50 years ago

may 26, 1976

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

Harold Ensley, TV’s “sportsman’s friend,” will be in Marion for the annual fishing derby at Marion Reservoir. 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 University campus. The school, displaced from its rural setting in Marion County by construction of Marion Reservoir, has been reconstructed. A gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Kruse of Marion, it resembles as nearly as possible what it was like during its use in the Cottonwood valley northwest of Marion.

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

Kim Duke, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dean Duke of Marion, is valedictorian of the Class of 1976 at Marion High School, and Betsy Bowers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Bowers of Marion, is salutatorian.

Chuck Walker of Florence was named outstanding senior boy, and Kim Duke was named outstanding girl.

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