Marion County RECORD

HEADLINES

Centenarian credits hard work for her longevity
Some people may think that Esther Groneman, 99, of rural Lincolnville has lived a boring life. She never learned to drive, wasn’t socially involved except for church, and never took a vacation during her 54-year marriage to her husband, the late Arthur A. Groneman. What’s more, she spent almost her entire life within a one-mile radius. She has no regrets. She said she has had a good life. She found fulfillment in working together with her husband to provide for the needs of their family.
Council promotes developer administrator job
In a special meeting Nov. 26, Marion City Council voted unanimously to hire current economic development director and interim city administrator Roger Holter to fill the position of city administrator at his current pay level of $66,500. “We interviewed three very good candidates, all with strengths, and we would all have good comments about any of the three,” Mayor Mary Olson said. “He (Holter) has a vision of Marion we like and want to keep going down that path.”
Council changes nuisance ordinance
At last week’s Marion City Council meeting, the council approved a modification to the current nuisance ordinance. The ordinance says that once a complaint is raised, a certified letter will be sent to the homeowner by the city.
Cookie contest planned
Show off your decorating skills in the Marion County Cookie Decorating Contest. Bake your favorite cookie, decorate it, and bring it to the Marion County Record office, 117 S. Third St. in Marion by Dec. 10 and fill out an entry form. The public can vote for their favorite cookie Dec. 11 through 18 by placing a donation in jars at Carlsons’ Grocery and the Marion County Record office in Marion; Vogt’s Hometown Market in Hillsboro; and Don’s Drug Store in Peabody.
Six Appeal to have holiday show in Marion
A cappella singing group Six Appeal will have a holiday show at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the USD 408 Performing Arts Center. The concert will feature both holiday songs and the band’s traditional line up. “I grew up in Marion, this is our fourth show here, and it’s always fun to come back,” Michael Brookens said. “Last year we played at the performing arts center and thought we might make it an annual event.”
Deer season begins today
Firearms season for deer hunting in Kansas began today and will continue through Dec. 15. Kansas hunters age 16 to 74 must have a Kansas hunting license, with few exceptions. Hunters who get their first deer are invited to send photos to the newspaper, as are hunters of any age or experience who get a trophy buck. Photos and information can be sent to news@marionrecord.com.
Creating a 3-night show for 2,000 viewers
Shortly after Klee and Jennifer Watchous purchased Wildcat Creek Ranch (formerly the Townsend Ranch) on U.S. 50, Jennifer knew the three-story stone barn was special and needed to be shared with the public. She began to think about providing a living nativity during the Christmas season with the barn and the vast landscapes around it as a backdrop. The second annual production will take place this weekend — Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, right where she envisioned it several years ago.
Commissioners debate ambulance services
After being outvoted 2-1 Nov. 27 to continue the ambulence department’s use of emergency medical dispatch (EMD) protocol, Commission Chairman Randy Dallke suggested a serious examination of county services. “Our people out here can only stand so many taxes, and we’re getting less people every day in this county,” he said. “Somewhere, somebody’s going to have to cut something.”

OTHER HEADLINES

Young and old attend Sen. Moran's town hall
Sen. Jerry Moran held his 1,000th town hall meeting and pancake feed last week at the Marion Community Center Ballroom. The meeting was well attended by county leaders from County Commissioner Dan Holub, mayors Mary Olson of Marion and Delores Dalke of Hillsboro, Tabor College President Jules Glanzer, State Rep. John Barker and his wife, along with residents from Salina to Junction City, as well as Marion County.
Free screening for preschoolers
A free screening for children birth through 5 years old will be Tuesday in Florence. All children are welcome, but appointments are necessary and are available from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Development in learning, motor skills, language, and social areas will be checked. Vision and hearing also will be screened. The process usually takes at least one hour for a child to complete.
Emergency farm loan requests due Dec. 26
Farmers and ranchers in Marion County have until Dec. 26 to file applications for emergency disaster loans. Farm Service Agency loan manager Eric Guenther said that those needing farm credit assistance as the result of a snowstorm from Feb. 20 to Feb. 23, should send their applications before the deadline.
Kiwanis has Christmas luncheon
Marion Kiwanis Club had its Christmas luncheon Tuesday at the Marion Community Center. With Key Club officers and several members’ spouses in attendance, the crowd was about 40 people. The Marion High School Singers provided musical entertainment, directed by Tim Cassidy. The performance included several pieces the Singers will perform in their candlelight concert Dec. 17.
Marion's Christmas kick-off was strong
Several Christmas events brought cheer and holiday spirit Sunday to Marion. Residents and out-of-towners alike shared in the festivities from home tours to shopping local. Library home tours
Police return frozen meatballs to rightful owner
In the early morning hours on Sunday, Peabody police officers responded to a report of burglary and theft at a residence at 711 N. Chestnut St. in Peabody. The investigating officers took a report of several items missing from the residence, including a bag of frozen meatballs. During the course of the investigation, a second call came in from the Coneburg Inn with information about another burglary and theft. The missing items included a bag of frozen chicken gizzards, a bag of frozen hash browns, and a bag of frozen mozzarella cheese sticks.
Hillsboro discusses rate increases for Peabody water
Hillsboro City Council discussed a plan to increase the cost of water sold to Peabody. It cost the city $1.77 per unit to create drinkable water, currently Hillsboro is selling water to Peabody for $1.84 a unit.

