Marion County RECORD

HEADLINES

Primary election results
A total of 2,080 ballots were cast in Marion County for Tuesday’s primary election, for a 27 percent voter turnout. Of those votes, 1,863 were from registered Republicans.
Election workers dedicated to service
For Forrest Kelsey, 2014 marks 20 years of service to his country. His military time ended in 1952, but he still works long hours and has no problem giving orders. For a few days out of the year, anyway. “It’s hard to find poll workers, really,” Kelsey said. “And so once they get ahold of one, they pretty well hang on to him or her.”
Bown-Corby to become apartments
Developer Tom George has big plans for the Bown-Corby building. Marion City Council Monday approved a contract with the Wichita developer to buy the building for $40,000 and turn it into 10 or 11 high-end apartments. George’s first step after closing is to invest $5,000 to $10,000 to bring the building up to historical standards so it can be listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. He estimates the process to take a month or two, and then he will immediately begin construction on the apartments.
Council considers quitclaims for abandoned rail line
Five properties between Main and First Sts. could grow if the city can determine ownership of an adjacent abandoned railroad line between First and Main Sts. A quit claim deed would be the best solution, city attorney Susan Robson told city council members Monday, because after extensive research, the city was unable to find any ownership of the abandoned line by the city or former railroad. Quit claim deeds would vacate any ownership of the property by the city.
County looks to hold line on taxes
County commissioners reviewed the proposed budget Thursday, reaching consensus that the mill levy for next year will remain the same. Increased property valuations will bring in $348,000 more tax revenue, but commissioner Randy Dallke questioned whether the windfall should be used to reduce overall expenses.
Prairieland Partners holds tillage event
A tractor and tent village materialized last week in Dennis Funk’s wheat field three miles east of Hillsboro on old US-56. John Deere dealer Prairieland Partners is conducting a tillage training and sales event Tuesday and today for staff and customers from all nine of their dealerships in central Kansas.
New reservoir campsites open
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers last week opened 23 new campsites in an expansion at Cottonwood Point campground at Marion Reservoir. The new sites feature water, sewer, and electrical hookups, and are available to walk-in campers until Oct. 31.

COUNTY FAIR RESULTS

Results

DEATHS

Morris Engel
Former farmer Morris Engel, 79, died Friday at Valley View Professional Care Center in Junction City. Graveside services with military honors were Monday at St. John’s Cemetery near White City.
Carl Riggs
Former postmaster of 32 years Carl Eugene Riggs, 79, of Burns, died after a battle with cancer among family Saturday in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Viewing will be from 1 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Zeiner Funeral Home in Marion. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Burns United Methodist Church with interment following at Burns Cemetery.
Gayle Harvey
Restaurant manager Gayle Harvey, 49, died July 29 at her home in Hillsboro. Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church, pastor Brian Allen officiating.
Hannah Riffel
Former Tampa resident Hannah Marie Riffel, 79, died July 28 at Waterloo, Iowa. Services were Friday at St. John’s Lutheran Church, in Lincolnville. Burial followed at Lincolnville Cemetery. Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion, was in charge.
IN MEMORIAM:
Rodney Mason Bowen, Gerald Gene Brinkman

DOCKET

OPINION

Thank you Marion, I feel as such
While Marion’s been busy welcoming me, I’ve been busy judging it. You may have seen me around. I look, as one astute youngster put it last summer, “very short for a 15-year-old,” but in fact I’m a 21-year-old University of Illinois graduate.
ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:
She doesn't do weeds
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
Mary Hannaford Exline, Nicky Hoffman, Amelia Brandt

