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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Brownback brings gubernatorial chase to Marion cafe

Written by John Giffin Tuesday, 05 October 2010 15:07

Republican gubernatorial candidate Sam Brownback shares a laugh with residents who came out Friday for his meet-and-greet at Country Lakes Cafe in Marion. Republican gubernatorial candidate U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback stopped for a meet-and-greet at Country Lakes Cafe in Marion Friday afternoon.

Elected to longtime Sen. Bob Dole’s seat in 1996, Brownback is campaigning to end eight years of Democratic control of the governor’s office.

Marion was one of several stops Brownback made on a tour through central Kansas. Before Election Day, Nov. 2, the senator and his running mate, State Sen. Jeff Coyler, plan to visit the state’s 105 counties.

Brownback and Coyler are running against Democrats Tom Holland and Kelly Kultala, both serving in the Kansas Senate.

In Marion, Brownback offered a short speech and fielded questions.

Also in attendance were Rep. Bob Brookens and state Senate...

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