HILLSBORO Star-Journal

USD 410 cuts 3 positions

Because of a surprising, dramatic decrease in enrollment this year, Hillsboro Board of Education voted Monday to cut three positions. Superintendent Steve Noble expected to lose about 10 students from the 2012-13 school year. Instead, enrollment decreased by 52 students. That means a likely loss of about $360,000 in state funding, Noble said.

Quilts of Valor wrap veterans in tangible gratitude

Members from the Quilts of Valor Foundation presented 22 combat service members and veterans each with their own heirloom quilt Nov. 11 at 3 p.m. during Veterans Day. “You deserve more than just a simple thank you,” foundation regional director Martha Smith said to veterans. “So we are honoring you with a comforting and healing quilt.”

Alternative Gift Market brings out the holiday spirit in young and old

People young and old filled the Marion City Building to learn about local and worldwide charities being featured at the Alternative Gift Market. Together the charity booths raised more than $9,000 for around 20 charities. “I’ve always known this was a generous community, but I was blown away by the amount raised,” event coordinator Jackie Volbrecht said. “Our first year, two years ago, we raised $4,000, last year, $7,000. It’s just remarkable.”

Veterans Day Mass honors Father Kapaun and all veterans

About 200 people packed St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Pilsen Monday to celebrate all veterans, especially Servant of God Father Emil Kapaun. People traveled from all over the state to pay homage to military men by participating in a Mass, a military wreath laying in front of the statue of Father Kapaun, and a baked ham dinner. Those who traveled included the young and old, and those who knew Kapaun personally, or had been touched by him.

Mary Thiessen

Mary Thiessen, 104, of Hillsboro died Nov. 7 at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro. She was born Jan. 21, 1909, to Gerhard M. and Helena (Klassen) Warkentin near Lehigh. She is survived by two sons, James W. Thiessen of rural Hillsboro and Linden W. Thiessen of rural Hillsboro; a daughter, Enid G. Cady of Marion; 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Accidents reported

Civil division cases

County Jail arrests and bookings

Criminal division cases

Deeds records

Emergency dispatches

Marriage licenses issued

Offenses reported

Police incident reports

Traffic division cases

Centre goes for laughs with 'Pink Panther' sequel

“The Pink Panther Strikes Again,” a two-act play based upon the screenplay by William Gleason, will be presented in two performances at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday by the Centre High School drama department. A criminologist, Jacques Clouseau, played by Barrett Smith, fights for his life and the future of all mankind as Paul Dreyfus, played by Kevin Lewis, is out to get him with the ultimate weapon, the Doomsday Machine.

Marion cuts loose... 'Footloose'

The past four years, Marion High School’s musicals have been set in Biblical times (“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”), the Middle Ages (“Cinderella” and “Once Upon a Mattress”), and the 1850s (“Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”). This year, director Janet Killough chose a musical set much more recently, “Footloose,” adapted from the 1984 movie starring Kevin Bacon.

Hillsboro takes on fairy tale

When Hillsboro High School choir teacher Lynn Just realized she had a lot of talented girls who were likely to participate in this fall’s musical, she knew she needed to pick a production to capitalize on that. The result is Hillsboro’s upcoming production of “Cinderella.” “There is a lot of female talent in the high school right now, and ‘Cinderella’ has several women’s lead roles,” Just said. “This allows me to feature more of the women.”

'Seussical' postponed

The Peabody-Burns High School production of “Seussical — the Musical,” originally scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, has been postponed until mid-March. The materials for the play were delayed in being sent to the school, pushing back the time that students could prepare. That, combined with the success of the football team, gave students a very short window of time for preparation, Principal Tim Robertson said.

Goessel students to perform satire

Goessel students will perform a political satire written by Don Zolidist called “The Election” at 7 p.m. Nov. 15 and 16 at the USD 411’s high school auditorium. In addition to the live performance, the two-act play will include sets painted by Fern Bartel and campaign videos that the cast and crew recorded on campus as well as out in the community.

