Marion County RECORD

HEADLINES

Florence pulls plug on water debate
At least 20 spectators showed up for Monday’s Florence City Council meeting, but the meeting ended abruptly when they started asking questions about the city water supply. The city’s contract to buy water from Crystal Springs, owned by the DeForest family, will end next year. Council members voted June 4 to reject a 10-year, $6,000-per-year contract offered by the family.
Continued PBS sponsorship dies after commercials fail to air
An attempt by KPTS-TV to persuade Marion to sponsor the station for a second year was rebuffed Monday after council members learned that a city commercial, promised to be shown 36 times, never aired. Economic development director Randy Collett said early versions of the 30-second Marion advertisement didn’t pass muster, so the PBS station produced different versions. The first couple of times the station filmed spots for Marion, videographers went to the reservoir and filmed cars driving over the dam.
Cops want $10,000 to censor body cams
Police are considering buying a computer and software costing nearly $10,000 so they can censor police body cam and dash cam video before releasing it under a new law. A new law requires police to provide video images to certain people, such as family members of crime victims, within 20 days of an incident.
Kids as caregivers; Memory loss reverses roles of parents, children
The natural order of things is for a parent to raise a child, but sometimes that lifecycle revolves back to the child caring for an elderly parent. Patsy Torres knows all too well what it’s like to care for an aging parent in an effort to avoid sending him or her to a nursing home.
Optimistic breeders, playful puppies spread cheer
James and Cindy Griffittses’ average day now looks slightly different than it did a couple of years ago. Aside from an occasional shift that Cindy works in the lab at St. Luke Hospital, the couple is retired. Trading in stethoscopes and scrubs for belly rubs and ear scratches, the Griffittses operate C and J Ranch in a renovated church building on Yarrow Rd. northeast of Marion.

