Final amen for Summit church

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 12 October 2010 14:01

Members of the Summit United Methodist Church pose for one last photograph after Sunday’s service. Pictured are: front row (from right) Pastor David Ragland, Patti Gaines, LaVonne Ammeter, Dorene Kirkpatrick, Sherol Nightengale; middle row, Marvin Nightengale, Gary Davis, Ronnie Gaines, Dustin Gaines; back row: Cindy Holt and Jeff Holt. Almost 50 people attended the deconsecration of the church located between Florence and Burns. After 131 years, Sunday, Oct. 10, marked the end of Summit United Methodist Church with more than 50 members and guests attending the final worship service.

Richard Saylor, Hutchinson District superintendent, was charged with overseeing the deconsecration of the building as a place of worship and disbanding the congregation.

“This is a moment of closure,” he said, “but knowing who we are, the journey of United Methodist and being connectional people, it is great so many are here this day to remember our roots and heritage.”

During the service, Saylor spoke about the building as “God’s gift for a season.”

Among the final acts to complete the decommissioning, Saylor removed symbolic objects that gave the church its...

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Good times with old times at Maxwell’s annual Prairie Rendevous gathering

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 05 October 2010 15:12

Ron Schroeder, Goessel, turns the crank on the blower that feeds the fire of his iron forge, with which he heats the iron until it is red hot and formable on the anvil with a hammer. Schroeder was one of several craftsmen and artisans who plied their pioneer trades for the interest of onlookers who made the trek to Maxwell Wildlife Refuge north of Canton to take in the annual Prairie Rendevous. Schroeder calls himself a beginner in the field of blacksmithing, which he picked up about four to five years ago. “I should quit calling myself that,” he said. “I could fool a lot of people if I didn’t tell them, and those I can’t probably don’t care.” Ron Schroeder, Goessel, turns the crank on the blower that feeds the fire of his iron forge, with which he heats the iron until it is red hot and formable on the anvil with a hammer. Schroeder was one of several craftsmen and artisans who plied their pioneer trades for the interest of onlookers who made the trek to Maxwell Wildlife Refuge north of Canton to take in the annual Prairie Rendevous. Schroeder calls himself a beginner in the field of blacksmithing, which he picked up about four to five years ago. “I should quit calling myself that,” he said. “I could fool a lot of people if I didn’t tell them, and those I can’t probably don’t care.” With a scarecrow serving as host, Prairie Rendevous visitors gather...

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Pihl aims to be a reliable resource

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 05 October 2010 15:10

Nancy Pihl has been the K-State Extension agent for family and consumer science for the past 12 years. Though technically not a county employee, Nancy Pihl has been working for the betterment of Marion County residents for 12 years as a local agent with K-State Research and Extension.

“We are actually employees of K-State,” Pihl said. “Part of our budget comes from K-State, but the bulk of it comes from county appropriations.

The Cooperative Extension Service was created in 1914 when the U.S. Congress passed the Smith-Lever

“Cooperative Extension was formed with the land grant university in each state to provide educational programs to extend from the university out to the people,” Pihl said.

She and fellow agent Rickey Roberts share duties in Marion County. Pihl covers family and consumer sciences while Roberts oversees...

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Seat-belt law there to save lives, says KHP

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 05 October 2010 15:09

The state’s new seat-belt law that went into effect July 1 is making a difference, according to law enforcement officials.

The law allows officers to stop motorists simply for not wearing a safety restraint. At the same time, the fine for failing to wear a seat belt dropped from $30 to $5.

Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper J.L. Riedel, public information officer from Salina, said the law is about safety.

“First and foremost,” he said, “the seat-belt law is not money-driven, it’s about saving lives.”

He said KHP has seen a general increase in the number of motorists using seat belts since the law was enacted.

Riedel said two possible reasons could explain the increase.

“The average law-abiding citizen may not agree with...

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