The children of Lillian Plett will host a 90th birthday celebration from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, at the Hillsboro Senior Center.

Friends and relatives are invited to this come-and-go event.

Cards may be sent to Lillian Plett at 200 Willow Road, Hillsboro.

Seminar for seniors

set for April 24

A free seminar for older Kansans and their families titled, "Your Health, Your Meds, Your Life," will be presented from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, April 24, at the Marion Senior Center, 309 S. 3rd St. in Marion.

The seminar covers medication management, food and drug interactions and Medicare changes.

The event is sponsored by the North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging Inc. It is one of 18 sessions in the area designated as an official White House Conference on Aging event.

"We know prescription drugs are a big concern for seniors and recent changes to Medicare are going to affect just about every older Kansan over 65," said Julie Govert Walter, executive director of the NC-FH AAA.

"We are absolutely excited about bringing this jam-packed day of information on these and other important topics to seniors and their families in the Marion County area."

Part of the day will be devoted to participants sharing their ideas about how to address health-care issues in the future, she said.

Participants' ideas will be summarized and forwarded to officials in Washington, D.C., for the October 2005 White House Conference.

Those who want to attend should call the Area Agency on Aging office at 1-800-432-2703. However, walk-ins the day of the event are welcome, too. Lunch will be provided for participants who register in advance.

The day's agenda:

-- 9 a.m.: Registration and coffee.

-- 9:20: Welcome and introduction by Carmal George, NC-FH AAA director of long-term care. Julie Govert Walter will explain the White House Conference on Aging.

-- 9:40 a.m.: Becky Lind, NC-FH AAA, will speak on nutrition and drug interactions.

-- 10:45 a.m.: Pharmacist Marlin Buchholz of Marion Healthmart Pharmacy will speak on medication management, drug interactions and reactions.

-- Noon: Lunch

-- 1 p.m.: Sister Beth Stover, NC-FH AAA director of information and assistance, will speak on Medicare changes and some critical decisions on prescription drugs facing older Kansans

-- 2 p.m.: Shirley Wickman, information and assistance, will explain the Kansas Homestead Claim and the Kansas Food Sales Tax Refund. She'll also talk about the Low Income Energy Assistance Program.

-- 2:30 p.m.: White House Conference on Aging. An opportunity to speak your mind.

Florence to hold

pool fund-raisers

Two fund-raisers for the Florence swimming pool will be held Friday, April 8.

A hog roast will begin at 6 p.m. at Grandview Park, with music by Bennie Holtsclaw. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 5-9.

A contra dance--an old-fashioned barn dance--will follow at 7:30 p.m. in the Florence school gym. Music will be provided by the Grouchy Geezers of Denver, featuring Joel Hayes Jr. on fiddle, Ron Sommers on guitar, Mike Morman on mandolin and Lisa Harris as caller. Cost is $5 for this event.

Men's chorus to sing in Hesston, Lindsborg

The Kansas Mennonite Men's Chorus will sing in concert at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, at the Hesston College Yost Center and at 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 17, at Pressor Hall in Lindsborg.

An offering will be taken at both concerts for the Mennonite Central Committee World Relief Fund.

Lions, Bethesda meal set for April 17

The Goessel Lions Club and Bethesda Home will co-sponsor a benefit meal on Sunday, April 17, at the Goessel Elementary School.

The benefit meal of barbecued-brisket sandwiches, baked beans, pasta salad and homemade pies or cookies will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the school gymnasium.

"Although the current membership of the Goessel Lions Club totals only nine, the members are always eager to partner with Bethesda Home to co-sponsor this type of community event," said Lion Wilbert Schmidt.

"The Lions Club members believe in the mission of Bethesda Home and are again pleased to support projects that not only benefit Bethesda residents but everyone in the community."

Donations will be accepted at the meal to support the Bethesda/ Lions Club projects of purchasing a recumbent cross trainer and a sit-to-stand lift.

