Daddy Olympics planned Saturday
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The Marion County Parents as Teachers and Marion County Head Start are co-sponsoring Daddy Olympics from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 6, at the Marion Aquatic Center and Sports Complex, 104 N. Thorp.
?Dads, uncles and grandpas are encouraged to bring their children ages birth to age 5 for a morning of Olympic games in the mezzanine area and swimming in the pool,? said Lori Soo Hoo, one of the organizers.
Children under 3 years old will need to have a little swimmer diaper in order to use the pool, she said, and everyone is asked to bring their own towel.
Olympic centers will include skating, soccer, ball pit, slopes (slide) and more. A small snack will be provided.
Fifty balls and 50 books will be given away to the first 50 families that arrive at the event.
?For this Daddy event,? she said, ?we ask that elementary-age siblings and moms enjoy the morning from the comforts of their homes or with friends.?
The Kansas Health Foundation is funding the event through a grant, making it free to participants.
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Public invited to 4-H Fund meeting
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The annual meeting of the Marion County 4-H Development Fund will be at 7 p.m. Monday, March 8, at the Cooperative Grain & Supply office at 135 N. Main, Hillsboro.
The board of directors invites the public to attend this meeting.
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K-12 chess tourney at HHS March 6
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Hillsboro Chess Guild will host its second Kansas Scholas?tic Chess Association K-12 chess tournament Saturday, March 6, in the middle school gym.
Trophies and medals will be awarded to teams and individuals in all four divisions (K-2, K-5, K-8 and K-12), including participation awards for K-2 division.
The entry fee is $2 for Hills?boro students; pre-registration is due Thursday, March 4, to Janet Whisenhunt at janet.whisenhunt@usd410.net.
This is the last scholastic sponsored tournament before the State Chess Championships in Kansas City, March 13.
Tampa pancake feed set for Sunday
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Tampa Community Associa?tion will have a pancake feed from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 7, with game night following. The events will be at the Tampa Senior Center.
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Soccer club signup deadline March 8
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The deadline is Monday, March 8, for the Marion County United Soccer Club, which is re-opening registration for its seventh year of soccer, said Stephanie Moss, one of the coordinators.
Registration forms may be picked up at both Hillsboro and Marion Elementary Schools, at the Marion Chamber of Commerce or by calling Moss.
Practices will begin the week of March 22 and games start March 27, she said.
Soccer is open to students from kindergarten through 12th grade. For costs or other information, call Moss, 620-947-3713.
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Chamber sponsors brown bag lunch
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The Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Brown Bag Business Lunch at noon Tuesday, March 9, at the Hillsboro Scout House.
Clint Seibel, executive director of the Hillsboro Development Corp. and Hillsboro Ventures Inc. will talk about the city?s e-Community designation, making low interest funding available for start-up businesses or companies wanting to expand.
The event is being hosted by the Hillsboro Development Corp.
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Darwin Songhouse to perform March 7
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The Prairie Window Concert Series is featuring The Darwin Songhouse with singer-songwriter Krista Detor at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 7 at the Dyck Arboretum of the Plains in Hesston.
For more information or to make a reservation, call 620-327-8127.
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Commodities arrive at centers March 11
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U.S. Department of Agri?culture commodities will be available at senior centers in Marion County Thursday, March 11.
Food items include beef in natural juice, green beans, mixed fruit, apricots, corn and rice cereal, canned chicken, walnuts and Great Northern beans.
Each center will distribute these commodities according to their own schedule, said Gayla Ratzlaff, coordinator with the Marion County Department on Aging.
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World Day of Prayer set March 5
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The Peabody observance for this year?s World Day of Prayer will be at 12:30 p.m. Friday, March 5, at the Peabody Senior Center, 106 Walnut.
A noon lunch will also be served for those who choose to eat, but reservations are needed.
The World Day of Prayer is a worldwide movement of prayer each year and carried out in more than 170 countries and regions.
This year, organizers said, the women of Cameroon, Africa, have written the prayer service with the theme, ?Let everything that has breath praise God.?
To make a lunch reservation or for more information, call 620-983-2226.
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Three TC students to present recitals
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Three Tabor College students will perform their junior recitals at 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 9, in the Tabor College Chapel. The public is invited to attend.
Darren Enns, a baritone from Hillsboro, will sing numbers by Franz Schubert/Wilhelm Mueller; Antonin Dvorak, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Charles Wolseley.
Enns, a student of Brad Vogel, professor of choral music, is the son of Jim and Brenda Enns.
Violinist Mary Goering, from Newton, will play ?Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 26,? ?Allegro Moderato? and ?Adagio,? by Max Bruch.
She is the daughter of Preston and Deborah Goering and the student of adjunct instructor Nancy Johnson.
Flutist Megan Souter will perform ?The Swan? by Camille Saint-Saens; ?Sonata In F Major, Vivace, Largo and Allegro? by Georg Philipp Telemann; and ?Sonata I for Two Flutes? by Wilhelm Friedemann Bach.
She is the daughter of Randy and Robin Souter and student of adjunct instructor Joyann Brake.
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Goessel FFA plans auction March 9
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The Goessel High School FFA Chapter?s work auction with Van Schmidt of Newton, auctioneer, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, in the high school cafeteria.
