March 2004

Newsworthy

March 2004
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This Month in History

March 1934
Bobbie Rhoades entered the 3rd grade last week and Adam Conrad the 8th

Agnes Shepherd arrived from California and will attend school here.

A piano recital was given by the pupils of Miss Eleanor Snodgrass. Those who took part were Donald and David Hunt, Norma Ryan, Dorothy and Lucille Elmore, Betty Jo Twiselton, Betty Ruth and Eva Rae Skinner. Helen McKittrick and Virginia Wahl were guests.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Marvin February 25, 1934, a girl.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lovitt March 7, 1934, a six pound baby girl. She has been named Shirley Ann.

McCracken Grade School girls finished their season undefeated. They scored 198 points to their opponents 58. Members are Lucille Elmore, Lenore Ramsey, Bernetta Marak, Loreen Schutte, Hazel Earl, Delores Hammond, Zella Mae Doerr, Marjorie Norlin, Lena Lee Peer, Virginia Wahl, Fay Elmore, Naomi Kueffer and Eva Rae Skinner. The Grade School boys were 11 wins and 2 losses. Members are Claude and Wesley Irvin, George and Adrian Doerr, Basil Davenport, Raymond Mills, Leslie Kueffer, Vincent Higgins, Beverly Irvin, Orville Durand, James Moran, David Hunt, Dean Birdsong.

March 1944
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Rein a baby girl on Wednesday, February 23. She has been named Sheryl.

Alexander won the REN League basketball tournament that was played here.

Dean Birdsong writes that he has four zeros to his credit.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Davis, a daughter, Sunday, March 26, 1944.

Winter 1954
Elizabeth Ann Belden and Vernon Glenn Conner were married January 23, 1954 in Hays.

Shirley Brackney has enrolled in the Wilcox Beauty Academy in Dodge City.

Kenneth Brackney has received his discharge after serving 4 years in the Navy.

The following students received 1's in the WKEA music festival, Arlene Wilson, Joyce Showalter, Jolene Dawson, Peggy Harper, Karen Walker, Jimmy Hanson, Robert Rein, Carla Rodeman, Allen and Joyce Showalter, Janice Myers.

Beverly K. Moses and Ray L. Ohlemeier have reported for induction in Kansas City.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Buster, a son, Gregory Ryan, born February 19, 1954.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Littler, a daughter, February 2, 1954, named Patricia Marie.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Chester Rogers, a girl named Roxann Ruth on March 20, 1954.

March 1964
MHS Mustangs won over the Alexander Whippets 76-62. Elmer Baus was high for McCracken, Lonnie Morgan for the Whippets.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Jacobs, a son named Neal Eugene, February 2, 1964.

Students participating in the grade school music festival at LaCrosse were David Halbleib, Bill Wetzel, Patricia Casey, Gloria Baus, Ann North, Carolyn Stremel, Kent Bible, Kim Elmore, Joy North and Cheryl Casey.

Terry Herdman and Vicky Irvin are on the Fort Hays honor roll.

MHS honor students are Doug Higgins, Peggy Janke, Daryl North, Susan Irvin, Sarah Casey, Linda Irvin, Janice Halbleib, Kathleen Stremel, Karen Norlin, Penny Irvin, Elaine Wetzel, Janis Eisenhour, Dixie Walker and Jametta Peters.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Pat Keener, a daughter, March 6, 1964.

Johnny Muller is a student at St. John's Military in Salina.

Larry North suffered a broken leg while practicing baseball at school.

March 1974
Debi Baus will participate in the Miss Kansas Teenager Pageant in Kansas City.

MHS Students preparing for league speech and drama festival at Healy are: Gary Schuckman, John Elmore, Jerry Higgins, Fritz Foster, Debi Baus, Bill Battaglia, Rosemary Rues, Glenn Ryan, Dan Conner, Marsha and Paulette Healy, Sally Irvin, Lynette Legleiter, Roxene Fletcher, Carla Taylor and Cheryl Davis.

Lorrie Morgan is a member of the Sterling College band.

The McCracken 7th graders had a perfect basketball season with a 11-0 record. Players are Shannon McCormick, Kellye Irvin, Jerry Casey, Fred Taylor, Marty Mills, Joe Conner, Craig Rixon, Mitchell Jacobs, James Webs, Larry Hinman, Craig Stull, and Dale Elias. Coaches Steve McCormack and Guy Conner. The Colts scored 495 points to their opponents 195. Shannon McKinney was top scorer with 135, Kellye Irvin with 132.

