Stories from Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Surprise! Surprise! were the words Marjorie Lauber heard as she and one of her sons entered the Keyhole Nov. 11. Margie had reached the big 70 and her eight children and their families planned the big party honoring their mother. Over 50 relatives and friends joined in helping her enjoy the day. ...

With the excitement of the holidays comes the stress of shopping for the perfect gift for friends and loved ones. According to the Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, a non-profit faith-based organization with 17 active living and wellness communities in Kansas and Missouri, the giving of holiday gifts to older adults should concentrate on the activities that those people enjoy doing today rather than earlier in their lives...

Although gift giving can be fun, it can also become stressful for grandparents, who want to give something that their grandchildren will use and enjoy. According to information from the American Association of Retired Persons, grandparents do not have to allow themselves to become stressed out about gift giving during the holiday season...

It was a nice evening for the senior citizens dance at Buck Run Community Center. There were 68 present, and I am sure everyone enjoyed the evening. Before the dance started there were people greeting people and talking about the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and the ball games. ...

The future of the old Fort Scott Middle School building remains unclear, the new owner of the 89-year old structure said Monday. Bolivar, Mo., native James Mayfield, who now lives in Bear Creek, Mo., said over the last several months he has contemplated a few ideas for the 42,000-square-foot building at 412 S. National Ave., which was built in 1918...

Cigna Corporation, a Connecticut-based employee benefits company, said on Monday that it had reached an agreement to buy the health-care unit of Great West Life and Annuity Insurance Company for about $1.5 billion in a move to expand its business in the western United States, a Reuters report said Monday...

One local school administrator is being recognized for her leadership abilities, particularly in the area of music and arts. Fort Scott Middle School principal Barbara Albright was nominated in the Southeast Kansas District of the Kansas Music Educators Association for the KMEA Honor Administrator Award. According to information provided on the KMEA Web site, www.ksmea.org, the KMEA Honor Administrator Award is given to an administrator who has displayed specific leadership qualities...

Jerome Allen Kocimski, age 53, resident of 836 S. Judson, Fort Scott, died Wednesday, November 21st, 2007, in his home. He was born on May 19th, 1954, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the son of Maurice and Joyce Allen Kocimski. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, and worked as a professional financial counselor and minister of the Gospel. ...

Grace Charlize Walker, a girl, was born at 11:14 a.m. Monday, Nov. 26, 2007, at Mercy Health Center to parents Shane and Jana Walker, Fort Scott. She weighed 8 pounds, 2.6 ounces at birth. She joins a sister, Olivia Walker. Maternal grandparents are Sid and Helen Colwell, Fort Scott. Maternal great-grandfather is George Connolly, Fort Scott. Paternal grandparents are Marilyn and Jerry Love, Redfield. Paternal great-grandmother is Oleta Love, Redfield...