10 Years ago

september 30, 1998

Marion’s downtown business section took on a festive air Saturday morning as people gathered for the 87th annual Old Settlers’ Day parade. Many of the floats reflected the theme, “Characters of the Past,” bringing to mind individuals such as the legendary Indian Chief Chingawassa, businessman Jack Costello, tuba player Nodie Baker, Ed Miller, the young settler killed by Indians, Father Emil Kapaun of the Catholic parish at Pilsen, and the founding families of Marion

Cousins Carrie Darrow and David Darrow were crowned homecoming queen and king Friday during Marion High School’s victory over Council Grove. The football team clicked on all cylinders to shut out Council Grove 14 to 0.

Barbara O’Dell is retiring Wednesday after a 10-year stint as office manager for the Marion County Sheriff’s Department.

Robert and Karen Konarik and Stanley Konarik of Marion County received national publicity this past week when they were photographed with Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman at the Kansas State Fair. The Associated Press distributed the photograph and story to newspapers across the nation.

A thick layer of smooth asphalt is being laid this week on Main Street and a few blocks of residential streets in Marion. Shears Paving has been working on the project for two weeks and hopes to complete it by Friday.

Members of the Marion High School Class of 1943 had a reunion over Old Settlers’ Day weekend celebrating the 55th anniversary of their graduation. Out of a class of 41 members, 14 are deceased. Of the surviving 27, 24 responded and 17 attended all or part of the festivities.