The Hillsboro High School Band and the Hillsboro Middle School Band each received straight "1" ratings for their performance at the Kansas State Fair, Sept.14.

The HHS band performed "Battle Hymn" and "Final Countdown." The band was led by drum major Lora Andrew, president Darren Enns and director Gregg Walker.

The Hillsboro Middle School Band performed "Excel" and "Hot Shot."

Home interiors bingo set for Sept. 30

A Home Interiors Bingo Party is planned for 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at Marion Senior Center.

The public is invited to this free event, which will be hosted by Denise Crabb and Chris Baatrup. Prizes will be given.

For more information, call 620-382-9107. Card shower request for Martha Klein

The family of Martha Klein is requesting a card shower in honor of her 90th birthday.

She was born Oct. 7, 1915, in Lipscomb, Texas. In 1936 she was married to Gotfrey "Skeeter" Klein. She lived in the Durham community for about 60 years.

She has three children, Dennis Klein of Durham, Sharon Mueller of Hillsboro and Connie Vajnar of Newton; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Cards may be sent to her in care of Sharon Mueller, 2455 K-15 Highway, Hillsboro.

Open house Oct. 8 for Marston's 80th

Robert Marston of Canton will celebrate his 80th birthday with an open house from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Canton Senior Center.

He was born Oct. 28, 1925, to Delbert and Adah Shaw Marston in McPherson. After graduating from Canton High School he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War in 1951. He married Ruth Jahn on June 13, 1948.

They have two children, Marilyn Balsam of Tampa, Fla., and JoAnn Kraft of Minneapolis, Minn.; one granddaughter and two grandsons.

Card shower request for Velda Duerksen

The family of Velda Duerksen is requesting a card shower to honor her 90th birthday Oct. 1.

Birthday greetings may be sent to Duerksen at P.O. Box 37, Goessel.

Card shower request for Leona Kleiber

The family of Leona (Bentz) Kleiber requests a card shower in honor of her 80th birthday.

She was born Oct. 1, 1925, near Tampa. On June 9, 1946, she was married to John Kleiber, who died in 1994. She has lived in the Tampa area most of her life and has worked as a teacher and at Farmers Alliance Mutual Insurance Co. in McPherson.

Her children and their spouses are Cindy and Terry Vinduska of Marion, Lynn and Peggy Kleiber of Ramona and Becky and Dean Routh of Augusta. She has 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The family is planning a celebration Oct. 2.

Cards may be sent to her at P.O. Box 11, Tampa.

Quilt guild to meet Oct. 3 at UMC

The Country Stitchers Quilt Guild will meet at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at Hillsboro United Methodist Church.

The members will be working on a log-cabin layout and are asked to bring their sewing machines. When one layout is agreed upon, then the blocks will be completed and put up for sale at the 2006 quilt show.

Non-members may participate at a $2 charge. 'Stitches' program seeking volunteers

"Stitches From the Heart" is looking for volunteers to knit, crochet or quilt blankets, sweaters and hats for babies in need.

The items will be donated to hospitals all over the country.

Donated yarn is also needed for seniors' and children's knitting programs.

Patterns are available upon request. For more information, contact Kathy Silverton toll-free at 1 -866-472-6903.

Fire insurance rating may drop premiums

The city of Hillsboro's fire insurance rating has improved, according to City Administrator Steve Garrett.

The improvement could save property owners hundreds of dollars on insurance premiums.

The city undertook new rating survey earlier this year, the results of which were released last week.

The city's rating improved from 7 to 6.

"Each insurance company interprets how this rating affects commercial and residential property differently," said Mayor Delores Dalke. "Hopefully this will allow property owners to save on insurance costs."

Dalke also pointed out other benefits to the improved rating.

"The new rating will make us even more attractive to oncoming businesses, and will be a great benefit to our economic development program," she said.

"It also continues the city of Hillsboro's reputation as a growing, thriving community."

Canton-Galva FBLA's pancake feed Oct. 8

Canton-Galva High School's Future Business Leaders of America will hosts its annual pancake feed from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, in the high school cafeteria.

The feed will include pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, orange juice and coffee.

Tickets, $5 for adults and $3 for children 10 and under, may be purchased at the high school that morning or from an FBLA member.

A silent auction will also be held for food and craft items during the pancake feed.

Veterans should see service rep in Marion

Richard Haywood, Veterans' Service Representative for the Kansas Commission on Veterans' Affairs, will be in Marion from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4, and Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Health Department.

Any veterans, their dependents or survivors who have received an Eligibility Verification Report form, or any inquiry from the Department of Veterans' Affairs, should contact him for assistance.

If possible, contact the Emporia office at 620-342-3347 prior to Haywood's visits so all files will be available.

Donations needed for Rader's med bills

Donations are being accepted for the medical and hospital expenses of Eileen Rader of Durham, who suffered a severe fall at her home Saturday and has no insurance.

Rader works as a teacher's aide at Hillsboro High School.

Donations can be sent to her in care of Bradley and Kayla Rader, 217 N. Lincoln, Hillsboro.

Card shower request for Marion's Crainer

The family of former Marion resident Herchel Crainer Jr. is requesting a card shower because of his declining health.

Cards may be sent to Crainer at P.O. Box 583, Franklin, TX 77856.

Phone calls will also be accepted from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at 979-828-4442.

Benefit burger fry Oct. 8 in Durham

A benefit hamburger fry for the Durham Park and Moore Township fire department is set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Durham City Park.

The event is sponsored by Tampa St. Luke's Lutheran Church Thrivent and assisted by the fire department.

Donations will be matched by Thrivent up to $1,000.

In the case of unfavorable weather, the event will be moved to the Durham City Building.

Open house Oct. 2 for Arbonne launch

An open house to launch Kela Schmidt's new Arbonne business will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, at 209 S. Buller, Goessel.

For more information, call 620-367-8287.

UW grant app pickup deadline Oct. 15

United Way in Marion County 2006 grant applications for nonprofit health and human service organizations may be picked up until Oct. 15 at Hillsboro State Bank.

The applications are due by 5 p.m. Nov. 15 in the UWMC office at 104 E. First, Hillsboro.

For more information, contact UWMC director Lori Bebermeyer at 620-877-7130.

Girl Scout registration set for Oct. 4

Girl Scout registration night will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, at the Memorial Park Scout House in Hillsboro.

Girls from kindergarten through sixth grade may register for Daisies (kindergarten), Brownies (first to third grade) and Juniors (fourth to sixth grade).

Refreshments will be served.

Girls Scouts of the U.S.A. membership dues are $10 annually plus the cost of any troop activities throughout the year. Financial assistance is available as needed.

Volunteer leadership is also needed. Free training will be provided for anyone interested in leading or volunteering for any group.

For more information, contact the Girls Scout Council of Flint Hills at 1-800-342-4532 or Tawnya Siebert at 947-3639.

Nat'l Life Chain Oct. 2 at two county sites

The annual National Life Chain will be held from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2 at two locations in Marion County.

Participants may gather at the intersection of U.S. Highway 56 and the Canada corner or at Florence at the corner of Williams Service Station and U.S. Highway 50.

Prolifers will stand in silent prayer for the protection of the unborn. Signs to hold will be available at each site.

For more information, call Denice Bina at 620-382-8442 or Ed Davies at 382-2673.