Big Brothers Big Sisters looks to fundraiser to fill funding gaps

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 18 September 2012 14:06

Karen Wheeler of Marion, a board member for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Marion County, was at Art in the Park Saturday promoting the organization’s latest fundraising event. BBBS is selling tickets for a homemade qwing Nov. 27 at this year’s Winter Jam. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Marion County continues to raise money for its local program and, at Saturday’s Art in the Park, representatives were letting people know about a handmade quilt drawing.

According to director Jackie Rice, Karen Wheeler, one of the board members, made a quilt for the drawing.

“All of the money raised from the quilt will stay in Marion County to fund the overall program—matching kids with carefully screened volunteer mentors,” Rice said.

The quilt drawing will be in conjunction with the group’s Winter Jam Nov. 27 in Marion.

“We will also have a silent auction and soup supper from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.,” she said, “and will be serving homemade soups and cinnamon rolls.”

During the auction, Rice...

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Goessel native takes his shot at playing big-time football

Written by Adam Suderman Tuesday, 11 September 2012 15:31

Goessel native Weston Hiebert warms up prior to K-State’s season opener against Missouri State. “I’ve just got to keep getting better,” Hiebert said about working for playing time. Being an NCAA Division I walk-on can provide its share of challenges in and out of competition.

The schedule can be demanding, but putting in the work and dedicating time to a program’s philosophy can be instrumental in personal development.

For Goessel’s Weston Hiebert, the challenges of being a walk-on for Kansas State University and legendary coach Bill Snyder wasn’t going to keep him from pursuing his dream of playing major college football.

Hiebert lettered four years for the Goessel Bluebirds under head coach Justin Coup. Now sophomore walk-on at KSU, Hiebert was a three-time all-league linebacker/tight end and a first team all-state linebacker in 2008 and 2009.

Hiebert helped lead the Bluebirds to four league and...

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Thinking small a big deal for local crafter

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 11 September 2012 15:28

Brenda Reimer shows one of the options for her decorative trees with changeable ornaments. This is one carries a school theme appropriate for the month of September. Brenda Reimer has made her impact at the Hillsboro Arts & Crafts Fair not by thinking big, but by thinking small.

Over the past 15 years that she’s had a booth at the local show, Reimer has developed a following of clients who love her handmade trees that they can decorate throughout the year with thematic miniature ornaments.

The trees, made by twisting together strands of paper-covered wire, are less than a foot tall. A set of 12 ornaments to hang from the branches range from relatively simple items, such as hearts and shamrocks, to minutely precise animals and insects.

“Almost anything that I really like is small, intricate and detailed,” Reimer said of her artistic bent. “This is what my brain came up with.”...

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Jail tours attract some 500 visitors

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 11 September 2012 15:02

Marion County Sheriff Rob Craft (right) leads a group of visitors through the new jail on Friday. About 500 people participated in the tours offered Friday and Saturday. Craft said the response of the public was positive. “I was pleased that people came to see what the project was and the type of facility it is going to be—clean, safe and orderly run. Accommodations in the new Marion County Jail will differ according to the needs of the prisoner. Prisoners who are considered less of a threat can be housed together in the larger pod (middle photo) while small cells (bottom) are available for less

Marion County Sheriff Rob Craft said he was pleased with the number of people attending the new jail’s open house Friday and Saturday.

More than 500 Marion County residents took the tour, Craft said, which was higher than he had anticipated.

“Everything commented to me was positive (about the new facility),” he said. “I was also pleased that people came to see what the project was and the type of facility it is going to be—clean, safe and orderly run.”

The 13,600-square-foot...

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