HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Domestic disturbance causes lockdown at Goessel school

Students at Goessel High School went on with classes as usual on April 4 despite a lockdown of all exterior doors. Superintendent John Fast was out of the office at the time an outside disturbance occurred, but he said school personnel followed safety procedures and it was a good situational practice for staff.

Verenike volunteers gather in Hillsboro

Volunteers of all ages from all walks of life — city employees, farmers, retirees, research scientists, homemakers, and a few school children — gathered Tuesday morning at the Marion County Fairgrounds in Hillsboro to make verenike. Workers interrupted their normal routines and came from churches across central Kansas to mix, slice, shape, stuff, pinch, and pack the tasty treats. Verenike is one of the most popular items available on the state fairgrounds in Hutchinson during the annual Mennonite Central Committee sale to be held on Friday and Saturday this year. It is a pastry-type pocket filled with cottage cheese and boiled or fried. It can be served plan or covered with syrup or ham gravy, and it is often accompanied by other Mennonite ethnic foods like sausage or pluma moss (cherry or plum pudding).

USD 410 adopts teacher evaluation system

Callie Arnold smiled proudly as she held up her poster for the USD 410 board to see. “I like to think it shows my artistic expression,” said the fifth-grade winner of the Kansas State Arbor Day Poster Contest. Arnold was one of more than 1,000 entries in the competition and won. She will go to the capital later this month for a visit with the governor and to plant a tree.

Pilsen Catholics to attend Medal of Honor presentation

At least seven members of St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church at Pilsen will be present Thursday at the White House when President Barack Obama confers the Medal of Honor posthumously on Father Emil Kapaun. They are Bob and Carol Makovec, Bob and Rose Mary Neuwirth, Laverne and Harriet Bina, and Carole Sklenar. They will travel to the Pentagon the next day for a ceremony in which Father Kapaun will be inducted into the Army Hall of Fame.

Kapaun museum plans security improvements

Eugene Kapaun was always adamant that if his brother, Father Emil Kapaun, was ever awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in the Korean War, the medal should go to Pilsen, Kapaun tour guide Rose Mary Neuwirth said. Eugene didn’t live to see the day, but on Thursday, the president will present the highest military award for valor to Ray Kapaun, Father Kapaun’s nephew. Neuwirth said the family agrees with Eugene’s belief that the medal should go to Pilsen, where Father Kapaun grew up and served as a priest.

Defendant takes deal in death of Tabor student

One of the two former McPherson College football players charged in the September murder of Tabor College student and football player Brandon L. Brown has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. DeQuinte O. Flournoy of Dallas was originally charged with aiding and abetting murder in the second degree. The charge was changed to aiding and abetting aggravated battery in accordance with the plea agreement on April 2. Flournoy pleaded no contest and was found guilty.

Debra D. Brewer

PEABODY — Debra D. Brewer, 54, passed away at her home on April 6, 2013. She was born May 2, 1958 the daughter Wallace “Vic” and Betty (Newton) Seibel. Debra worked as a housekeeper at Westview Nursing Home. On July 17, 1976 Debra married Bruce Brewer in Peabody, Kan. — he survives of the home. Other survivors include two daughters, Melissa and husband David Coleman of Topeka, Kan., and Shandy Lett of Newton, Kan.; her mother, Betty Seibel of Peabody, Kan.; three grandchildren, Breanna Lett, Brenton Lett, and Malicai Coleman; two brothers, David and wife Deb Seibel of Des Moines, Iowa, and Rick and wife Sharla Seibel of Amarillo, Texas; two sisters, Judy Eskridge of Valley Center, Kan., and Patricia and husband Gary Hall of Wichita, Kan.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ella Heideman

Ella Anna Heidemann, 97, of Decatur, Ill., died March 20 at Fair Havens Christian Home, Decatur, Ill. Ella was born Nov. 29, 1915, in Tampa to John and Helena (Ottensmeier) Backhus. She married Arthur Frederick Heidemann on Nov. 9, 1941, in Tampa. He preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her parents, one sister, and five brothers.

