50 YEARS AGO

July 7, 1976

More than 1,000 people were estimated to have gathered Sunday, July 4, in Marion’s Central Park for a community church service and picnic in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the independence of the United State of America.

Southwestern Bell Telephone started charging customers for directory assistance calls effective July 1, under tariffs approved by the Kansas Corporation Commission. The charge is 10 cents per call.

Larry Kerns will be installed Thursday night as commander of James William Miesse Post of the American Legion. Roger “Bud” Hannaford has been commander the past year.

Jerry Higgins presided as master of ceremonies during formal opening of grass greens Thursday at Marion Country Club. Clive “Butch” Jarvis hit the first ball off the tee on No. 1, followed by strokes by president Ed Costello and past president Warren Woerz.

This week’s Personality Profile features Major Laura Jane Bredemeier, a native of Marion who joined the Army Nurse Corps in the early 1960s.

Births announced in this week’s issue include Jacob Benjamin, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Slater, Guffey, Colorado; Natalie Elaine, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Thies, Marion; Rocky Jacob, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Busenitz, Wichita; and Aaron Michael, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Long, Marion.