20 YEARS AGO

Aug. 2, 2006

Investigation of a garage and mobile home fire July 26 at 403 S. Coble St., Marion, continues. Authorities suspect someone set the fire, which destroyed the garage and a van and caused major damage to the mobile home.

The theme of Marion’s 2006 Old Settlers Day will be “Marion County Courthouse, a Century of Service.” The building’s cornerstone was laid in August of 1906. According to county clerk Carol Maggard, a celebration at the courthouse is planned for the Friday before Old Settlers Day.

Announcements of wedding anniversary celebrations include those of Bob and Gertrude May of Marion, 62 years; Joyce and Ruth Ann Carlson, Lincolnville, 62 years; and Francis (Doc) and Cladine Hartke, Herington, 60 years.

In her Random Thoughts column, Norma Hannaford recalls how in the 1930s a unique women’s organization took roots in Marion. The organization, the Community Guild, was formed to seek out the needy and try to help.

Jessica Laurin, owner of Animal Health Center in Marion, was featured in the July 15 issue of Drovers, a business magazine for cattle owners. The article focused on Laurin’s attempt to introduce animal identification to cattlemen in a simple low-tech way.