PEOPLE

Hodson nears end of practice
Marion physician Don Hodson will end his 32-year practice at St. Luke Medical Clinic on Aug. 29. Hodson thanked his patients for allowing him to provide for their health care needs.
80th birthday to be observed
Bill Robinson’s family will have an open house and card shower from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Florence Legion Hall for his 80th birthday. His birthday will be Aug. 6. Cards can be sent to 2335 110th St, Florence KS 66851. The family has requested no gifts.
Herb class slated
Italian food will be the focus of an herb workshop at 10 a.m. Aug. 14 and Aug. 16 at the Villa on the Prairie in Florence. Guests will learn to work with oregano, rosemary, and basil. Cost is $25.
Play games at lake Saturday
In addition to their monthly potluck dinner, Marion County Park and Lake Chat and Dine Club will have outdoor games to play at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the north shelter house. Members and guests can try their skills at horse shoes, ladder ball, and washers or bring their own outdoor game to share.
Cards requested to celebrate 65th anniversary
The children of Carl and Dorothy (Wilson) Walter are requesting a card shower in honor of their parents’ 65th wedding anniversary. Carl served in World War II and was among the first American troops at Nagasaki, Japan, after an atomic bomb was dropped.
Binas mark 40th anniversary
Raymond and Denice (Helmer) Bina will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary with family and friends Aug. 17 at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, Pilsen. A holy hour will begin at 2:30 p.m. A reception will follow. The Binas were married August 17, 1974, and will conclude the holy hour with a renewal of their vows.
Hetts visit family in New Jersey
Aaron, Lanell and Lindsay Hett of Marion returned recently from a trip to Morristown, New Jersey, where they visited Lew and LaVonda Rothman. They also spent time with Luke Rothman and Jared Fronk of Washington; Brian and Maura Cliff and Marni Rothman of Dublin, Ireland; and Samantha Rothman and John, Logan and Ezra Hankin of Morristown.
Couple celebrate 60th wedding anniversary
Residents are asked to help celebrate the 60th anniversary of Paul and Marilyn Miller from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 16 at the clubhouse at Maple Ridge Apartments in Hesston.
Card shower requested for Dvorak
The family of Magdalen Dvorak requests a card shower to honor her 95th birthday on September 9. Cards can be sent to her at 1500 E. Main, Apt. 14, Marion KS 66861.
MARION SENIOR CENTER:
Seniors celebrate Cowboy Day
MEMORIES:
10, 25, 35, 50, 60, 100, 125 years ago

SCHOOL AND SPORTS

Centre exploring spring sports options
At a special board meeting July 29, Centre superintendent Brian Smith introduced the idea of developing a softball program. The suggestion was made in light of the fact that Centre may enter into a cooperative agreement with Marion-Florence in baseball.
Softball tournament to benefit Relay for Life
Clayton Garnica still isn’t ready for his days on the diamond to end. A former Marion High School and Central Christian College first baseman, he and his friends have continued playing ball, albeit the slow-pitch softball variety. Garnica and some of his friends travel across the state about twice a month to participate in weekend softball tournaments.
Marion shortstop to play in softball tournament
Shelby Felvus of Marion High School will play shortstop in a Kansas Amateur Softball Association softball showcase this weekend at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina. The showcase will give 265 players from Kansas and neighboring states the opportunity to show off their skills to college scouts. Activities begin with a dinner and meet and greet with coaches at 5:15 p.m. Friday at the KWU Student Activities Center.
Noller, Kopfman win golf tourney
Judy Noller of Marion and Kathy Kopfman of Burlington teamed to win the women’s two-person scramble golf tournament Thursday at Marion Country Club. The pair carded a two-under-par 34, three shots clear of runners-up Lanell Hett and Lyndsay Hett of Marion.
Centre grad hopes for recovery from melanoma
Brandon Gillett, a Centre High School graduate and a son of Bob and Debbie Gillett of Marion, is fighting for his life. After a bout with melanoma as a teenager, he faces the same enemy 25 years later. Brandon was a 14-year-old freshman when he had a mole removed from his lower back and was diagnosed with melanoma. After deep back surgery, his life returned to normal. He received a college degree in construction science from Kansas State University and took a job in Dallas.

