Marion County RECORD

Marion video circulates online

A video was circulating among many Marion residents’ Facebook pages last week called “Marion God of this City.” It was a fast-paced slide show with hundreds of images of Marion, residents, Marion County Park and Lake, and Marion Reservoir. The video ends with a question, “God is working in our city. How is He calling you to help?”

Polka club celebrates 38 years

The Midwestern Polka Club of Kansas had a birthday party Saturday at the Marion County Lake Hall. The club was organized in 1974 and has been holding an anniversary dance every year at the lake since 1977. About 75 people attended the party. As soon as the Dave Salmon Polka Band of Omaha, Neb., started playing, couples were out on the floor dancing to tunes such as “Waltz Across Texas” and “Doodle-De-Doo.”

Tailor makes clothing for preemies

Joni Riemann said the perfect job for her and her husband Dell would be to gently rock with babies in a neonatal unit. This job probably does not exist, so Riemann has combined one of her other passions to care for newborn infants.

Thanksgiving dinner canceled

Marion has had a community Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving Day for each of the past 22 years, but it appears likely it won’t make it to 23 years. Committee member Laurie Miesse said there hasn’t been a new person on the committee for several years, and it is a struggle to get new people interested. Meanwhile, attendance has declined each of the past few years. The debut dinner in 1990 had 137 guests. Attendance peaked in 1998 with 360 guests. There were 145 in 2011, Miesse said Monday.

Hospital CEO recognizes donors importance

At a St. Luke Hospital Foundation benefit dinner Saturday, hospital CEO Jeremy Armstrong tried to give benefactors an idea how important local philanthropy is to the hospital. For the hospital’s recent expansion and renovation, local donors gave about $200,000. To put that in perspective, that would pay for 1.5 patient care rooms, half of the expanded physical therapy department, or 9,523 nursing hours, Armstrong said.

Toy Run to raise funds for kids

The 19th annual Marion County Toy Run will take place on Nov. 3. The sponsors — Sons of American Legion 366, ABATE of Kansas District 9, and Route 56 Classic Cruisers — request that participants donate one new toy as their entry fee. These toys, as well as donations and money raised at an auction and chili feed after the toy run, will be donated to community Christmas trees and area ministerial organizations to provide a better holiday season for many kids in Marion County.

Jeannette D. Bentz

Jeannette D. Bentz, 48, died Friday at Kansas City Hospice House after a battle with cancer. She was born July 3, 1964, in Hillsboro to Clinton and Elaine Young Bentz. She graduated from Centre High School in 1982 and received a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University. She was a regional accounting manager for the University of Phoenix.

Tammy Marie Chizek

Tammy Marie (Gallatin) Chizek, 52, died Oct. 10, 2012, from her battle with multiple sclerosis. She was born Nov. 16, 1959, in Wichita to George Angle and Ardythe Gallatin. She worked for Sharpline from 1978 to 1993. She had lived in Marion Manor in Marion and Parkside Homes in Hillsboro for the past nine years.

Harold H. Conyers

Harold H. Conyers, 84, passed away Oct. 20, 2012, at Marion Assisted Living. He was born in Marion on Aug. 11, 1928, the youngest of 11 children born to James P. and Anna K. Hayen Conyers. He proudly served his country with the United States Army during the Korean War. On Nov. 20, 1964, he was united in marriage to Vivian I. Klein. He was a retired welding crew chief with the AGCO Corporation of Hesston.

Edna May Janzen

Edna May Janzen, 83, formerly of Scott City, passed away Oct. 20, 2012, at her residence. She was born July 14, 1929, near Marion, the daughter of Henry and Margaret Friesen Winter. She was a graduate of Marion High School. On July 8, 1951, she was united in marriage to Norman L. Janzen. They were longtime residents of Scott City, where she served as Scott County Treasurer, being appointed by the governor in 1976 and elected in 1977.

Mary Ann Trumble Meysing

Mary Ann (Trumble) Meysing, 78, of Garden City died Sept. 28 at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City. She was born July 17, 1934, in Lincoln, Neb., to Paul Bernard and Mary Elizabeth (Yockel) Trumble. She graduated from high school in 1952 in Denver, Colo. She entered the convent for 10 years and graduated from Sacred Heart College in 1963 with a degree in elementary education. She taught for 33 years.

Leonard Schmidt

Leonard Schmidt, 87, Salina, entered immortality on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012. Mr. Schmidt was born June 19, 1925, in Hillsboro, Kan., the son of Benjamin B. and Agnes Woldt Schmidt. He was one of 11 children. Upon graduation from high school, Mr. Schmidt served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1945 during World War II and was stationed in Japan during the Korean War from 1949 to 1953.

