Engler sets book sales record at Kansas State Fair

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 16 September 2008 14:53

Marion County author Jerry Engler set a new record for the most books signed and sold for Book Kansas at the Kansas State Fair this year of 141 books.

Engler set a former record of 103 books in 2005 after it had stood at 75 books for several years.

He has two books of fiction short stories out, “Just Folks: Earthy Tales of the Prairie Heartland,” and “A Heartland Voice: Just Folks Two.” A third book, “Highly Embellished Truth and Some Poetry: Just Folks Three,” is expected to be released in November.

Mike Klaassen, author from Valley Center, broke Engler’s former record in 2006 with his two books for teenagers called “The Brute and Cracks.”

Bridges safe for school buses after all, new report states

Written by Jerry Engler Tuesday, 16 September 2008 14:49

The Marion County Commis­sion received some relief Monday with a bridge inspection report that nearly all county bridges are safe for school buses, despite a report last week that 47 weren’t.

Kenny Blair of Cook, Flatt & Strobel apologized for the first report, which he said was a misinterpretation of data by a retiring colleague.

Blair said his company makes sure it coordinates with the sign department of Marion County Road and Bridge to insure that all bridges are marked with correct weight limit signs, and these signs can be trusted.

On rural secondary routes, he said the company follows requirements of the state in informing the county that when a bridge falls below 50 percent capacity, it must be replaced with 80/20 percent...

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Cooperative contributes to 4-H program

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 09 September 2008 15:31

MarionMKCcheck.jpg Kerry Watson (center), communications specialist for the Mid Kansas Cooperative Association, presents a check for $300 to Lyman Adams, a member of the Marion County 4-H Foundation Board. The money will be used for 4-H leadership-development programs. In all, Mid Kansas Cooperative Association contributed 4-H leadership development programs in eith other area counties. The Land O’ Lakes Foundation Member Coop Match Program will match the contributions made by MKC. “MKC is pleased to contribute to a program that encourages youth to participate in programs that develop leadership skills and teach responsibility,” Watson said. “The leadership programs available through 4-H are excellent programs and MKC wanted to offer financial...

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Women launching group for mothers with young children

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 09 September 2008 15:29

MarionMOPSP9059178.jpg Dani Lange, golding son Keenan, and Bethany Carlson are eager for the start of the new MOPS group forming in Marion.

A group of Marion mothers with young children wants to offer encouragement and support for other women raising youngsters by launching a Mothers of Preschoolers group in their community.

Bethany Carlson and Dani Lange, members of a 10-mother steering committee, said they’ve been part of a weekly gathering of young mothers for some time already and felt MOPS would be an ideal way to extend the benefit they’ve received to others.

“I was seeing a lot of moms that are staying at home,” said Carlson, who is serving as MOPS coordinator.

“Parents As Teachers does a play group during the...

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