OTHER HEADLINES

Council gets preview of streetscape
Marion City Council got a preview Monday of a streetscape project on Main St. from 1st to 5th Sts. City administrator Roger Holter said the downtown upgrade would benefit the city, business owners, residents, and visitors.
A growing love for trees
When N.M. Patton got the lots behind his house in the 900 block of N. Locust in the ’70s, the possibilities were endless. After a cousin suggested planting Christmas trees, a spark of interest became a decades old ardor of all things trees. With the help of his cousin, Patton planted 1,000 pine trees his first year. After five or six years, he sold the pines.
Pilgrims with a cause, motorcyclists visit Kapaun Museum
A group of 30 mostly Catholic motorcyclists from the Wichita area visited Pilsen Saturday to tour St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church and the Kapaun Museum. For Arnie Kroupa, who grew up in rural Lincolnville, it was a motorcycle pilgrimage.
Tiny house, big opportunity?
Brandon Voth’s first house may be tiny — by design. But it’s also a prayer come true. And the start of a new business. “At the very beginning, when we decided we wanted to do this, we had no capital, no savings,” Voth said. “We prayed, ‘God, can you provide a way for us to do this without a loan?’”
Small but dedicated crowd for Bluegrass at the Lake
For Luanne and Terry Soukup of Goessel, Bluegrass at the Lake is an annual tradition. They attend each year. Their bluegrass-loving friends from other towns join them.
Roofer's death a surprise
Dave Shiplet, who “probably roofed half the buildings in Marion,” according to sister-in-law Jeannie Wildin, died unexpectedly Sunday at his home. Shiplet’s death left his wife, Marla, with no money. He had no life insurance and his business account, Shipshape Roofing, is locked up.
Tabor Student begins reign as Miss Kansas
Tabor sophomore Hannah Klaassen, 19, hopes to increase awareness of mental health issues and raise money for Children’s Miracle Network during her year as Miss Kansas. Klaassen, a psychology major, said Tuesday that she wanted to emphasize what people can do to maintain their own mental health and where to find help if they need it.
Harvey House picnic is Sunday
Florence Historical Society will sponsor the 18th annual Harvey House Picnic on Lawn at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 23 at the museum at 3rd and Marion Sts. The event will feature fried fish, mountain oysters, salads, side dishes, and homemade desserts, served by Florence Historical Society in exchange for donations.
Judge seeks court technology upgrade
District Judge Michael Powers made a pitch to county commissioners Monday for upgrading the court’s media system. Old equipment used to display photo and video evidence and to conduct video conversations with experts as far away as Larned is in need of replacement, Powers said.
County's trash tax to rise $10 to pay for new facility
Marion County’s new transfer station will cost each residential property owner in the county an additional $19 per year. Commissioners on Monday voted to raise the county’s solid waste assessment fee from $81 to $100 annually to pay for construction of a $1.44 million transfer station they approved in April.
Good deed changes woma's opinion of law enforcement
When Peabody resident Linda Culp saw part-time Marion sheriff’s deputy and Peabody officer Gary Slater approaching her house with a mower in tow, she was worried she was going to receive a citation. “I thought my lawn was too long, and he was going to get me for an ordinance,” she said. “Our mower has been under repair and we’ve been waiting for parts.”
Wichita woman dies in head-on crash
A Wichita woman died at the scene June 13 when she drove her pickup into the path of an oncoming semi on US-50. According to a report by the Kansas Highway Patrol, Shelbi E. Kind, 22, was driving a 2000 Chevrolet pickup three miles southwest of Florence when she crossed the center line at Turkey Creek Rd. and collided with a 2016 Volvo semi driven by Daniel I. Coyle, 56, Hillsboro, Ohio.
Canned goods needed
Organizers of Marion County Relay for Life, a cancer fundraiser planned for Aug. 11 at Warrior Stadium in Marion, are seeking canned food items to place in luminaria that will line the track. Only about half the canned items needed have been collected. Contributions are being accepted at Hillsboro State Bank, Fast Reality and the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce office in Hillsboro. Canned items will be donated to county food banks after the event.
Women allegedly burned, threatened
One woman was burned with a cigarette and another threatened with a knife in separate domestic disputes this past week in Hillsboro, according to police. A 29-year-old Hillsboro man was arrested early Sunday for allegedly threatening to kill his girlfriend if she called police to report that he had hurt her.
Arrest likely in car thefts
Hillsboro police think they may have solved a series of recent car thefts and have submitted a suspect’s name to the county attorney for arrest and prosecution. The latest vehicle to be stolen was one that already stolen five days earlier from Amanda Ratzlaff.
Summer is reading time
Every organized library in the county has a summer reading program. Several have introduced new ideas. At Marion City Library, 60 children are enrolled in a program called “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten.”
Disability group to meet
A public forum will open the regular monthly meeting of the directors of Harvey-Marion County Community Developmental Disability Organization at 4 p.m. Monday at 500 N. Main St., Suite 204, Newton.

DEATHS

Doris Ford
No services are planned for retired homemaker and restaurant and school cook Doris Ford, 97, who died Sunday. Born June 19, 1920, in Marion to Ben and Mary (Ehrlich) Anderson, she was a lifelong Marion resident and member of Valley United Methodist Church.
Sandra Salsbury
Services for Sandra Lea Salsbury, 80, who died Sunday at her rural Hillsboro home, will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Newton. Visitation will be 1 to 8 p.m. Friday, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8.
Henry Redger
Services for retired Tampa farmer Henry Redger, 98, who died Friday at Mercy Hospital in Moundridge, were to be at 10:30 a.m. today at Morning Star Mennonite Church, rural Tampa. Born Dec. 22, 1919, to Julius and Leah (Schmidt) Redger in rural Tampa, he and LaVerna Wedel were married Nov. 11, 1945, also in rural Tampa.
David Shiplet
Services for Marion roofer David Wayne Shiplet, 57, who died Sunday at his home, will be 1 p.m. Thursday on hole No. 9 at Marion Country Club. Roger Hiebert will officiate. Owner and operator of Ship Shape Roofing, Shiplet is survived by his wife, Marla, of the home; daughter Balee Jean of Emporia; and son Dustin Lee of Lawton, Oklahoma.