Dorothy Elnora (Waner) Hoffman

MARION — Dorothy Elnora (Waner) Hoffman, 82, passed away April 1, 2013, at St. Luke Hospital in Marion, Kan. She was born in Florence, Kan., on April 28, 1930, the daughter of Andy M. and Frances (Garrison) Waner. On Jan. 2, 1950, she was united in marriage to Roger Hoffman from Hancock, Maryland.

Edith Price

Edith I. Price, 96, of Dodge City died April 3 at Alterra Sterling House in Dodge City. She was born May 12, 1916, in Marion to Ora Earnest and Lillian (Baxter) Evans. She lived in Marion until moving to Manhattan in 1920, then she moved to Dodge City in 1929. She graduated from Dodge City High School. She was activities director at Dodge City Recreational Center for 15 years.

Ruby Schroeder

Ruby K. Schroeder, 85, of Hillsboro died April 3 at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. She was born Aug. 21, 1927, to John and Katherine (Jantz) Prieb in Inola, Okla. She owned and operated the florist in Hillsboro.

Margaret E. Wigington

Margaret E. Wigington, age 81, of Upper Arlington, Ohio, died Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, Ohio. She was born Sept. 10, 1931, in Marion, Kan., daughter of the late Frank E. and Eldena (Williamson) Willey. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Margaret will be dearly missed by her husband of 61 years, Ronald L.; her children, Carol (Michael) Lauber, David (Patricia) Wigington and Brian (Yvonne) Wigington; her beloved grandchildren, Steve, Melinda, Christina, Tiffany, Shannon, Caitlin, Zachary, Breanna, Taylor, Jordan, Ashleigh, Gabriel and Isaac; other relatives and many friends.

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Foal gets attention

Orphaned foals are no picnic to care for, but when Ashley Weems, a Peabody-Burns High School senior, learned about a situation where a newborn colt needed help she did not hesitate to act. “The person who owned this baby’s mother has some medical issues and couldn’t care for him,” Weems said. “I have a lot of experience with horses and have raised a foal with its mama. I thought this would be good experience for me because some day I want to be an equine vet.”

Farmers' Market starts May 1

Marion Farmers’ Market will start May 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. in Central Park. There will be markets on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon. Organizer Shana Thornhill is one of three regulars at the market. The other two are N.M. Patton of Peabody and Darlene Carlson of Lincolnville. Patton provides vegetables while Carlson sells vegetables, herbs, canned goods, and flowers. Thornhill also offers tips to prepare vegetables and other organic foods for meals.

Mindset makes farm transition successful

Brandon Kaufman, a rural Moundridge native and former Wichita Wild arena football player enjoys completing a task. The chemistry major and Bethel College graduate likes to look at situations from different perspectives and he has never been afraid of hard work. When Lloyd Voth met Kaufman a year ago, he knew he had finally found a man with the right mindset to help him manage Voth Farms, rural Goessel. What Voth did not realize at the time, was how well things would fall into place, securing the viability of his multi-generational farm and providing a rare opportunity for a young farm family to get a good start.

Meat packaging changes are coming

Britin Fraiser wanted to make beef stroganoff for dinner, but there was just one problem: he couldn’t find beef tips at the grocery store. “I couldn’t find any,” the 86-year-old Hillsboro resident said. “I was about ready to give up and then I asked the guy standing next to me if he saw any, and he picked a package up right away. I could have sunk right into the floor — so embarrassing. I was looking for the package to say beef tips, not sirloin tips.”

Field day is April 18

The Kansas Forest Service will host a landowner field day starting at 3 p.m. April 18 in Durham. The goal is to help landowners successfully manage woodlands, areas next to streams and rivers, and habitat for Bobwhite quail. Participants will meet at Durham Community Center, 519 Douglas Ave. They will travel as a group to the Marion Reservoir wildlife area to visit sites where woodland improvements have been done. They will learn techniques to improve log quality, enhance tree growth and herbicide use .

