HILLSBORO Star-Journal

HEADLINES

Shoppers flock to arts and crafts fair
Perfect fall weather brought shoppers out in droves to the Hillsboro Arts and Crafts Fair on downtown streets Saturday. Pam Riesen fair board member said they estimate anywhere from 45,000 to 50,000 people flocked to Hillsboro Saturday to shop and view the goods of 304 vendors and enjoy good food, buys and company.
Candlelight vigils to raise domestic violence awareness
The Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Center is hoping to raise awareness during October to prevent cases of violence in Marion County. Several candlelight vigils will be held throughout the county. “We are hoping to bring awareness to domestic violence happening in the community and let people who may have been or are victims we are there for them,” said Teresa Loffer, Marion County victim advocate.
Vatican official to conclude probe of Kapaun miracles
Father John Hotze of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita has confirmed an Associated Press report that a Vatican official, Italian lawyer Andrea Ambrosi, will return to Kansas on Saturday to finalize an investigation into possible miracles that may determine whether Chaplain Emil Kapaun will become a saint. The recovery of Avery Gerleman, now a student at Hutchinson Community College, is one case being investigated by the Vatican.
Commission debates clock maintenance
After receiving the final cost Monday for renovations due to the courthouse clock tower, county commissioners debated the clock’s long-term viability. Whether to keep the clock or take it down was even questioned at one point.
First 'barn quilts' go up
The first of what county economic developer Teresa Huffman hopes will be many “barn quilts” went up last week when Bob and Flo Rahn of rural Hillsboro put a 16-square-foot metal quilt block on an outbuilding at their home, 1431 Holly Rd. Meanwhile, Cathleen Fish of rural Hillsboro is waiting for a day when the wind dies down to put up her 36-square-foot block. Huffman said eight other county residents have expressed interest in joining the program. Her goal is to have at least 15 in the county.
Tabor Athletic Center is renamed
A plaque outside the Pendery Athletic, formerly the Tabor College Athletic Center, reads, “Made possible in part by the generosity of Scott and Terese Pendery in honor of their friendship and respect for Kim and Amy Wiens.” The Penderys recently made a significant contribution to Tabor College to honor the Wienses.
Hunting for the big game
Not many people chose to wake up before 6 a.m. on the weekends after working 40 hours, but Brandon Wyss of Florence does. Wyss lives for this time of year because he is an avid hunter, and bow-hunting season for deer kicked off Sept. 16. “I wouldn’t say waking up that early is pleasing, but it’s nice to get away from everything and enjoy the quiet,” he said.
Alpacas share in arts and crafts festivities
Several alpacas greeted guests of the Hillsboro Arts and Crafts Fair as they parked at Marion County Fairgrounds. They were part of the Kansas Alpaca Association Farm Day. Farms from across the state gathered to share information and products made from their animals’ hair.
Tabor announces new veep for Wichita campus
Tabor College recently announced that Brett Andrews is to be the new executive vice president of Tabor College Wichita; dean of the school of adult and graduate studies; and professor of management. “I am delighted that Dr. Andrews has agreed to answer our call and invitation to serve at Tabor,” college President Jules Glanzer said. “His experience and accomplishments, along with his deep commitment to Christ, make him a perfect fit for Tabor and leading the school of adult and graduate studies.”

DEATHS

Ruby Hefley
Ruby Ann Hefley, 91, died Sunday in Hillsboro. She was born Aug. 3, 1922 to Henry and Matilda (Schmidt) Bartel in Hillsboro. She married Maynard “H.V.” Hefley on Oct. 19, 1947, in Hillsboro.
Richard Pankratz
Richard Dean Pankratz, 73, died Saturday in Topeka. He was born Dec. 31, 1939, in Hillsboro to Harry and Ruth Pankratz. He graduated from Hillsboro High School and Tabor College, then received a master’s degree in history from Emporia State University in 1968.

