Daily Life (June 16, 2010)

Donations sought to help fund trip

Funds are being raised to help a Durham mother attend a family conference with her 16-year-old son who is suffering from Alstrom Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting about 200 people in the U.S. and 600 worldwide.

Marshall Hoffner, a junior at Hillsboro High School, was diagnosed with the illness about three years ago, according to his mother Ginger Hoffner.

The two are wanting to take part in an International Family Conference from June 24-28 in Helen, Ga., but will need financial assistance to make the trip possible.

A fund has been established at Hillsboro State Bank in Marshall?s name.

Key features of Alstrom Syndrome include childhood obesity, blindness due to congenital retinal dystrophy, and sensorineural hearing loss.

In addition, Marshall has suffered from pseudotumor cerebri, which occurs when pressure inside the brain increases for no obvious reason.

The conference, Ginger said, will provide her with crucial information about her son?s illness and give Marshall a chance to meet friends who understand his condition.

Centennial DVDs available to buy

A two-set collection of DVDs featuring Hillsboro?s centennial and 125th anniversary celebrations are now available for purchase.

The 1984 Centennial DVD includes pig wrestling, period dress parades, beards, Kangaroo Court and more.

The second DVD includes all the activities from the 125th celebration, including recognition of mayors, beard judging and footage from the Fourth of July Eve event at the Schaeffler House.

The set is available at the Hillsboro Chamber of Com?merce or Hillsboro Furniture for $20.

For more information, call 947-3506 or 947-3903.

MCC/CROP canvass kickoff set June 16

The 2010 MCC/CROP canvass kickoff meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. today (June 16).

The meeting will be at Hills?boro Mennonite Brethren Church, 300 Prairie Pointe.

CROP envelopes and MCC donor materials will be available.

For more information, call David Esau at 620 367-2358.

Gospel concert and fireworks on July 4

Forgiven Quartet, a Southern gospel group, will present a concert with a fireworks show to follow at 7:30 p.m. July 4 at Trinity Mennonite Church.

The event is sponsored by Charlie?s Fireworks.

Storytime to begin June 18 in Marion

Children ages 3-5 are invited to participate in ?Storytime? at Marion City Library from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. every Friday beginning June 18 through July 9.

To register, call 620-382-2442 or stop by the facility, 101 Library St., Marion. Space is limited.

Blood drive set June 25 in Goessel

The American Red Cross is sponsoring a blood drive in Goessel from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, June 25, at the Goessel Mennonite Church, 109 S. Church.

All blood types are needed to ensure the Red Cross maintains an adequate blood supply. said Bev Kerbs, donor recruitment representative.

A blood donor card or driver?s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

In addition, donors must be in general good health, weigh at least 100 pounds, be age 17 and older (or 16 with completed Parental Consent Form),

For more information or to make an appointment, call toll-free 800-733-2767 or visit: redcrossblood.org.

Goessel Rec plans two pool evenings

The Goessel community is invited to gather for fun at the Hillsboro Family Aquatic Center from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on two Sunday evenings, June 27 and July 25.

The evenings are sponsored by the Goessel Recreation Commission. Drinks will be provided. Participants are asked to bring a dessert, cookies, snack item or fruit tray to share. Lawn chairs are recommended.

In the event of bad weather, check the GRC link on the USD 411 Web site for cancellation information. If you have questions, call Dale Wiens at 620-367-2540.

Book discussion group meets Friday

Hillsboro Public Library’s Book Discussion Group will meet at 9 a.m. Friday, June 18, at Little Pleasures, 119 N. Main St.

The book for discussion this month is “The Whistling Season” by Ivan Doig.

Oregon couple to sing gospel music

The First Baptist Church, 725 Abilene St., Durham, is hosting a morning of gospel music at 10 a.m. Sunday, June 20, featuring SONrise, a husband and wife team from Dallas, Ore.

The couple are members of the Pacific Gospel Music Associa?tion, and an offering will be accepted for their ministry.

Goessel car show is rescheduled

Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum, 200 N. Poplar St., Goessel, will be the location for the third annual Antique & Classic Car Show, which was postponed.

Due to rainy weather last weekend, sponsors decided to reschedule the event from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 20.

In addition to the car show, other activities are included.

For entry and registration information, call Donavon Schmidt, organizing the event at 620-367-2391 or 620-386-0651.

For other information, call 620-367-8200.

Marion summer reading starts soon

Marion City Library?s summer reading program is June 14 through?July 9.

Children who have completed kindergarten through eighth grade may participate by reading books, recording their titles and receiving prizes as they reach reading goals.

This year, said Janet Marler, librarian, each child who participates in the entire program will receive a book donated by Tampa State Bank.

Preschoolers age 3-5 may also participate by having someone read to them. As they reach their goal of 20 books, she said, a prize will be given to them. Teens and adults have their own reading program with a weekly drawing being held and prizes awarded.

For more information, call the library at 620-382-2442.

Chat and Dine Club sets dinner June 26

The Marion County Park and Lake Chat and Dine Club will have its next potluck dinner at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 26, at the East Shelter House.

?This is our annual cookout, so please bring a side dish to go with burgers and hot dogs,? said Paul White, one of the organizers.

The dinner was moved up one week to avoid conflicts with July 4 activities, he said.

Local host families sought for tourney

The Hillsboro Recreation Commission is looking for host families to house players participating in a Cal Ripkin Baseball State Tournament July 15-19, said Doug Sisk, recreation director.

Host families are needed to house one or two players age 12 and under.

?It?s similar to being a foster parent, but only for a few days,? Sisk said. ?Host families will provide food, a place to stay, and drive players to their ballgames.?

Eight teams are coming to Hillsboro for the tournament. With 12 players on a team, host families are needed for about 100 young people.

Anyone interested in being a host family can to call Sisk at 877-7512 or Stephanie Sinclair at 620-383-4442 or 947-3835.