DEATHS

Jocelyn Classen
Jocelyn H. Classen, 61, of Marion died Nov. 26 at Via Christi-St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. She was born Dec. 2, 1951, in Goessel to Vernon and Wanita (Ewert) Goentzel. She was a homemaker. She married Bob Classen on March 19, 1983.
Ester Kleinsasser
Esther Kleinsasser, 95, of Hillsboro died Sunday at Salem Home in Hillsboro. She was born April 12, 1918, to David and Katharina (Hofer) Mendel in Hillsboro. She is survived by her husband, Walt of Hillsboro; a son, Joe of Hillsboro; a daughter, Faith Klaassen of Newark, N.J.; and three grandchildren.
Jona Prieb
Jona Prieb, 91, of Hillsboro died Nov. 24 at Salem Home in Hillsboro. He was born April 12, 1922, to William J. and Sara (Block) Prieb in Marion County. He is survived by three sons, Richard of Hesston, Steve of McPherson, and Keith of Derby; a daughter, Joyce Ashley of Goessel; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
IN MEMORIAM:
Christy Frantz, Rufus Unrau

DOCKET

OPINION

Lessons learned on Thanksgiving break
Precocious grandkids frolicking in leaves, mastering Monopoly strategies and demanding multiple trips to Marion’s beautiful Central Park, where the youngest was photographed against the same backdrop as was used with her sister, brother, and father at the same age in years past, weren’t the only things that provided hope, thanksgiving and a bit of pleasant holiday din last week. So, too, were two events emanating from the city building’s handsome new community center. Reports heard while returning Sunday to a school-year office in Illinois, its floor covered in several inches of antifreeze-like gel after an undetected heating leak, were that Sunday’s Marion Christmas was a strong first step in uniting a too-often fractious business community behind a promotion that promises to grow into an annual event, revitalizing area business’ holiday cheer.
Don't drag feet on development post
Now that Roger Holter has lost the interim designation as city administrator, it’s time for Marion City Council to start thinking about the economic development position. Marion needs city administration and economic development to be separate positions, and I think Holter would agree with that. For starters, there isn’t enough time for one person to give both jobs the attention they require. Administration takes a lot of planning and a lot of managing workers. Economic development takes a lot of networking and a lot of research. If someone tries to do it all, one job will get shortchanged, if not both.
A small town Christmas affair
In my hometown of Augusta, our Christmas events consisted of a light display in the park, which they stopped doing a couple of years ago. We have an ancient Christmas tree that is put up downtown, but that is the extent of the Christmas festivities. I did not know what to expect when driving to Marion Sunday. I figured it to be a purely shopping event, and thought it seemed strange to hold something like that on a Sunday, especially with the governors’ declaration of Small Business Saturday the day before.
ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:
Answer me this

