50 years ago
MAY 5, 1954
On Thursday, May 13, Marion County folks from miles around are invited and expected in Marion to take part in the fun and festivities that have been called "Centennial Day." It is being held in connection with the much publicized Centennial Caravan, a parade of staggering proportions that will cross the state, following generally the route of the Old Santa Fe Trail. Sarabel Wolf, as queen, and Ann Davies and Mary Hannaford make up the trio of finalists at the close of a colorful contest Monday night at the Marion City Building. Twenty-six candidates, all of them numbered among Marion's prettiest and finest young ladies, and all beautifully dressed, thoroughly captivated the packed house with their charm and poise. The girls will have featured parts in the day's festivities.
Genny Krch, Marion High graduate of last spring, has been elected Emporia State College's candidate for "College Queen of America." She is a freshman and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Krch, north of Pilsen.
Helen Olsen celebrated her 9th birthday Saturday by asking friends to a "backward" party. Each one came with her clothes on backward, refreshments were served first and even the gifts were opened backward. Guests included Rose Marie Loveless, Mary Melton, Mary Stephens, Mary Jane Meredith, Ruth Lais, Betty Tipton, Sharon Nelson, Shirley Love, Loretta Fullmer, Lisa Vinduska, Kay Amick, Anita Schlehuber, Helen Langley and Jean Morse.
The Boy Scouts of Marion, their director Virgil Wiebe and assistant junior director Bob Hiebert enjoyed camping from Friday night through Sunday at the Harvey County Park, west of Newton. Scouts attending were Greg Henry, Earl Winter, Kenneth Bowers, Donald Druse, Wayne Johnston, Dennis Navrat, Laurence Priddle, Junior Wiebe, Lane Broadstreet, Leland Deines, Ronald Druse, Bill Good, Duane Reed, Paul Schmersey, Johnnie Christensen, Leslie Johnston, Jerry Loveless and Junior May.
