located at 111 E. Main, Mankato, Kansas 66956
Price 50¢
made for MHS
"banquet
Established 1890, .Volume 113, Issue No. 17
USPS, NO. 274-940 Thursday, April 24, 2003
s are being made for the annual
High School Alumni Ban-
24 at the National Guard
Mankato.
eClass of 1953 will host an open
and reception at the old high
from 2 to 4 p.m. which will
touring tile school and a lime
The present high school at
Madison will be open l\)r
2-4 p.m. Saturd.ay.
hour and registration for
"School reunion at the armory is
to 6 p.m., followed by the
have been received and
will be awarded to Man-
School graduates who will
an accredited college or techni-
A total of 14 $100 scholar-
awarded last year. Banquet
include information for
a contribution to the scholar-
Applications for scholar-
be made It) the Alumni
:.,c/o Karcn Morris Ross, 103 N.
West, Mankato.
Classes of 1953, 1958, 1973, 1978,
1983 and 1988 are having reunions or
get togethers and will attend the all-
school reunion at the armory.
The invitation cards have been
mailed to alumni for whom addresses
were available. Former students,
spouses or escorts of members, past
and present teachers, administrators,
employees and past and present school
board members are welcome to attend.
Please contact Verla Graham Houser,
Mankato.
Leslie Bradrick Sanders ('88) has
made arrangements with Critters to
use their DJ for a street dance on Main
Street in front of Critters. Sanders will
bring in some hay bales, but individu-
als attending might want to bring lawn
chairs.
Houser and Ross also would appre-
ciate being advised of any address cor-
rections and updates• Upcoming is-
sues of tiffs newspaper will have cur-
re nt i n form at i on regardi ng th e reu n i on.
approves
improvement
ans in Jewell
lbr the Jewell City Park im-
nents were approved at the re-
Council meeting held
at the city hall. Bids were
d and the council accepted the
onl BC Builders (Butch Crain)
,Cement work; Hcineken Elec-
Plains Landscape for land-
md sprinkler system; Jacob
seeding; Athco Co. for the
ding for the mini-
and Miracle Playground Equip-
It was also decided to install
I the south side of the
Ps judging team
national title
'lor, a senior in agronomy,
the high individual score
nsas State University Crops
as they won the 2003
merican Colleges and Teach-
Crops Contest re-
Murfreesboro. Tenn.
SU team also won this title in
and 2002.
or placed first in identification
Jllomic calculations, second in
practical and l'iflh in agro-
~laced first in the catego-
,on, agronomic calcula-
tory practical and
in the agronomic quiz
church
handicapped
~eSSibllity walk
,'an on an addition to
St. Theresa Catholic
ing. The addition will in-
in flont of the
front steps that will in-
accesaible entrance.
by taking out two
m the front lawn of the
Weeks ago.
dewalk in front
Urch was removed and work
on adding the new steps.
this project began when
the older front steps
loose. The construe-
:lone by Rich's Renovat-
the project will be
end of this month.
In other business, a letter lrom
Jewell County Relay For Life was re-
viewed. It was agreed the city will sell
items no hmger needed at an aucl, ion
today. City Clerk Amy Arasmith re-
ported on attending the KRWA Con-
ferencc in Wichita, March 26 and 27.
The RV parking sign south of town
will be removed next fall before con-
,~truction begins on the new bridge. It
was reported the sewer lift air com-
pressors are being rebuilt.
Darrell Bohnert, John Stoebcr and
Bill Loomis have been reelected and
will be given the oath of office at the
May meeting
Loomis reported on the Olive
Schafer Estate.
The Community Center tax appeal
hearing has been canceled. The clos-
ing has been finalized with Lonnie and
Sheila Myers on the Cost Analysis
House at 212 Venango. Bohnert re-
ported on the Day Care Center.
A building permit Ibr a garage at
611 Delaware was approved.
Those attending the meeting were
council members Da,'rcll Bohnert, Max
BurLs, Jerry Richecky, Frank Shelton,
John Stocbcr, Mayor Bill Loonns,
Clerk Amy Arasmith and City Supe,'-
intendent Carl Knarr.
USD 278 Board
reconvenes session
The USD 278 School Board recon-
vened April 16 to complete the re-
cessed April 14 regular meeting.
Executive sessions were held with
all board members present. Action
from the first set of sessions dealing
with nonelected personnel, resulted in
approval of work agreements for clas-
sified employees as presented by Dean
Schultz, superintendent.
Executive sessions were also held
to discuss matters relating to employer-
employee negotiations. Board mem-
bers, Schultz, and Cathy Dauner at-
tended these sessions with no action
resulting.
The purpose of the third and final
set of executive sessions was to dis-
cuss nonelected personnel, with board
members and Schultz attending. No
action resulted.
The board accepted the resignation
of Arlene Ediger as kindergarten- 12
vocal music teacher for the 2003-04
school year.
