35 years ago

may 26, 1976

Marion Chamber of Commerce now has 85 members, thought to be an all-time high for the organization in recent years—maybe ever.

It has been announced that Harold Ensley, the “fisherman’s friend,” will be present in Marion for the annual fishing derby at Marion Lake. He also will be at Marion Motor Center to greet the public. Radio station KFDI will make a remote broadcast during the derby weigh-in.

All fourth graders in Emporia schools spent a day in the one-room stone country school on the edge of the Emporia State College campus. The school, transported from its rural setting in Marion County, has been reconstructed as authentically as possible. The aim of the restoration project was to make the old school, a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Kruse of Marion, come alive again as nearly as possible as it was during the years it was in use in the rich fertile Cottonwood Valley northwest of Marion—displaced today by Marion Lake.

Dr. James M. Benjamin, former principal at Marion High School, has been named superintendent of Manhattan schools for the coming year.

The valedictorian and salutatorian of Marion High School graduating class of 1976 are girls. Kim Duke, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dean Duke of Marion, is valedictorian and Betsy Bowers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Bowers of Marion, is the salutatorian. Chuck Walker of Florence was named most outstanding senior boy and Kim Duke was named most outstanding girl.

School is out. To celebrate the occasion, KanzAton Junior Club is sponsoring a movie night this Thursday at the Marion Municipal Auditorium.