June Esther Heinze Warkentin

June Esther Heinze Warkentin, 88, of Reedley, Calif., died Oct. 14. She was born April 25, 1924, in Hillsboro to Andrew and Mollie (Steinert) Heinze. She was an office manager and a homemaker. She married Ervin John Warkentin on Dec. 29, 1946.

Ida Lucille Wyss

Ida Lucille Wyss, 84, died Friday at Salem Home in Hillsboro. She was born April 12, 1928, at Newton to James Luther and Gladys (Merrell) Phillips. She grew up at Burns and graduated from Burns High School in 1946. She married Richard L. Wyss on Sept. 22, 1946, at Ebenezer Methodist Church, rural Burns. She was a homemaker and worked as a cook at the Cedar Point school.

Accidents

Civil cases

County jail

Criminal cases

Deeds

Emergency dispatches

Hillsboro police

Offenses

Peabody police

Traffic cases

County may ask oil companies to pay for roads

A Marion County Road and Bridge Department crew put a fresh layer of gravel over 230th Road this past week. To Dina Vogel, who lives on 230th, it was about time something was done. She said she is tired of having to complain so forcefully to have the ruts driven in by oil trucks repaired on her road.

County rents storage space

Marion County Commission approved a storage contract with Cooperative Grain and Supply in Hillsboro. The 4,800 square foot storage building in Hillsboro’s industrial park would house a generator, command, tower, and small trailer and a pickup truck that was confiscated for evidence by Marion County Sheriff’s Department. Rent for the agreement would cost $250. The commission is looking for a one-year commitment for the space, although the coop has to approve the deal.

MEDI reviews city's strengths, weaknesses

Harvey County Economic Development Director Mickey Dean met with Marion Economic Development Inc. earlier this year to facilitate a discussion of what MEDI members perceive Marion’s strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, and threats are relative to future economic growth. On Friday, MEDI President Todd Heitschmidt reviewed the findings of that analysis at the Marion Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon. Strengths

Schools, both scholastics and facilities.

Marion’s status as county seat, providing jobs and bringing people into town on business.

St. Luke Hospital’s services and facilities.

Parks.

Location, centrally located in the county and region.

Welcoming community members.

Recreational opportunities, including surrounding lakes.

Variety of retail locations — downtown, on the hill, and along the highway.

Service industries.

Butler Community College satellite campus. Weaknesses

Blighted areas, some highly visible.

The short drive to other cities makes it easy for residents to shop out-of-town for things they could get in Marion.

Divided retail areas — the diversity that is a strength can also be a weakness by spreading things out.

A shortage of manufacturing and industrial jobs.

Multitude of restaurants spreads the market thin.

A shortage of leadership and open-mindedness.

Pockets of negativity, the minority of unhappy people being more vocal than those who are happy in Marion. Heitschmidt also said visitors have commented that the community is more welcoming than the impression they got from the Marion County Record.

Unrealistic zoning regulations, based on the City of Lawrence’s regulations.

Entrepreneurial insight — there are lots of people with good ideas who don’t have the necessary business sense to make them successful. Opportunities

Plenty of buildings available for new or expanding businesses.

State Rural Opportunity Zone designation provides incentive for people to move to Marion.

Revision of zoning regulations to make them more appropriate for Marion.

Entrepreneurship training, which has already started at Butler Community College.

Educating the whole community on why things are being done the way they are.

Space in business and industrial parks.

The country’s growing aging population needs services available in Marion.

Hiring a new city economic development director, which Heitschmidt hopes to have done by Jan. 1.

Partnering with Hillsboro. “It’s better to have something in Marion or Hillsboro than not in Marion County at all,” he said.

Fostering community investors. Threats

Losing businesses.

Local and national economy.

The looming election and accompanying uncertainty.

A shortage of highly skilled employees.

Apathy.

Slow progress. Heitschmidt said economic development sometimes feels like walking through quicksand.

Out-of-town retailers.

Poverty.

Youth and capital drain — Marion needs more jobs for people to come back to after college.

Shrinking population and tax base.

Some committee members saw partnering with Hillsboro as a threat.

Groups plan to rake leaves

Two youth organizations in Marion are planning yard-raking projects this fall. Marion High School Key Club will have a community service project of raking leaves for senior citizens who are unable to do so themselves, sponsor Lori McLinden said. And the second-grade Brownie Girl Scouts have started raking yards to raise money for Marion Ministerial Alliance.

