November 2, 2006 News
 
We had another sad week.  We dedicate this column to Vic Higgins, husband of Shirley.
Vic always had a big wave to everyone as he drove down the road in his pickup with his trusty dog by his side.  He was a member of the Class of 1951, a tight knit group of friends.  He had many buddies during his time in the service and an equal number as a ballplayer. It was too soon for him to leave us, but now he can hobnob with the Yankee greats he loved.  His family was everything to him.  The large crowd at the funeral is a tribute to him. 
 
Jan and Arlyn North were in Arlington, Texas, recently to visit Laura, Ronn, Sarah and Aidan Martin.  They attended Grandparents Day at Temple Christian School.
 
Please contribute to the Rush County United Fund.  Mary Beth Peach, drive chairman, has placed the forms and envelopes at the McCracken Post Office.  They are due back by November 10.  The goal for McCracken is $475.00 and from Hampton Township $150.00.  The forms for Hampton township were mailed.  Please be generous to all the organizations in Rush county.  Thank you in advance for your contributions.
 
To fans like Bev Irvin the Cardinal win in the World Series is especially sweet.  He has followed them through thick and thin.  Only a true fan stays the course.
 
The Veterans Day tribute will be held at the McCracken United Methodist Church on Wednesday, November 8. Mike Stephens, LaCrosse, will be the speaker.
 
Flags of Our Fathers, the movie about the flag planted at Iwo Jima is one you should attend.  It has been highly recommended.
 
Also recommended is the book Once Upon a Town, the Miracle of the North Platte Canteen by Bob Greene.  Bob Greene is a syndicated columnist for the Chicago Tribune and his news commentaries can be seen on WGN.  During World War 11, the residents in and around North Platte, Nebraska, provided food for troop trains as they passed through their town.  Each train allowed the troops off the train for 10 to 20 minutes.  Each day of the war an average three to five thousand military personnel came through North Platte and were welcomed to the Canteen.  Toward the end of the war, that number grew to eight thousand a day, on as many as twenty-three separate troop trains and they FED THEM ALL.  They feed over six million soldiers for free.  They just wanted to express their gratitude to the troops.  Mr. Greene interviewed many of those troops and found all of them moved to tears with what the people of western Nebraska did for them.  No other place did it - they stand alone in kindness.
 
Our sympathy to the family of Pat Struthers, 94, of Larned, who died October 22, 2006.  She was the mother of Sharon Lovitt.
 
We had a letter from Linda and Nick Jennings who wanted to express their gratitude to the ladies of the United Methodist Church in McCracken who prepared the luncheon for them when their husband and father, Joe Jennings died.
 
We wish Chet and Joyce Rogers a very happy 60th wedding anniversary on November 17.  Chet and Joyce have three children, Roxie Dechant, Deb Smith and Leslie Rogers, eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren (with twin great-grandchildren on the way).  Chet always teases Joyce with the comment "that he had one good year (of marriage) back in the 60's.  Joyce comments that "at least you can remember a good year!!"  Their humor has kept them the delightful couple they are.  A card shower is requested for this special anniversary.  Send your cards to R. R. 1 Box 16, McCracken, KS 67556
 
Barbara Grass was a special friend who was a charter member of our DAR chapter.  She helped organize it in 1937.  Her daughter, Jennifer and granddaughters, Fanchon and Patricia are members of the chapter.  We will miss her.
 
November 12 the McCracken United Methodist Church Bell Choir will present their 20th anniversary program at 3:00 p.m. at the church.
 
Our thanks to all those who prepared the wonderful lasagna dinner on Sunday.  The proceeds go to the Swimming Pool Fund.  We also enjoyed seeing all the beautiful items that Anna Mae Kreutzer brought to show.  Proceeds from the sales went to the swimming pool also.
 
Cecilia Gilbert called to tell us of the death of her German Shepherd dog, Evel.  We remember him with fondness.   He loved to mooch hot dogs and raw eggs from the neighbors.  He was a particular good friend of Ben Thompson.
 
Albert Oller is running for County Commissioner in Ellsworth County.  If you know some people in his district, be sure to call them and tell them to get out and vote.  There was a large article in the Ellsworth paper detailing his platform of change.
 
Please vote on November 7.  The McCracken City Building is the polling place for McCracken and Alexander.
 
McCracken History notes
 
November 1906
The election board as made up by Trustee W. T. Ryan will consists of L. L. Darkes, F. P. Starrett, Will Close, Carl Rose and William Grumbein.
 
Mr. Farwell gathered his celery crop a few days ago, which consisted of three dray loads.  He said it is an easy crop to raise here, the only precaution is to shade the plant from the sun's rays by placing boards over it on the south side and then turn on the water.  D. H. Stitzer informs us that he gathered four hundred bunches which he has placed in his cellar for the winter.
 
November 1936
Leonard Dugan arrived here from New York to spend the rest of the winter.
 
November 1946
McCracken now has three good eating places.  Mrs. Smith's Café opened last summer.  Gertie's Café opened on Sunday and on Saturday the hotel opened its dining room and Sunday served dinner to an unusually large number of people.  These buildings have been newly decorated and are a credit to the town.
 
Eugene Sultzer, Jr., grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Sultzer of McCracken, has been promoted to sergeant.  He is stationed at Manilla, P. I.
 
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie McCormick on the birth of a son, Gary Lee, on October 31 at Ransom.  This makes the fourth boy in the family.
 
November 1956
A Halloween masquerade party was given in the basement of the Methodist church last week.  Those who received prizes were for masks and costumes were as follows:  Janis Eisenhour, the prettiest; Dwight Eisenhour, the ugliest; Vic Parsons, the most original and Bennie Rogers, the funniest.
 
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Mehler and family of Bazine will move this weekend into the Avery Norlin property in the west part of town.  Mr. Mehler is employed by the Western Light and Telephone Company.
 
November 1966
Jan Halbleib was crowned homecoming queen during the half time at McCracken-Bison game Friday afternoon.  Attendants were Debbie Rogers and Elaine Wetzel.
 
Enrollment in school district #395 is 844.
 
November 1976
The Mustang yearbook staff is Diane McFarren, Jane Moran, Sue Skillett Davis and Willard Justice.  Their advisor is Joy Georg.
 
The Mustangs beat Tipton 52 - 20.  Craig Stull had a 71 yard kickoff return and Fred Taylor was involved in the outstanding defense.
 
November 1986
Members attending the New Era Club were Drewie McGaughey, Mamie Crawshaw, Ruth Crawshaw, Joy Hunter, Mary Healy, Adelaide Mills, Icis Eisenhour, Loretta Hammer, Lucille Lamer, Jeanette Rogers and guest, Rev. Lucille Wehmeyer.
 
Congratulations to John and Sharon Irvin on the birth of a baby girl, Kayla Beth, born November 3, 1986, at the Rush County Hospital.
 
November 1996
A surprise pot-luck supper was held at the home of Betty and Red Fear on Saturday evening honoring Mitch Jacobs on his 35th birthday.
 
Jim Casey attended school in SE Oklahoma where he learned to make saddles.