DOCKET

FARM

Farmers rejoice over potential for 3 good harvests
For the first time in nearly three years, farmers in Marion County are on track to have three successful harvests in one year. After a record-breaking wheat harvest in June, local farmers were quick to replant fields with corn, milo, and soybeans. Those who were able to get fields planted before large rains fell will have the best yields according to local co-ops. Heath Andres was excited his father’s, Larry Andres, cornfield off 100th and Mustang Rds., was looking so good after dismal yields previous years due to drought.
Grain prices down from a year ago
Elevator managers in Marion County report that the price of feed grains is much lower than it was a year ago. Prices have remained steady the past few weeks but are sitting at levels not seen for a while.
Farmers find cereal rye a good cover crop for no-till beans
Planting cover crops on no-till ground is a common practice in other parts of the state and the country. It has been common for years in South America. Several farmers in Marion County are experimenting with it after learning about it at “No-till on the Plains” in Salina for the past several years. They are finding that cereal rye is a good cover crop for soybeans because after beans are harvested, very little residue is left.
Rural grants seek to improve county growth
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking applications for grants designed to promote rural business growth. The USDA has $5.6 million available through the Rural Community Development Initiative program and will center around projects focused on education and business recruitment.
Shields Farms expands forage harvesting
A custom forage harvesting business practiced for many years by the late Fred Shields of Lincolnville continues under the management of his grandson, Heath Shields. Shields, who turned 24 Monday, runs the Claas harvester purchased two years ago by the farm corporation. He is a 2008 Centre High School graduate and spent three years as a certified mechanic at KanEquip in Herington before returning to the farm full-time. His father was the late Carroll Shields, who died in July 2003 from injuries sustained in an all-terrain vehicle accident.

OPINION

A bit of potpourri
My favorite game show as a child was always Jeopardy, and lately I’ve made a habit of recording it so I can watch it when I get home from the newspaper. It’s impressive how well the same basic formula of answers and questions holds up so many years after its debut. My favorite categories were always “POTPOURRI,” because the clues cover such a wide variety of topics. No issue is dominating discussions right now, so consider this a newspaper dose of potpourri. I always forget how big the crowds get at Art in the Park and Arts & Crafts Fair. The weather this weekend was excellent for shopping outdoors. The foods are always what interest me the most. I went home with some wild sandhill plum jelly, summer sausage, and cheese.

PEOPLE

Elementary kids learn bike safety
Leaning into the turns, stopping, and yielding when directed, Hillsboro Elementary students learned about bike safety at school on Tuesday. Physical education teacher Doug Dick said he has organized the event for the past couple years.
Patriotic essay and speech contests open to students
Two patriotic essay competitions are available to Marion County students. The Voice of Democracy audio essay completion will feature entries from high school students enrolled in public, private, or home study programs. Students must complete an essay on the theme “Why I’m Optimistic About our Nation’s Future,” then record their reading to a CD. The recording should be no shorter than 3 minutes and no longer than 5 minutes. The recording should have no extraneous background noise, music, or sound effects. Special consideration will be taken for hearing or speech-impaired students.
HHS choir raises money for trip to Branson
Wendell and Linda Wedel ate dinner with Linda’s mother on Sept. 15 at Moundridge Manor Clayton and Betty Wiebe went to visit Vera Dirks Sept. 15 at Bethesda Home in Goessel.
Free development screenings are Oct. 8
Free screenings for children 5 or younger will be from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Oct. 8 in Marion. The screenings will check for development in learning, motor, language, and social areas. Vision and hearing will also be screened. The screening usually takes at least an hour for a child to complete. All children are welcome, but an appointment is necessary. Call (620) 382-2858 to schedule an appointment.
Artists will be recognized by senior board
Six county artists’ work will be displayed as they are recognized at the Senior Citizens of Marion County’s 53rd Annual Meeting Oct. 17. In addition, Ramona artist Pat Wick will speak about her experiences with art.
Cook to celebrate 85th birthday
The family of Margaret L. (Belvins) Cook is celebrating her 85th birthday in the Historic Elgin Hotel Ballroom from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 5. Cook was the wife of C.E. Cook for 32 years and has lived in Marion for more than 15 years.
NORTHWEST OF DURHAM:
Visits aplenty
ROUND THE TOWN:
Abilene visitors were received