New house fulfills dream

A house being built on South Ash Street in Hillsboro is one of six or seven that are under construction in Marion County. Owner Larry Heidel, 64, a retired school principal, said he and his wife had discussed building a new house several years ago but it was put on the back burner after she was diagnosed with leukemia. She died a year ago, and Heidel decided to honor her by going ahead with their plans.

Homeowner: Know what you want

Alan and Susie Hett moved into their new home on Remington Road north of Marion in December. Susie Hett served as the contractor — a savings of 25 percent, she said — and drew up the floor plan. Hett said others considering building a new home should spend time thinking about what they want the house to include so as not to interfere with construction after the walls are in place.

It's time to winterize

With the farmer’s almanac touting lots of snow this winter, experts are advising residents to winterize their homes and yards. Real estate agent Lori Heerey said there are some simple steps to take to prepare your home for winter. She said to remove all hoses and pack your water meter — the old school way with a gunnysack and leaves would still work. She also said there are covers for attic fans.

Actions speak louder than words

Gov. Sam Brownback announced Oct. 17 a brand-new initiative in his quest to get more education funding into classrooms with a website for people to report incidents that show room for increased school efficiency. At least, that’s one way to look at it. Another way to look at it is as Brownback’s latest effort to drum up excuses to cut school funding. Brownback likes to cite a report that says only 54 percent of school funding goes into classrooms and for instruction, with the implication that the remaining 46 percent is wasteful spending.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

LETTERS:

Cottonwood causes consternation for fire department

An old cottonwood tree, struck by lightning caused several days of consternation last week for the Goessel Fire Department. Things came to a head Thursday, when a passer-by traveling along K-15 Highway two miles south of the intersection with 56 Highway called in a possible fire at the tree’s location. “We had been out five times already in the past few days,” firefighter John Unruh said. “It was just a huge tree, hollow all the way down, but we couldn’t get enough water down in there to put the fire completely out. With the high winds on Thursday we just had to get this thing taken care of before it got bigger.”

Democratic women to meet

Marion County Democratic Women will meet at noon Friday at Marion Senior Center. Women are asked to bring ramen noodles for Marion County Emergency Food Bank.

PEO chapter meets

P.E.O. Chapter DB met Oct. 15 at Doyle Creek Corral, Florence, for a soup and sandwich supper. The Program Committee served as co-hostesses. At least 27 members answered roll call, and Myrta Billings was welcomed as a new member.

Peabody natives run marathon relay with KSU

Joshua Klarmann and Ryan Wiebe, Kansas State University students from Peabody, ran a marathon relay across the state Friday and Saturday, along with six other members of the K-State Marathon Club. They crossed Marion county Saturday morning, running down K-15 past Durham, along U.S. 56, and then south on K-15 past Goessel and on into Newton. “It took us 33 hours to run 232 miles from the Nebraska border, northeast of Washington, all the way to the Oklahoma border south of Wellington,” Klarmann said. “There were eight of us and we took turns, mostly running 10 or 11 mile segments.”

Bus trip to Abilene planned

The Tabor College Alumni Office is organizing a bus trip to the Eisenhower Museum in Abilene on Nov. 14. “War and Peace,” an exhibit currently on display, features the artwork of Shin-hee Chin, Tabor College associate professor of art and graphic design. A chartered bus leaving from Wichita at 8:50 a.m. will stop in Newton and Hillsboro. The group will eat an early lunch in Abilene and will tour Chin’s exhibit. She will be on hand to provide commentary. The presentation will be at noon.

World Community Day is Nov. 2

World Community Day will be celebrated Nov. 2 with a soup luncheon at noon at Valley United Methodist Church. The theme is, “Abiding in Community.” Sponsored by Church Women United, this annual even has been held nationally for 70 years.

Soybean yields low

Soybean harvest is in full swing, and it won’t take long to finish, said Mike Thomas, Cooperative Grain and Supply branch manager in Marion. Full-season beans are almost all harvested, and double-crop beans — planted amid wheat stubble after harvest — will probably be harvested within a week. Most bottom ground is producing yields between 20 and 30 bushels per acre, Thomas said. In a good year he would expect those fields to produce closer to 40 to 45 bushels per acre. The hot, dry summer obviously influenced yields, he said.

WWII veteran goes to D.C.

Gladys Schmidt of Hillsboro held hands with her husband of 65 years, James, as they sat together in his room Oct. 14 at Bethesda Home in Goessel. Much had changed over the years for James since he returned to the Unitied States from service in the Philippines and Japan during World War II, but two things have remained constant. One is Gladys. The other?

