Old Settlers' Day is best ever
"Smooth, very smooth," said Tom Kimbrel of Saturday's 92nd annual Old Settlers' Day in Marion. Kimbrel, vice president of Marion's Kiwanis Club, was general chairman of this year's celebration.
"It went real well. We had excellent weather. Everything seemed to flow smoothly. It looked like a pretty good Old Settlers' Day to me. I didn't see any hitches anywhere.
"I didn't hear any complaints. Several people said it was a really good weekend and they appreciated how things went," Kimbrel said.
This was his second year of involvement in OSD planning and implementation, he said. A year ago, he was the parade committee chairman.
Usually in the past, he has had to be out of town on OSD Saturday, but that has not been the case the past two years, Kimbrel said.
The parade had about 80 entries this year.
The theme for the daylong celebration was "Hats Off to Those Who Serve Our Country and Our Community."
Five Marion Kiwanis Club members, Gerry Henderson, Bob Brookens, Keith Collett, Greg Carlson, and Casey Case, sang the national anthem at the parade's beginning as the color guard paused at the reviewing stand.
Case served as the parade announcer. Judges were Linda Peterson, Burdick; Delores Dalke, Hillsboro; and Sara Cope, Florence.
A long string of classic cars entered the parade, as well as many motorcycles.
Prizes were awarded in each category: church, (school) class, and open. Each first-place winner received $80, runners-up $50, and third placers $30.
Each non-winning or non-placing float entry received $25. A total of 17 floats were in the parade.
Emmanuel Baptist Church, with two units, won first place in the church category. Eastmoor United Methodist Church was second, and the Presbyterian Church third.
The Marion High School class of 2004 (seniors) placed first in the class division. Freshmen (class of 2007) were second, and the junior class (of 2005) placed third.
The VFW Auxiliary No. 6958 won the open division, with Marion Manor second and Marion FFA third.
Other floats entered were those of Marion Christian Church, Valley United Methodist Church, the MHS sophomore class, The Whitewater American Legion post, Masonic Lodge No. 147, Marion, Marion City Library, Happy Hustlers 4-H Club, and Marion National Bank.
Lori Smith and Simon Makovec represented the U.S. Armed Forces in the parade.
Jeannine Bateman, parade committee chairman, said the parade "went very well. We had lots of cooperation from everyone, and it turned out nice. It was incredible! There were so many different ideas carrying out the day's theme.
"It was a beautiful day. We had a good crowd, and I don't think we could have asked for better, in any respect," she said.
Kimbrel said a former parade committee chairman, who served in that post five different times, called this OSD parade the "best one ever."
"It all came together," Kimbrel said.
Picnic, band concert
After the mid-day picnic in Central Park, there were many games, mostly for kids but with some adult divisions, too.
The MHS Band then presented a concert. Everyone stood as the school song was played. There also was a stirring rendition of the Kansas state song, "Home on the Range."
Mike Connell directed the band.
Erin Fruechting was the drum major for the band, which also marched in the morning parade.
The Flag Corps also performed.
Many people remained in the park to observe the presentation of reunion classes. Some visited while others listened.
The oldest MHS graduate present was Mary Grubb Herbert from the Class of 1931.
A spokesman for the Class of 1943 said the class was much affected by World War II. They were juniors when Pearl Harbor was attacked on Dec. 7, 1941.
Consequences of U.S. involvement in the war included having no school newspaper and no cruising around in cars.
The class even had a war theme for its junior-senior prom.
All together, 156 MHS alumni crossed the gazebo stage.
