By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Four members of the Marion chapter of Kansas TOPS, a weight-loss organization, celebrated the 75th anniversary of TOPS Inc. at a regional
meeting Saturday in Hutchinson.

The chapter won several awards for its weight-loss achievements during the first eight months of the year.

Dressed in black, including black top hats with white headbands and white roses, the group placed first in the event’s “dress-to-theme” division.

The chapter also placed first place for adding the most new members, six in all, and for having three no-gain meetings.

An average loss of 8.7 pounds per member earned second place.

Name tags made by member Judy Christensen won third place.

Jeanie Klaassen led the group in singing a birthday song to TOPS.

Kay Tajchman was announced as having been selected as “the most inspirational member” by the Marion chapter. She has started a social media page for the group and now serves as leader.

Three KOPS members — Jeanie Klaassen, Rowena Plett, and Effie Smith — received star-performance ribbons.

TOPS is an acronym for “take off pounds sensibly.” KOPS represents those who have met their weight goal and “keep off pounds sensibly.”

The chapter has 22 members, including two new members in the past month. It meets at 9:30 a.m. every Thursday at Hilltop Manor activity center, 1501 E. Lawrence St. in Marion.