Mike Berger (left) of the Peabody Sausage House and Steve Goertzen of Goertzen Farms were instrumental in the 4-H Developmental Council hog giveaway during the Marion County Fair in late July. One half of the hog was awarded in a drawing to The Lumberyard in Hillsboro and the other half to Larry Heim of Canton. Goertzen Farms and Citizens State Bank donated the hog and the meat processing was donated by Peabody Sausage House. Ticket sales raised $400 for the development fund, which sponsors scholarships for Marion County 4-H youth to attend college and to attend Rock Springs Camp.
Congressman Jerry Moran continued his efforts to call on Congress to bring a comprehensive energy policy to a vote.
In a speech before the House of Representatives, Moran repeated his request that House leadership allow for a debate and vote on a national energy plan that leads to increased production of oil, gas and renewable energy, increased conservation and decreased reliance on foreign sources of fuel.
Although the driveways and parking lot at Hillsboro Elementary School indicate a lot of work to go, the space created inside could be ready for full occupation as soon as Monday, according to school officials. If the weather cooperates, the projects at HES and the high school could be entirely finished by the end of the month.
Facility progress wasn’t where USD 410 administrators had hoped it would be when the new school year began last Wednesday.
But the inconvenience caused by unfinished building projects really hasn’t been any worse than it was when those projects were launched last spring.
An usually wet spring and summer prevented the district’s building contractor, Coonrod & Associates, from meeting the Aug. 10 target date for completing the improvement projects at the high school and elementary school.
“I’m the last one to make excuses, but the weather wasn’t overly cooperative—and I think everybody understands that,” said Superintendent Doug Huxman.
Marion County Sheriff Lee Becker confirmed Monday that he has decided to try to retain his office as a write-in candidate in the Nov. 4 general election.
Becker came up 31 votes short out of 2,301 votes cast of holding off challenger Rob Craft in the Republican primary.
Becker said he continues to be told by supporters that they failed to go to the polls because they were confident he would win the election without them.
Becker requested and received a recount of the ballots on Friday. The recount did not change the outcome.
As is the practice when a recount request does not change the result, Becker paid a fee of less than $50 to cover the expense.
Country western music will be a leading attraction at Florence’s 71st annual Labor Day Celebration.
The Sunday evening concert Aug. 31 will feature two well-known performers who will give a show for the whole family.
The concert begins at 6:30 p.m. with the Diamond W Wranglers. The band, founded in 1999, performs western music from the silver screen including the classic hits “Cool Water,” “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” and “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” as well as the band’s original numbers.
Following the Wranglers is singing cowboy poet Michael Martin Murphey, who will appear at 8 p.m.
A widely respected singer/songwriter in the pop and country-western field, Murphey describes himself as “a man on a mystical, spiritual quest to capture the soul of the deserts, plains and mountains in the soul of America.”
Murphey will perform his own hits, including “Wildfire,” as well as popular hits such as “What’s Forever For?” and “Long Line of Love.”
The Diamond W Wranglers and Murphey will perform on the main stage at Fifth and Main streets in Florence.
Other highlights planned for Florence’s three-day weekend celebration include:
n A citywide garage sale that will kick off the weekend at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30.
n Kid’s Ranch Rodeo and Mutton Bustin’, which will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday. All kids ride free, and need to be there by 3:30 p.m. to sign up.
n A street dance on Florence’s Main Street. The band Justus will provide country and rock music from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. The dance starts at 8 p.m. and will last until midnight.
n An 11 a.m. non-denominational community church service on Sunday at Grandview Park. A noon potluck will follow. Participants are asked to bring a covered dish and table service.
n The Kansas City Barbeque Society State Championship cook-off. The event will be at Sixth and Main on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.
n An art show featuring the “Dust Bowl in Kansas” display from Kansas Historical Society and artwork from the Chase County Art Guild. The show will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Ambulance Building.
n The flag-raising ceremony, featuring the Marion High School and Middle School bands, a.m. at 10:30 Monday at the city building. The ceremony will be followed by the annual parade at 11 a.m. Entries will start lining up at 10 a.m. This year’s theme is “Embrace the Prairie Spirit.”
n Kid’s games and turtle races at 1 p.m. on Main Street.
n An old-fashioned medicine wagon show at 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on the main stage. The unique performance is done in character of the old-time “snake oil salesman,” and includes demonstrations of Old West swindles, magic tricks and loads of audience participation.
n The county-wide FFA Barnyard Olympics will be at 1:30 p.m. on Main Street.
n The Sweet Adelines International Wichita Chorus will perform on the main stage at 3:30 p.m. The concert will be followed by an ice cream social at the American Legion in Florence.
Admission buttons are required for most events, and can be purchased for $4. Children age 6 and younger get in free. All who buy a button are eligible to win $136, but must be present at the main stage for the drawing at noon Monday.
For more information about the Labor Day Celebration, visit www.florenceks.com or call 620-382-7112.
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