Happenings (Week of Dec. 31, 2008)

Kiwanis Club meets Jan. 6

The Hillsboro Kiwanis Club will meet at noon Tuesday, Jan. 6. Jackie Rice, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Marion County will present the program.

Non-member meal arrangements can be made by calling Kirby Rector, 947-5437.

New ?Biggest Loser? to start Jan. 5

Contestants are invited sign up for the 2009 Marion County Biggest Loser Contest, according to organizers. The contest runs from Jan. 5 through May 7.

Results will be based on a fit factor number that includes several fitness factors, including weight loss. The top losers in each division will win a percentage of a pot based on the entry fee of $25 per person.

Weigh-ins are planned for Jan. 5 and 7 at Greenhaw Pharmacy, which is again sponsoring the contest along with Woods Wellness.

To sign up, participants are encouraged to call in Dec. 29 to Greenhaw Pharmacy at 620-947-3048 and ask for Jeanne Rziha, or call Woods Wellness at 620-877-7503 and ask for Anna Woods.

Woods will again be leading a series of evening exercise classes at the Hillsboro Elemen?tary School gym beginning Jan. 5. For more information call Woods Wellness.

Goessel library has new schedule

Beginning in January, the Goessel Public Library will be open five days a week.

The new hours are 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to noon on Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays; and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

Free child screening planned for Jan. 13

Marion County Early Intervention Services will be offering a free screening for children birth through 5 years old on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at Hillsboro United Methodist Church, 905 E. D St.

Appointments will be available from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The screening will assess development in the cognitive, social, motor and speech/language areas. Vision and hearing will also be checked.

This process usually takes about 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 620-878-4720.

Beef conference planned in Oswego

The 2009 KOMA Beef Con?ference will be Thurs?day, Jan. 8, at the Community Center on the Labette County Fairgrounds in Oswego.

The KOMA conference?so named for the four states from which it draws participants: Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas?will begin with registration at 2:30 p.m. The program begins at 3 p.m.

The program, sponsored by Kansas State University Research and Extension, will cover such topics as cow/calf economic considerations for the upcoming year, economic impacts of cow biological type, PI-BVD testing the herd, inter-seeding legumes and cow/calf mineral nutrition.

Organizers ask that those planning to attend call 620-431-1530 before Jan. 8 to pre-register to ensure that enough food will be available.

The event?s registration fee of $20 is then payable at the door and includes the cost of a barbecue-beef dinner.

Center plans party on Elvis? birthday

Marion Senior Center will celebrate Elvis Presley?s birthday starting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at 302 S. Third St. in Marion. Supper is available for donation and Marc Baker of Wichita is the featured guest doing doing ?moves and music? of Elvis, said Janet Bryant, site manager.

?Elvis music will be played all day at the senior center with a display of items collected by local fans,? she said. ?Girls in poodle skirts will also be in attendance.?

Everyone is invited. For more information, call 620-382-2942.

Elk Days to kick off viewing season

Elk Days, which kicks off the elk viewing season, begins at 11
a.m. Jan 10, at Maxwell Wildlife Refuge Tour Center, six miles north of Canton.

The event is sponsored by Friends of Maxwell Wildlife Refuge and activities include winter tram tours and lunch of chili, vegetable soup, relishes and pie. Donations will be accepted.

For more information, call 620-628-4455