan, Tomi Rues, Rose Diehl, Arline Rues and Shirley Higgins. Each guest was asked to bring a plant to place in Joann’s flower garden and a written memory to place in a scrap book. Linda spent part of rodeo week and a few days after with her mother before returning home to Littleton, Colorado.
 
Charlie and Alice Smith, Norman, Oklahoma visited with Francis and Julia Zeller this past week.  He was a student of MHS in 1957.
 
Brian and Lisa Davis, Madison, Hunter and Landon came last weekend to introduce their new baby boy, Landon to family and friends. They enjoyed dinner at Boondocks on Sunday together with Bruce and Susan Davis, Bob House, Cheryl and Allen Werth and Addie Mills. Eric and Melissa Davis stopped by the tables when time allowed - - a busy place.
 
Dave and Carolyn Stremel Davenport, Hutchinson and Lanette Stremel Mathews, Lawrence appreciate the Rodeo Committee, the community, and those who worked hard to make the 24th McCracken Rodeo another fun and successful rodeo. We just can't wait for the 25th!!!
 
We missed Ava North with a thank you for the cutest cowboy-cowgirl contest. Again job well done!
 
Jason, Teresa and Mary Catherine Fewell, Manhattan, were Sunday overnight guests of Shirley Higgins. Jason & Teresa are former residents of Langdon, North Dakota. Jason was with the custom cutter harvesting crew who cut Vic’s wheat 15-17 years ago. He is studying at K-State for his PhD in agriculture.
 
Addie Mills visited with friends in Long Term Care at Rush County Memorial Hospital on Friday afternoon and also with Diane Osborn.
 
Thanks to the person/persons who are watering the plants in the park by the stone McCracken sign.
 
Emma and Kate Rues have been passing out cup cakes to the McCracken residents. If you did not receive one you were probably not at home, they will be back. 
 
The McCracken Beautification committee, Jean Schutte, Priscilla Jacobs, Joann Micheli, Tony Rues, Susan Davis, Twila Higgins, Rose Diehl, Phyllis Conrad, Machree Jones and Norma McNair met Sunday afternoon at the library. Phase I, tree planting this fall was discussed. They encourage people to make a donation in honor or memory of someone. Make your check to City of McCracken/Beautification project, Box 5, McCracken, KS 67556.
 
Lauren Shapiro and Erica Armlin, Sacramento, drove an empty van to McCracken arriving Monday evening. Their departure plans are to return to Sacramento on Thursday with the van full of “stuff”.
 
Tim Rues, the tree trimmer from Topeka is here staying with his sister Rose Diehl and visiting his mother, Arline Rues for a few days.
 
A memorial has been given to the McCracken Alumni in memory of Alvin and Ruth Janke from Maggie Janke Allen.
 
The summer reading program started at the McCracken Library, Monday, July 26. Angela Morgan is conducting the program with Stephanie Greenway as her helper. Those attending the first program were Emma, Kate and Will Rues, Erica Gilbert, Zoe and Lexie Anderson.
 
The Alumni has 5-2X and 3 Xlarge golf t-shirts left.  If anyone is interested you may contact Sandra Jacobs or Shirley Higgins. Thanks!
 
 
Birthdays:  July 29, Annette Davis Chestnut, Bobby Peters, Gerald Walker, Kathy Casey Dugan; July 30, Malena Rogers Thyfault; July 31, Brenda Barnes Clancy, Joyce Rogers; August 1, Betty Mills, August 2, Katie Casey, Jerry Casey, Cheryl Hinman, Suzanne Azzarella, Dorothy Guidry; August 3, Aaron McGaughey, Robin Conrad; August 4, Jennifer House Johnson, Zachary Elmore, Kelly Petz, Mary Higgins; August 5, Kimbra Herdman Melton; August 6, Frank Foster, Zaccary Scott Hinman, Emily Rogers Keener, Mike Keith, Coty Hinman; August 7, Denise Fuller; August 9, Cindy Walker Cannatella, Shane Anderson, Brian Harp; August 10, Maribeth Casey; August 11, Roxene Fletcher Kaltenbaugh, Garrison Herdman, Jim Rein, James Wierman; August 12, Melissa Lamer, Marsha Healy, Dennis Walker, Kara Norlin; August 13, Michael Morgan, Ashleigh Allen; August 14, Matt Pfannenstiel, Katherine P. Kearney, Brian Legleiter; August 15, Susan Reinhart, Brooke McClelland; August 16, Kari Groff, Ann Schutte, Tena Barber, Gary Anderson, Leslie Underwood, Silas Albers; August 17, Megan Janke, Howard Yost, Sharla Albers; August 18, Chuck Lamer.
 