SENIOR LIVING

Hoopes tours the country by bike
Bob Hoopes finished his last bicycle ride in time to make it to yoga class Monday in Marion’s Central Park. Most people never would have started that ride, let alone finish it. The 74-year-old resident of Eastshore at Marion Reservoir had just returned from a three-week, 720-mile trek along the Great Divide bike trail, riding his bicycle with a BOB trailer in tow along dirt roads and mountain passes from Wyoming to New Mexico.
Retired couples make for friendly faces at campsites
For Jim and Judi Monsees, and their little dog Scruffy, Hillsboro Cove is more than a place like home. It is home, at least during camping season at Marion Reservoir. More accurately, their 40-foot recreational vehicle is their home. They sold their last house in 2001 and have been living the RV life ever since.
Couple migrates to where music is during winter
Although they don’t have wings, beaks, or feathers, Marion County snowbirds Maurice and Twila Pritz annually migrate to a warmer climate during winter months where Maurice sings and plays in regular jam sessions. “We go to Apache Junction in Arizona at Golden Vista Park,” Twila said. “Maurice loves the guitar. He sings and plays quite a bit of country western music in the jams there.”

Marion County RECORD

A total of 2,080 ballots were cast in Marion County for Tuesday’s primary election, for a 27 percent voter turnout. Of those votes, 1,863 were from registered Republicans.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers last week opened 23 new campsites in an expansion at Cottonwood Point campground at Marion Reservoir. The new sites feature water, sewer, and electrical hookups, and are available to walk-in campers until Oct. 31.

Former farmer Morris Engel, 79, died Friday at Valley View Professional Care Center in Junction City. Graveside services with military honors were Monday at St. John’s Cemetery near White City.

Restaurant manager Gayle Harvey, 49, died July 29 at her home in Hillsboro. Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church, pastor Brian Allen officiating.

Former Tampa resident Hannah Marie Riffel, 79, died July 28 at Waterloo, Iowa. Services were Friday at St. John’s Lutheran Church, in Lincolnville. Burial followed at Lincolnville Cemetery. Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion, was in charge.

IN MEMORIAM:

While Marion’s been busy welcoming me, I’ve been busy judging it. You may have seen me around. I look, as one astute youngster put it last summer, “very short for a 15-year-old,” but in fact I’m a 21-year-old University of Illinois graduate.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE COUNTRY:

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

Marion physician Don Hodson will end his 32-year practice at St. Luke Medical Clinic on Aug. 29. Hodson thanked his patients for allowing him to provide for their health care needs.

Bill Robinson’s family will have an open house and card shower from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Florence Legion Hall for his 80th birthday. His birthday will be Aug. 6. Cards can be sent to 2335 110th St, Florence KS 66851. The family has requested no gifts.

Italian food will be the focus of an herb workshop at 10 a.m. Aug. 14 and Aug. 16 at the Villa on the Prairie in Florence. Guests will learn to work with oregano, rosemary, and basil. Cost is $25.

In addition to their monthly potluck dinner, Marion County Park and Lake Chat and Dine Club will have outdoor games to play at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the north shelter house. Members and guests can try their skills at horse shoes, ladder ball, and washers or bring their own outdoor game to share.

The children of Carl and Dorothy (Wilson) Walter are requesting a card shower in honor of their parents’ 65th wedding anniversary. Carl served in World War II and was among the first American troops at Nagasaki, Japan, after an atomic bomb was dropped.

Residents are asked to help celebrate the 60th anniversary of Paul and Marilyn Miller from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 16 at the clubhouse at Maple Ridge Apartments in Hesston.

The family of Magdalen Dvorak requests a card shower to honor her 95th birthday on September 9. Cards can be sent to her at 1500 E. Main, Apt. 14, Marion KS 66861.

MARION SENIOR CENTER:

MEMORIES:

At a special board meeting July 29, Centre superintendent Brian Smith introduced the idea of developing a softball program. The suggestion was made in light of the fact that Centre may enter into a cooperative agreement with Marion-Florence in baseball.

Judy Noller of Marion and Kathy Kopfman of Burlington teamed to win the women’s two-person scramble golf tournament Thursday at Marion Country Club. The pair carded a two-under-par 34, three shots clear of runners-up Lanell Hett and Lyndsay Hett of Marion.