With the participation of multiple partners, Hillsboro and Tabor College students are one huge step closer to having a place downtown to socialize and spend free time.

And the community as a whole will have a “new” facility for bowling.

Last month, the Hills­boro Development Corp. purchased the Trail Lanes Bowling Center from Betty Funk, concluding 52 years of family ownership.

The purchase was made possible with financial participation from three key sources, according to Clint Seibel, executive director of HDC and the city’s economic development director.

“An anonymous donor offered a significant amount of money to purchase Trail Lanes, providing it would include a youth center,” Seibel said.

A total of $130,000 was contributed to the project through the Hillsboro Community Foundation by several contributors, the majority of which came from the anonymous donor.

In addition, Hillsboro Development Corp. will fund a loan to assist in the purchase and remodel from the E-Community loan fund, according to Seibel.

Derek Klingenberg stands in front of the video green screen he mounted on the interior wall of a Morton building that also houses machinery and the farm office. One of his videos, “Ranching Awesome,” has nearly 250,000 hits on YouTube.

Today’s technology has changed the way 21st century farmers and ranchers stay informed and manage their operations.

“Anybody my age and younger probably doesn’t read newspapers or watch the news,” said Derek Klingen­berg, 34, of rural Peabody. “I get it all on Twitter.”

Klingenberg tweets about the family business, Klingen­berg Farms Inc., which also includes father Vernon and brothers Grant and Brett, who pastors a small Mennonite church in Beatrice, Neb.

Klingenberg also maintains an online presence with a farm blog as well as Facebook and YouTube homepages where he makes frequent photo and video posts.

The family homestead was first established by grandfather Willie Klingenberg, an immigrant from West Prussia, in the 1930s. Now Grant lives on the family home place while Derek and their father live nearby.

“The job of 21st century farmers is to feed the world food and knowledge,” Klingen­berg said about his chosen vocation.

Country singer Joe Nichols sidles up to adoring fans during his Friday night concert. Planners said the concert drew a “good-sized crowd.” Saturday night’s concert featuring the rock group FireHouse was doused by an evening storm.

Chingawassa Days had some special moments this past weekend, ranging from an engagement announcement to making one young girl’s dream come true.

Weather also played a big part Saturday night when the rock band FireHouse cancelled its performance.

Chingawassa Chairman Mike Powers talked about the festival and how decisions were made, including Saturday’s entertainment.

“If we could have had the band sit tight,” he said, “I think we could have had the concert start at 10 p.m. or so.”

Although Powers said the committee thought the rain was going to stop, they didn’t know for sure.

The committee didn’t blame the band.

Joe Nichols, performing Friday The 17th annual Chinga­wassa Days is featuring popular country music artist Joe Nichols Friday, June 7, and a hard-rock band, FireHouse, Saturday in Marion’s Central Park.

In addition to top-rated entertainment both nights, several activities, games and events are scheduled all day Saturday, according to Mike Powers, Chingawassa Days committee chair.

“This year may be our best year ever (for entertainment),” he said. “By far the most current act we have ever had will be Friday with Joe Nichols. All of (Nichols’) hits have been in this decade.”

In addition to appearing in Marion, Nichols will also be opening for Tim McGraw next month at Kansas Star Casino in Wichita.

Powers predicted that Fire­House will appeal to a broad spectrum of contemporary music fans.

“If someone is a rock and roll fan, the group on Saturday night, FireHouse, is a ’90s band,” he said. “People my age who are rockers or classic rock fans may not have heard of FireHouse because they were coming when my children were (growing up).”

Powers said he has heard FireHouse puts on a good act, and even those who prefer classic rock will still enjoy this group.

Blood pumping

Something that will get everyone’s blood pumping, according to Powers, is the El Dorado High School Drumline.

“They will be one of the first performing on Main Street Saturday morning,” he said. “A few years ago, we had a portion of their group here, but this year will be all of them.”

Rhino Blackout

Something new this year is the Rhino Blackout, which is a take off the television show, “Total Blackout,” in which people are put in rooms in total darkness.

The object of the contest will be to reach into a container and determine by touch what is in it.

Contestants will be timed. In other words, if the “thing” in the container is a gerbil and it takes one person 15 seconds to figure it out and another 10 seconds, the winner of that round is the person with the lower time.

Committee member Clayton Garnica is sponsoring this new game. Preliminary rounds are at 11:30 a.m. and finals begin at 6 p.m., according to Powers.

As with all the contests, cash prizes will be given to winners.

Arm wrestling

One of the more popular contests in recent years is arm wrestling.

“We were really amazed last year and didn’t anticipate it being the hit it was,” Powers said. “It has become a prime attraction, and this year there is even a pro division with people coming in professionally,.

Another draw is the Tug-O-War tournament. Powers said the committee is encouraging people to put together a three-person team and register to see how far they can go in the competition.

Other attractions

Margo Yates, Marion Chamber of Commerce director and committee member, said other events making first appearances this year include Skywalkers, a Cub Scout Boat Regatta and K9 demonstrations.

Skywalkers does tumbling, gymnastics and trampoline, with the show beginning at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, west of the main stage.

