25 years ago

november 30, 1983

Mayor Peggy Blackman was on hand to greet Santa when he arrived at his special house to welcome children during the annual Sunday afternoon opening of retail stores. Steve Jost brought Santa to Marion in an antique 1951 Hudson sedan. The bright red house was provided by Hallett Construction Quarries. Treats were compliments of the Marion Chamber of Commerce.

Runners from Marion competed in the Turkey Trot at Sim Park in Wichita Nov. 19. Those in the two-mile event included Steve Bryant, Ann Carr, Darin Helmer, Denice Bina, Mary and Renee Poppe, Lori Harris, and Kelly Krotz. Greg Krotz competed in the 10-mile run. There were more than 600 in each event.

Marion Cub Scouts competed in aviation engineering Monday night as more than 15 youngsters launched homemade paper airplanes in a contest for distance and accuracy. Shad Winter took first place in the accuracy and distance division. In second place was Jason May. Brett Sprowls placed first in the design and color contest. Josh Martin came in second in design and Gary Klose finished third.

The people of Marion gathered in the city auditorium last Tuesday in Thanksgiving. Grateful that they had the wherewithal to share, over 300 people gathered to be led in song and praise by Bennie Holtsclaw, the singing rancher, and Chester Morris, “Mr. Sunshine” of the UPS. The sum of their sharing that evening added up to $575.96, the largest amount ever received at these annual celebrations of love.