Card shower requested for Stinchcomb

Charles F. Stinchcomb will celebrate his 92nd birthday on Oct. 31. His children Charlene Janzen, Charles (Chuck) Stinchcomb, Mike Stinchcomb, Susie Mueller, and Blaine Stinchcomb are requesting a card shower for him. He enjoys afternoon coffee at Wendy’s, camping, fishing, and trips to Colorado.

Winkler honored by extension service

Doris Winkler of Marion was recognized as Kansas State University Research and Extension Service’s Local Unit Office Professional of the Year for 2012 at an awards luncheon Oct. 17 in Manhattan. Winkler began her career as the office professional in the Marion County extension office in 1961. Agent Rickey Roberts nominated her for the honor.

Collett family holds reunion

At least 69 Collett descendants met Oct. 14 at the Marion County Lake Hall for their annual reunion. After sharing food and visiting, the annual family auction was held with auctioneers Gina Marx and Deanna Talbott. Attending from out-of town were Colleen Garman and Andrea Alstatt and Kenneth and Anita Sly, Salina; Bill and Roma Skaggs, Dan and Hollyce Morris, and Kenny and Lakelyn Morris, Topeka; Bill and Clarice Hammer, Grady and Campbell Parazin, Olathe; Randy and Rachel Collett, Zach and Maggie, Jefferson City, Mo.; Marge Talbott, Halstead: Brad Talbott, Deanna Talbott, Gina Marx, Wichita;

ANNIVERSARIES:

BIRTH:

CORRESPONDENTS:

ENGAGEMENT:

MEMORIES:

WEDDING:

Centre ACT scores fall to pre-2011 levels

Centre High School’s average ACT score dipped back below 21 this year after above-average results in 2011.

Marion FFA hosts poultry event

Approximately 200 students from 16 schools in the South Central FFA district evaluated broiler carcasses, identified cuts of chicken, candled eggs, and judged live birds as part of a poultry career development event Oct. 18 at Marion County Fairgrounds in Hillsboro. The Marion FFA Chapter hosted the South Central District FFA contest officiated by Dennis Mason from the University of Arkansas. Cal-Maine Foods of Chase provided some of the chickens used in the contest.

Marion schools to celebrate Red Ribbon Week

Marion Elementary School is celebrating Red Ribbon Week this week. Marion Middle School and Marion High School will celebrate it next week. All students participate in numerous activities during Red Ribbon Week that focus on making healthy and safe choices, not giving in to peer pressure, and the importance of living drug and alcohol free. MES activities are led by kindergarten through eighth-grade counselor Kris Burkholder, and MHS activities are led by ninth- through 12th-grade counselor Mark Felvus.

Loss to Hillsboro ends MHS volleyball season

The Marion High School volleyball season ended with a 25-11 and 25-13 loss to No. 2 seed Hillsboro in the first round of sub-state Saturday in Halstead. The Warriors’ game was thrown off by the Trojans powerful serving and hitting. Marion pieced together flurries of sharp passing and blocking but could never mount any type of consistent attack.

Warriors fall to 1-1 in district

It looked like a battle of middleweight fighters Friday when Marion tangled with Hillsboro on the gridiron. No lazy heavyweight rope-a-dope tactics for these rivals; no, the blows came in steady, rapid succession, until Hillsboro landed a third-quarter haymaker by knocking Warriors quarterback Taylor Heidebrecht out of the game. The Trojans waded in with a flurry of second-half scoring blows after that to subdue the Warriors, 40-21, and drop Marion to 1-1 in district play.

MHS boys advance to state cross-country

The Marion High School boys’ cross-country team placed third Saturday at 3A regional cross-country at Southeast of Saline High School. They will advance to state cross-country Saturday at Rim Rock Farm, rural Lawrence. The boys had four runners in the top 20 of the race. Jordan Hett placed third in the 5-kilometer race with a time of 17 minutes, 9 seconds. Patrick McCarty placed 12th at 18:29. Timothy Knolla placed 14th at 18:40. Jacob Cope placed 19th at 18:56.

Centre volleyball falls at sub-state

The Centre High School volleyball team competed in a tougher sub-state this year than in 2011, when they were runner-up. Playing at Flint Hills of Rosalia, the fourth-seeded Lady Cougars (19-12) handily defeated Hartford (1-26) in the first round. However, they then faced 2011 state champion Olpe (26-4), the top seed. Centre was defeated in two games.

Cougars get 3rd victory in district play

The Centre High School football team came from behind Friday at Rosalia to defeat Flint Hills, 44-40. They now have a record of 3-2 in district play. The Cougars led 14-8 after one quarter but were outscored 24-16 in the second quarter to trail 32-30 at halftime.

