September 26, 2018 News

Birthdays: September 26, Melissa House Bowersock; September 27, Mark McCormick, Ben Anderson, Cheryl Forman Larson, Brecklynn Bentham; September 28, Cathy Brenner, Michael Pfannenstiel, Craig Rixon, Kathi Waggoner, Lane Palmer; September 29, Austin McGaughey, Sierra Jones Hughes; September 30, Thayne Jones, Silas Morrison; October 1, Norman Anderson, Tristen Schwein; October 2, Scott Mays, Carrie Higgins, Colton Day, Albert Oller.

Anniversaries: September 27, Bob and Charmaine Wolfe; Cameron and Courtney Horesky; October 1, Fred and Kim Taylor, Kirk and Janie Herdman; October 2, Adam and Janice Showalter, Shawn and Niki Fear

Congratulations to Bill Cole on his 90th birthday. You may send him a card at 617 NW Jacob Drive, Apt. 115, Lee's Summit MO 64081

Congratulations to Dale Cofer and Rose Jones on their marriage on Saturday, September 15 at rural Brownell.

The Wallace and Shirley Robinson family are the 2018 Tiger Alumni Honorary Family of the Year. The award recognizes a multi-generation family based on dedication, loyalty and support for Fort Hays State University. The Robinson family includes three generations of Tigers and has a long history of Tiger pride, involvement and commitment to the university with more than 20 Tiger graduates. They will be honored during homecoming weekend, serving as parade marshals and on-field recognition during halftime. They will be award a commemorative plaque. Nominations will be accepted each year for the annual honor. Sharon Irvin and Sheryl Rogers and their families are members of the Robinson family.

The 4th Annual McCracken Fire Department Hamburger Feed of the Year will be held Saturday, November 10 beginning at 5:30 and ending at 9:30 P.M. at the McCracken Rural Fire District building, 309 Main St. McCracken.

Dixie Strecker, Joy Schell, Carolyn Thompson and Roxie Thornburg had lunch at Cuppa Joe's in Ness City on Wednesday.

A memorial was held on Saturday afternoon for Carol Faye Bible and her son Scott which was led by Roxene Fletcher at the gravesite in McCracken Cemetery. The song Beulah Land was read by the group.

A memorial was held on Sunday at the services at the McCracken United Methodist Church for the one year anniversary of the death of George Hunter. Austin McGaughey arranged the memorial with Pastor Norma McNair. The song “How Great Thou Art” was sung by the congregation.

Susan Keith and Carolyn Thompson were in Great Bend on Sunday to visit with Carolyn's classmate Doris White. They visited the cemeteries and placed some memorial items at the graves of Virginia Dennis and Galen Allen.

The beef-noodle dinner was well received at the Legion on Saturday evening. The proceeds were for the Sons of the Legion.

Jack and Pennie Avery, San Diego, was in Kansas this past week visiting relatives Harold and Virginia Krause in Hays. Friday afternoon Pennie came to McCracken and visited with Chuck and Shirley Higgins.

The last golf tournament of the season will be held Sunday, September 30th beginning at 8:30 a.m. It is a 4 person scramble, $100 per team. If you have questions you may call Les Diehl 785- 230-4433 or Lance McCormick 785-394-1422. Come and enjoy playing on the ‘beautiful’ McCracken Golf Course, it is awesome, so green and lush.

The Sons of the American Legion hosted a lovely supper/dinner at the American Legion Saturday evening. It was beef and noodles, creamed cucumbers, green beans, corn, mashed potatoes and rolls. If you have not attended one of the get-to-gathers you must do so, delicious food. Desserts are provided by the Relay for Life.

I received a call Saturday from Bob Thompson checking on McCracken. When asked how he was he replied “Fantastic”. I guess you can’t get much better than that. It is always good to visit with him.

Amy and Neal Jacobs were weekend visitors in McCracken....