PEOPLE

Wiens family celebrates Thanksgiving
The family of Mary Ann Wiens gathered for a Thanksgiving feast Saturday at the Hilltop Manor community center. Present were Mary Ann Wiens, Diann Cline, Smolan; Gerald and Jan Wiens; Jennifer Schneider and Emily, Jack, and Ben; Dustin, Peggy, Carter, and Maura Wiens, Manhattan; Stan and Denise Hett, Wichita; Jim Crofoot; Don and Janice Hodson; Paul Hodson, Kansas City, Mo.; Patrick Hodson, Manhattan; Jeff, Erica, and Noah Richmond; Lindsey Richmond and Braylee Grosse; Kevin, Loraine, Kyle, and Macy McGahee, Shawnee; Jerry, Loreen, and Eli Hett; Herb and Pat Bartel, Hillsboro; and guests Matt Fine and Jake Baldwin.
Tabor to present 'Messiah'
The Tabor College Oratorio Chorus, Alumni Chorus, and Community Orchestra are joining forces to present the annual “Messiah” performance at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. Students Robert Howell, Olivia Kliewer, Trevor Morris, Sara Sagner, and Nathan Vogel will be featured soloists. Alumnus Aaron Stepanek and faculty members Janie Brokenicky and Holly Swartzendruber also will have solo parts.
FFA members compete in dairy competition
Twenty-six Centre FFA members traveled to Hillsboro Nov. 18 to participate in the South Central District Dairy Cattle Career Development Event at the Marion County Fair Grounds. The Centre team placed third in the senior division of dairy cattle evaluation. Team members were Cassidy Hill, Karl Riffel, and Chad Mueller. Chad placed fifth overall in the dairy evaluation.
Concention of States Project appoints local director
Marion resident David Schneider has been appointed by The Convention of States Project to be the group’s director in Kansas. Schneider will be in charge of the groups Kansas operations.
Four Freshmen to perform at McPherson Opera House
The vocal group Four Freshmen will perform at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at McPherson Opera House. The Beach Boys-influenced group will sing several songs including the Beach Boy’s hit “Surfer Girl.”
Klingenberg makes national news with viral video
Derek Klingenberg of Peabody has gotten a lot of media attention since his video, “What Does the Farmer Say?,” went viral on YouTube. He appeared Nov. 30 on Fox News, where he was briefly interviewed by Jon Scott in a segment of “Happening Now.” The host mentioned the town of Peabody, Kan. and showed clips from the video.
Students send aid to Philippines
Goessel elementary School students and faculty recently raised a number of useful items for people living in the Philippines in need of aid during a charity drive. Items collected were:
14 fingernail clippers.
20 boxes of band-aids.
24 bottles of shampoo.
32 towels.
59 tubes of toothpaste.
151 bars of soap.
210 containers of laundry soap.
212 toothbrushes.
Marion County Home Care Services wins award
Marion County Home Care Services won the Home Care Elite award of excellence for providing quality care to its patients. The award ranks MCHCS in the top 500 in the nation for home health services in five categories: quality of care, quality of improvement and consistency, patient experience, process to measure implementation, and financial performance.
Centre students grow poinsettias
The Centre High School horticulture class is growing poinsettias as a learning project and fundraiser. As part of the project, students have studied the history of poinsettias, ideal planting, spacing, and temperature, and controlling diseases and insects that affect the plants.
TAMPA TRIPLE T:
Tampa Triple T
MEMORIES:
10, 25, 35, 50, 60, 100, 125 years ago

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

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MOVE MOUSE OVER IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT

Margie Schwartz catches candy after throwing it to some older watchers who threw it back. "Throw it to the younger kids," they said before throwing it back at Schwartz.

Esther Groneman, 99, has spent 78 years in her home six miles east of Lincolnville. Her daughter Lois is her caregiver and makes it possible for her to live an independent lifestyle. Groneman will be 100 years old Dec. 18.

Marion Elementary School Principal Justin Wasmuth launches into the pool in front of second grade students at USD 408 Sports and Aquatics Center Nov. 26. Wasmuth agreed to cannonball into the pool as part of the principal's challenge during National Young Readers Week. The second grade students read 214 books in two days meaning Wasmuth had to jump twice.

Volunteers including Bruce George, left, and Roger Schroeder prepared 200 steak dinners Nov. 25 for the Marion Chamber of Commerce Farm/City Appreciation Banquet.

Marion County RECORD

At last week’s Marion City Council meeting, the council approved a modification to the current nuisance ordinance. The ordinance says that once a complaint is raised, a certified letter will be sent to the homeowner by the city.

Several Christmas events brought cheer and holiday spirit Sunday to Marion. Residents and out-of-towners alike shared in the festivities from home tours to shopping local. Library home tours

Hillsboro City Council discussed a plan to increase the cost of water sold to Peabody. It cost the city $1.77 per unit to create drinkable water, currently Hillsboro is selling water to Peabody for $1.84 a unit.

Jocelyn H. Classen, 61, of Marion died Nov. 26 at Via Christi-St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. She was born Dec. 2, 1951, in Goessel to Vernon and Wanita (Ewert) Goentzel. She was a homemaker. She married Bob Classen on March 19, 1983.

IN MEMORIAM:

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

Marion resident David Schneider has been appointed by The Convention of States Project to be the group’s director in Kansas. Schneider will be in charge of the groups Kansas operations.

The vocal group Four Freshmen will perform at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at McPherson Opera House. The Beach Boys-influenced group will sing several songs including the Beach Boy’s hit “Surfer Girl.”

The Centre High School horticulture class is growing poinsettias as a learning project and fundraiser. As part of the project, students have studied the history of poinsettias, ideal planting, spacing, and temperature, and controlling diseases and insects that affect the plants.

TAMPA TRIPLE T:

MEMORIES:

MARION:

HILLSBORO:

PEABODY-BURNS:

TABOR:

CENTRE:

GOESSEL: