News Nov 23
Vic Higgins, 73, died October 26, 2006 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Campus, Wichita, from complications of a brain hemorrhage.  He was born March 12, 1933 southwest of McCracken, Ness County, the son of Leo and Teresa Coleman Higgins.  A lifetime resident of McCracken he was a farmer and rancher.  He belonged to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, McCracken.  He served in the US Army during the Korean War from 1953 to 1955.  On July 28, 1956, he married Shirley Lovitt in McCracken.  She survives.  Other survivors include two sons, Jerry and Chuck, two daughters Tammy Irvin and Kayla Tacha; seven grandchildren, Kyra and Cameron Horesky, Zach Higgins, Lindsey and Nicole Tacha, Tanner and Jenna Higgins.  Burial was in the McCracken City Cemetery.
 
I would like to share parts of an article about Vic that was printed in the Hays Daily News:
“Former Lark Higgins Remembered as One of the Best”:  Albert Pujols has accomplished many things in baseball.  But one thing the former Hays Lark and current star for the St. Louis Cardinals doesn’t have is the local team’s single-season hitting record.  This belongs to Vic Higgins, arguably one of the best hitters in Lark’s history.  Higgins batted .459 for the Larks in 1957, No 1 in the single-season hitting charts and the record has held for almost 50 years. Marvin Befort of Hays remembers playing against Higgins in the 1950s.  “He was a hell of a ball player,” Befort said.  “He was a good hitter---hustle, hustle, hustle”.  Rich Billinger, former High School coach of McCracken said he watched Higgins play when he (Billinger) was a boy.  He coached Higgins’ sons his first year at McCracken, Jerry and Chuck.  They made the State tournament that year.  “Two excellent ball players,” Billinger said. . . . .  As was their father! 
 
Only in McCracken would a friend call to offer her 2 and 4 year old children a ride to the farm to bottle feed a baby calf; stop by the post office and the postmistress gives them candy; you walk by the coffee shop and be greeted by hello’s and a cookie; then walk home and have a big fire truck go by and sound its horns to the children’s delight!!!!! What a great day.
 
Paula Crawshaw is in the process of making Santa and new suit.  If you would like to donate to this project you may send donations to the McCracken Community Club, c/o John Irvin, McCracken.
 
Tomi Rues took Shelby, Emma, Kate and Will to see the Hays High musical, “Footloose” this past Sunday.
 
New residents in the McCracken area are Dallas and Jamie Dewitt, Mason and Hunter; Cory Molloy and Morgan Shultz, former residents of Topeka.  They are the children of Norma Sloan McNair.  We are adding numbers!
 
Dean Gilbert, Lenora; LeRoy Gilbert, Salina were guests of Babe and Arlene Gilbert this weekend.  Joining them were Bob and Marlene Funk, Wakeeney.  Marlene and Arlene enjoyed some shopping in Hays while the fellas were hunting.
 
Twila Higgins had knee surgery in Great Bend on Thursday.
 
Emma Rues held her 7th birthday party at High Plains Gymnastics in LaCrosse.  Around 23 children were there to enjoy the fun.
 
Jerry, Jodi, Tanner and Jenna Higgins were guests of Phil and Connie McNaul in Kansas City this weekend.  Jerry and Tanner attended the Chiefs – Oakland football game Sunday afternoon, Jodi and Jenna went shopping.
 
Those who helped decorate the City Park Sunday after noon were William and Michael Greenway, Joann Micheli, Jean Schutte, Russ and Laura Linsey, Janice Stull, Phyllis Conrad, Cecilia Gilbert, Roy Conrad, Gladys and Wendell Hinman and Carolyn Thompson.
 
Kyra Horesky and her friends Hayley Glenn and Paige Cooper spent the weekend in Lawrence visiting with their friend, Jordan Bates.
 
Our sincere thanks to the Morgan Brothers for helping retrieve the flag at the museum.  It had gotten whipped in two by the wind. 
 