Marion video circulates online

A video was circulating among many Marion residents’ Facebook pages last week called “Marion God of this City.” It was a fast-paced slide show with hundreds of images of Marion, residents, Marion County Park and Lake, and Marion Reservoir. The video ends with a question, “God is working in our city. How is He calling you to help?”

Polka club celebrates 38 years

The Midwestern Polka Club of Kansas had a birthday party Saturday at the Marion County Lake Hall. The club was organized in 1974 and has been holding an anniversary dance every year at the lake since 1977. About 75 people attended the party. As soon as the Dave Salmon Polka Band of Omaha, Neb., started playing, couples were out on the floor dancing to tunes such as “Waltz Across Texas” and “Doodle-De-Doo.”

Tailor makes clothing for preemies

Joni Riemann said the perfect job for her and her husband Dell would be to gently rock with babies in a neonatal unit. This job probably does not exist, so Riemann has combined one of her other passions to care for newborn infants.

Thanksgiving dinner canceled

Marion has had a community Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving Day for each of the past 22 years, but it appears likely it won’t make it to 23 years. Committee member Laurie Miesse said there hasn’t been a new person on the committee for several years, and it is a struggle to get new people interested. Meanwhile, attendance has declined each of the past few years. The debut dinner in 1990 had 137 guests. Attendance peaked in 1998 with 360 guests. There were 145 in 2011, Miesse said Monday.

Hospital CEO recognizes donors importance

At a St. Luke Hospital Foundation benefit dinner Saturday, hospital CEO Jeremy Armstrong tried to give benefactors an idea how important local philanthropy is to the hospital. For the hospital’s recent expansion and renovation, local donors gave about $200,000. To put that in perspective, that would pay for 1.5 patient care rooms, half of the expanded physical therapy department, or 9,523 nursing hours, Armstrong said.

Toy Run to raise funds for kids

The 19th annual Marion County Toy Run will take place on Nov. 3. The sponsors — Sons of American Legion 366, ABATE of Kansas District 9, and Route 56 Classic Cruisers — request that participants donate one new toy as their entry fee. These toys, as well as donations and money raised at an auction and chili feed after the toy run, will be donated to community Christmas trees and area ministerial organizations to provide a better holiday season for many kids in Marion County.

Jeannette D. Bentz

Jeannette D. Bentz, 48, died Friday at Kansas City Hospice House after a battle with cancer. She was born July 3, 1964, in Hillsboro to Clinton and Elaine Young Bentz. She graduated from Centre High School in 1982 and received a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University. She was a regional accounting manager for the University of Phoenix.

Tammy Marie Chizek

Tammy Marie (Gallatin) Chizek, 52, died Oct. 10, 2012, from her battle with multiple sclerosis. She was born Nov. 16, 1959, in Wichita to George Angle and Ardythe Gallatin. She worked for Sharpline from 1978 to 1993. She had lived in Marion Manor in Marion and Parkside Homes in Hillsboro for the past nine years.

Harold H. Conyers

Harold H. Conyers, 84, passed away Oct. 20, 2012, at Marion Assisted Living. He was born in Marion on Aug. 11, 1928, the youngest of 11 children born to James P. and Anna K. Hayen Conyers. He proudly served his country with the United States Army during the Korean War. On Nov. 20, 1964, he was united in marriage to Vivian I. Klein. He was a retired welding crew chief with the AGCO Corporation of Hesston.

Edna May Janzen

Edna May Janzen, 83, formerly of Scott City, passed away Oct. 20, 2012, at her residence. She was born July 14, 1929, near Marion, the daughter of Henry and Margaret Friesen Winter. She was a graduate of Marion High School. On July 8, 1951, she was united in marriage to Norman L. Janzen. They were longtime residents of Scott City, where she served as Scott County Treasurer, being appointed by the governor in 1976 and elected in 1977.

Mary Ann Trumble Meysing

Mary Ann (Trumble) Meysing, 78, of Garden City died Sept. 28 at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City. She was born July 17, 1934, in Lincoln, Neb., to Paul Bernard and Mary Elizabeth (Yockel) Trumble. She graduated from high school in 1952 in Denver, Colo. She entered the convent for 10 years and graduated from Sacred Heart College in 1963 with a degree in elementary education. She taught for 33 years.

Leonard Schmidt

Leonard Schmidt, 87, Salina, entered immortality on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012. Mr. Schmidt was born June 19, 1925, in Hillsboro, Kan., the son of Benjamin B. and Agnes Woldt Schmidt. He was one of 11 children. Upon graduation from high school, Mr. Schmidt served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1945 during World War II and was stationed in Japan during the Korean War from 1949 to 1953.