IN MEMORIAM

Phyllis Jensen
Phyllis J. Jensen passed away June 9, 2018, at her home at Meadowlark Pointe in Cozad, Nebraska, at the age of 88. Phyllis was born Feb. 6, 1930, in Marion to Willard and Helen (Richmond) Suffield.
Edward Silhan
Edward G. Silhan, 83, of Marion, passed away Thursday, June 14, 2018, at St. Luke Living Center in Marion. Edward was born Nov. 16, 1934, in Marion County to William and Elsie (Cerney) Silhan.
Thomas Smith
Army veteran and former Boeing engineer Thomas H. Smith, 64, Marion, died June 9 at Lake Wilson. No services are planned. He was born Aug. 18, 1953, in Douglass to John and Delores Smith,.

DOCKET

GARDEN

Garden is therapy for business owner
Having a backyard garden provides a place to unwind and relax for business owner Wendy Youk of Marion. The owner of Aunt Bee’s has a garden full of antiques, birdhouses, birdbaths, spinning wheels, and flowers. It’s almost too much to describe. She calls it her junk garden.
Wildflowers bring couple peach
Although Eileen and Dean Hiebert’s wildflower garden was intended just to bring them pleasure, events last fall changed the focus. The Hieberts had decided they wanted their own wildflower garden after spotting one in Tulsa. They drove past it several times and decided to plant their own after talking to the Tulsa gardener.
Dry, not forgotten; Gardens still will be on tour Sunday
Four Hillsboro gardens, including that of Larry and Judy Klein at 303 N. Adams St. in Hillsboro, will be open for viewing 6 to 8 p.m. June 24 during a garden tour sponsored by Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce. Nonetheless, hot, dry weather is making it a challenge to keep gardens looking good.

OPINION

If only we were bureaucrats.....
Sitting at my desk, I find my eyes wandering toward a tiny piece of black tape covering a minute slit in the leather seat of my chair. At times I knock my left knee against a hand-bent piece of copper where a handle formerly held my keyboard tray in place. My keyboard itself has a fw missing lttrs on its kycaps, and the spacebar at times requires an extra hard touch lestmywordsruntogether.
ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:
Learning lessons in the game of life

PEOPLE

Couple to celebrate 65th
Billy J. Williams & Margie S. (Thompson) Williams will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Burns Community Building in Burns. They were married June 26, 1953, in Harrell, Arkansas. Cards would be welcome, but the couple has requested no gifts.
Sister speaks at late brother's reunion
Deanna Klenda of rural Marion recently spoke at his 60th class reunion for her brother, Dean, at Kapaun-Mount Caramel High School in Wichita. Dean was missing in action in Vietnam for many years until some of his remains were found and brought back to be buried in 2016 at St. John Nepomucene Cemetery at Pilsen.
Florence alumni banquet draws 142
A total of 142 alumni, guests and teachers attended the 122nd annual Florence Alumni Banquet this year. Classes of 1943 through 2018 were represented at the gathering, which was moved to the Marion VFW post May 26 because of a water leak at Florence gymnasium.
Democrats hear of filings
Eight Democrats have filed for precinct committeeman and committeewoman positions on the Aug. 7 primary ballot, Marion County Democrats learned at a meeting Saturday. Members Ann Car and Jan Helmer volunteered to work at a booth at the State Fair in Hutchinson.
SENIOR CENTER:
Puzzle takes months to complete, Marion senior center menu
MEMORIES:
10, 25, 40, 55, 70, 110, 140 years ago, A dirt road in horse-and-buggy days

SCHOOL/SPORTS

4-H

Happy Hustlers
UPCOMING:
Calendar of events

Marion County RECORD

The natural order of things is for a parent to raise a child, but sometimes that lifecycle revolves back to the child caring for an elderly parent. Patsy Torres knows all too well what it’s like to care for an aging parent in an effort to avoid sending him or her to a nursing home.

