News, Dec 27
Glen and Marilyn Smith, Buckeye, Arizona; Pete and Lola Rixon, Granbury, Texas; Kellye and Sandy Irvin, LaCrosse; Vic Parsons, Spearville; Craig and Kim Cooper, Gunnison; Dave and Carolyn Davenport, Hutchinson; Sanford and Juanita Foreman, Wichita; Ben Anderson, Northridge, California; Frank Foster, Florissant, Colorado; Curly Juvenal, Dothan, Alabama; and many more by e-mail.
 
We received a card from Bernice Ende, the gal that came to McCracken on horseback with her dog Claire.  She thought there was a Café in town and when there wasn’t Carolyn and Shirley invited her to their homes and sent ‘care packages’ for the trail.  She was gone from her home in Trego, Montana May 2006 – September 2007, a 5,000 mile ride.  She wrote:  To the hundred of spirits that climbed into my saddle and rode with us, you are part of the story.  To the curious and interested that stopped along the road offering food, water and yes, stories!  You are part of the story.  To the hundreds of school children with excited hands shooting skyward with questions.  To those offering your homes, backyards, barns-a-warm, and dry places to rest.  You are part of the story.  To those who provided safe passage across busy roads and barren deserts, sending us off with your blessings.  To my sponsors who believed me capable of such a ride.  To the Indian Nations that allowed me to cross their lands.  To the many farriers, postal workers, librarians and our National Forest Service and Park employees, you are all part of the Story.  To my dear and noble horse, Honor, to my faithful dog Claire.  My heart is filled with gratitude, my heart is filled with appreciation.  From the Lady Long Rider to each of you---Many, Many thanks, I could not have done it without you.  Until next year, Happy Trails.
 
A card from Norlene Fletcher, Sand Springs, Oklahoma tells of the some of the damage etc. from the ice storm recently.  She has many, many trees down, pulled some of the Austrian pines up from the roots.  Thankfully her house and car did not receive any damage, mainly the landscape and fences.  She was without power for 7 days.  After three days, a friend loaned her a generator so she could have a space heater in her bedroom.  The first 3 days her dogs literally kept her warm.  A utility pole had fallen across the road so she could not get out for work.  Her sister, Roxene, was still without power.  The night Norene had one light bulb and a space heater, she said she knew the meaning of Christmas, it brought new ‘light’ to the basics of everyday life.
 
‘Spanky’ McGaughey informed us we forgot to list the anniversary date (October 21) for he and Leslie and he was pretty “spent”.  He wants it listed so a few years down the road he can look at the paper and ‘remember’!
 
Marge and Michele Moran spent 4 wonderful days this past week in Las Vegas.  The lights were beautiful and they had a marvelous time.
 
Did anyone guess who was married 45 years December 22?  Pete and Lola Oller Rixon!!
 
A Christmas coffee was held at the home of Lorraine Ryan Wednesday afternoon.  Those enjoying were Norma McNair, Grace Thompson, Pat Derr, Sharon Irvin, Twila Higgins, Jean Schutte, Jeanette McCormick, Phyllis Conrad, Shirley Higgins and Arlene Gilbert.
 
Jason Moran is coaching at Kinsley.  His record is 4-2 winning from Ness City on Thursday.
 
Jay L. Frazier, 79, died December 19, 2007.  He was born May 19, 1928 at LaCrosse, the son of Leo and Minnie Bitter Frazier.  He married Pauline J. Walker, October 27, 1949 in LaCrosse.  He is survived by his wife, sons Mike, Jeff and daughter Jan Waring; a brother Thane and a sister, Gwen Sell.  Jay was an outstanding basketball coach, everywhere he went he won. He had 511 victories and five state titles.  He was the first coach in Kansas to win state titles at three schools.  His first coaching job was in Burdett where he won the Class BB state title in 1954.  He then went to Pretty Prairie and won the Class B state title in 1957.  The next year he went to McPherson.  He was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame, Fort Hays State University Sports Hall of Fame.  He was a member of the Kansas Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame and KSHSAA Hall of Fame.  A memorial service was held Saturday, December 22, at the First United Methodist Church, McPherson.  Inurnment will be in McPherson at a later date.  Memorials may be sent to the Church or to the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home.
 
Congratulations to Bob and Margaret Fear on their 50th wedding anniversary.
 
Our sincere thanks to all those who helped clean off the streets and drive-ways in McCracken.  Many of the tree limbs that fell during the ice storm are now under the snow.
 