June Esther Heinze Warkentin

June Esther Heinze Warkentin, 88, of Reedley, Calif., died Oct. 14. She was born April 25, 1924, in Hillsboro to Andrew and Mollie (Steinert) Heinze. She was an office manager and a homemaker. She married Ervin John Warkentin on Dec. 29, 1946.

Ida Lucille Wyss

Ida Lucille Wyss, 84, died Friday at Salem Home in Hillsboro. She was born April 12, 1928, at Newton to James Luther and Gladys (Merrell) Phillips. She grew up at Burns and graduated from Burns High School in 1946. She married Richard L. Wyss on Sept. 22, 1946, at Ebenezer Methodist Church, rural Burns. She was a homemaker and worked as a cook at the Cedar Point school.

Accidents

Civil cases

County jail

Criminal cases

Deeds

Emergency dispatches

Hillsboro police

Offenses

Peabody police

Traffic cases

County may ask oil companies to pay for roads

A Marion County Road and Bridge Department crew put a fresh layer of gravel over 230th Road this past week. To Dina Vogel, who lives on 230th, it was about time something was done. She said she is tired of having to complain so forcefully to have the ruts driven in by oil trucks repaired on her road.

County rents storage space

Marion County Commission approved a storage contract with Cooperative Grain and Supply in Hillsboro. The 4,800 square foot storage building in Hillsboro’s industrial park would house a generator, command, tower, and small trailer and a pickup truck that was confiscated for evidence by Marion County Sheriff’s Department. Rent for the agreement would cost $250. The commission is looking for a one-year commitment for the space, although the coop has to approve the deal.

MEDI reviews city's strengths, weaknesses

Harvey County Economic Development Director Mickey Dean met with Marion Economic Development Inc. earlier this year to facilitate a discussion of what MEDI members perceive Marion’s strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, and threats are relative to future economic growth. On Friday, MEDI President Todd Heitschmidt reviewed the findings of that analysis at the Marion Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon. Strengths

Schools, both scholastics and facilities.

Marion’s status as county seat, providing jobs and bringing people into town on business.

St. Luke Hospital’s services and facilities.

Parks.

Location, centrally located in the county and region.

Welcoming community members.

Recreational opportunities, including surrounding lakes.

Variety of retail locations — downtown, on the hill, and along the highway.

Service industries.

Butler Community College satellite campus. Weaknesses

Blighted areas, some highly visible.

The short drive to other cities makes it easy for residents to shop out-of-town for things they could get in Marion.

Divided retail areas — the diversity that is a strength can also be a weakness by spreading things out.

A shortage of manufacturing and industrial jobs.

Multitude of restaurants spreads the market thin.

A shortage of leadership and open-mindedness.

Pockets of negativity, the minority of unhappy people being more vocal than those who are happy in Marion. Heitschmidt also said visitors have commented that the community is more welcoming than the impression they got from the Marion County Record.

Unrealistic zoning regulations, based on the City of Lawrence’s regulations.

Entrepreneurial insight — there are lots of people with good ideas who don’t have the necessary business sense to make them successful. Opportunities

Plenty of buildings available for new or expanding businesses.

State Rural Opportunity Zone designation provides incentive for people to move to Marion.

Revision of zoning regulations to make them more appropriate for Marion.

Entrepreneurship training, which has already started at Butler Community College.

Educating the whole community on why things are being done the way they are.

Space in business and industrial parks.

The country’s growing aging population needs services available in Marion.

Hiring a new city economic development director, which Heitschmidt hopes to have done by Jan. 1.

Partnering with Hillsboro. “It’s better to have something in Marion or Hillsboro than not in Marion County at all,” he said.

Fostering community investors. Threats

Losing businesses.

Local and national economy.

The looming election and accompanying uncertainty.

A shortage of highly skilled employees.

Apathy.

Slow progress. Heitschmidt said economic development sometimes feels like walking through quicksand.

Out-of-town retailers.

Poverty.

Youth and capital drain — Marion needs more jobs for people to come back to after college.

Shrinking population and tax base.

Some committee members saw partnering with Hillsboro as a threat.

Groups plan to rake leaves

Two youth organizations in Marion are planning yard-raking projects this fall. Marion High School Key Club will have a community service project of raking leaves for senior citizens who are unable to do so themselves, sponsor Lori McLinden said. And the second-grade Brownie Girl Scouts have started raking yards to raise money for Marion Ministerial Alliance.

