Happenings (Week of Dec. 24, 2008)

Randolf-Friesen.jpg

Family, friends invited to birthday

Randolf-Friesen.jpg Friends and relatives of Randolph Friesen are invited to a social in honor of his 80th birthday.

The event is from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, at the Goessel Civic Center, 101 S. Cedar, Goessel.

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Students take part in reading program

Hillsboro students in Family and Consumer Sciences and members of the the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America participated in the National Read to Preschoolers week, said Monica Leihy with FCCLA.

Members of both groups attended the morning and afternoon Hillsboro Head Start classes as well as Hillsboro ?Kids Connection? Preschool recently.

The theme book this year was ?Bear Feels Sick.? Along with reading to the children, activities reinforced the theme of helping others and staying healthy.

Those participating included: Ashlyn Simmons, Heather Goldsby, Megan Chizek, Sarah Hill, Brandi Boucher, Rashelle Palmer, Rhiannon Janzen. They were accompanied by their adviser, Monica Leihy

Each child was given a book with a brochure for the parents informing them of the importance of reading to their child.

Two blood drives planned in county

American Red Cross invites those in good health to donate blood this month at one of two drives in Marion County.

The Goessel Blood Drive will be from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, at Goessl Mennonite Church, 109 S. Church St.

The Hillsboro Blood Drive will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, at Parkview Mennonite Brethren Church, 610 S. Main in Hillsboro.

All presenting donors will receive a free T-shirt.

?Too often forgotten in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is that the true meaning of this time of year is to reach out to others,? said Pam Head, CEO, Central Plains Region. ?Celebrate the holidays by giving this greatest gift and help save a life.?

As the holidays traditionally are hard times on blood collections, the Red Cross encourages eligible donors to recruit college students home for the holidays, high school students on winter break and other family and friends.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, donors should call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit bloodisneeded.org.

Individuals at least 17 years of age (16 with completed parental consent form), who weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and are in general good health, may be eligible to donate blood. The Red Cross reminds those coming to donate to bring photo identification.

No-till scholarships available in Marion

No-till on The Plains is offering 25 registration scholarships to its winter conference.

The event is planned for Jan. 27-28 at the Salina Bicentennial Center, plus free subscriptions to the Leading Edge magazine to Marion County ag producers throughout the county.

To take advantage of this free offer, said Peggy Blackman, coordinator of the Marion Reservoir Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy project, she will need a name and address by Jan. 2. She can be reached at 65blackman@sbcglobal.net or by phone at 620-382-2541.

Blackman said she will then enter names at a special Web site for No-till on The Plains. All those who register for this special offer will be sent information about the conference directly to their address.

A complete list of conference sessions and speakers will be available at www.notill.org, its Web site.

?Take advantage of this offer to learn more of how no-till can help improve your bottom line whether you farm or a livestock producer,? she said.

Sign-up assistance offered to seniors

The Marion County Department for Elderly is providing assistance to seniors seeking enrollment in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan before the Dec. 31 deadline.

The department can help compare plans and sign up seniors who want to change their current coverage.

Seniors who switch to a new plan should do so sooner rather than later so the change can be processed by Medicare before the end of the year.

Many seniors in Marion County have also received information about Medicare Advantage plans.

For more information about these plans, call 620-382-3580 or .1stop by the office located in the Marion Senior Center.

Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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