History Notes:
September 1948: Kenneth Thompson will teach fourth, fifth and sixth grades in Brownell next year; members of the high school faculty are Oliver Pearson, Marie McCormick, Margaret Buxton, Albert L. Rues. Grade school Alvin A. Maddy, Margaret Lovitt, Harriet Shiney, Edith Pearson; members of the high school tennis team are Marlene Pfannenstiel, Velma Rogers, Caroline Klee, Alberta Moses, Elaine Pfannenstiel, Betty Koerner, Pat Walker, Lynnette Pearson and Glenna McDougle; Dan Casey 61 died last Tuesday. He is survived by his wife Anna and eight children; new students at college are Phyllis Cheney, Richard Shiney, Ronald Hinman and John Elmore at KSU, Scotty Shiney at Missouri University; Janeal Ryan is music instructor in MHS taking the place of Ms. Gwen Grove who resigned; A total of 102 pupils are enrolled in MGrades, first graders are Ellen Bible, Sarah Cain, Elaine Eisenhour, Jane Gaschler, Donald Dean Grumbein, Dorothy Hegarty, Carol Huxol, Jolene North, Bobby Peters, Aletha Pfannenstiel, Roy Pfaff, Robert Rein, Rosella Unrein, Ellen VanWinkle and Kathleen O’Loughlin; Marie McCormick is moving to her new home in the west part of town; (now Ron Johnson); the young people of the ME Sunday school surprised Ruth Stephens with a party in the church basement.

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Patricia Petz:

Mom and I started our week out by getting up at 4:00 Monday morning.  Eagle Radio sponsored a bus trip to Branson, Missouri and 44 people boarded the bus at Hays for a fun-filled and exciting week! Other people who attended the tour from Rush County were: Don Dewald, Gary and Karen Schmidt, and Craig and Carol Scheuerman.  Most of Monday was spent traveling with rest stops along the way.  When we arrived in Branson we stayed at the Grand Plaza Hotel during our three night stay. That evening we had a delicious dinner at their hotel.  Our first entertainment in Branson was held at the Hughes Brother's Theater featuring SIX. These six brothers are dubbed as "an orchestra of human voices" and "masters of showmanship", these multi-talented brothers sound like a band using only their mouths. These pioneers of a cappella are six of ten Knudsen brothers who have been singing contemporary a cappella since they were children. They performed everything from contemporary pop to R&B to classic rock 'n' roll to doo-wop to gospel to patriotic.  

We couldn't have asked for a more entertaining day than Tuesday.  We started our morning by traveling to Springfield to visit the Fantastic Caverns.  It is the only cave in North America to offer a completely ride-through tour, by means of a jeep-drawn tram.  The trams drive along the path left behind by an ancient underground river.  The cavern was discovered by John Knox and his hunting dog in 1862.  Knox did not want the cave to be exploited by the Union or Confederate governments as a possible source of saltpeter, so he kept the cave's existence quiet until 1867.  At that time, Knox put an advertisement in the Springfield paper for someone to explore the cave, and it was first explored on February 14, 1867 by twelve ladies of the Springfield Women's Athletic Club. Two of the largest stalagmites were named "The Hall of Giants" by the first explorers.  They are truly magnificent to see. The temperature inside Fantastic Caverns is about 60 degrees year-round.  

If you want a casual, family-oriented atmosphere and down home good country cooking you must dine at "Lamberts" which is just 30 minutes from Branson.  It is known for their "throwed rolls", which are freshly baked, warm, soft, and delicious.  To receive a roll you simply have to raise your hand, and someone will be around to toss you a roll and then someone will put sorghum molasses and honey on your bread if you want it.  Your "massive" meal is brought to you in a skillett (way more than you can eat) filled with your main dish and followed by two sides.  Periodically a waitress brings around "sides" that you are able to try: fried okra, black eyed peas, fried potatoes, and macaroni and tomatoes. If we wouldn't have been so stuffed we would have loved to have tried their "hub caps" which were freshly baked cinnamon rolls, that looked so delicious. This certainly has to be my number one restaurant! 

