Happenings (Week of Jan. 9, 2008)

Card shower to honor Palmer Base

Palmer Base of Tampa will celebrate his 80th birthday Jan. 14 with a card shower.

Cards can be sent to 3513 Bison Rd., Tampa, KS 67483.

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Maxwell to hold elk viewing kick-off

Maxwell Wildlife Refuge will hold Elk Days, an elk viewing season kick-off, Jan. 19 at the Friends of Maxwell Tour Center.

Acitivities include an elk tour from 11 a.m. to noon and a lunch of chili, vegetable soup, relishes and pie from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Free will donations will go toward educational programs and special events. For reservations call 620-628-4455.

Maxwell Wildlife Refuge is located six miles north of Canton.

Drop the Weight to begin Jan. 8

Greenhaw Pharmacy and Anna Woods, certified personal trainer, will sponsor a Biggest Loser kick-off party and weigh in as well as a ?Drop the Weight in ?08? informational seminar from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Hillsboro City Building for anyone interested.

Throughout the come and go event, Woods will speak on developing in-home workout programs as well as developing a healthy eating plan for the year.

Also as part of the Biggest Loser kick-off, Brown?s Shoe Fit will be in Hillsboro from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 10 at Parkside. The manager will do shoe analyses to determine the best size, fit and brand of shoe for each person interested.

The events are free and open to the public.

Book Buddies set for Jan. 10 & 17

Marion County Parents as Teachers will sponsor Book Buddies during January. The group will go through Tana Hoban?s ?Black and White World of Fun.?

The first session was held Jan. 3. The remaining sessions will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 10 at Hillsboro City Hall and Jan. 17 at Marion Emmanuel Baptist Church.

The event is free and open to Marion County families with children ages birth to 3 years.

Fitness class to be offered in Hillsboro

Anna Woods, certified personal trainer, began a month-long fitness class Jan. 7.

Remaining classes will be held at 5:45 p.m. each Monday and Thursday during January at the Hillsboro Elementary gymnasium. The class will focus on cardiovascular exercise and strength training.

Cost is $35 for the month or $15 for half-time attendance and is open to the public. Cost is $30 for Biggest Loser contestants. Additional family members are $10 each. Childcare will be provided by donation.

For more information, or to register for the class contact Woods at 626-877-7503.

Free child screening to be offered Jan. 15

A free screening for children birth through 5 years old will be held Tuesday, Jan. 15 in Hillsboro at the United Methodist Church, 905 E. D St.

Appointments are 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. The process usually takes about one hour for a child to complete. All children are welcome, but an appointment is necessary.

To make an appointment call 1-877-878-4519 ext. 113.

Book discussion group, Jan. 11

Hillsboro Public Library?s Book Discussion Group will meet at 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 11, in the Hillsboro City Building council room.

The book selection for the month is ?The Blue Bottle Club? by Penelope Stokes. It is not necessary to have previously read the book to attend.

All interested readers are encouraged to check out a copy of the book even if they are not able to attend the meeting.

Marler to speak at Hillsboro Kiwanis

The Hillsboro Kiwanis Club will meet at noon Tuesday, Jan. 15 at the Hillsboro City Building. Lunch will be $7 and will be served by Fat N Sassy BBQ.

Following the business meeting, Kiwanian Shane Marler will speak about his trip to France and tell stories about playing music with the Gypsies in Europe. In addition to sharing stories and experiences, Marler will play some music.

If interested in becoming a member or attending a meeting or program, contact Jayson Hanschu at 620-947-5686.

Tax prep assistance offered in Marion

The Mid-Kansas Community Action Program will offer free tax help and free e-filing in Marion County at Mid-Cap, 104 N. Fifth, Marion.

Assistance with basic tax returns will be available for people with an income of $35,000 or less. Individuals wanting assistance should bring their Social Security card, 2007 tax package and/or label, all forms, W-2s and 1099s, information for all additional income, information for all deducations/credits, and a copy of last year?s tax return.

To make an appointment call 1-888-877-5948 or 620-382-8807.

Democrats invited to Emporia Jan. 12

The Lyon County Democrats will meet for breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12 at the Best Western meeting room, 3021 W. Hwy 50, Emporia.

The meeting is the first step in selection of the Democratic nominee for President of the United States, and the agenda will focus on the Feb. 5 caucus. Caucus-goers from Lyon, Chase, Greenwood, Marion and Morris counties are welcome.

For more information contact Jerry Karr, 620-343-1607.

Goessel Mennonite to host SNOW

Goessel Mennonite Church will host Sunday Night Over-drive Worship at 7 p.m. Jan. 13.

The event will feature music led by a group of high school and college students from the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. The time of singing and worship is open to the public, and teenagers from the area are especially invited to attend.

SNOW is a monthly program sponsored by the Goessel church. For more information, call Mike Hiebert at 620-367-2446.