Compromise made between traditional and no-till

There is a new option for farmers looking to get the benefits of both traditional tillage and no-till farming, Marlin Bartel at Straub International said Thursday. It’s called vertical tillage, and it works by cutting vertical furrows without displacing or turning over the soil, he said.

GPS helps farmers harvest data, too

For several years, global positioning systems have helped farmers keep track of yields in their fields and even control spraying and planting. Now companies are producing ways to make even more use of that information. John Deere has recently released GPS computer systems for tractors and combines that include wireless data transfer, said Mitch Guetterman, store manager at PrairieLand Partners in Marion.

Farm Bureau nearing 95th annual meeting

More than 1,000 Farm Bureau members in Kansas will gather Dec. 2-4 in Manhattan for the organization’s 95th annual meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn and Manhattan Convention Center. The meeting will include workshops, discussion of public policy issues, and a one-day meeting tailored to county Farm Bureaus.

Farm wife stumps for whole wheat

Mary Beth Bowers of Marion says she is not an expert, just a farm wife wishing to educate people about crops grown locally. Bowers will be speaking about wheat in her presentation titled “All Wheat Bread is Not Created Equal,” Friday as part of Tabor College’s Lifelong Learning program. “I’ve lived on a farm all my life, and always thought it was interesting we raised wheat but bought flour and bread in town,” she said.

Buffalo heard growing at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

Slowly but surely, the bison herd at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve near Strong City is increasing. Now at 23 head, the goal is eventually to have a herd of 75 to 100 head. The Nature Conservancy owns the herd, but it is managed cooperatively with the National Park Service.

Marion businesses salute farmers

Marion Chamber of Commerce will have its annual Farm/City Appreciation Banquet at 6 p.m. Nov. 25 in the Marion Community Center. The long-running tradition includes a meal of Kansas City strip steak, baked potato, and other sides, Roger Hannaford said.

Tips for beginning horseback riding

Horseback riding has practical applications on a ranch or farm and is also popular as a recreational activity for people of all ages. Horseback riding is generally safe, but there are risks involved whenever someone deals with an animal with the size and strength of a horse. It can also be a nerve-wracking experience for someone the first time they ride a horse.

Centre students go to National FFA Convention

Centre FFA chapter had 16 members attend the National FFA Organization Convention & Expo Oct. 29 through Nov. 2 in Louisville, Ky. During the convention, members heard speeches by 2013 NCAA men’s basketball championship head coach Rick Pitino of the University of Louisville and U.S. Paralympic skier Josh Sundquist. Students attended leadership workshops and the par-law and creed speaking national finals.

Two Tabor students place in NATS competition

Tabor College took nine singers to the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition Nov. 1 and 2 in Emporia, and two performers placed in the top three of their category. Robert Howell and Olivia Kliewer advanced to the finals with four others after performing three solos in the preliminary round and one in the semi-finals. Each placed third.

Concert to donate food for Main Street Ministries

Tabor College Concert Choir and Concerto Bella Voce’s annual Thanksgiving concert at 4 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church will benefit Hillsboro Area Ministerial Association. Donations for HAMA and canned goods for Main Street Ministries Food Bank will be collected.

TEEN meeting is Nov. 20

The Technology Excellence in Education Network will have its regular monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Nov. 20 at the USD 408 district office, 101 N. Thorp St., Marion.

Tampa Christmas events Dec. 8

Tampa will have Christmas events starting at 5 p.m. Dec. 8 with a soup supper. Santa Claus will arrive at 5:30 p.m., and the Cottonwood River Band will give a concert at 6:30 p.m. If you have a Christmas event you want to publicize, email news@marionrecord.com or call (620) 382-2165.

Alexanderwohl setting for Unruh, Ortman wedding

Lindsey Ortman and Austin Unruh married on Aug. 3 at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, Goessel. The bride is the daughter of Stan and Gwen Ortman of Freeman, S.D., and the granddaughter of Marian Brundage of Camp Verde, Ariz., and Arlan and Ellen Ortman of Freeman.

NORTHWEST OF DURHAM:

ROUND THE TOWN:

HILLSBORO SENIOR CENTER:

COOKING WITH...:

Return to current issue