McCracken Mustangs were named third place winners in the class 1-A tournament held at Gross Memorial Coliseum. In the first round they defeated Alma 62-53 and in the semi-finals they were defeated by Little River 51-49. In the consolation battle for 3rd place the Mustangs blasted the Grinnell Warriors 63-43. Team members are Dan Conner, John Elmore, Don Casey, Jerald Grumbein, Jerry Higgins, Greg Hinman, Mark McCormick, Allen Kober, Steve Foreman and Glenn Ryan. Dan Conner had 56 points for the tournament, John Elmore and Jerry Higgins 32, Don Casey 27. Dan had 54% and Jerry 52% from the field.

In the cold and wind McCracken hosted its Quadrangular Track Meet. Dave Derr was the only triple crown winner, winning the high jump, long jump and 440 yard run. He was also the starting leg of the winning mile relay. Other members are James Unrein, Richard Conrad, Randy Taylor, Roger Legleiter, Don Casey, Tim Rues, Jim Casey, Bill Greenway and Bill Battaglia.

March 1984
A large crowd attended the Friday night basketball game as it was parents night. The Sweetheart King and Queen were crowned between games. Queen was Michelle Mays and King was Jeff Scheuerman; attendants were Tonya Mangold, Sarena Higgins, Richard Wittman and Gary Barnes. The Foster Brothers Band provided the music for the dance Saturday evening.

McCracken Grade School girls basketball team
placed 4th in the League tournament. Team members are Melissa Morgan, Malena Rogers, Terri Petz, Kristi Brackney, Margie King, Jamie and Shelly Sewell, Lynnette Harp, Treva Wilson and Tracy Smith. Mark Miller, Coach.

McCracken Grade School boys basketball had an undefeated season with 10-0 record. Team members are Kim Cao, David and Jason Moran, Scott Mays, Jeff Crawshaw, Tom Hayes, Bruce Barnes, Adam Showalter, Michael Hays, Billy Harp, Joel Miller, Heath North, Donnie Wittman,
Bryan Bergquist, Reed Blackwell and Brett Gilbert. David Hughes, coach.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. David Wetzel a son, Dustin, February 20, 1984.

Paula Crawshaw and Chris Casey were named to the girls and boys all area honorable mention list by the Great Bend Tribune.

March 1994
Congratulations to Brett and Holly Gilbert on the birth of a daughter, Haily Ann, born February 5, 1994.

Treva Wilson was a model at the Bridal Show held at the Mall in Hays on Saturday.

McCracken's Middle School building recently sold for quite a sum of money on eBay. Read all about it in an article titled "Ultimate School Fundraiser".

Our sympathy to the family of Rev. Malcolm Heen Brown, 84, who died January 7, 2004 in Brownsville, TX. He was the son of Charles Melvin and Permelia Thompson Brown. He was a 1938 graduate of McCracken High School. He is survived by his wife Clotilde; sons Malcolm II and Donald; brothers Norval and William; sister Wanda Brown. Burial in Brownsville, TX.

Our sympathy to the family of Lois Schwien, 80, who died February 1, 2004. Among the survivors are her sisters Icis Eisenhour, Edna Grate and Virgie Renner. Burial in Wakeeney, KS.

Our sympathy to the family of Arla Elizabeth Rose Durree, 96, who died December 26, 2003 in Denver. She was born August 18, 1907 in McCracken, the daughter of Carl Lester and Neta Pearl Anderson Rose. She is survived by six daughters. Burial in Arlington Colorado.

Kenneth Robert Donecker, 79, died January 23, 2004 following surgery. He was the son of Robert George and Lizetta (Ohlemeier) Donecker. He had been a surveyor and draftsman for the Continental Oil Company prior to his retirement. He was a 1942 graduate of McCracken High School. Burial in Texas.
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Addie Mills was the guest of honor for a surprise 80th birthday dinner at the McCracken City building on Sunday, February 22. Family members came from far and wide to help her celebrate.

