An open house to celebrate Leland "Red" Chizek's 80th birthday will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, at Bailey's Tavern in Lincolnville.

Guests are invited to bring a photo or a story from the past to share. The family requests no gifts.

The event will be hosted by family members Connie, Sandy, Terry, Galen, John and Gene Chizek.

Cards may be sent to Leland Chizek at 2856 U.S. Highway 56, Lincolnville, KS 66858.

Kids' book author to 'visit' Marion library

Debi Gliori, author of "No Matter What," featured book of Kansas Reads to Preschoolers, will speak via videoconference at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, at Marion City Library.

As part of Kansas Reads to Preschoolers, "No Matter What" will be read to 226,453 Kansas children from birth to age 5 during National Children's Book Week Nov. 14 to 20.

An author and illustrator of many children's books, including the popular "Mr. Bear" series, Gliori won the Children's Book Award picture books section and was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1997.

Those wishing to attend should RSVP to Janet Marler at 620-382-2442 or mlibrary @telco.net.

Santa Fe Trail dinner Nov. 17 in Canton

The Cottonwood River Crossing Chapter of the Santa Fe Trail Association will meet for a dinner and program at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, at Three Sisters Tea Room in Canton.

Delbert Goering will give a program on "Black Kettle Indian Chief."

Guests are welcome. To reserve a seat, call Gil Michel at 316-284-0313 by noon Nov. 16.

Open house for Melvin Franzen's 80th

Melvin Franzen of rural Newton will celebrate his 80th birthday with an open house from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, at Agape Center in Goessel.

He married Mildred Schmidt on March 25, 1950.

Their children, LaVerle Franzen of Elk Village, Ill., Teresa and Loyd Kennedy of Cedar Vale and Doyle and Nancy Franzen of rural Newton will host the celebration, along with their six grandchildren.

The family requests no gifts.

HHS vocal students make district choir

Eleven Hillsboro High School students were accepted into the South Central District Honor Choir following auditions held Nov. 6 at Andover Central High School.

The students will have a day of rehearsal Dec. 3 and then perform that afternoon in Wichita.

The following HHS students will be in the choir: Elissa Richert and Kelsey Unruh, soprano II; Laura Lindsay and Maria Loewen, alto I; Tyler Suderman, tenor I; Thad Holmes, tenor II; Darren Enns, Michael Suderman and David Vogel, bass I; and Clinton Schneider and Aaron Stepanek, bass II.

Special ed coop board to meet Nov. 21

Marion County Special Education Cooperative Board will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, at the Marion County Special Education Cooperative conference room at 302 W. Eighth, Florence.

Blood drive Nov. 25 at Hillsboro UMC

Hillsboro United Methodist Church will host an American Red Cross blood drive from noon to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25.

Call 1-800-448-3543 to schedule an appointment. Everyone who comes in to donate will receive a free T-shirt.

The church is located at 905 E. D.

Farm/city steak fry set for Nov. 21

Marion Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Farm/City Appreciation Steak Fry at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, at the Marion City Building.

All area farmers and ranchers are invited to attend.

For more information, call Roger Hannaford III at 620-382-2130.

Chase County plans craft fair for Nov. 26

The Chase County Arts & Crafts Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, at St. Anthony's Hall in Strong City.

The event is in conjunction with the county's Christmas celebration and courthouse lighting.

Tables are $10 and are not limited to crafts.

To reserve a table or for more information, contact Deanna Wessel at 620-273-6459.

MHS Scholars' Bowl takes first at Eureka

The Marion High School Varsity Scholars' Bowl team posted a perfect 8-0 record to bring home first place in the Eureka/Babson Quiz Bowl Nov. 12.

In preliminary pool play, Marion defeated Douglass II 75-30, Humboldt 40-10, Burlington 25-10 and Caney Valley 60-10 before defeating Wichita East 30-10 in the quarter finals, Olpe 70-20 in the semi-finals and Northern Heights 70-50 in the finals.

Coached by Doug Vogel, the team consisted of seniors Michael Brookens and Rachel Davidson, junior Isaac Guetersloh and freshman Matt Thierolf. Davidson led scoring with 190 points, followed by Brookens with 160, Thierolf with 45 and Guetersloh with 35.

The team's next competitions are Nov. 29 at Hesston High School and Dec. 1 at Sterling High School.

Thanksgiving dinner in Marion, after all

Valley United Methodist Church is sponsoring a community Thanksgiving dinner, previously canceled for the year, from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 24 at Marion Middle School.

The southwest door off the parking lot is handicap accessible. Deliveries will be made to shut-ins.

There is no charge for the meal. Donations will be accepted to help benefit the Community Christmas.

Reservations need to be made by Nov. 21. Call 620-382-3425 or 620-382-6724.