New house fulfills dream

A house being built on South Ash Street in Hillsboro is one of six or seven that are under construction in Marion County. Owner Larry Heidel, 64, a retired school principal, said he and his wife had discussed building a new house several years ago but it was put on the back burner after she was diagnosed with leukemia. She died a year ago, and Heidel decided to honor her by going ahead with their plans.

Homeowner: Know what you want

Alan and Susie Hett moved into their new home on Remington Road north of Marion in December. Susie Hett served as the contractor — a savings of 25 percent, she said — and drew up the floor plan. Hett said others considering building a new home should spend time thinking about what they want the house to include so as not to interfere with construction after the walls are in place.

It's time to winterize

With the farmer’s almanac touting lots of snow this winter, experts are advising residents to winterize their homes and yards. Real estate agent Lori Heerey said there are some simple steps to take to prepare your home for winter. She said to remove all hoses and pack your water meter — the old school way with a gunnysack and leaves would still work. She also said there are covers for attic fans.

Actions speak louder than words

Gov. Sam Brownback announced Oct. 17 a brand-new initiative in his quest to get more education funding into classrooms with a website for people to report incidents that show room for increased school efficiency. At least, that’s one way to look at it. Another way to look at it is as Brownback’s latest effort to drum up excuses to cut school funding. Brownback likes to cite a report that says only 54 percent of school funding goes into classrooms and for instruction, with the implication that the remaining 46 percent is wasteful spending.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

LETTERS:

Cottonwood causes consternation for fire department

An old cottonwood tree, struck by lightning caused several days of consternation last week for the Goessel Fire Department. Things came to a head Thursday, when a passer-by traveling along K-15 Highway two miles south of the intersection with 56 Highway called in a possible fire at the tree’s location. “We had been out five times already in the past few days,” firefighter John Unruh said. “It was just a huge tree, hollow all the way down, but we couldn’t get enough water down in there to put the fire completely out. With the high winds on Thursday we just had to get this thing taken care of before it got bigger.”

Democratic women to meet

Marion County Democratic Women will meet at noon Friday at Marion Senior Center. Women are asked to bring ramen noodles for Marion County Emergency Food Bank.

PEO chapter meets

P.E.O. Chapter DB met Oct. 15 at Doyle Creek Corral, Florence, for a soup and sandwich supper. The Program Committee served as co-hostesses. At least 27 members answered roll call, and Myrta Billings was welcomed as a new member.

Peabody natives run marathon relay with KSU

Joshua Klarmann and Ryan Wiebe, Kansas State University students from Peabody, ran a marathon relay across the state Friday and Saturday, along with six other members of the K-State Marathon Club. They crossed Marion county Saturday morning, running down K-15 past Durham, along U.S. 56, and then south on K-15 past Goessel and on into Newton. “It took us 33 hours to run 232 miles from the Nebraska border, northeast of Washington, all the way to the Oklahoma border south of Wellington,” Klarmann said. “There were eight of us and we took turns, mostly running 10 or 11 mile segments.”

Bus trip to Abilene planned

The Tabor College Alumni Office is organizing a bus trip to the Eisenhower Museum in Abilene on Nov. 14. “War and Peace,” an exhibit currently on display, features the artwork of Shin-hee Chin, Tabor College associate professor of art and graphic design. A chartered bus leaving from Wichita at 8:50 a.m. will stop in Newton and Hillsboro. The group will eat an early lunch in Abilene and will tour Chin’s exhibit. She will be on hand to provide commentary. The presentation will be at noon.

World Community Day is Nov. 2

World Community Day will be celebrated Nov. 2 with a soup luncheon at noon at Valley United Methodist Church. The theme is, “Abiding in Community.” Sponsored by Church Women United, this annual even has been held nationally for 70 years.

Soybean yields low

Soybean harvest is in full swing, and it won’t take long to finish, said Mike Thomas, Cooperative Grain and Supply branch manager in Marion. Full-season beans are almost all harvested, and double-crop beans — planted amid wheat stubble after harvest — will probably be harvested within a week. Most bottom ground is producing yields between 20 and 30 bushels per acre, Thomas said. In a good year he would expect those fields to produce closer to 40 to 45 bushels per acre. The hot, dry summer obviously influenced yields, he said.

WWII veteran goes to D.C.

Gladys Schmidt of Hillsboro held hands with her husband of 65 years, James, as they sat together in his room Oct. 14 at Bethesda Home in Goessel. Much had changed over the years for James since he returned to the Unitied States from service in the Philippines and Japan during World War II, but two things have remained constant. One is Gladys. The other?