“We sure hope the weather cooperates for Skywalkers,” Yates said. “If it is at all wet in the park, Skywalkers won’t be able to perform.”

The Cub Scout Regatta use rain gutters and racing boats, according to Yates.

“It is almost like a soapbox derby, but with boats and on a smaller scale,” she said.

Friday barbecue

The community barbecue and ice cream social begins at 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday.

Marion National Bank is sponsoring the barbecue, Yates said, and St. Luke Hospital is hosting the ice cream social.

Prior to the concert featuring Joe Nichols, Brooks & Walsh are performing at 7 p.m.

Saturday features

Activities begin Saturday with a Kiwanis pancake feed from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Case & Son Rhino 5K and 2-mile run/walk starts at 8 a.m. with registration at Case & Son, 220 E. Main St., or at the gate prior to the event.

Other morning events include a horseshoe-pitching tournament from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., the Kansas Anvil Shooters at the south end of the park at 8:30 a.m., the El Dorado High School Drumline on Main Street at 9:30 a.m. and St. Luke Hospital’s Dinky Duck Race at 10 a.m.

Chainsaw artistic carving demonstrations also begin at 10 a.m. at the southwest corner of the park, and a portable pets petting zoo will be on the east side from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., sponsored by Eagle Communications.

Carlson’s Grocery is sponsoring a “Kid Zone,” from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with inflatables.

A mechanical bull, sponsored by the Kansas National Guard, will be available mid-morning starting at 10:30 a.m., with heads/tails at 11 a.m. and the Marion Police Department and Cross Valley K-9 demonstrations at 11:15 a.m., Yates said.

Several newer and older favorites on Saturday afternoon include a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, Rock/Paper/Scissors tournament, sculpting contest, Tug-o-War, texting contest, Bingo and more.

Sunday, the community church service will feature Brian Arnold at Marion Christian Church beginning at 10:30 a.m. and the second annual Great Kansas Antique Tractor Ride starts at the park at 2 p.m.

For more information about the festival or tickets, call 620-382-3425 or visit: chingawassadays.com.

Patty Decker / Free Press<p>Father Emil Kapaun’s nephew, Ray Kapaun, views the Congressional Medal of Honor before leaving it with the people of Pilsen Sunday. The medal was given to the Kapaun family by President Barack Obama April 11 in Washington, D.C. An overflow crowd of people attended Father Kapaun Day Mass Sunday at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Pilsen and to witness the arrival of his Congressional Medal of Honor.

Kapaun’s nephew, Ray, made the trip from Wichita to Pilsen to deliver the medal, which was given to the family by President Barack Obama in a ceremony April 11 at the White House.

“My dad always wanted to have the medal to bring here,” Ray said. “This is where the medal belongs.”

It was something agreed to by the entire Kapaun family.

Sharing a story about his grandmother, Ray talked about how once or twice a month his family would visit her in Pilsen. His grandfather died when he was young.

Ray said they would come into town and his grandmother, Bessie, would stand on the porch, regardless of the weather, and be waving and happy to see them. With tears, she would wave farewell from the porch because she was sad to see them go.

“From this point on,” Ray said, “the Congressional Medal of Honor is for everyone to see, for everyone to know, and for everyone to remember what Father Emil stood for and what his life was all about.”

Sylvia Bezdek, who knew Father Kapaun during their youth, shared several lighthearted experiences.

Fathers John Hotze and Darrin May challenged the crowd to follow the example of Father Kapaun once they left the church.

Rose Mary Neuwirth was also introduced as the person who was responsible for starting Father Kapaun Day.

Others recognized were Jon Hefley, co-owner of The Lumber­yard in Hillsboro, and the Marion Record for their support of the church and security for the new medal.

Father Emil Kapaun was honored for his service among prisoners of war during the Korean War. Todd Heitschmidt, president of Central National Bank, was on hand for the bank’s donation of land south of the church to be used in honor of Kapaun.

Father Hotze said a committee is being formed to consider how the land will be used. He recognized the 170 walkers finishing the trek from Wichita to Pilsen, which started Friday.

“It shows your devotion to Father Kapaun,” he said.

Father Kapaun was also remembered through the parish bulletin, which Father Hotze spoke about at the service. In part, he stated serving as a prisoner of war in such a demoralizing situation called for leadership and character.

“Years earlier in his boyhood diary, Kapaun had recognized the importance of setting a good example,” he said. “One of his radio broadcasts from Japan had emphasized the same ideal. Now, this was his chance to live up to his words.

“Whenever the column of POWs paused for a short rest, Kapaun hurried up and down the line, a prayer here, a smile there, exhorting the exhausted men not to give up.

“Sometimes the prisoners were too weary to help the wounded and refused officers’ orders to carry the litters. The men could not be left to die by the snowy wayside, so Kapaun and others shouldered the makeshift stretchers.

“The POWs watched the chaplain struggle to his feet, and his example eventually shamed the recalcitrants into picking up their buddies.”

The Chinese guards were not sympathetic with the POWs and kept yelling and prodding them with bayonets to move faster.

“The prisoners who survived the cruel trek,” Hotze said, “were certain that only Kapaun’s faith in God pushed him on, mile after mile.”