10 YEARS AGO

june 8, 2005

The weather was merciless and spirits slightly dampened, but perseverance prevailed during Chingawassa Days 2005. In its nine-year history, Chingawassa members had never experienced this challenge before. Torrential rain fell on the city Thursday and Friday evenings causing evening events to be moved to school buildings and higher ground. Despite location changes, festival revelers supported the events throughout the weekend.

Ryan Gaines and Leann Thomas are competing Friday in the Kansas High School Rodeo state finals in Topeka.

The 109th annual Florence alumni banquet was held May 28 at the Florence gymnasium with 191 alumni, guests, and teachers attending. The alumni scholarship of $1,000 was presented to Sarah Williams, Florence, daughter of Roger and Laura Williams.

Sharon Anderson Self, 1974 MHS graduate, recently was promoted to senior vice president and associate general counsel in the legal and compliance department at Intrust Trust Bank, Wichita.

David and Shirley Bowers celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary Sunday with a family dinner at the Brookville Hotel, Abilene. Helping celebrate were the couple’s children, sons Russell, Daniel, and Greg Bowers and daughters Janelle Paden and Betsy Bunnel.