Stories from Saturday, February 21, 2009

Gerald W. Peterson, 89, of Oskaloosa, Mo., died at 11:50 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009, at Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center, in Pittsburg, Kan. Mr. Peterson was born July 13, 1919, at Farlington, Kan., the son of Loyd and Eva Garrett Peterson. Gerald was a retired farmer and road grader operator. ...

Norma Marie Golladay, 78, a former resident of Fort Scott, and more recently of Springfield, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009, at the Maranatha Village in Springfield, Mo. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Feb. 23, at the Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow in the U.S. National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 to 5 p.m., Sunday, at the Cheney Witt Chapel...

By early 1864, defending the Kansas/Missouri Border with Union forces was becoming more organized and efficient. The main reason for this was that, once again and for the duration of the war the Department of Kansas had been created from and was entirely separate from the Department of Missouri. ...

Dr. and Mrs. Norman Garton, Nevada, Mo., have been recognized nationally by the American Angus Association for having four registered Angus cows included in the Association's 2009 Pathfinder Report. Only 2,284 of the nearly 33,000 American Angus Association members are represented in this year's report, according to Bill Bowman, chief operating officer and director of performance programs of the Association with headquarters in St. Joseph...

Shortly after we moved from Minneapolis to Nevada, I began hearing that a famous opera singer had been born here. Nobody could tell me which one or when, but it intrigued me. In America, a famous person could've been born in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nothing but the nourishing aura of Possibility. ...

Thinking back over the different dogs I have owned, the acquisition of the German Shorthair came to mind. It started innocently enough as I was offered the chance to become the proud owner of the 7-month-old German Shorthair for free. What could go wrong? At that point, Murphy's Law took over; simply stated, "If anything can go wrong, it will."...

Hi neighbors. Have you seen any robins yet? I have seen several in my yard and around the town. Robins are the most beloved birds in this part of the world, I think. Everyone knows that when the robins show up spring can't be far behind. At first I didn't know if they were new arrivals back from the sunny south; or if they were just some bunch of dummies that stayed the winter. I do hope they are here because some little birdie told them winter is almost over and spring isn't far away...

The Bourbon County Master Gardeners public meeting will be conducted on Monday, Feb. 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the lobby of Citizens Bank NA, 200 S. Main. During the meeting, Rita Arnold of Arnold's Greenhouse will be conducting a PowerPoint presentation and will be speaking about new plants for 2009...

The 2009 annual meeting of the Missouri Archaeological Society will be held April 3--5, at the Resort at Port Arrowhead in Lake Ozark, Mo., which can be reached by phone at (800) 532-3575. This three-day meeting provides a forum for the exchange of information between avocational and professional archaeologists and is vital in helping the Society promote the investigation, preservation, and interpretation of prehistoric and historic remains in Missouri, a constructive attitude toward these remains, and cooperation between avocational and professional archaeologists.. ...

As Kansans continue to struggle with the economic situation, some residents may receive help with their property taxes. According to Bourbon County Clerk Joanne Long, residents of Kansas can receive a refund of up to $700 on their property tax by using the Kansas Homestead Program. ...

The Optimist Inter-national Organization is a group of civic-minded adults gathering together for community service and fellowship in support of area youth. Membership is open to all who have an interest in helping youth. Dennis Desmond, of Marshall, Mo., is working to bring the Optimists to Nevada...

Nearly 100 people gathered in the 3M Clubhouse on Thursday, Feb. 19, to attend a weather spotter training course conducted by the National Weather Service. The event was hosted by the Vernon County Emergency Management Agency. The purpose of the yearly training session is so spotters can "learn more about what to be out there looking for," said Dennis Kimrey, director of the Vernon County Emergency Management Agency...

Fort Scott, Kan. -- For the last 16 years, the Bourbon County Arts Council's annual Fine Arts Competition and Exhibit has given artists from the Midwest and other parts of the country a chance to showcase their talents. Artists will get that chance once again this year when the 17th annual event begins with a reception for participating artists and the contest's judging at 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 11, at the Scottish Rite Temple, 110 S. ...

Fort Scott High School English teachers Polly Herman and Gabrielle Studer are not just teaching their students in the classroom; they are taking their students on an adventure that will allow them to experience the information they are learning in class...

COLONY, Kan. -- Breanna Esslinger's buzzer-beating three-point shot gave Uniontown's girls a 43-42 victory over Crest here Friday night, ensuring that they will finish no worse than third in the Three Rivers League this season. Crest's boys remained unbeaten as they defeated Uniontown, 62-32...

IOLA, Kan. -- Fort Scott High's girls defeated Iola, 39-32, in Southeast Kansas League play here Friday night even though the Tigers played almost to the opposite of what has become their winning formula. Instead of the game being close early with Fort Scott (15-0 SEK, 16-3 overall) eventually pulling away, the Tigers jumped out to a fair-sized lead early and toughed it out as the Fillies (7-7, 8-10) battled back...

IOLA, Kan. -- Fort Scott High boys' head coach Jeff DeLaTorre reminded listeners of his post-game show after Tuesday night's win over Parsons that Iola, despite it's poor season record, would be ready to give the Tigers its best shot here Friday night...