Read all about (and print out your own copy) the "Alumni Picnic Under The Big Top" which will take place in McCracken City Park on Saturday, July 10th, 2004 at 12:30 p.m.

All those who graduated in the years ending in 4 will be honored at the Alumni dinner "Under the Big Top".  Alumni can help to defray the expense of the Big Top, please enclose a little extra on the above form.  Thanks.
 
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".

We are again reminding all of you that aren't all ready buying stamps from our McCracken Post Office to please consider doing so.  You may e-mail Carolyn or Shirley and a pre-stamped form will be sent to you.    We thank everyone who orders.

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Mary Ann Moran, 79, died March 9, 2004 at Grisell Memorial Hospital, Ransom, KS.  She was born October 15, 1924 at Hargrave to William P. and Rosa A. Marak Moran.  She was a 1943 graduate of McCracken High School.  Survivors are a brother William J; two sisters, Jean Moran & Rita Pumilia.  Mary Ann was a second mother and grandmother to many children in McCracken.  Burial was in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.
 
Rick Huddleston, Towner, Colarado, died in March.  He was a grandson of Fred Black and son of Mary Louise and Max Huddleston.
 
Katherine Rourke Daigle, died March 2, 2004 in WaKeeney at the age of 82.  She was the sister of  the late John G. and Bernard Rourke.  Survivors are a son Rolland (Tom) Daigle, 3 sisters, Lucille and Eileen Nemechek and Sister Margaret Rourke.  Burial was in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, McCracken.
 
L. Leon Marvin, 85, LaCrosse, died April 10, 2004 at LaCrosse.  He was born October 22, 1918 in Nyberg, CO the son of Charles H. and Della M. (Hendrix) Marvin.  He was a 1937 graduate of McCracken High School.  He worked as a Depot Agent/Telegrapher for the Missouri Pacific Railroad.  He was a US Army veteran of World War II.  He had 4 bronze stars and was in the Battle of the Bulge.  On December 6, 1947, he married Laurene E. Friess in Wichita.  He is survived by his wife, five sons, Gerald, Dennis, Gayle, Merle and Verle and daughters, Nancy Donnell and Susan Sharp, two sisters, Louise Burnham, Fremont, NE and Helen Yost, LaCrosse, 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.  Burial in LaCrosse City Cemetery.
 
Elizabeth Ann (Liz) Conner, 73, died April 10, 2004 at KU Medical Center.  She was born March 22, 1931 in Scottsville, KS, the daughter of Floyd and Bertha (Milholland) Belden.  She taught school in McCracken for almost 30 years.  She was a 1949 gradauate of Beloit High School and a 1953 graduate of Fort Hays State University with a BA in Elementary Education.  She was homecoming queen at Fort Hays her Senior Year. She was a member of the McCracken United Methodist Church, Fort Hays Alumni Assoc., Half Century Club, Delta Zeta Sorority, Christian Women's Club, Hays and Athenian Club, McCracken.  She married Glenn Conner, January 23, 1943.  They celebrated their 50th anniversary.  Survivors are her husband, two sons, Daniel and Michael; sister, Charlene Mortimer, three sisters-in-law, Sonja Conner LaCrosse, Gail Keady, Goddard and Sara Belden of Knoxville, TN; three grandchildren Mitchel Conner, D. J. Conner, Christi Conner Schnedier, two great-grandchildren, Dallas and Alyssa Schneider.  Burial was in the McCracken City Cemetery.
 
The husband of Rita Halbleib Issinghoff died in Wichita this past week.
 
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Congratulations to Jason Showalter and Jessica Berg on the birth of a daughter, Havyn Lynn, born March 18, 2004 at Hays.  Diane McFarren and Johnny Mac Showalter are the grandparents.
 
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Cassie Karlin, granddaughter of Addie Mills, is a member of the Hays High a cappella choir. 
 
Ellen Davis Kershner, Clinton, Clayton and Addie raided the closet of Bob House for old 'Army stuff' to wear in the St. Patrick's Parade in Rush Center.  Bob didn't think he would be called up again for service!
 
Those from our area who had floats in the St. Patrick's Parade in Rush center were West Side Winners 4-H Club members which included Katelyn and Angela Morgan, Brian and Lisa Legleiter, Carly Derr; The OLD McCracken Fire Truck driven by Bet and accompanied by Jeanette McCormick; Lexi and Zoe Anderson, Courtney and Erica Gilbert rode on The Farmers Bank and Trust float; Brett Gilbert and John Oborny with the "Ain't Scared B-B-Q' float; Johnny Mac Showalter drove the limo with Austin McGaughey and Sheila Brown as passengers; McCracken Rodeo Queen, Jodi Mermis; Walnut City 4-H Club won the best overall trophy.  Their float was A Salute to the American Soldier.  Some of the members riding were Clayton and Clinton Kershner, Garrett McCormick, Bailey, Brooke and Riley Lisner.
 