We were talking about all those who have left us for other places, whether because of employment or retirement.  Here are some of those who have sent Christmas greetings:  Tony Schlitter, Milton, Delaware; Dorothy Crotinger Graham, Kingman; Susan Thompson Keith, Ellsworth; Maureen Janke Georg, Rush Center; Lucille Pfaff Young, Ness City;  Ruby Littler Myers, LaCrosse; Shannon McKinney, Carthage, North Carolina; Julius and Lucy Unrein, Hays; Mark and Sharon Miller, Alma, Kansas; Reva Rodeman Lloyd, Wheat Ridge, Colorado; Patrick and Betty Keener, Lenexa; Bev and Vida Irvin, Hays; Lonnie and Tammy Irvin, Hoisington;  Gary Turner, Loveland, Colorado; Marlene Pfannenstiel Bronish, Commerce City, Colorado; Carolyn (Rosie Casey) Schadel, Alexander; Ray and Marilyn Slemp, Lawton, Oklahoma; Ben and Margaret Brenner, Beeler.  Two ladies who keep an interest in McCracken are Mary Jane Kamieniecki of Manning, Alberta Canada and Lina Slezak of Bright, Ontario, Canada.  They write and e-mail periodically during the year.
 
Santa came to McCracken on Wednesday evening.  As usual he also delivered sacks to “us elderly”.  We are so appreciative.  Our thanks to the Community Club members for helping Santa with this project.
 
Kelsee Rogers who represented Western Plains High School was in the Southwest Kansas KMEA Honor Band at Dodge City.  She plays the flute.
 
Congratulations to Lora Bain who was installed as postmaster in Ness City on November 27.  We enjoyed her help while she was in McCracken.
 
 
McCracken History Notes
December 1887
 
The schoolhouse is a magnificent edifice and a credit to any town.  The cold weather has retarded its progress, somewhat, but its completion will be announced before many will expect it.  A brick schoolhouse is a pride.
 
Pat Higgins, brakeman on the Missouri Pacific, was killed when he fell from a freight car near Leoti.  His parents reside near McCracken.
 
December 1907
The result of the rabbit hunt yesterday was 400 killed.  Frank Burch and Lon Irvin were the captains with nine on a side.
 
December 1937
It is estimated that over 3,000 persons will read this edition of the Enterprise.  Over a thousand copies went out to persons living in this territory.
 
December 1944
Joan Ryan a senior at Stephens College was one of 25 girls initiated into Hypatia Hexagon, mathematics club at the Stephens Country Club.
 
Officers of the Philathea class of the Methodist Sunday school are:  President, Mrs. Bert Irvin; vice president, Mrs. C. B. Kinnamon; secretary-treasurer, Miss Grace Anderson; Mrs. J. T. Van Winkle, teacher.
 
December 1957
Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Walker moved to LaCrosse the first of the week.
 
Mr. and Mrs. Mervin Elmore have purchased the Henry Walker residence.
 
Mr. and Mrs. Lee Fear, Kay Fear, Mrs. Norma Peters and Bill Lovitt left Friday for Canon City, Colorado to attend the wedding of Bob Fear and Margaret Martinez.
 
December 1967
Kenny Mills will report to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri after completing basic training at Ft. Lewis, Washington.
 
Postal rates increase with six cents for first-class mail and ten cents for air-mail.
 
Steve Anderson is stationed at Sioux City, Iowa Air Base.
 
December 1977
Robert Mason is student teaching at Garden City in biology.
 
The Lady Mustangs dropped Palco 55-39 on Tuesday.  Ellen Davis scored 15.  Tammy Higgins and Norma Elmore each had 13.
 
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Higgins, a daughter, Hayley Joy, December 29.
 
December 1987
The Sons of Legionnaires was organized recently with 23 members.  Officers of the West Burch Post which sponsor the Sons of the Legionnaires are Dennis Elias, William Zeller, Duane Brackney, Lewie Crawford, Charles Jacobs, Harry Janke and Danny Petz
 
Heavy snow blankets the area.  The roads are snow packed and hazardous throughout the county.
 
December 1997
Jason Moran is the coach for the girls’ basketball team in Tipton.
 
Shane Anderson has begun basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
 
Signe Barnes broke a bone in her arm above the wrists on Saturday evening.
 
Lucy Vogle and Mary Ann Moran attended a Senior Companion meeting at Hays on Friday.