For more than forty years, Sight and Sound Theatres has been bringing Bible stories to life on stage.  However, ten years ago the Ozark Mountains opened its doors to their first production.  This year's production of "Samson" was simply amazing.  The moment you step inside this theater, you become deeply moved by its beauty.  Although most people view Samson as an irredeemable failure, in Hebrews 11, God viewed him very differently.  This was just one of many conflicting truths that were uncovered along the way: water in the desert... when you're weak, you're strong...it's when you're blind that you can see... and grace triumphs over judgment. The music, the actors, the live animals, and the settings and sound effects will leave you filled with astonishment!  The walls even come falling down around you.  This is definitely a show that you don't want to miss! 

Tanger Outlets is located in central Branson and this is where our Wednesday morning was spent.  We had our choice of shopping at over 50 designer and name brand stores at this upscale outlet.  Mom and I had fun browsing at the many stores, but our favorite was "Kitchen Collection".  We found many different items to be placed in our "Christmas Stockings."

Our next show was the "Janice Martin's Cirque Show," the world's only aerial acrobatic (and Juilliard trained) violinist. In addition to her masterfully performed musical skills and acrobatics, Janice Martin will amaze you with more magical illusions and special effects, leaving you spellbound and talking about the piano that floated, and the characters that appeared and disappeared and many "how'd she do that" moments.

After the show we spent some time at Branson Landing and listened and watched the awesome water show.  The weather was awesome throughout our trip and this evening was simply BEAUTIFUL! Since everyone had time to look around, mom and I simply chose to sit along the river and enjoy its beauty. Our group ate at the Black Oak Grill at Branson Landing.  We had a delicious meal and laughed about our dessert of "Ding-Dong Blasts".

Our last evening was simply amazing by listening to, singing along with, and enjoying the music of "The Oak Ridge Boys". Their long list of favorites included hits like "This Crazy Love," "Little Things," "American Made," "I'll Be True to You," and "Bobbie Sue".  And then their last song left the crowd in a frenzy by singing "Elvira". What a way to end our trip to Branson! 

Thursday morning we were on the bus headed back to Hays, however, one of our favorite stops was at "Osceola Cheese,"  where over 275 varieties of cheese are on display to sample and purchase.  They also have a large variety of beef jerky, and other specialty items.  Another stop closer to home was at Russell Stover's Candies at Abilene. Our bus sure was smelling pretty good with all of that food on board! 

We arrived in Hays with rain pouring down, so our good-byes were very quickly said.  I drove mom back to La Crosse and then I headed to the farm.  It's always nice to get away, but it sure is great to get back home. 

However, our "home" was not for long.  Mom and I got to spend Thursday night at home, but then we left Friday afternoon for McPherson. We used the Timson's home for our Hotel in McPherson although they were on vacation as well, so we didn't get to see them.   I needed to get an early start to Lyons on Saturday for the "Fair on the Square Craft and Art Fair."  It was really cold setting up at 7 that morning, but it was a beautiful day for the show in the afternoon.  After eating at the Dairy Queen we headed back home. 

Sunday, mom and I attended church at St. Michael's.  We had a Mission speaker, Deacon Randolph Copeland, who was from the Diocese of Gallup.  The Diocese of Gallup covers over 55,000 square miles of Northeastern Arizona and Northwestern New Mexico which encompasses seven Native American reservations and pueblos.  It serves 63,000 Catholics and this makes it one of our Nation's largest and poorest Diocese. 

After mass, mom and I had lunch at Jct. 4.  I spent the rest of my day mowing my farm.  It looks so nice once it gets a nice trimming.  Hopefully, it doesn't grow too much more this season.  Well, that brings this last week finally to a close, however, it will be one that I will remember for a long time to come.  Hope you enjoyed some of our stops!