25 years ago

march 13, 1996

Marion County Commission will open bids May 1 for improvements to the courthouse including an elevator, courtroom renovations, and a new electrical system.

An article on the front page tells that Western Associates marks its 40th anniversary this year. The late John Crofoot turned two orange crates of papers into the business. In the past 40 years it has grown into a multi-million dollar advertising specialty business. Crofoot retired in 1987 to let sons, Jim and Dave, take over.

Nearly 50 miniature quilts will be auctioned off Saturday at the annual Hillsboro Smoked Sausage Festival. Made by members of the Country Stitchers Quilters Guild, they will be displayed beginning Friday evening in Tabor’s historic church.

Marion High School forensics team earned first place Saturday at Herington. Those receiving first place medals were Amanda May, Gabrielle Longhofer, Courtney Goering, Jenny Groening, and Natali Toupin.

Ella Winter has been selected as “Hilltop Resident of the Month.” Ella, who moved to Hilltop Manor in 1978, was employed by the Marion school district for 25 years as a cook. She also worked evenings at Marion Manor from the time it first opened until she retired from work in 1980.

Girl Scouts Lynn Hess, Kylie Hardey, Jillyan Berg, and Johsie Reid are pictured as they offer door-to-door Girl Scout cookie sales from a car Saturday. Cold weather didn’t keep them from drumming up sales from passers-by.

Student of the month at Centre Junior High School is Natasha Jean Prine, daughter of Robert and Marianne Prine of Tampa. Natasha says she would like to attend UCLA and become a basketball coach or an oceanographer.