Columnist recognized for being oldest poll worker on election day in Crawford County

This news reporter gives thanks for the attention received after my picture and the announcement that I was the oldest poll worker -- age 92 -- serving in Crawford County this month. William Klusener brought photographer Sean Steffen of the Morning Sun who took photos while Nikki Patrick did interviews at the Arcadia Community Center that day.

Scott Ball was pictured in the Morning Sun with his friend Gina at the Kansas Jayhawker Clinic in the Allen Field House in Lawrence, KS. They are members of New Hope Services in Pittsburg.

A Valentine banquet was held in Fort Scott Presbyterian Manor in April. Music by the Bill Duling band was enjoyed by all. A picture of tenants Glen and Anne Sewell, who won the nomination for king and queen, was in the April issue of Community Matters. Congratulations to the couple.

The first voter in the Arcadia city election on April 5, was Ernestine Berkey. The last voter was Justin Hency, who was No. 128 -- a very fine turn out for Arcadia. Newly-elected officers are Lilly Coonrod, mayor; Kevin Murphy and Jim Kreiger, council members.

On April 4, three former Arcadians, known to friends as The Three Amigos, met at the home of Bill Dobbins, in Frontenac, Kan., for a surprise party to celebrate his 81st birthday. Amigo Rose Shular Campbell, former student and teacher, provided decorations and food. Amigo Chuck Corporon, former student, provided the entertainment consisting of various quips, witticisms and stories, some of which were true.

According to a Fort Scott Tribune "50 Years Ago" item of l961, there was a dedication of the post office in Arcadia given by F.W. Brinkerhoff, editor of the Pittsburg Headlight and Sun. A large group witnessed the dedication ceremonies.

According to an obituary printed recently about the death of Rudy Werholtz on April 5, 2011 in Lawrence, Kan., we learned that his wife, Mary Peters, former Arcadian, had died in 1991. She was a member of the Arcadia High School Class of l934.

Our Gang Dinner for April has been moved to 6:30 p.m. April 30 at Arcadia Community Center.They are ordering chicken. Cost will be approximately $6-$7 each. Take a dessert if you like. Let the committee know by the Tuesday-Wednesday before the dinner.

At Arcadia Christian church April 10, Vera Parrish gave her birthday offering. Willa Cable read some interesting facts about Arcadia and people they knew long ago connected to the church. We appreciate hearing from Mr. and Mrs. Earl Williams from Fort Scott. Folks are reminded that JOY Class members are still saving Best Choice UPC labels to raise funds for their missions giving. Many not in our church have been helping with this project. Thank you!

A retreat was held at the Shead Farm, rural Garland, this past weekend. Eight students from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa came to the home of Larry and Vickie Shead for the weekend. They arrived late Friday night and returned to Tulsa on Sunday morning. Activities included a walk in the woods, cleaning up branches from last week's wind storm, playing with the animals, a bonfire on Saturday night, watching a Christian video, "The Door," produced by Judy Walters, former Garland resident, doing homework, and enjoying the warm weather. Finals begin in two weeks at ORU and graduation this year is April 30.

Students also made a late- night run to Fort Sccott for ice cream Saturday night. The students came from far and near as well. Two are from Kansas; two from Minnesota; one from Texas; one from Oklahoma; one from Kiev, Ukraine; and one from California. All have interesting stories about how they ended up at ORU. The Sheads enjoyed having this group for the weekend and hope to see them another year.

Forrest and Ernestine Berkey with daughter, Angela, and Kristen and Bethany Redd went to Independence, Mo., to visit Ernestine's sister Eileen and Chuck Wheeler.

He is recovering from a stroke and has bone cancer, but able to be cared for in his own home. The travelers went shopping at Oak Park Mall looking for prom and graduation dresses and visited a music store. They enjoyed pizza at Strombollis and Dairy Queen ice cream in Overland Park.