Jerry Higgins referreed at the 5A State Basketball Tournament.
 
Richard Showatler took some basketball fans in the 'limo' to Dallas for the Big 12 Tournament.
 
Arlene Gilbert was in Kansas City for a Mary Kay Director's meeting.
 
There were two hunters from Minnesota who spent a recent weekend at Hunter's Hideway in McCracken.
 
Matthew Casey is a member of the Bazine High School scholar team.  Maribeth Casey is a freshman at Allan County Community College, they are the children of L. Pat and Jackie Casey.
 
John and Kayla (Higgins) Tacha, Lindsey and Nicole of Norton, spent time in Orlando where John attended the Budweiser Convention.  They enjoyed Disney World and other Orlando sights.
 
Carrie Higgins is the Floor Manager of the Texas Rodehouse in Kansas City.
 
The McCracken Public Libary is open again on Thursdays from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m.  Other library hours are MTWF 2:00 until 5:00 P.M.  Wednesday evening  7:00 to 9:00 P.M.  and Saturday morning 10:00 to noon.  The librarians are at the library every day but Tuesday when volunteers are used.
 
Melissa Schuckman, Dave and Carolyn Davenport were ticket takers at the National Juco Tournament.  Caleb Brening was a ball boy at the game on Thursday night.  Sonja Conner, Shirley Higgins, Cameron Horesky and Joy Hunter attended the Juco games in Hutchinson.
 
Marlene Pfannenstiel Bronish, Aurora, CO, helps out a first grade class in an area school on Monday and Tuesday afternoons.
 
A birthday get-to-gether was held honoring Dylan Derr and Nicole Ryan at the home of Austin McGaughey.  Others present were Katlyn Morgan, Scott and Kayla Irvin, Skyler Jones, Casey and Sheila Brown, Lisa Legleiter, Clinton Kershner and Cody Burns.
 
Walter and Janey Rogers spent a weekend in Lone Jack, Missouri, visiting their daughter, Terri and Pete Cox.  They also visited Pat and Betty Keener in Lenexa.
 
Layne and Kerri Moran have a new garage.  Allen, Michael, Katlyn & Kerri along with Layne did all the work.  Don and DeAnna Berguist had a new garage built on the east side of their house by Mark Brackney.
 
Jerry, Tanny, Chuck, Zach, Lonnie and Cameron attended the NCAA basketball tournament at Kemper Arena in Kansas City.
 
A 4th birthday party was held at the United Methodist Church for Lexi Anderson.  Guests were Grace Thompson, Emily Rogers, Ron Johnson, Walter and Janey Rogers, Layne, Kerri, Allen, Michael, Katlyn and Angela Morgan, Jennie Rogers, Ellen, Clinton and Addie Kershner, Valerie Rogers, Keven Anderson and Zoe.
 
The LaCrosse Boy Scout Troop 147 had their 3rd annual auction on April 18.  Skyler Jones is a member of Troop 147.
 
June Bell is singing in the Messiah at Lindsborg.  She goes twice a week for practice and visits with Arlene Rues who is also a member of the choir.  Carol, June's daughter celebrated her 65th birthday on March 7.
 
Tony and Paulette Harp vacationed in New Mexico and Arizona.  While in Arizona they visited with Brian Harp.  Brian works for Eclipse.  They make small jets and Brian's job is to make the tools that makes the tools that make the planes!
 
Howard Sissel was honored with a reception at the Cherokee Strip Credit Union in Ponca City Oklahoma on March 26 for his 30 year career.  He is the husband of Ruth Ann Sloan.
 
A benefit for Jack Paul Wilson, Class of 1951, was held on April 3.  Entertainment was provided by the High Plains Chorus.  A soup supper was held at the City Building and a free will offering was taken to help defray expenses for Jack's cancer treatment.  A large crowd attended.  If you wish to help with his benefit, please send a donation to Jack Wilson, R. R. 1 Box 7, McCracken, KS 67556.
 
Nicole Moran and Clark Kirk, Burrton, announced their engagment.  She is the daughter of William J. and Marge Moran, McCracken and he is the son of Clifford and Carol Kirk, Burrton.  Nicole works as a CPA at Pierce, Faris and Co., Chartered, Hutchinson and Clark is an accountant for Pipline Testing Consortium, Inc. Hutchinson.  The wedding will be on July 31, 2004 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Hutchinson.
 
Nicole and Shawna Peters (daughters of Theresa and the late Russell Peters) visited with their uncle, Dennis Peters, in Plano, TX over Spring Break.
 
Those attending the Junior High Book Club were Austin McGaughey, Skyler Jones, Lisa Legleiter, Audra Dale, Sheila Brown, Katlyn Morgan and Nicole ryan.  Tomi Rues is the coordinator.
 
