Stories from Friday, February 19, 2010

Making the decision to retire certainly call to mind many reflections and memories. The four long-time teachers from USD 234 react to their retirement and recall their fondest memories from their teaching career. What is your fondest memory of working in USD 234?...

Countless days spent assigning grades and homework will soon come to an end for four local teachers. Debbie Lewis, a second grade teacher at Winfield Scott Elementary School; Glenda Miller, a fifth grade teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary School; Jane Williams, an orchestra teacher at Fort Scott Middle School and Fort Scott High School; and Ron Klassen, a Latin teacher at FSHS; recently announced they would be retiring after the current school year. ...

The Kansas Department of Transportation is sponsoring its 4th annual arts contest that encourages Kansas youth to resist pressure and abstain from drinking alcohol until reaching the legal age limit of 21. The 2010 Sobriety Rocks Scholarship Contest allows Kansas' youth to express themselves creatively through music, art, writing or public service announcement in hopes of winning as much as $4,000 in scholarships. ...

The light at the end of the tunnel is now visible for the Fort Scott Streetscape project. With the installation of the new street lights along Wall Street from Scott and National avenues the end of project is near. According to Fort Scott Economic Director Dale Bunn, the installation of the street lights is the last major project...

Earl "Tinker" Totman, 81, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010 at the K.U. Medical Center in Kansas City. He was born on March 13, 1928 in Arcadia, the son of Lester and Beulah Moss Totman. Earl was raised in Arcadia and had lived in southeast Kansas before moving to Osage City in 1954, where he has lived since...

Charles Daniel Van Buskirk, age 74, resident of rural Mapleton, died Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010, at his home. Services for Charles Van Buskirk will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel.

DAVIDSON-BURNS -- Resa Davidson and Butch Burns, Redfield, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Mckenon Wayne Davidson Burns. Mckenon was born at 7:55 a.m., Feb. 10, 2010 at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Mo. He weighed 2 pounds, 4 ounces and was 15 and 1/2 inches in length at birth...

During the Civil War in Missouri, delivery of the U.S. "Civilian" Mail and "Military" Mail were often successfully disrupted by the Confederate Guerrillas (Partisan Rangers and Bushwhackers). This was accomplished by stopping and stealing the mail from commercial carrier vehicles such as stage coaches or military couriers. ...

If you're ever looking for a party idea, how about an evening of "The Blame Game"? You know how it works. Someone accuses you of doing something and then you come up with as many excuses as possible to prove you're not responsible. Party favors go to the one with the best answers...