5 years ago (Aug. 5, 2009)

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 04 August 2009 14:38

Five years ago

n The 2004 Marion County Relay for Life drew about 130 participants and generated a record $24,773 to help fund the battle against cancer; last year’s total was $16,900. The event went from Friday evening to Saturday morning at the Marion stadium track.

n Central National Bank contributed a check for $100,000 to Hillsboro Community Medical Center. The money will be applied to the $250,000 in tax credits the hospital has been authorized for the construction of a new front entrance and other renovations.

n A heat for compact cars will be making its debut at this year’s Marion County Fair demolition derby Saturday.

n The Kansas Department of Commerce has awarded Lincolnville a grant of $181,664 to help construct a new community center. The grant is awarded through the KAN-STEP program, which requires local volunteers to contribute labor and services to the project.

n Brendan Kraus, a 1995 graduate of Marion High School, has returned to this county to open a veterinary practice named Spur Ridge Vet Hospital along Main Street, Florence.

Ten years ago

n The 1999 Marion County Fair opened Aug. 4 with the annual parade and the theme, “Hop on Over to the Fair!”

n Parkview Mennonite Breth­ren Church celebrated its 125th anniversary with a variety of activities, including the dedication of a historical marker at the original location of Gnadenau Village south of Hillsboro, and a reenactment at the church cemetery featuring about a half-dozen leaders “resurrected” from past generations.

n Randy Mills, owner of Doyle Creek Land & Cattle Co. near Florence, received the 1999 Cattle Businessman of the Year Award from the Kansas Live­stock Association. He was feted for the high-tech changes he has made in the operation.

n Chad Duerksen became the first representative from Hills­boro High School to play in the Shrine Bowl, the state’s high school all-star game. He and his West teammates defeated the East, 28-21, at Cessna Stadium in Wichita.

n Don Brubacher, named athletic director a month ago, also will return as head men’s basketball coach at Tabor College this coming year as the school searches for a permanent successor to Don Zimmerman, who resigned in May. Brubacher is the program’s all-time leader in wins and conference titles.