Anniversaries:  July 29, Martin and Julie Pfannenstiel; July 30, Daryl and Barbara Casey; July 31, Lee and Debra Oelkers, Clark and Nicole Kirk; August 1, Chris and Cindy Petz; August 2, Babe and Arlene Gilbert, Mike and Sharolyn Legleiter; August 3, Ronn and Laura Martin; August 4, Mark and Ann Baus; August 6, Heath and Paula North, Mark and Leigh Ann Brackney; August 8, Jerry and Jodi Higgins, Rick and Tina Barber; August 9, Bill and Sharon Lovitt; August 10, Frank and Sarah Foster, Chad and Tammy McAllastar, Mitchell and Robin Pfannenstiel; August 11, Seth and Jami Albers; August 12, Kevin and Janet Miller, Martin and Mary Higgins; August 13, John and Janice Stull,  Pat and Jackie Casey; August 15, Ron and Janice Rein; August 18, Kyan and Sarah Knight.
 
Jan and Arlyn North were in Dalhart, Texas, this weekend for a wedding.  They said the corn was beautiful and the area green.
 
Renewing her membership and giving a donation to the Jail/Museum was Edith Moses Blair.
 
Our sympathy to the family of Lioba Chlumsky, 93, Hays, who died July 15, 2010.  She was the daughter of Conrad and Pauline (Pfeifer) Mermis) and was born August 2, 1916.  She married Frank M. Chlumsky on August 2, 1934 in Gorham.  He died November 1, 1961.  She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Conrad and Lynn Chlumsky, Cary, North Carolina, a son-in-law, Paul Moran, Alexander and five grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by a son, Frank; a daughter, Judy Moran, three brothers and eight sisters.  Inurnment was in St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays.
 
McCracken History Notes
July 1910
Andrew Kerr’s house was robbed several days ago, but Andy did not know it for several days as no one was at home.  Ten dollars in cash was taken and some other valuables.
 
The opening of bids offered on the construction of the new school building showed that Wymer and Obenhouse, contractors at LaCrosse, proved to be the lowest responsible bidders and the contract was awarded to them by the school board at $8,100.  The building may be in shape to be occupied by the first of the year.
 
Eggs are now selling in McCracken at eight cents a dozen.
 
Mrs. Dailey of near Brownell purchased the Will Kelly property paying $1,400 cash for the same.  Mrs. Dailey is the mother of Mrs. A. R. Brenner.  P. P. Anderson purchased the M. B. Rush seven acres of pasture land adjoining on the northeast.  The price paid was $143 an acre or $1,000 for seven acres.
 
July 1940
Construction has begun on F W. Pivonka’s new house on the lot west of C. C. Groves residence.  It is to be a four-room home, 26 x 28 feet in size, with full basement and modern.  Geo. Havlovitz if the contractor (This was Clara McCormick’s house)
 
Effective June 2 the maximum allowable speed for passenger trains over the territory from McCracken to Pueblo was raised to 85 miles per hour.
 
Ness County baseball fans have been making the most of a visit from “Smoky Joe” Wood of big league fame and his three sons, all of them outstanding college baseball players in their own right.  Mr. Wood got his start pitching for Ness as a boy and worked up near the top in baseballdom with many enviable pitching records.  He has been head baseball coach of Yale University for the past ten years.
 
July 1960
Ronnie Foster, Great Bend, returned home Friday after visiting a few days at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Parsons.  Vic Parsons accompanied him home for a visit.
 
A birthday picnic was given for Lennie Higgins and Leroy Herdman at Great Bend Sunday.  Those present were Marilyn and Carolyn Higgins, Tena Vogle, Lavonna Peters, Reggie Irvin, Terry Herdman, Martin Higgins and the honored guests.  The picnic was preceded by swimming during the afternoon and during the evening they attended the rodeo.
 
Jan Eisenhour, Susan Reinhardt, Marvee Huxol, Marie and Stanley Johnston, Dennis Peters, Ira Robison, David Norlin and Mrs. Elmer L. Robison attended the Hays sub district MYF rally at Ellis last Sunday evening.  The youth went swimming in the Ellis pool and had a wiener roast in the City Park, followed by song and worship service.  About 50 were present from Rush, Ellis and Ness County Methodist churches.
 
Lester Juvenal left the first of the week for overseas duty in the Far East.  He is with the Army.