Stories from Thursday, December 30, 2010

During the Civil War, or for that matter in any war, thoughts of soldiers far away were often of family, home and hearth. This was especially true during the holiday seasons of Christmas and New Year's and these thoughts were often expressed in the soldier's diaries and letters to their loved ones. ...

On Dec. 17-18, the Fort Scott debate team hosted one of four, 4A regionals. At stake was a trip to the state tournament in January. The top two placers at the four different regionals go on to represent their schools as the final eight in the state...

Philip Tom Barbieri "Tom", 67, born on July 10, 1943, in Arma, Kan., to Philip Barbieri and Mary Fernetti Barbiei, passed away in Brandon, Fla., on Dec. 26, 2010. Tom served his country as a young man in the United States Air Force in Vietnam. He later received a B.S. in Business Administration from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan...

We sat in the back of the rickety van, holding on to each other to keep from tipping over. I'm not sure what I expected, but this wasn't it. The Vineyard Church -- the one Dave and I attend when we are here in Mazatlan, Mexico, -- had offered its members several opportunities for discipleship, and this was one for which I volunteered our family -- ministering to a group of children at a local colonia...

Kansas Forest Service has began taking orders for the low-cost tree and shrub seedlings it offers yearly through the Conservation Tree Planting Program. Shipping season is March 7 (weather permitting) through May 9 which allows landowners to plant their seedlings during the optimal planting season of late March through early April. Landowners are encouraged to place their orders as early as possible, because we do sell out of some species every year...

My grandfather was born in 1888. He has been gone for some years now, but I recall thinking as a youngster about what it may have been like to live in two different centuries like he did. After all, he was already 12 years old in 1900, and then lived another 85 years through most of the 20th century...

Gene and Maxine Dickerson were married Dec. 31, 1950 at the United Methodist Church in Bronson. Family includes their son Joe, daughter-in-law Paula and grandson Tristan Dickernson, of Bronson. Cards may be sent to 1446 5000th St., Bronson, Kan., 66716...