A free meal will be provided and everyone is encouraged to come and participate in the auction to purchase FFA Chapter members for four hours of labor.
All proceeds go to the FFA Chapter. For more information, call John Bergin, FFA advisor, at 620-367-2242.
Post office sponsors appreciation day
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Hillsboro Post Office is sponsoring a Customer Appreciation Day Friday, March 12, at its facility, 201 N. Main St.
The event is in conjunction with National Consumer Protection Week with this year?s theme, ?Dollars & Sense.?
The public is invited to stop by for refreshments, and consumer information will be available, said Becky Larson, Hillsboro postmaster.
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Driver?s course set in Peabody, Marion
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A driver?s safety course will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, March 8-9, at the Marion Senior Center, 309 S. Third St. For more information or to register, call 620-382-2942.
Another course is being offered from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, March 22-23, at the Peabody Senior Center, 106 Walnut. To reserve a place in Peabody, call 620-983-2226.
Both classes are open to everyone regardless of age.
Under Kansas law, said Richard Riemer, one of the instructors, automobile insurance companies are required to allow a discount on premiums to those who have taken the eight-hour course, and a certificate of attendance is presented to all those who attend.
Although the class is offered by the American Association of Retired Persons, AARP, it is open to everyone.
No tests, written or driving, will be required. The classes serve more as a refresher course with a mix of video and instructor presentations.
Classes at Marion and Peabody are being taught by Richard and Marilyn Riemer.
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Events planned for HES reading night
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The public is invited to participate in two events related to Hillsboro Elementary School?s annual Family Reading Night next week.
One event is the first HES Ameri?can Literacy Awards from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 9. The ALA is the library?s version of the Ameri?can Music Awards, reading style, according to librarian Sandy Arnold.
?We are rolling out the red carpet, planning an evening of pure entertainment involving music, books, reading, prizes, snacks, games and your very own HES stars,? she said.
Arnold asks that everyone bring their cell phones so they can text their vote for ?Book of the Night.?
The second event is the annual Scholastic Book Fair. The fair will be open from Wednesday, March 3, to Wednesday, March 10. The hours are 7:45 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
The fair also will be open until 9 p.m. after Family Reading Night on Tuesday.
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Free tax help offered in Marion
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Marion County at Mid-Cap, 104 N. Fifth, Marion, is offering free assistance with basic tax returns as well as free e-filing.
To qualify for the program, your income must not exceed $35,000.
Participants need to call for an appointment at 1-888-877-5948 or 620-382-8807.
According to organizers, those who come for assistance should be sure to bring their Social Security card; this year?s tax package and/or label; all forms, W-2s and 1099s; information for all other income; information for all deductions or credits and a copy of last year?s tax return.
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HES screening for kindergarten
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Hillsboro Elementary School has scheduled kindergarten screenings Wednesday, March 31, and Thursday, April 1.
Children will need to be 5 years old on or before Aug. 31, 2010, to be eligible for kindergarten this fall.
Parents with preschoolers eligible for kindergarten in 2010-11 are asked to call the office at 947-3981 for more information.
Free screening set for March 9
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Marion County Early Intervention Services will be offering a free screening for child?ren birth through 5 years old Tuesday, March 9, at the Marion Presbyterian Church at Lawrence at Elm streets in Marion.
Appointments will be available from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
At the screening, development will be checked in the learning, motor, language and social areas. Vision and hearing will also be screened. This process usually takes at least one hour for a child to complete.
All children are welcome, but an appointment is necessary. To make one, call 1-877-878-4519, ext. 113, or 620-382-2858.
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MES to enroll for kindergarten
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Kindergarten enrollment and round-up evaluation is under way at USD 408, Marion-Florence.
Children must be 5 years old by Aug. 31, 2010, to qualify for class this fall, said Deb Shipman at Marion Elementary School.
The kindergarten round-up evaluation is scheduled for Monday, March 22.
Parents who would like to enroll their children for kindergartners in fall must set up an appointment for the round-up by calling Shipman at 620-382-3771 or toll-free 800-498-2014.
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3rd Cinderella?s Closet March 21
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Hillsboro Mennonite Breth?ren Church, 300 Prairie Pointe, is hosting its third-annual Cinder?ella?s Closet from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 21, in the fellowship hall.
The event is open to any high school girl in Marion County who is attending prom this school year. Participants can select a prom dress and take it home at no charge.
Anyone who has a dress, jewelry or small clutch purse to donate can bring it to the church or call 620-947-3583 and leave a message where the items can be picked up.
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Peabody plans auction March 6
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The Peabody Main Street Memorabilia Auction will begin Saturday, March 6 with dinner at 6 p.m.; the auction will begin at 8 p.m. at the Peabody American Legion.
Proceeds from the event will go toward Peabody Main Street projects.
For tickets or information, call 620-983-2174.
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Forum to focus on alcohol use among youth
All community members are invited to attend a free event hosted by Communities In Schools of Marion County and Hillsboro High School from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 11.
The event begins with a free meal at 6 p.m. in the HHS Commons followed by a forum in the auditorium.
The purpose of the forum is to raise awareness among adults about their part in the problem of underage alcohol use and to alert youth to the risks involved.
For more information, contact Linda Ogden at 620-947-3184 or Hillsboro High School at 620-947-3901.