A 75th birthday dinner was held for Harley North February 11, at home with his family.
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Congratulations to Chris Irvin and Jana Depperschmidt on their marriage, January 31, 2004 in Ness City. Chris is the son of Don and Dena Irvin.
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Congratulations to Rob and Christy (Conner) Schneider on the birth of a daughter, Alysia Lynn, born February 5, 2004. Grandparents are Mike Conner, McCracken; Connie Stewart, Alexander. Great grandparents, Liz and Glenn Conner.

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McCracken welcomes Russ and Laura (Casey) Linsey as new residents. They are residing at 308 East Ash.

Martin and Mary Higgins spent from January 10 - 24 in Maui. Martin's company, Varian Medical Systems /Z-Med. held their world wide sales meeting at the Grand Wailea Resort in Wailea, Maui, Hawaii.

Larry and Donna Buster and their beloved dog have moved from Alaska to Shanghai.

Babe and Arlene Gilbert 'vacationed' in Nashville, TN where Arlene attended the Mary Kay Inc. Director's Leadership Conference. They also attended a Grand Ole Opery performance.

Jeff and Kathy (Lovitt) Hurd, Eric, Austin and Audra attended the Pro Bowl football game in Hawaii.

Kelsee Rogers, daughter of Les and Sheryl Rogers, Jessica Casey, daughter of L. Pat and Jackie Casey; William Greenway, son of Bill and Paula (Crawshaw) Greenway and Gage Podrybau, son of Malena (Rogers) Podrybau are on the Bazine High School Scholar's Bowl team.

Rashell Mills, daughter of Marty and Tina Mills, was a candidate for basketball homecoming queen at Bazine High School. Stephanie Greenway, daughter of Bill and Paula Greenway was a crown bearer.

Dustin Unrein, Freshman at Ellis High School, wrestled in the 1,2,3 A Wrestling Regional Tournament in Hoisington. He is the son of James and Diane Unrein.

Gambino's Pizza, LaCrosse, has moved to a larger location on Main Street. Owners are Trenton and Jana Herdman.

Kayla Irvin, daughter of Kellye and Sandy (Foreman) Irvin and Katlyn Morgan, daughter of Layne and Kerri (Derr) Morgan were pictured in the March 4, 2004 issue of the Rush County News. They were pictured at one of the LaCrosse Middle School science learning stations.

Sonja Conner took a cruise on the Holland America Oosterdam from February 1 - 8. She and her sister, David and Ardith Gardner left from Fort Lauderdale to cruise to Nassau and Half Moon Bay in the Bahamas, St. Martins and Tortola.

Lorraine Norlin was honored with an open house at the McCracken United Methodist Church Sunday, February 8.

Kenneth and Bob Foster moved to LaCrosse the first of the month.

Sharon Lovitt received a clean bill of health after all those chemo treatments at her last doctor's appointment in Kansas City. She doesn't have an appointment until April.

Richard Showalter and Kenneth Foster are working at a Tele-Marking Compny in Victoria.

Plainville High School boys basketball team lost to Quinter, 65-37, at the sub-state finals held in Wakeeney Saturday evening. Justin Casey, sophomore, is a member of the Plainville team. He is the son of Jerry and Karen Casey. LaCrosse High School girls basketball team lost to Claflin, 44-30, at the sub-state finals held in St. John Saturday evening. Anna Irvin, junior, is a member of the LaCrosse team. She is the daughter of Kellye and Sandy (Foreman) Irvin. Hoisington High School girls basketball team lost to Lyons, 46-41, at the semi-finals at the sub state tournament held in Hoisington Friday evening. Kyra Horesky, freshman, daughter of Lonnie and Tammy (Higgins) Irvin is a member of the team. Jason Moran, coach of Tipton Catholic High School girls basketball team placed 1st in the sub-state tournament held in Russell Saturday evening by defeating Eastern Heights 34-58. They will advance to State. Jason is the son of Bill and Marge Moran.

Rob McGaughey was taken by ambulance to Hays Medical Center Tuesday night after suffering chest pains. The main artery going to his heart was 99% blocked. A stint was inserted. He was able to return home Friday evening.

Arlene Rues, former McCracken High School music teacher, will again be part of the choir at the Messiah in Lindsborg during Easter week.

Cameron Horesky, Hoisington Middle School 8th grader, placed first in wrestling Saturday, March 7, in Lyons. He wrestles in the 155 lb class. He finished 14-0 for the season. He is the son of Lonnie and Tammy (Higgins) Irvin.