15 YEARS AGO

Feb. 18, 2009

An article, first in a series about ordinary people who sometimes do extraordinary things, features Gene Winkler, who has been a Main St. fixture for decades and is an emergency medical services volunteer extraordinaire.

Marion Middle School student Monica Spachek was winner of this year’s Marion County Spelling Bee at Marion Elementary School. Colton Terronez of Peabody Elementary was runner-up. Sixth grader Justin Bina of Centre placed third, and Tabietha Oborny, also of Peabody, was fourth.

State Representative Bob Brookens is pictured as he chats with Marion students Katey Ehrlich and Kaelyn Thierolf, who served Thursday as pages in the House of Representatives in Topeka.

Receiving banker awards at the upcoming Marion County Conservation District meeting Feb. 21 will be Randy and Kathy Svitak of Pilsen and Mike and Carolyn Kleiber of rural Hillsboro.

Marion High School seniors Gabe Moore and Kayla Nickelson were honored Friday as king and queen at 2009 queen of courts festivities. Crowned as 2009 Centre High School winter homecoming king and queen were Nathan Barney and Danielle Tajchman.