SPORTS

Goal-line defense gives Trojans 2nd victory
The Hillsboro High School Trojans’ defense came up with three crucial fourth-down stops in the team’s victory over the Nickerson Panthers on Friday. On the opening drive of the game, Nickerson reached first-and-goal at Hillsboro’s 6-yard line before the Trojans turned the Panthers away. Evan Ollenburger made a tackle for loss on first down. Quarterback Braden Stewart threw an incompletion on second down. Justus Hilliard batted down a pass on third down, and a receiver couldn’t gain control of a pass on fourth down before going out of bounds, giving HIllsboro the ball.
Sechrist breaks school record
It was an exciting day for Hillsboro cross-country runner Emily Sechrist as she broke her own school record by 16 seconds. “I was hoping to break the record sometime this year,” Sechrist said. “I didn’t expect to do it in Peabody because it’s not a quick course. When I finished, I looked at my watch and thought, ‘I must have set it late,’ but my dad also timed it and when he told me my watch was correct I was very excited.”
Tabor soccer team wins 6 in a row
After winning against Central Christian College and Southwestern Christian University last week, the Tabor men’s soccer team has won six games in a row. The Bluejays beat Central Christian 6-0, and Southwestern Christian 1-0 in double overtime.
Goessel volleyball starts 4-0
Goessel volleyball traveled to White City Sept. 17 for Wheat State League matches. The Bluebirds came home with two more wins in league play to start the season 4-0. Hope and White City have combined teams for the volleyball season and have adopted the name of Rural Vista. The Bluebirds jumped out to a 10-2 lead with many hits scoring points. Alyssa Booton was successfully setting up kills for Page Hiebert; at the same time Erin Brubaker and Alicen Meysing were successful from the serving line.
Goessel loses 1st district game
On a quiet Friday evening, the Goessel football team opened district competition with Southern Cloud High School and lost the battle 54-6. Southern Cloud began the scoring on a 66-yard pass play. Goessel received the ball deep in their own territory and when trying to punt out of trouble the kick was blocked, and the Warriors led 10-0. Southern Cloud scored on their next drive and just before the end of the first quarter, crossed the goal line again. The Bluebirds trailed 24-0 at the break.
Goessel runners improve personal times
The Thursday afternoon storms stayed away long enough for the cross-country meet at Peabody to be completed. Several Goessel runners improved their times again for the season. Ben Wiens edged in front of Heath Goertzen to lead the Bluebird boys in the varsity race. They finished 25th and 26th individually in a field dominated by Halstead, Hesston, and Clearwater.
Hillsboro beats Kingman, Pratt in home triangular
The Hillsboro High School volleyball team went to work Tuesday night, winning four consecutive games at its home triangular against Kingman and Pratt high schools. The Trojans first played Kingman, dominating the first game on their way to a 25-7 victory.
Tabor homecoming theme set
Tabor College’s homecoming “Prepare the Way” will feature events for Bluejays of all ages. Activities include student art shows, music, a 2-mile run/walk, the Dutch lunch, and the musical “Godspell,” alongside several sporting events Oct. 2 through 6.

HILLSBORO Star-Journal

After receiving the final cost Monday for renovations due to the courthouse clock tower, county commissioners debated the clock’s long-term viability. Whether to keep the clock or take it down was even questioned at one point.

Several alpacas greeted guests of the Hillsboro Arts and Crafts Fair as they parked at Marion County Fairgrounds. They were part of the Kansas Alpaca Association Farm Day. Farms from across the state gathered to share information and products made from their animals’ hair.

Ruby Ann Hefley, 91, died Sunday in Hillsboro. She was born Aug. 3, 1922 to Henry and Matilda (Schmidt) Bartel in Hillsboro. She married Maynard “H.V.” Hefley on Oct. 19, 1947, in Hillsboro.

Richard Dean Pankratz, 73, died Saturday in Topeka. He was born Dec. 31, 1939, in Hillsboro to Harry and Ruth Pankratz. He graduated from Hillsboro High School and Tabor College, then received a master’s degree in history from Emporia State University in 1968.

Elevator managers in Marion County report that the price of feed grains is much lower than it was a year ago. Prices have remained steady the past few weeks but are sitting at levels not seen for a while.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking applications for grants designed to promote rural business growth. The USDA has $5.6 million available through the Rural Community Development Initiative program and will center around projects focused on education and business recruitment.

Leaning into the turns, stopping, and yielding when directed, Hillsboro Elementary students learned about bike safety at school on Tuesday. Physical education teacher Doug Dick said he has organized the event for the past couple years.

Wendell and Linda Wedel ate dinner with Linda’s mother on Sept. 15 at Moundridge Manor Clayton and Betty Wiebe went to visit Vera Dirks Sept. 15 at Bethesda Home in Goessel.

Six county artists’ work will be displayed as they are recognized at the Senior Citizens of Marion County’s 53rd Annual Meeting Oct. 17. In addition, Ramona artist Pat Wick will speak about her experiences with art.

The family of Margaret L. (Belvins) Cook is celebrating her 85th birthday in the Historic Elgin Hotel Ballroom from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 5. Cook was the wife of C.E. Cook for 32 years and has lived in Marion for more than 15 years.

NORTHWEST OF DURHAM:

ROUND THE TOWN:

After winning against Central Christian College and Southwestern Christian University last week, the Tabor men’s soccer team has won six games in a row. The Bluejays beat Central Christian 6-0, and Southwestern Christian 1-0 in double overtime.

The Hillsboro High School volleyball team went to work Tuesday night, winning four consecutive games at its home triangular against Kingman and Pratt high schools. The Trojans first played Kingman, dominating the first game on their way to a 25-7 victory.

Tabor College’s homecoming “Prepare the Way” will feature events for Bluejays of all ages. Activities include student art shows, music, a 2-mile run/walk, the Dutch lunch, and the musical “Godspell,” alongside several sporting events Oct. 2 through 6.