Stories from Tuesday, September 21, 2010

I know I have mentioned the collection of records that I have acquired by keeping my eyes open when I attend garage sales. But, folks, I have just got to tell you about my terrific buy at a recent garage sale that turned out to be absolutely one of the best ones that I have been fortunate enough to acquire...

September is National Food Safety Education Month. It's a time to call attention to the importance of handling our food safely to prevent illness. This year's promotion highlights four myths that are common among consumers. Myth: Leftovers are safe to eat until they smell bad...

John Nichols Barley, 90, of Bedford, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010. "Nick" was born Aug. 16, 1920, in Mildred, Kan., to John William Barley and Hallie Nichols Barley. He was united in marriage to Mary Ann Budd Barley in Chanute, Kan., on Dec. 27, 1944...

Mildred Louise Riley, age 90, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Friday, Sept. 17, 2010, at the Fort Scott Manor nursing home surrounded by members of her family. Mildred was born on Aug. 8, 1920, in Fort Scott, to George Piercey and Ethel Cupp Piercey. She lived her entire life in Fort Scott...

ABNEY -- Olivia Strick and Adam Abney, Butler, Mo.; are proud to announce the birth of their son, Elijah Allen Hunter Abney. Elijah was born at 2:51 p.m., Sept. 9, 2010 at Mercy Health Center in Fort Scott. He weighed 5 pounds, 4 ounces at birth. Maternal grandparents are Diane Riepert, Butler, and Dietmar Riepert and James Strick. Paternal grandparents are Kim and Randy Abney, Butler...

ROUFS -- Aaron and Roxanna Roufs, and sister Danielle, are proud to announce the birth of their son and brother, Wyatt William Roufs. Wyatt was born at Cox South in Springfield, Mo., on Sept. 3, 2010. He weighed 9 pounds, one ounce and was 23 inches in length at birth...

BOLTON -- Jason and Erica Bolton, Fort Scott; are proud to announce the birth of their son, Cruz Allen Bolton. Cruz was born at 4:35 a.m., Aug. 23, 2010 at Nevada Regional Medical Center in Nevada, Mo. He weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces and was 20 inches in length at birth...

HOOVER -- Jeremy and Teia Hoover, Fort Scott; and siblings Justin, McKienze, Caleb, Sam and Gavin, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter and sister, Maddy Ann Hoover. Maddy was born at 3:35 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2010 at Mercy Health Center in Fort Scott...

PORTER -- Ronnie Porter and Sylvia Grant, Fort Scott; are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Brooklynn Elise Porter. Brooklyn was born at 1:09 a.m., Sept. 18, 2010 at Mt. Carmel in Pittsburg. She weighed 5 pounds, 5 ounces and was 19 inches in length at birth...

SCHNICHELS -- Kara Schnichels, Fort Scott; and siblings Noah and Maria, are proud to announce the birth of their son and brother, Ian Jeremiah Schnichels. Ian was born at 3:37 a.m., Sept. 15, 2010 at Mercy Health Center in Fort Scott. He weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces at birth...

Donna S. Colvin, age 72, of Garnett, Kan., passed away Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010 at the Kansas City Hospice House. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010 at the Garnett Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 7-9 p.m., Wednesday evening at the funeral home in Garnett...

Kenneth Paul Thomas Sr., 58, of Mulberry, Kan., died Friday evening, September 17, 2010 at Via Christi Hospital, Pittsburg, Kan. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, Fort Scott, Kan.

One of the happiest days of my senior years was the day Patty Peterson told me the Old Settlers Festival Committee had chosen me to be the Grand Marshall for the 2010 parade that was held on Sept. 11. Jerry Coonrod was my driver in his big shiny Convertible! It was barely raining when he picked me up after Lilly Coonrod had put my special sparkling tiara on my head -- a gift from Ava Mae Adams. The weather was dry by the time the parade started west on Race Street...

It is time for the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Quilt Show. There will be beautiful quilts to enjoy, demonstrations and more. The quilt show schedule has been changed this year. An extra day has been added so that all who come to the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta will have the opportunity to view the quilts and demonstrations...

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee has chosen to release FSACC President and CEO Vicki Pritchett. Mark McCoy, the chairman of the chamber's government and community quality division, confirmed the committee's decision Monday but would not comment on the reason for Pritchett's dismissal, saying he could not discuss personnel issues...

A co-ed kickball tournament will be held October 2 at Fisher Park as a fundraiser for the Fort Scott seventh-grade boys traveling basketball team. The entry fee is $75 per team. Participants must be high-school age or older. Prizes will be awarded to the first- and second-place teams...

Fort Scott High's girls' golf team finished fourth yet again in a tournament, this time at the Parsons Invitational on Monday. This was also the second of the three Southeast Kansas League designated tournaments, although some non-league teams were invited to make the field a little more challenging as only five league schools field girls' teams...

The Maximized Individual Learning Laboratory at Fort Scott Community College is offering a free Adult Literacy Tutoring Training class. The class is designed for those who would like to help a family member learn how to read, or for those who are interested in volunteering at the FSCC Learning Center...

Due to teacher inservice activities on Monday, Sept. 27, there will be no school for USD 234 students. Classes will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 28.

USD 234 will conduct preschool screenings for children up to 5 years of age on Oct. 1. Children may have vision, hearing, speech and communication, motor skills, socialization skills, and general development screened. The purpose of the screenings is to locate and identify children with possible developmental delays who may need special education preschool and/or related services...

Despite temperatures continuing to feel like summer, Kansas State Fire Marshal Dan McLaughlin says it is time to prepare for the fall holiday season. "Halloween is just around the corner and families will soon start visiting haunted houses, ghost walks and other special amusements ... even though these amusements are intended for family fun, these structures are considered high risk occupancies with regards to fire and life safety," McLaughlin said in a statement...

After nearly three years on the job, Vicki Pritchett will no longer be the president and CEO of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. Mark McCoy, the chairman of the chamber's government and community quality division, confirmed on Monday the decision by the chamber's executive committee to release Pritchett but would not comment on the reason for Pritchett's dismissal, saying he could not discuss personnel issues...

The Fort Scott City Commissioners were updated on two local projects which are sure to improve the community. Nate Lyons, co-convener of the Fort Scott Skatepark Committee, was in attended Tuesday evening's meeting to discuss the future of the skatepark...

PARSONS -- Fort Scott High's junior varsity tennis team finished in fourth place at an eight-team tournament here Monday. Independence won the tournament with 32 points followed by Parsons, Labette County and Fort Scott, all within 2 points of each other...

The family reunion of the descendants of Eldon and Ula Carr Findley was held Sunday, Aug. 8, at the Buck Run Community Center in Fort Scott, Kan. A catered lunch was provided followed by a social hour, prizes and old-time games. Winning the prize for the farthest distance traveled was Julie Hixon, Moscow, Russia; and shortest distance was Floyd and Joyce Findley, Fort Scott. The oldest attending was Doris (Findley) Query and the youngest was Jacob Findley...