Success at success

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 30 October 2012 14:23

We may look back someday to the past decade or so as a golden age for girls’ athletics at Hillsboro High School. The volleyball team added fodder to that fire this past weekend by claiming the first back-to-back state volleyball titles in school history with a second straight 5-0 run through the Class 3A tournament at Salina. For good measure, this year’s team finished with a 42-3 record, which sets a new school mark for most wins in a season.

State tournament appearances generally are a rarity and a championship is almost beyond reasonable expectation. To win one, it takes a combination of committed and talented athletes, excellent coaches and the alignment of circumstances that are otherwise beyond anyone’s control.

We salute...

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Vision for generosity

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 23 October 2012 14:14

Vision combined with generosity can be a powerful thing. It’s doubtful Marga Ebel ever envisioned that her $350,000 estate gift to the Hillsboro Community Foundation would lead to the development of a dental-health program in the USD 410 schools. Modest and frugal regarding her personal quest for creature comforts, this former teacher had a vision for helping children—youngsters she would never meet—improve their health, and she gave generously to that cause upon her death.

Marga Ebel’s gift will pay dividends for an untold number of kids. Thanks to the support of HCF and the involvement of other caring and insightful people, the new Marga Ebel Children’s Dental Program will make an impact locally that we may never fully...

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Taking initiative

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 16 October 2012 14:02

It’s no secret the Hillsboro Public Library is undersized for the level of use it generates from week to week. With the city facing numerous funding priorities in a tight economy, library expansion probably isn’t a feasible public works project anytime soon. Unless, of course, the public rises to the occasion and steps in with private initiative.

That seems to be the intention of Russell and Jeanne Groves, whose idea of selling quality art by opening a local gallery to raise money for the library building fund (featured on Page 1 of this issue) is both ambitious and creative. The couple lived for much of their lives in the McPherson area. Russell continues to manage a real-estate business there and Jeanne works as a special delivery...

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Game-time decision

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 09 October 2012 14:21

We understand the decision to cancel the Oct. 20 football game between Tabor College and McPherson College given the difficulty of the past couple of weeks following the beating death of Tabor student-athlete Brandon Brown and the eventual arrest of two former McPherson College students alleged to be involved in the crime.

We assume the decision was difficult. Playing the game could have sent a strong message of reconciliation, that the senseless and violent actions of a few don’t characterize the whole, and that both student bodies are committed to turn the page on an ugly and tragic chapter in their relationship.

At the same time, a football game may not be the best environment for rebuilding healthy connections. The nature of the...

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