"Plans are to develop a schedule where community members are also able to use the cross trainer for physical workouts in Bethesda's fitness center as we strive to meet the needs of both our residents and the community members," said Pete Flaming, director of development.

Donations are to be made payable to Bethesda Home.

Two students to join

for vocal recital

Tabor College juniors Jennifer Hope and Amy McDaniel will give a joint voice recital on Sunday, April 10.

The recital will begin at 3 p.m. in the Tabor College Chapel-Auditorium.

The public is invited to attend and hear them perform selections by Gabriel Fauré, Claude Debussy, Franz Schubert, Clara Schumann, Aaron Copland and Maury Yeston.

Sharon Toews, Hesston, will accompany.

Hope, a 2002 graduate of Elyria Christian High School, is the daughter of Norman and Julie Hope, McPherson.

McDaniel, a 2002 graduate of Ulysses High School, is the daughter of Mark and Margie McDaniel, Ulysses.

They are both students of Holly Swartzendruber, assistant professor of vocal music. Goessel VBS signup

deadline is April 15

The deadline for registering children for this year's Goessel Community Vacation Bible School is April 15.

The VBS program will take place daily from 9 a.m. to noon, June 6-10, at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church.

Parents interested in having their children participate can pick up enrollment forms from the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church or Goessel Mennonite Church offices. Then, return the forms to the church.

Parents can also call Alexanderwohl 620-367-8192 or Goessel Mennonite 620-367-2446 to register a child or receive more information.

Farmerettes to meet

April 11 at Jost's

The Farmerettes will meet at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 11 in the home of Nellie Jost.

The lesson will be a book review by Helen McMinn. Roll call will be answered by "An April Fool Prank."

Florence UMC to hold prayer workshop

A prayer workshop will be held starting at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, at the Florence United Methodist Church.

Dixie Brewster, Kansas West Conference lay leader for the United Methodist Church, will lead the workshop, titled "Map Quest or God Quest: Where's the Church? Finding Our Directions Through Prayer." She will be assisted by co-pastors Robert and Judy Priest.

The focus will be on God's leading in the congregation and the effect of prayer on the destination of churches.

The public is invited to attend the workshop, which will conclude after a fellowship meal and closing devotion.

For further information or to make reservations, call Mary Jane Grimmett at 620-878-4414.

Goessel 4-H club

celebrates successes

Goessel 4-H Club held its monthly meeting March 7.

Participants of the 4-H Club Day were congratulated. The club also discussed the success of the Florida Hurricane Fund Raiser.

The club decided to give $300 to a 4-H Florida goat farm that acquired damage from the hurricanes, and another $300 to a 4-H camp for the same reason.

Grady and Cameron Shultz gave talks on goat care.

Earth Day events

planned at Maxwell

Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, located six miles north of Canton, will celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 23, with a series of events.

The day will begin with a prairie tour of the buffalo at 10 a.m. This event costs $7 for adults and $5 for children under 12.

Birding with Allen Jahn will begin at 11 a.m., followed by a bluebird video, a noon buffalo lunch and a bird walk.

The full-day program is $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12. Call 620-628-4455 to make reservations.

Florence Labor Day needs button design

Entries are now being accepted for the Florence Labor Day button design.

The button should be in color and incorporate the theme "Full Steam Ahead: Florence 2005."

Entries must be received by April 27. The winner will be chosen by popular vote at the Spring Fling held May 1 at Veteran's Park and will receive a $50 prize.

Entry forms are available at the Florence City Building or Public Library or by calling 620-878-4724.

HHS students earn top ratings for piano

Hillsboro High School junior Robert Jost and freshman Benjamin Heyen received "I" ratings on their piano solos at regional and state piano contests sponsored by the Kansas State Activities Association.

They each were awarded certificates and a gold medal.

Robert is the son of Lynn and Donna Jost and is a student of Sheila Schmitt. Benjamin is the son of Bruce and Janelle Heyen and is a student of Beverly Richards. Marion city library to hold book sale

The Marion City Library will hold a week-long book sale beginning Friday, May 6.