Those who recently attended the Rodeo meeting were Carol Weber, Gerald and Signe Barnes, Treva Bergquist, Shirley Higgins, Rogers Legleiter, Bet McCormick, Brett Gilbert, Bill Greenway, L. Pat Casey, Tom Prosser, Mark Brackney, Mike and Jerilyn Stull, Kerri Morgan and Debbie Rogers.  Work will be done on the bleachers. 
 
Machree and Thayne Jones recently visited their son Chris Jones in Wichita.
 
Les Diehl was in San Diego to attend an insurance seminar.
 
Tony and Tomi Rues and family vacationed in Colorado recently.
 
Bob Thompson says he will definitely be here for the rodeo this July.  We missed him last year.  Ben and Nancy Anderson also plan to come.
 
Francis and Julia Zeller, Twila Higgins and Carol Weber attended the Barber Shop Concert at Beach/Schmidt in Hays.
 
Scott and Lora (Lovitt) Fairman, Raelynn and Clay, Columbia, Missouri, spent Spring Break in Philadelphia visiting friends.
 
Children attending Story house at McCracken Libary were Lexie and Zoe Anderson, Brendon and Zach Peach, Candler and Ashleigh Allen and Emma Rues.  Mary Beth Peach is coordinator.
 
Josh Miller, son of Kevin and Janet (Conner) Miller, Augusta, wrestled in the State wrestling match in his class -- age 10, weight under 79 lbs.  He won one and lost two.  His grandmother, Sonja Conner, attended.
 
Paula Greenway is working in Bazine school system as an aide and assistant track coach.
 
Signe Barnes and Phillis Conrad attended the Mass of Chrism at the Catherderal of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dodge City.  They represented St. Joseph Church, Liebenthal.
 
Floyd and Carolyn Thompson returned home from a trip to Florida.  Mike Susan and Shannon Keith joined them in Key West and at Disney World.  Floyd and Carolyn attended 5 games of the St. Louis Cardinals at Jupiter, FL
 
Both David and Judy Halbleib work part-time at Walmart in Hays.
 
Rich Billinger, directed  and Galen Schmidtberger sang at the Victoria Community Variety Show, "Sweet and Sour Krauts".  They are former teachers at McCracken.
 
Ashley Taylor, daughter of Rodney and Bernadette Taylor, spent a week in New York City with the Leadership class at Washburn University. They worked in soup kitchens in the ghetto.  Anthony Taylor played in a basketball game in Ellis vs the Kansas City Chiefs.  Ashley Taylor sang the Star Spangled Banner before the game.
 
Lavonna Suppes and family , Centerville, VA, spent the week in Kansas visiting relatives and friends.
 
Billie & Keith North have returned home from Colorado.
 
Pat Derr returned home after spending 3-4 months in Texas.
 
Recent gifts to the McCracken Jail/Museum:  From Gary & Elaine Turner, Hurst, TX, a J. P. Moran sewing kit; a Doolin's Cafe pen and a section of the 1949 Diamond Jubilee Edition from the late Loretta Moran.  A Donecker and Donecker's Resaurant pin from Alex and Wanda McCormick.
 
 Shirley Higgins had cataract surgery.
 
Ben Brenner had surgery at CKMC in Great Bend.
 
William Greenway rolled his car twice on his way home from school at Bazine on the McCracken-Alexander road.  He was an overnight patient in the Ransom hospital.
 
Melanie Zeller ws honored for her 20 years of service at Hays Medical Center.  Also honored was Brenda (Littler) Prosser for 5 years and Rhonda S. (Brenner) Stramel for 25 years.
 
Linda Dale, Audra and Evan have moved back to Colorado.  Her dad, Emerson Sloan, has been staying in her McCracken home.
 
Lonnie Irvin attended a football clinic in Nebraska.
 
Kenny Foster had surgery on his nose in Wichita.
 
Allen McCloy furnished stock for the college rodeo in Goodwell, OK last weekend.  The Ft. Hays Rodeo team participated in the rodeo.
 
Reba Davenport Baker moved to a different home in Oklahoma City.
 
Jerry Higgins was a referee for the KU Barnstorming Tour basketball game held Saturday night at the Salthawk Activity center.  The opponent was Reno County High School Seniors.
 
Easter Mass was held at St. Mary's Catholic Church on Sunday.  Father Eugene Kenny, Wichita, was the celebrant.
 
Francis Zeller was named one of six men to the Square Dance Callers Hall of Fame at the convention in Reno, Nebrada.  Julia Zeller was honored as the only partner to attend all 31 conventions.
 
Jerry Buxton is the managing editor of the Syracuse, KS Journal.
 
Brad Geist is a student at TMP in Hays.  He is the step-son of Harley and Donna North.  Joe North, their son, broke a toe and ankle in a practice jump from a helicopter.  He is in the service.
 
Grace Thompson celebrated her 95th birthday on April 25, 2004.  She would enjoy your cards:  P. O. Box  322, McCracken, KS 67556