USDA Report: wheat stays the same

The USDA Crop Progress report shows that winter wheat condition is staying the same, but there are some signs of small improvement. About 30 percent of the crop is still rated poor to very poor as it was last week, but 31 percent is now rated “good” versus 29 percent the week before. Projections indicate that the winter wheat crop will still have a long way to go to get even close to where it was this time last year. Additional snow and rainstorms in Kansas could help in some areas. Meanwhile, farmers are playing a waiting game to see the outcome of their crop.

State moves ag department to Manhattan

Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Dale Rodman recently announced that the Kansas Department of Agriculture would move the majority of its offices to Manhattan in summer 2014. Rodman said the move will allow the agency to capitalize on synergies with Kansas State University as well as other agricultural and bio-science entities located in Manhattan.

Fourth generation farmer likes challenge

It has often been said that farming is a gamble. You put something in and hope to get more back, but you’re never sure how it will turn out. For 41-year-old Scott David of rural Tampa, that’s what makes life interesting.

Commissioners question need for water-monitoring

The Marion Reservoir WRAPS project will receive a $417,214 reservoir improvement multi-year grant from Kansas State Workgroup, which will help to offset last year’s funding shortfall. “We were just one of only a few who received the full amount that they asked for,” WRAPS coordinator Peggy Blackman, told Marion County Commissioners. “That’s because we go give them actual data, not just computer-generated data but actual data, and they could see what was going on.”

History obscured by a cloud of dust

Marion County and Pilsen are home to a special piece of history, and we shouldn’t hide that piece of history behind a cloud of dust. For drivers who know the Pilsen road like the back of their hands, the gravel surface ranges mostly from an annoyance to a nuisance, increasing driving times, requiring more car washes, and more windshield repairs. For visitors unfamiliar with the road and its curves, though, blinding dust clouds represent a very real danger, and those drivers become a danger to the regulars on the road. Make no mistake, these visitors are already coming, and they will increase in numbers with Father Emil Kapaun’s receipt of the Medal of Honor on Thursday and the continued investigation into his likely sainthood.

Preserving a history of heroism

A story that recently appeared in a newspaper insinuated that Pilsen is too rinky-dink of a community to be the home of historical artifacts related to Father Emil Kapaun, the heroic Army chaplain who died protecting and serving his fellow prisoners of war in the Korean War and who is being honored Thursday with the posthumous presentation of the Medal of Honor — not to mention his candidacy for sainthood. Isn’t it possible that Kapaun’s upbringing in a small community contributed to his strength of character? Perhaps he looked out for his fellow soldiers because he had grown up seeing people look out for their neighbors? Pilsen is the appropriate home for Kapaun’s Medal of Honor.

LETTERS:

Durham cleanup in progress

This week, April 8-13, is cleanup week in Durham. Waste Connections is providing a large Dumpster. Mayor Mike Sorenson announced at the April 2 city council meeting that someone will be in Durham on April 24 to collect hazardous waste. Sorenson thanked Tom Harmon for his years of service. Harmon chose not to file for re-election.

Informational meeting is April 18 for prospective foster parents

KVC Behavioral Health Care, based in Wichita, will conduct an informational meeting in Marion for those interested in becoming foster parents. The meeting will be at 6 p.m. April 18 at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 229 Walnut St. Recruiter Stephanie Smith will answer questions about requirements and expectations in becoming foster and/or adoptive parents.

Faspa theme is 'My First Car'

Individuals are invited to share the story of “My First Car” at the Sunday-Afternoon-Faspa-at-the-Museum April 21 at the Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum in Goessel. The event will begin at 3 p.m. Faspa will be served at 4 p.m.

Medicare class is Tuesday

Marion County Department on Aging will present a class about preparing to enroll in Medicare from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Marion Senior Center. Participants will receive a Medicare options workbook to help guide them step-by-step through decisions they will need to make. The cost of the class is $3 to pay for printing the workbooks.

Tabor grad appointed to KPERS board

Kelly Arnold of Wichita has been appointed by Gov. Sam Brownback and confirmed by the Kansas Senate to a four-year term on the board of directors of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System. Arnold received his bachelor’s in business administration from Tabor College. He is the director of Hillsboro State Bank, clerk of Sedgwick County, and chairman of the Kansas Republican Party.