The sale will be held noon to 5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and will continue the following week until Friday, May 13, when books will sell at 13 for $1.

Children's books, adult fiction books, cookbooks, craft books, history books, compact discs, videos and records will be for sale.

The library is accepting donations of gently used books, videos, CDs and records to be sold at the book sale. Textbooks, encyclopedias and Reader's Digest condensed books will not be accepted.

Donations may be brought to the library during regular hours, or call 620-382-2442 to schedule a pick-up time.

Book sale will honor Nat'l Library Week

Hillsboro Public Library will hold a one-day book sale in celebration of National Library Week April 10-16.

The book sale will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday April 14 in the Hillsboro City Building, 120 E. Grand.

Proceeds from the book sale will be used to purchase new audio books for the library.

A number of recent bestsellers, Christian fiction and children's books will be available.

The book sale is replacing the sale that traditionally has been held the third week of September during the Hillsboro Arts and Crafts Fair.

For more information, call the library at 947-3827.

Coldsmith featured at Marion library

The Marion City Library will celebrate National Library Week April 11-16 with special events all week.

Storytime for children ages 3-6 will be held by Cathy Whitaker from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 11, and from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 15.

Don Coldsmith will speak on "It Happened Here: Kansas and the Civil War" at 7 p.m. on Friday as part of a Kansas Humanities program.

A graduate of Baker University with a doctorate in medicine from the University of Kansas, Coldsmith has written more than 40 books, including "The Long Journey Home" and "The Pipestone Quest," and has a weekly column, "Horsin' Around," that has appeared in various publications over the last 31 years.

He served as a physician in family practice until 1988 and operates a small ranching operation with his wife, Edna. They have five daughters.

For more information, call 620-382-2442. Stop by the library to register for a giveaway of both a children's book and an adult book.

Identity theft alert at Chat and Dine

Identity theft was the topic of the program presented to Chat and Dine members at Marion County Lake on Saturday, April 2.

Tom Kimbrel alerted those present to precautions one must take to prevent criminal access to personal or business credit. Members shared security issues they had encountered.

The hosts were coordinating committee members for Chat and Dine activities.

Gift bags were presented to Don Thomas as a "newbie" and to Betty Ousler and Bob Moody for birthdays in April. A drawing of a double-fleece lap robe donated by Rachel Toland was won by Debbie Eberhard of Kechi, a guest of Delmar and Nadine Iseli. Funds from this activity are used toward meeting the $50 rental fee.

Members approved the proposed budget for the year, outlined in the informational brochure prepared by the committee. Sign up for hosting in June and July was completed.

The next meeting of Chat and Dine at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, needs additional volunteers to host. To volunteer for that date or any other first-Saturday meetings from August through November, call Nadine Iseli at 620-382-2741.

Parents needed

for TAPP decorating

The decorating committee for the Trojan After-Prom Party asks the parents of Hillsboro High School juniors and senior for help putting up decorations next week.

Parents can come to the Marion County fair building starting at 7 p.m. any evening April 11-15.

If you have folding lawn chairs the committee may borrow for the event, please label them and contact Myrna Hamm at 785-965-2694 or 785-366-6738.

Centre FFA to hold ag issues forum

Centre FFA will hold a forum on agricultural issues at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, at Centre High School.

Centre FFA members had a successful trip to Fort Scott Aggie Day April 1, with several giving speeches that finished in the top 10.

In the freshman division, Julie Rziha finished fourth and Nellie Hill received second. In the junior division, Kristine Jirak finished fifth. Jackie Klenda competed in the senior division and finished fifth.

In the creed speaking contest, Jirak placed first and Hill placed fourth.

Other students who competed in speaking events were Gloria Belton and Jo Terwilliger.

Alisha Barney, Klenda, Jirak and Hill competed in the dairy foods contest. Belton, Terwilliger and Rziha competed in the poultry contest. Allie Will competed in livestock judging.