Stories from Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Courtesy of a grant funded by the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas, a group of area children were treated to a viewing of "Horton Hears a Who!" on Saturday at Fort Cinema, 224 W. 18th Street. According to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bourbon County Case Manager Trisha Lashley, the local organization applied for and received a grant, which totaled $948. ...

A group of Nevada High School students recently traveled over the border to visit Fort Scott Community College. The group consisted of more than 30 NHS students -- primarily seniors -- and was organized by NHS English teacher Julie Holland. The tour, which took place Feb. 28, began with a visit to the Gordon Parks Center of Culture and Diversity where Jill Warford, the executive director of the center, spoke to students about Parks' lasting legacy...

Mary O. Gardner, 90, of Arcadia, died at 8:25 a.m. Saturday, March 15, 2008 at Mercy Health Center in Fort Scott. Mrs. Gardner was born on January 29, 1918, in rural Hallowell, Kansas, the daughter of Arthur and Doris Hackney Swearingin. Mary was a homemaker who also worked as a telephone operator in Arcadia, the Census Bureau in Pittsburg, and along with her husband owned and operated the Arcadia Cafe. She attended Oswego Grade School and graduated from Columbus High School in 1935...

John Franklin Lotterer III, 70, formerly of Fort Scott, and more recently of Lake Elsinore, California, passed away at the Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar, California, Thursday, March 13, 2008. He was born April 28, 1937 in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of John Franklin II and Nelda Creola (Burns) Lotterer...

Olivia Paige Walrod, a girl, was born at Mercy Health Center of Fort Scott, Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 4:36 a.m. to parents Jill Schuster and Jarod Walrod, both of Bronaugh. She weighed 7 pounds 12 ounces at birth. She joins one sister, Kaylee Crager. ...

Drayke Christopher Wood, a boy, was born at Merch Health Center of Fort Scott, Monday, March 17, 2008 at 2:28 a.m. to parents Angel Coombs and Daron Wood, Fort Scott. He weighed 7 pounds 14 ounces at birth. He joins four other siblings, Kaylee, Hannah, Justin and Jersee. Maternal grandparents are Russell and Doth Porter, Fort Scott. Paternal grandmother is Connie Broyles, Fort Scott. Paternal Great grandmother is Mildred Bolin, Fort Scott...

100 YEARS AGO (1908) E.P. Bowen, the paint contractor, has quite a line of business from the Kress store people, who seem to think he is just the fellow for decorating their stores. Since he fixed up the interior decoration of their Fort Scott store, they have had him decorate every store they have started in this section. He is now at Parsons...

On Feb. 29 several gathered at the church in the evening for a Leap Year Party sponsored by the U.M.W. ladies. Team games were played then all enjoyed refreshments of finger foods, after which more games were played, along with much visiting. Ideal Chapter 369 O & S members met Feb. 28 with Beverly Davis and Dean Mitchell presiding in the East as Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron...

On March 11, 2008, sixteen members of the Starlite F.C.E. joined a room of ladies in the Cavalry Crossing Dining Hall, where refreshments were served by the residents of Cavalry Crossing. An interesting lesson, entitled "Kansans Move into Health", was presented by Barbara Stockebrand, County Extension Agent from Woodson County. ...

Bronson Chapter #65 met March 13 with 16 members present. Meeting opened in form with Worthy Matron : Geri Reeder, and Worthy Patron: Louis Pool in the East. Worthy Matron read " On the Edge of Spring" and said she saw a robin today. Worthy Patron said the buzzards were back...

This Week at the Capitol We enjoyed sunnier days and warmer weather in Topeka this week, at least outside the dome. Spring officially arrives next Thursday, which is a welcome change after months of snow and flu. The new season also reminds lawmakers that the clock is ticking. Too many priorities have basically been untouched -- including health care, school finance and affordable housing...