Card shower requested for Stinchcomb

Charles F. Stinchcomb will celebrate his 92nd birthday on Oct. 31. His children Charlene Janzen, Charles (Chuck) Stinchcomb, Mike Stinchcomb, Susie Mueller, and Blaine Stinchcomb are requesting a card shower for him. He enjoys afternoon coffee at Wendy’s, camping, fishing, and trips to Colorado.

Winkler honored by extension service

Doris Winkler of Marion was recognized as Kansas State University Research and Extension Service’s Local Unit Office Professional of the Year for 2012 at an awards luncheon Oct. 17 in Manhattan. Winkler began her career as the office professional in the Marion County extension office in 1961. Agent Rickey Roberts nominated her for the honor.

Collett family holds reunion

At least 69 Collett descendants met Oct. 14 at the Marion County Lake Hall for their annual reunion. After sharing food and visiting, the annual family auction was held with auctioneers Gina Marx and Deanna Talbott. Attending from out-of town were Colleen Garman and Andrea Alstatt and Kenneth and Anita Sly, Salina; Bill and Roma Skaggs, Dan and Hollyce Morris, and Kenny and Lakelyn Morris, Topeka; Bill and Clarice Hammer, Grady and Campbell Parazin, Olathe; Randy and Rachel Collett, Zach and Maggie, Jefferson City, Mo.; Marge Talbott, Halstead: Brad Talbott, Deanna Talbott, Gina Marx, Wichita;

ANNIVERSARIES:

BIRTH:

CORRESPONDENTS:

ENGAGEMENT:

MEMORIES:

WEDDING:

Centre ACT scores fall to pre-2011 levels

Centre High School’s average ACT score dipped back below 21 this year after above-average results in 2011.

Marion FFA hosts poultry event

Approximately 200 students from 16 schools in the South Central FFA district evaluated broiler carcasses, identified cuts of chicken, candled eggs, and judged live birds as part of a poultry career development event Oct. 18 at Marion County Fairgrounds in Hillsboro. The Marion FFA Chapter hosted the South Central District FFA contest officiated by Dennis Mason from the University of Arkansas. Cal-Maine Foods of Chase provided some of the chickens used in the contest.

Marion schools to celebrate Red Ribbon Week

Marion Elementary School is celebrating Red Ribbon Week this week. Marion Middle School and Marion High School will celebrate it next week. All students participate in numerous activities during Red Ribbon Week that focus on making healthy and safe choices, not giving in to peer pressure, and the importance of living drug and alcohol free. MES activities are led by kindergarten through eighth-grade counselor Kris Burkholder, and MHS activities are led by ninth- through 12th-grade counselor Mark Felvus.

Loss to Hillsboro ends MHS volleyball season

The Marion High School volleyball season ended with a 25-11 and 25-13 loss to No. 2 seed Hillsboro in the first round of sub-state Saturday in Halstead. The Warriors’ game was thrown off by the Trojans powerful serving and hitting. Marion pieced together flurries of sharp passing and blocking but could never mount any type of consistent attack.

Warriors fall to 1-1 in district

It looked like a battle of middleweight fighters Friday when Marion tangled with Hillsboro on the gridiron. No lazy heavyweight rope-a-dope tactics for these rivals; no, the blows came in steady, rapid succession, until Hillsboro landed a third-quarter haymaker by knocking Warriors quarterback Taylor Heidebrecht out of the game. The Trojans waded in with a flurry of second-half scoring blows after that to subdue the Warriors, 40-21, and drop Marion to 1-1 in district play.

MHS boys advance to state cross-country

The Marion High School boys’ cross-country team placed third Saturday at 3A regional cross-country at Southeast of Saline High School. They will advance to state cross-country Saturday at Rim Rock Farm, rural Lawrence. The boys had four runners in the top 20 of the race. Jordan Hett placed third in the 5-kilometer race with a time of 17 minutes, 9 seconds. Patrick McCarty placed 12th at 18:29. Timothy Knolla placed 14th at 18:40. Jacob Cope placed 19th at 18:56.

Centre volleyball falls at sub-state

The Centre High School volleyball team competed in a tougher sub-state this year than in 2011, when they were runner-up. Playing at Flint Hills of Rosalia, the fourth-seeded Lady Cougars (19-12) handily defeated Hartford (1-26) in the first round. However, they then faced 2011 state champion Olpe (26-4), the top seed. Centre was defeated in two games.

Cougars get 3rd victory in district play

The Centre High School football team came from behind Friday at Rosalia to defeat Flint Hills, 44-40. They now have a record of 3-2 in district play. The Cougars led 14-8 after one quarter but were outscored 24-16 in the second quarter to trail 32-30 at halftime.

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