Marion City Council got a preview Monday of a streetscape project on Main St. from 1st to 5th Sts. City administrator Roger Holter said the downtown upgrade would benefit the city, business owners, residents, and visitors.

A group of 30 mostly Catholic motorcyclists from the Wichita area visited Pilsen Saturday to tour St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church and the Kapaun Museum. For Arnie Kroupa, who grew up in rural Lincolnville, it was a motorcycle pilgrimage.

For Luanne and Terry Soukup of Goessel, Bluegrass at the Lake is an annual tradition. They attend each year. Their bluegrass-loving friends from other towns join them.

Dave Shiplet, who “probably roofed half the buildings in Marion,” according to sister-in-law Jeannie Wildin, died unexpectedly Sunday at his home. Shiplet’s death left his wife, Marla, with no money. He had no life insurance and his business account, Shipshape Roofing, is locked up.

District Judge Michael Powers made a pitch to county commissioners Monday for upgrading the court’s media system. Old equipment used to display photo and video evidence and to conduct video conversations with experts as far away as Larned is in need of replacement, Powers said.

Hillsboro police think they may have solved a series of recent car thefts and have submitted a suspect’s name to the county attorney for arrest and prosecution. The latest vehicle to be stolen was one that already stolen five days earlier from Amanda Ratzlaff.

Every organized library in the county has a summer reading program. Several have introduced new ideas. At Marion City Library, 60 children are enrolled in a program called “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten.”

A public forum will open the regular monthly meeting of the directors of Harvey-Marion County Community Developmental Disability Organization at 4 p.m. Monday at 500 N. Main St., Suite 204, Newton.

No services are planned for retired homemaker and restaurant and school cook Doris Ford, 97, who died Sunday. Born June 19, 1920, in Marion to Ben and Mary (Ehrlich) Anderson, she was a lifelong Marion resident and member of Valley United Methodist Church.

Services for Sandra Lea Salsbury, 80, who died Sunday at her rural Hillsboro home, will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Newton. Visitation will be 1 to 8 p.m. Friday, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8.

Phyllis J. Jensen passed away June 9, 2018, at her home at Meadowlark Pointe in Cozad, Nebraska, at the age of 88. Phyllis was born Feb. 6, 1930, in Marion to Willard and Helen (Richmond) Suffield.

Edward G. Silhan, 83, of Marion, passed away Thursday, June 14, 2018, at St. Luke Living Center in Marion. Edward was born Nov. 16, 1934, in Marion County to William and Elsie (Cerney) Silhan.

Army veteran and former Boeing engineer Thomas H. Smith, 64, Marion, died June 9 at Lake Wilson. No services are planned. He was born Aug. 18, 1953, in Douglass to John and Delores Smith,.

Having a backyard garden provides a place to unwind and relax for business owner Wendy Youk of Marion. The owner of Aunt Bee’s has a garden full of antiques, birdhouses, birdbaths, spinning wheels, and flowers. It’s almost too much to describe. She calls it her junk garden.

Four Hillsboro gardens, including that of Larry and Judy Klein at 303 N. Adams St. in Hillsboro, will be open for viewing 6 to 8 p.m. June 24 during a garden tour sponsored by Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce. Nonetheless, hot, dry weather is making it a challenge to keep gardens looking good.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

Billy J. Williams & Margie S. (Thompson) Williams will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Burns Community Building in Burns. They were married June 26, 1953, in Harrell, Arkansas. Cards would be welcome, but the couple has requested no gifts.

A total of 142 alumni, guests and teachers attended the 122nd annual Florence Alumni Banquet this year. Classes of 1943 through 2018 were represented at the gathering, which was moved to the Marion VFW post May 26 because of a water leak at Florence gymnasium.

Eight Democrats have filed for precinct committeeman and committeewoman positions on the Aug. 7 primary ballot, Marion County Democrats learned at a meeting Saturday. Members Ann Car and Jan Helmer volunteered to work at a booth at the State Fair in Hutchinson.

SENIOR CENTER:

MEMORIES:

UPCOMING: