Anna Smith will celebrate her 90th birthday with a card shower and an open house from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, at Hillsboro Long-Term Care Center.

She was born Feb. 20, 1916, to George and Hattie Martens in Lehigh. On Oct. 27, 1939, she married Lewis Smith, who resides at 111 N. Washington, #6, Hillsboro.

They have two children, Bonnie and Bob Swartzendruber of Plano, Texas, and Georgia Smith of Hutchinson; two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

County spelling bee Feb. 9 in Marion

The annual Marion County spelling bee will be held at 10 a.m. Feb. 9 at the Marion City Building, 208 E. Santa Fe.

Contestants from 10 county schools and the McHomes home educating group will be competing for the title of top speller.

The public is invited to attend, but doors will be closed at 10 a.m.

For more information, contact your school coordinator or Lisa Schafer at 620-947-3355.

Elbiata to perform Singing Valentines

The Goessel High School Elbiata Singers, directed by Greg Bontrager, will be performing Singing Valentine's as a fund-raiser in the surrounding area from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13.

Special someones can be surprised with a group of 20 energetic young singers ready and willing to spread the Valentine's Day cheer through their music.

For a small fee, the select mixed ensemble will go just about anywhere and sing two to three selections.

Call for reservations at 367-2242.

Free seminar Feb. 3 on natural health

A free natural health seminar will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at the Hillsboro City Building.

Steven Bailey, chiropractic physician of Bailey Total Health Clinic in Andover, will present concepts related to a natural approach of preventing disease and maintaining health.

Seminar topics will include maximizing absorption of nutrients, cleansing and removing toxins and boosting the immune system. A graphic demonstration on the typical/atypical American diet will be shown.

Bailey has spoken throughout the United States on various healthcare matters. He is previously published in Dynamic Chiropractic and is a speaker at Via Christi of Wichita.

The public is invited to attend. For more information or to reserve a seat, call Jerilyn Ediger at 620-327-7359.

Card shower request for Mellott's 90th

A card shower is requested for John Mellott of Peabody, who will celebrate his 90th birthday Feb. 12.

Cards may be sent to him at 1450 U.S. Highway 50, Peabody, KS 66866.

Financial Aid Night for seniors Feb. 16

A financial aid night for highschool seniors and their parents has been scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at Centre High School, room No. 3.

Bruce Jost, director of financial aid at Tabor College, will explain how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for post secondary education financial aid and answer individual questions concerning the completion of the form.

FAFSAs will be available at the meeting. Questions concerning the meeting may be directed to Lacy Wallace at 785-983-4321.

St. Luke Auxiliary holds annual dinner

The 35th St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary dinner and meeting was held Jan. 19 at the Eastmoor United Methodist Church in Marion.

The evening's theme was "Angels Among Us." President Judy Reno welcomed about 70 guests and presided the meeting.

Officers for 2006 were installed. They included Judy Reno, president; Penny Marker, vice president; Joyce Smith, secretary; and Eileen Sieger, treasurer.

Michael Jacobs was the featured speaker, presenting on physical therapy at the hospital. New to Marion and St. Luke's, he brings years of experience working in a variety of health-care areas.

Hilary Dalke, chief financial officer, addressed the group about the optimistic future of St. Luke.

Reno recapped the activities and projects the auxiliary had completed in 2005. They included putting $8,000 toward lobby renovations through fund-raisers such as providing pies on Old Settler's Day and a high tea with a vintage wedding-gown fashion show.

Reno also reported that business has been brisk at the new Auxiliary Shoppe. Hours are still noon to 4 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

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, Feb. 7, and Tuesday, Feb. 21, 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.

Post office customer appreciation day

In conjunction with the National Consumer Protection Week Feb. 5-11, the Hillsboro Post Office will hold a customer appreciation day Monday, Feb. 6.

The theme for NCPW is "Fighting Fraud: It's a Family Matter," which recognizes the devastating impact fraud has not only on individuals, but families as well.

Cookies and hot cider will be available with information on mail fraud.

Quilt guild to meet Feb. 6 at HUMC

Country Stitchers Quilt Guild will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6, at Hillsboro United Methodist Church.

A program on wool art will be presented by Janeen Miller, owner of Sunflower Quilts in Derby.

Guests are welcome at a $2 charge for non-guild members.

Burdick church plans Valentine's auction

The Burdick Methodist Church will be sponsoring a Valentine's Auction from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 11.

The event will include a bazaar table, silent auction and meal. Chili, vegetable soup, drinks and dessert will be served for a donation.

Included in the auction will be Kansas State University footballs signed by Coach Snyder and Coach Prince, a K-State basketball signed by the men's and women's teams, three telephones, food items and more. Supplemental funds for the event have been given by the Marion-Morris County Chapter of Thrivent.

Ag experts to discuss fertilizer Feb. 6

Gary Kilgore, an agronomist with K-State Research and Extension, and Terry Kastens, an Ag Economist, lead an informal discussion on fertilization management from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Hillsboro Senior Center.

Kilgore will discuss the importance of increased soil testing and how a crop responds to different rates of nitrogen. Kastens will use economic principles to answer questions concerning how much fertilizer should be applied and will lead a discussion on how energy costs will effect farm leases.

The meeting is open to the public. Contact the Marion County Extension Office with questions at 620-382-2325.

Northview staffers honored for longevity

Northview Developmental Services, Inc. recognized individual staff in late December with longevity awards that acknowledge Direct Care Professionals who develop long-lasting relationships with individuals accessing services.

Receiving recognition were Jan Amstutz and Nancy Plenert, 20 years; Traci Rother-Scott, 15 years; Carolyn Schmidt, Bryan Wade and Matt Zieammermann, 10 years; Mary Eck, Linda Goering, Jennifer Jantz, Dwight McClure, Lyla McClure, Susan Mason, Rick Stanhope, Sondra Stieben, Judi Stoddard and Vicky Telles, five years; and Betty Atkinson, Rebecca Ballard, Jim Black, Lea Dobson, Lydia Estrada, Sheila Hashemi-Sohi, Stephanie Haws, Allyne Kesterson, Charity Kuhn, Stephanie Miller, Tammie Moore, Kenneth Newll, Duann Rhodes, Cynthia Sanchez, Carmen Sauceda and Leslie Young, three years.

Also receiving recognition were the 75 staff who support Northview Developmental Service, Inc., through contributions.

Peabody society plans Sweetheart Dinner

The Peabody Historical Society will hosts its annual Sweetheart Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Morgan House, 212 Walnut.

At $5 per twosome, the meal will include Commodore Heath's Prize Ham and Parmelia Huffman's Chocolight Dream.

The Peabody Historical Society refurbished the old Editor Morgan House in 1990 and opened it to the public in 1992 as an example of what a home might have looked like in the 1880s. Residents then donated furniture, linens, china, silver and other furnishings.

Proceeds from the serving of three- four- or five-course meals are used for projects of the historical society.

Reservations are required. Call Janet Hamous at 620-983-2438 or Marilyn Jones at 620-983-2815.

Leo Club to sponsor taco supper Feb. 7

The Hillsboro Leo Club will sponsor a taco supper at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, at the high school commons.

The meal will include tacos, beans, chips and salsa and a variety of cakes and drinks. Club members and advisers will prepare and serve the meal.

Profits from the taco supper with be used to help with expenses of the Hillsboro Leo Club to attend the Internation Convention of Lions and Leos this summer in Boston, Mass.

With members ages 12 to 17, the Leo club in a youth branch of the Lions Club and joins with Leo clubs around the world to "serve the community while having fun."