 Shirley Ann Sunley Peterson, 57, died October 27, 2006, at her home in Keller, Texas.  She was born July 20, 1949, in Ransom to Roy and Ethel McGinnis Sunley.  She is survived by a daughter, Darlene Garica, four brothers, Leon Sunley, Ronnie Sunley, Darrell Sunley and Richard Sunley and a sister, Dixie Freeman, two grandchildren.  Graveside services were held at Vansburg Cemetery at Brownell.
 
Marian Hanks, WaKeeney, and Berniece Jones and her daughter, Wichita, were in town on Sunday afternoon doing genealogical research for their family.  They were looking for information on Jesse Wallace Ghumm and his wife Rebecca Schneider Ghumm and family.  There is one Ghumm buried in McCracken City Cemetery, Leona Ghumm. 
 
The film Flicka is highly recommended for young and old especially if you are interested in rodeo and mustang horses.  I hear Tim McGraw is not too bad either.
 
Chet and Joyce Rogers were overwhelmed by the amount of cards they received for their 60th anniversary.  Since it is personally impossible to thank all their family and friends, they wish to do it through this column.  We are pleased to let you know that Joyce was able to return home from the hospital on their anniversary.  The nurses asked Chet if he was going to get supper for her and he said, "No, that is why I am taking her home, to get my supper!"  He always has a comeback.  Once again our congratulations to this special couple.
 
A memorial has been given to the McCracken Jail Museum in memory of Joe Jennings from Arline Rues.
 
Reinhold Suppes, 84, died November 14, 2006 at Great Bend.  He was born March 30, 1922 at Liebenthal son of Adam, Jr. and Mary Herrman Suppes.  He married Rufina Graf on August 9, 1949 in Hays..  She died June 21, 2001.  Survivors include three sons, Stephen, David and Paul; five brothers, Primus, Anton, Julius, Eugene, Clarence and a sister, Ruth Engel, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.  Burial was in the Great Bend Cemetery.  Reinhold and Rufina were members of St. Mary's Catholic Church.  He was a farmer southwest of McCracken before moving to Great Bend.
 
A Happy Thanksgiving to all our readers.  If you have Thanksgiving news, please e mail Carolyn at yawgerr@gtba.net or Shirley at shirleyh@gbta.net.  Thanks.
 
McCracken History Notes
November 1906
It is claimed that under the revised football rules players are prohibited from jumping upon a man except when he is down.
 
A party was given for Arthur Names Tuesday at which a large number of young friends, boys and girls, were present.  He was 15 years old.
 
November 1936
Charlotte and Avery Norlin and Ruby North are attending Kansas State in Manhattan.
 
November 1946
Glen Eisenhour and family are moving into the Methodist parsonage.
 
The Liggett hardware stock and building has been sold to George Meyer, manager of the Humburg Lumber Co.  The Liggetts will return to their home at Blue Springs, MO.
 
Willard Mills has purchased the property of Mrs. Ida Casey which has been occupied by Mrs. Jessie Tiller.  Mrs. Tiller has moved to the Dan Casey home.
 
November 1956
There is construction work on a new 213 foot bridge across the Walnut Creek near Alexander on the McCracken - Alexander road.  The cost is $55,000.
 
November 1966
Jacque and Julie Showalter are spending a few days with their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert North, while their parents are moving from Wichita to Liberal.
 
November 1976
MHS juniors and seniors will present the play "Lovely Ladies" at the grade school auditorium on Friday.  Cast members are Karin Seltman, Terri Rogers, Kim McCormick, Ellen Davis, Jane Moran, Peggy Rixon, Carolyn Casey, Janet Unrein, Paulette Healy, Cheryl Foreman, Sue Davis, Danny Halbleib and director, Rich Billinger.
 
November 1986
A Nekoma column appeared in the November 13, 1986, issue of the RCN by Bill Potter.
 
November 1996
Congratulations to Rodney Taylor on his election for county commission for District 3.
 
Bill and Alvina Cole and Jesse and Ann Barnes attended the 50th wedding anniversary celebration in Halstead for Marcy and Gene Wendling.