Marion County residents had a potpourri of Labor Day events to choose from over the weekend. On Sunday, a concert by rising country music star Candy Coburn (left) capped a day of family activities, fireworks and food at the Marion County Fire Chiefs Association fundraiser at Marion County Lake. About 600 people came to the concert, which included a preliminary performance by the band Justus. Ben Steketee, Hillsboro fire chief, said the concerts and the overall event was well received, but did not draw the size of crowd the organization had hoped.
Florence Labor Day Celebration drew people again for its weekend of activities. In the left photo below, the Wichita Caledonian Pipes and Drums Corps marches in the parade on Monday morning before giving an hour-long concert to several hundred listeners gathered across from the stage in front of Cottonwood Valley Bank. In the right photo, Donna McClure of the “Pretty Damn Tasty” barbecue team checks on the brisket cooking in a smoker designed by Burns resident Ron Goodwin during Monday’s competition. The McClures have attended the Florence event every year since its inception, and have been bringing their savory stylings to such gatherings since 1982.
The above graphic was based on an actual city residential bill from February. The "Electric Surcharge" and "Water Surcharge" have been incorporated into the new rates for those services.
Invoking occasional gallows humor about their future as public servants, Hillsboro City Council members approved at a March 27 special meeting new billing rates for four city utilities: water, sewer, electric and trash collection.
The new rates, which will result in a total bill increase of around $30 to $35 per month for the average residential customer, will take effect with the April billing.
Hillsboro may be offering residents and guests a downtown park in the not too distant future if funding and maintenance issues can be reasonably resolved.
Amanda Steiner celebrates the first minutes of her reign as Ms. Wheelchair Kansas. Her primary duty will be to be a spokesperson for people with physical disabilities.
Nine years ago, Amanda Steiner was confined permanently to a wheelchair after a car accident.
On March 9, the Marion native was crowned the fourth annual Ms. Wheelchair Kansas at the Holiday Inn Holidome in Topeka.
With Resident Director Cindy Denning looking on, Tabor women (from left) Sarah-Marie Hoduski, Allison Isaac, Emily Heizelman and Jera Teselle create collages of women who have been influential in their lives. The women’s event at Tabor correlated with national Women’s History Month.
Along with Daylight Saving Time, St. Patrick’s Day and Easter, March marks a nationally syndicated event—Women’s History Month.
Three resident directors at Tabor College, Cindy Denning, Melanie Johnson and Sara Schall, recently organized an event on campus to celebrate and honor the contributions of women.
