Stories from Thursday, June 7, 2012

My mom suggested to me many times during my growing-up years that I learn to "roll with the punches" a bit more than my adolescent temperament would seem to tolerate. As the years passed, the more I realized the wisdom of that advice. For most farm folks, it may seem like "rolling" with the various "punches" that are currently affecting the rural way of life as well as the farm/ranch economy has progressed to a point of constantly "rolling." All kinds of technology, changes in lifestyle, changes in farming/ranching practices, etc. ...

They tend to cause more sheer misery than any other "insect of summer." Despite being well-known, however, chiggers aren't that well-understood, according to Ludek Zurek, research entomologist with Kansas State University Research and Extension. And, people's mistaken notions can make chigger-related problems worse, as well as overly worrisome. To help counter some of the more popular myths, he offers this quiz:...

Lester Koch, Chanute, Kan., formerly of Fort Scott, will be celebrating his 91st birthday June 13, 2012, at Heritage Health Care. Cake and ice cream will be served to residents, employees and his two daughters, Deb Hand and Kathy Youngberg, along with other family members...

Larry and Loreta (Wood) Jent, Bloomington, Ill., formerly of Fort Scott, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary at an open house from 2-4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 16, at the home of the honorees. Hosts of this special occasion will be their children...

A special Father's Day concert will be held at 9:30 a.m. June 17 at First Christian Church, 101 S. Judson, Fort Scott, Kan.. The Weatherfords, a gospel trio from Paoli, Okla., will perform during the Sunday worship service. The Weatherfords began their ministry under the direction of the group's founder, Earl Weatherford (1925-1992) in 1944 in Long Beach, Calif. Within a few short years they began to develop a distinctive sound which would separate them from the typical quartets of that era...

Tim and Jamie Hughes, Mound City, Kan., and siblings Haylee and Brodie are pleased to announce the birth of their son and brother Gunner Vernon Hughes at 8:27 a.m. June 5, 2012, at Mercy. Gunner weighed 9 pounds and 4 ounces at birth. Maternal grandparents are Kathy and Mark Isam, Ivanhoe, Calif., and Fernando Velarde, Bakersfield, Calif...

Shawn Tyree Grant, 48, Fort Scott, was arrested by the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office at 9:54 a.m. Tuesday on a Bourbon County warrant for nonsupport of a child. He is still being held at this time with no bond. George Fredrike Lorenz, 46, Fort Scott, was arrested by the Fort Scott Police Department at 6:59 p.m. Tuesday for domestic battery, disorderly conduct, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of hallucinogenic drugs. He is still being held at this time with no bond...

100 YEARS AGO (1912) Steve Lotterer and his son, George, have negotiated the purchase of the E.F. Ware business building at 113 Market St. -- one door east of the Aronson store. The sale was made for the Ware estate by J.R. Kearns Realty Co. The Lotterers will open an exclusive furniture, carpet and rug store. ...

If you are a regular viewer of TV you know that there are lots of commercials dealing with remedies for people who find it difficult to fall asleep at night -- people with insomnia. Personally I have never had that problem. Maybe it's a sign of my age -- I'm always tired. ...

The American Red Cross will conduct a blood drive from 12:45 p.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 13, and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, June 14, at Community Christian Church, 1919 S. Horton St. The blood drive has a rock-n-roll theme. "Shake, Rattle and Roll" into a Red Cross blood drive between now and July 31 and donors will be eligible to win a Gibson guitar, courtesy of the Gibson Foundation. ...

The Kansas Historical Society has announced that Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site will present "Turning Points: Mine Creek, the Election of 1864 and Hope for the Union," 1 -- 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 16. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for students...

Although she's been designing jewelry for a decade, it's only in the last year or so that Amy Labbe's business has really taken off. Horizon Group USA, a leader in jewelry making, fashion apparel crafts and kids crafts, recently announced it would introduce Labbe's new Art-i-Cake line exclusively at Michaels arts and crafts specialty stores starting June 15, a news release said...

HAMMOND -- An effort to raise money for a long-standing community building is in the works. The Hammond Community Center Board of Directors will hold a spaghetti feed fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 16, for the facility, which organizers say needs donations for upkeep and repairs...

Having started Mercy Home Health in 1978, the hospital will expand its continuum of care to include hospice starting July 1. Becky Davied, director of Mercy Home Health, will add hospice to her duties and LaShawn Miller, social worker, will join her. The idea came from talking to patients, staff and community members. "Mercy recognized a need and wanted to be able to provide care at all stages of life," Davied said...

Five Kansas legislators, including Sen. Bob Marshall, are scheduled to appear in Topeka today after receiving subpoenas from Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor. Marshall, a Fort Scott Republican, said he received a subpoena about a week ago ordering him to appear at the Shawnee County Courthouse at 9 a.m. June 7. The legislator said he knew there was a chance he would be summoned after not attending a previous meeting with the district attorney's office...

The Fort Scott Hurricanes hosted the first event at the new pool at the Fort Scott Aquatic Center Wednesday night as they faced the Erie club in a Southeast Kansas League Swimming League dual. It's the first of four home swim meets for the team this season. The others are June 20 against Independence, June 27 versus Humboldt and July 18with Iola. The league meet is July 28 at a site to be determined...