PFC Josh Plenert completed basic and advanced infantry training for the U.S. Army on Jan. 28 at Fort Benning, Ga.
He was designated the honor graduate of Charlie Company and received the Army Achievement Medal.
Plenert has been stationed in Germany.
He is the son of Bev Schroeder of Hutchinson and Al and Karen Plenert of Canton.
Training offered for hospice volunteers
Central Homecare & Hospice is inviting anyone interested in working as a volunteer with its organization to participate in a compre-
hensive training program.
Volunteers serve in a variety of capacities at Central Homecare & Hospice, according to volunteer coordinator Donna E. Becker. Some work directly with patients, while others prefer helping with administrative duties.
"To make sure volunteers are fully acquainted with Central Homecare & Hospice's mission, services and programs, and feel comfortable with whatever responsibilities they will assume, we require each individual to participate in a comprehensive training program," Becker said.
The program is designed for all types of volunteers. Classes expose volunteers to the multiple physical and emotional challenges confronting the terminally ill and their families.
Training also focuses on communication and interpersonal skills, and helps volunteers examine their perceptions and feelings about death and dying.
"Volunteers are a part of the very fabric of our not-for-profit hospice," Becker said. "In so many ways, their special talents, interests and compassion enrich this organization and the lives of the patients and families we serve.
"As Hospice seeks to provide care and emotional and spiritual support to a far greater number of patients and families in their homes, committed volunteers are needed more than ever," she said.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer or wanting more information about the volunteer program should call volunteer coordinator Donna Becker at 316-283-8220 or 800-301-9499.
Tax help available through Mid-Cap
Mid-Kansas Community Action Program is providing free tax help and free e-filing in Marion County.
The Mid-Cap office, located at 104 N. Fifth in Marion, is an Internal Revenue Service volunteer income tax assistance site.
Mid-Cap will help people with basic tax returns, particularly people with disabilities, elderly taxpayers and individuals with low to moderate income-$35,000 a year or less.
Bring W-2 and 1099 forms, information for all other income, information for all deductions and credits, social security card, a picture ID and a copy of last year's tax return if possible.
Appointments can be made by calling 1-888-877-5948 or 620-382-3775.
FCCLA places gold, silver in District G
Two Hillsboro High FCCLA girls placed gold and silver in the "Power of One" event of the District G STAR events and elections on Feb. 16 in Newton.
Whitney Allen placed gold with her display and presentation on "A Better You." Kayla Letterman took silver with her display and presentation on "Family Ties."
Both Allen and Letterman will advance to state competition in April at the Century II Convention Center in Wichita.
"The members did a wonderful job," said Monica Leihy, Hillsboro FCCLA adviser and a judge at the competition. "I am very proud of them."
Other Hillsboro FCCLA members participating at the competition included Rose Vineski as student judge, Becky Stecketee as room monitor, Stephanie Abbott and Jayme Claassen as voting delegates and Jessica Allen as chapter president.
The 18 District G schools in FCCLA are Buhler, Burrton, Canton-Galva, Chase, Goessel, Hillsboro, Inman, Lyons, Marion, Moundridge, Newton, Nickerson, Peabody-Burns, SE Saline, Smokey Valley/Lindsborg, South Central, Stafford and Sterling.
Marion city library leases new audios
The Marion City Library has 17 new audio books temporarily available for checkout, in addition to the 450 already in its collection.
A new leasing program will allow the library to offer a greater variety of audios, with each collection of leased audios available in the library for 90 days before a new shipment replaces them.
Titles include "City of Bones" by Michael Connelly, "Guardian" by Dee Henderson and "Mystic River" by Dennis Lehane.
Audios may be checked out for two weeks.
Boy Scouts to host soup, pie buffet
The Hillsboro Boy Scouts will hold a soup and pie supper from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 5 at the Hillsboro American Legion.
The all-you-can-eat buffet will cost $5/person.
Contact Misty Luthi at 947-3855 for more information.
Lutheran church to host benefit dinner
St. John's Lutheran Church of Lincolnville will host a fund-raising meal from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 6 in its basement.
Freewill donations for the community-sponsored meal will raise funds to cover medical expenses for Tammy Chizek of Holy Family Parish in Pilsen. The Lutheran Thrivent will match donated funds.
The menu includes chili, chicken noodle soup, sandwiches, desserts and beverages.
The public is invited to attend.
TC Choir to sing at Parkview, March 13
The Tabor College Concert Choir, under the direction of Bradley D. Vogel, will appear at Parkview Mennonite Brethren Church during the morning worship service Sunday, March 13.
The concert program titled "Sounding Joy!" is designed to offer a variety of musical means by which God is praised, Vogel said.
Beginning with the proclamation that all creation-from the beginning of creation-is in continual praise of God, the program will proceed through a repertoire of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
Parkview Mennonite Brethren Church is located at 610 S. Main, Hillsboro.
Singing Quakers to give benefit concert
The Friends University Singing Quakers, under the direction of Cecil Riney, will give a concert to benefit the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale at 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 6 at the Eden Mennonite Church in rural Moundridge.
The public is invited to attend.
The Singing Quakers have given concerts at the 1965 New York World's Fair and the "Expo '86" World's Fair in Vancouver, B.C. They have sung at Lincoln Center in Washington, D.C., performed "The Messiah" in Carnegie Hall and have toured Western and Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Australia and other places.
Chamber to host legislative forum
Sen. Jim Barnett and Rep. Don Dahl will be in town Saturday morning to answer questions about this year's legislative issues at a forum held at 10 a.m. in the Hillsboro City Building.
The Chamber will provide coffee and doughnuts. The public is invited to attend.
Centre FFA to hold 26th annual auction
The Centre FFA chapter will host its 26th annual work auction, starting with a 6 p.m. meal, on Thursday, March 10 at Centre High School.
FFA members will be auctioned off to local community members to raise funds for the program during the upcoming year.
Alumni will also hold a silent auction to raise funds for their activities.
If you wish to donate an item for the auction or have further questions, contact Cary Granzow or Gaea Wimmer at 785-983-4321.
Tampa Association to plan mini-fair
The Tampa Community Association will hold a meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 7 at the Tampa Senior Center.
The purpose will be to plan a mini-fair.
Country Stitchers Quilt Guild to meet
Country Stitchers Quilt Guild will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 7 at the Hillsboro United Methodist Church.
Guest speaker Becky Lomasney from Cottonwood Quilts in Hutchinson will present on "What is this and why do I need it? Gadgets of all kinds."
Guests are welcome, with a $2 charge for non-guild members.