College women's choir to sing at Parkview

Tabor College’s Concerto Bella Voce women’s choir will present a home concert at 4 p.m. Sunday at Parkview Mennonite Brethren Church in Hillsboro. The choir recently returned from a spring tour in which they gave performances in Dallas, Texas, and several locations in Oklahoma, finishing with a performance in Wichita. Under the direction of Janie Brokenicky, assistant professor of choral music, the choir will perform a concert series, “His Guiding Hand.” The theme is based on the book of Ruth. The “Song of Ruth,” by David Childs will be performed.

CORRESPONDENTS:

TEEN to hire new director

The Technology Excellence in Education Network board will have a phone conference meeting at 4 p.m. today, April 10, to consider approval of a contract for a new director. Director Brandi Hendrix has accepted a principal position in Herington. The phone conference will originate from the USD 410 district office, 416 S. Date St., Hillsboro.

HHS students get top ratings at music festival

Hillsboro High School students participated in a regional music festival April 6 at Tabor College. Receiving I ratings were; the mixed trio (band); flute soloist Kennedy Klein; vocal soloists Ashley Bartel, Tyler Burst, Tyler Funk, Abigail Kliewer, Daniele Melton, and Daniel Nelson; Spirit-N-Celebration; SNC Women, SNC Men, and the mixed vocal ensemble. They will compete April 27 at the state music festival at Southeast of Saline High School.

Goessel musicians earn top ratings

Goessel students brought home 58 medals for top ratings at the regional solo and ensemble festival Saturday at Tabor College in Hillsboro. Nine solo performances earned II ratings, while 18 solo performances plus the Elbiata Singers, Elbiata men’s ensemble and Elbiata women’s ensemble received I ratings and will advance to State Music Festival on April 27 at Stucky Middle School in Wichita.

Holub has a heart for students

Diana Holub enjoys cooking and baking. She likes to garden, travel in the summer, and spend time on her computer. However, the Hillsboro High School counselor with more than 30 years of education under her belt admits that mostly her life revolves around helping students and thinking of ways she can better prepare them for the next phase of their life. “I just really enjoy the students,” Holub said. “It is fun to help them find what interests them, and then rewarding to help them get future placements for their lives after high school.”

Faber's improvement exemplifies HHS tennis

Hillsboro senior Harry Faber said there is not much film study for tennis. He’s not pouring over tape of an opponent’s tendencies and shots before a match. What he has done is try to play as well as he can play.

Trojans bounce back against Hesston

Hillsboro second baseman Madison Klein committed consecutive errors on batted balls in the bottom of the fifth inning in the first game against Hesston. The two missed grounders with the bases loaded allowed Hesston to take a 5-3 lead in the game. The Swathers scored two more runs in the sixth inning on a two-RBI ground rule double by Hesston shortstop Tayler Schuler. Schuler went 2-for-3 in the game with three RBIs on two doubles.

Goessel golfers begin season

Golf Coach Chad Lindeman was pleased with Goessel’s performance in the first two meets of the season. At Herington, Thursday was perfect for golf with sunshine and no wind. At Hillsboro, the wind was a factor but “in spite of the weather, the guys ended up shooting a better (team score) by two strokes,” Lindeman said. Herington results Trey Schmidt, 91 Tyler Schultz, 95 Lucas Hiebert, 95 Dan Smucker, 99 Reece Hiebert, 100 Zach Showalter, 116 Hillsboro results Tyler Schultz, 92 Trey Schmidt, 93 Lucas Hiebert, 95 Dan Smucker, 98 Reece Hiebert, 104 Zach Showalter, 110

Goessel track set marks

The Hillsboro track meet on Tuesday was attended by two small schools and two larger schools. Although Goessel and Centre were competitive in several events, Hesston dominated the meet with Hillsboro coming in second in both the boys and girls divisions. Goessel seniors Tia Goertzen and Ali Buller scored seven and five points respectively, but ten girls finished in the top five places, scoring points for the Bluebirds.

Loewen and Lackey make state basketball team

Two Hillsboro girls’ basketball players were named to the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association All-State team. Senior forward Tena Loewen was named to first team for 3A. Junior forward Addie Lackey was named to the second team.

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