}
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Various organizations Sponsored "Easter Egg" hunts throughout the area this past week. Above, Riley G ronewollen
looks for Easter Eggs as he carries a decorated bucket. He is the two-year-old son of Frank and Chanda Gronewollen,
Ionia.
Bodens volunteer to
serve with CASA
With April being proclaimed as Na-
tional Child Abuse Prevention Aware-
ness Month, North Central CASA
(Court Appointed Special Advocate)
has a mission to increase awareness
about child abuse. A Jewell County
couple, Leon and Karen Boden, rural
Ionia, recently w)lunteered to serve
with CASA and received their first
case six months ago.
North Central Kansas CASA is an
organization of adult volunteers dedi:
cared to ensure that abused and ne-
glected children find salE, stable homes.
The w~lunteers are court appoi nted and
serve as an additional safety net to
ensure a child does not get lost in the
court and social service system, and
does not return to an unsafe home.
Nationally, about one-third of the
children who need a caring adult advo-
cate arc assigned one. At the Twelfth
Judicial District, that covers the coun-
ties of Cloud, Jewell, Mitchell, Lin-
coln, Republic and Washington,CASA
w)lunteers assisted 61 children last
Visitors from
Oregon find cat
trapped in cistern
• With help from friends and neigh-
bors, Sherbert is now home alter an
absence of more than a month. Sher-
bert is the family house cat of Steve
and Julie Robbins and their children
Nicholas and Violette, Mankato. The
relationship began on a "rocky" foun-
dation. He was claimed as a stray kit-
ten by the Robbins family alter he
wandered into their yard six months
ago. He soon won his way into the
family's hearts and was nmned Sher-
bert because of his furry orange and
white coat.
A month ago, Sherbert was allowed
outside. The family was alarmed when
he didn't return as usual. A search of
the neighborhood lound no sign of the
cat. Signs were placed around town
and people were questioned to see if
they had seen the missing Sherbert. No
one reported seeing him.
"We had given up hope," said Julie.
Bruce and Myrna Estes of Salem,
Ore., own a Mankato home directly
west of the Robbins' house. They ar-
rived in Mankato last week for the
Easter holiday.
Late in the week, they heard the
. weak meows of a cat but couldn't find
the source of the cries.
They kept looking and finally on
Saturday discovered acat in the cistern
behind their house.
year. More volunteers are needed.
The Bodens first heard of CASA
when a CASA worker was guest
speaker at a meeting at the American
Legion, Jewell, where Leon is a mem-
ber. Karen Boden said,
"We love kids and we have had foreign
exchange students but we~live so far
away from the schools and all our
children are have all gone from home.
This seemed like something we could
do to help children and still have time
for visits and travel to see our family."
The Bodens have four grown children
and four grandchildren.
The Bodens decided to do this to-
gether and Karen said she is glad they
are working together on this, because
of the confidentiality. "This way we
can talk it over with each other and get
each other's opinion." Karen would
like more men to serve as volunteers.
Leon also sees the need tor more
foster care in Jewel l County. There are
presently two Jewell County residents
serving on the NCK CASA board, MaT
Ann Kibbe and Marilyn Joerg, Randall.
"We are the eyes and ears for the
court," added Karen. She said the
judges in this area are good at asking
for CASA aid in cases before the court.
The CASA volunteers, with a court
order can visit doctors, teachers, par-
efits and foster care givers, about a
juvenile they haqe been assigned. They
can even visit one on one with the
juvenile.
A written report is made and pre-
sented to the judge by tile volunteers,
as to the well being of the juvenile. •
"We can make recommendations but
the judge makes the final decisions."
SRS is also involved in the cases.
To prepare for the CASA, the
Bodens had to take training at
Concordia and they have to have 10
hours a year in-service. They also had
to have 8 hours of court room obser-
vance.
Karen told of one juvenile that has
been aided by CASA for I I years and
has had the same CASA volunteer for
all that time. "You can't help but get
close with them."
CASA volunteers only get payment
for mileage and telephone calls made
in this service.
CASA volunteers are said to be
"everyday people from a variety of
backgrounds, who share the desire to
care for some of the most vulnerable
children in their community. Each ad-
vocate is thoroughly trained, so they
can work effectively and with coni-
dence."
The Jewell County Commissioners
Monday approved hiring an additional
full-time employee for the county's
solid waste department. Jim Vaughan,
department director, made the proposal
for the full-lime position who would
be a driver and equipment operator.
The pay scale will be that of a truck
driver assigned to the highway depart-
ment, which is currently a maximum
of $8.95 per hour.
In addition, Vaughan proposed the
solid waste department purchase it's
own semi-tractOr. He reviewed infor-
mation concerning the budget with
these changes. After reviewing, the
commissioners approved the hiring of
a full-time employee and to get quotes
for a used semi-tractor.
Vaughan reported on plans for Ionia
residents to tour the solid waste facili-
ties. The county road and bridge de-
partment has cleaned the lot by the
north east building and he phms to
moved the wood chipper to this area.
a side walk near St. Theresa Catholic Church, Mankato this week. The church plans to build
and a front entrance making the church more handicap accessible.
He believed that it would made it more
accessible to residents to leave brush
as well as to pick up wood chips. The
truck will be stored in the shed once it
is emptied.
'Jim Foster, general superintendent,
leviewed the 2003 budget for the road
and bridge department; special high-
way; special bridge and tower fund. A
500 gallon fuel tank has been pur-
chased to haul fuel to each operator.
He reported a $37,500 savings lor the
six month period of working only lour
days per week. Foster said he is not
replacing employees who quit the de-
partment.
Foster discussed road maintenance
and said the Randall road is next on the
list. He is researching sites to include
in the next grant application. Foster
asked whose responsibility it is to as-
sign addresses for 911. The commis-
sioners consulted Emergency Pre-
paredness Director Don Snyder and
Snyder said he could help.
The commissioners reviewed
Snyder's employment evaluation with
him.
Marilou Gri ffeth reported the bridge
along Section 2 in Odessa Township,
has two stringers broke and planks
loose. Foster advised this bridge will
be on the next grant application but it
could be repaired to get by for the
present. Discussion followed.on re-
pairing the bridge to the east.
Darrell Miller, county attorney, was
granted permission to negotiate with
Ned-post for a postage machine lease
buyout.
Darrel Michael, Robert Davidson,
Walter Brachvogel, Russell Thomas,
Chuck Fowler, Wilmer Bouray, Daniel
McKeown and Bill Roe discussed the
road east of Webber. Michael stated
that the road is rough and asked when
the road would be worked on again.
Foster stated plans are to re-grind and
Tourism group
meets in Jewell
A total of 30 people from North
Central Kansas came to Jewell Thurs-
day for the monthly meeting of the
North Central Kansas Tourism group.
The group first visited the home of
Reed and Marilyn Griest to view their
collection of Lincoln memorabilia.
Some stopped for coffee at The Jewell
and others toured the community.
Later they gathered to tour Salem
Church and the Rooster Palace where
the evening meal was served by the
Kemmerers.
Marilyn Sorenson reported on a
conference she had attended on how to
promote a community at an exhibition,
such as the Kansas Sampler. She
learned that foreign travelers are seek-
ing places to visit in the U.S.
Kansas Sampler is May 3 and 4 in
Independence. Susie Haver, Concor-
dia, reviewed plans for the NCK Tour-
ism tent at the Sampler. Her vocal
group has been chosen to perform on
stage during the festival.
Brochures were discussed.
Thomas Yount, LASR.Net, was
present to explain his website and how
it would help communities.
The next meeting is in Lincoln May
15.
to pull the cat out of the cistern. It is
thought the cistern was the cat's home
As soon as Sherbert came out of the
cistern, he ran to the Robbins home.
When the Robbins tamily returned
home from a family dinner, they saw a
skinny Sherbert waiting for them. Tues-
day reports indicate the cat is eating
well and doing fine.
"We are so thankful to the Estes
family and Mr. Russell for finding and
getting our cat back for us. We thought
we'd never see him again," commented
Julie.
Mankato Weather
Bill Wood, observer
Monday, Apr. 14 83 59
Tuesday, Apr. 1587 49
Wednesday, Apr. 16 87 35
Thursday, Apr. 17 62 34
Friday, Apr. 18 60 42
Saturday, Apr. 19 71 38
Sunday, Apr. 20 48 36
Monday, Apr. 21 56 36
Moisture for the week: .84
skating rink. After a short program
and re fresh ments, a tree will be planted.
National Arbor Day Foundation
recently named Formoso a Tree City
USA in recognition of the citizens'
program to care for community trees.
Mayor Vickie Stafford said, "We
are especially pleased with this honor
as we celebrate our ! 8th year as a Tree
City USA. Trees improve the quality
of life for all our citizens by adding
beauty as well as providing shade,
cleaner air, habitat for birds and small
animals, and reducing noise pollution."
Jolm Rosenow, president of the
National Arbor Day Foundation,said,
"Tree City USA" designation recog-
nizes the work of elected officials,
staff and citizens who plant and care
for the community forest. A commu-
nity and the citizens who recognize
these benefits and provide needed care
tbr trees deserves recognition and
thanks."
/
i~~' ii ~ ~
Reed and Marilyn Griest, dewell, talk with visitors from Washington and Frankfort about their Abraham Lincoln
collection during the North Central Kansas Tourism meeting this week.
JC Commissioners increase Unsure how to reseue the cat, they Formoso plans
placed food and water in the cistern.
Sunday,RichardRussellusedarope Arbor Day event
facility staff Formoso will celebrate Kansas Ar-
solid waste bor Day tomorrow (Friday) at 6:30
for the past month, p.m. at the old school site east of the
