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Author: Hays Post

HPD Activity Log March 30, 31 and April 1

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The Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and conducted 21 traffic stops Fri., March 30, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Open Door/Window–2700 block Hall St, Hays; 1:45 AM
Suspicious Activity–400 block E 23rd St, Hays; 3:18 AM
Unwanted Person–1200 block Tamarac Cir, Hays; 5:36 AM
Theft (general)–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 3/29 12 PM; 1 PM
Animal At Large–3500 block Hillcrest Dr, Hays; 8:12 AM
Assist – Other (not MV)–500 block E 20th St, Hays; 10:04 AM
MV Accident-Private Property–2300 block Hall St, Hays; 12:05 PM
MV Accident-Private Property-Hit and Run–3200 block Vine St, Hays; 12:43 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–1600 block E 27th, Hays; 1:42 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–2300 block Donald Dr, Hays; 1:50 PM
Animal At Large–1700 block Elm St, Hays; 2:50 PM
Harassment (All Other)–2500 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 3/16 4 PM; 4 PM
Theft (general)–1500 block E 27th St, Hays; 12:50 PM; 2:45 PM
Found/Lost Property–1300 block E 41st St, Hays; 7:55 PM
Suspicious Activity–2900 block Trinity Dr, Hays; 9:40 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–2700 block Plaza Ave, Hays; 10:14 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and conducted 41 traffic stops Sat., March 31, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Suspicious Vehicle–1900 block Vine St, Hays; 12:10 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–1200 block E 31st St, Hays; 1:08 AM
Domestic Disturbance–1300 block Elm St, Hays; 3:30 AM
Driving Under the Influence–700 block  Vine St, Hays; 4:43 AM
Animal Call–3300 block Willow St, Hays; 10:54 AM
Harassment (All Other)–1700 block Main St, Hays
Disturbance – General–2800 block Augusta Ln, Hays; 2:52 PM
Welfare Check–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 3:01 PM
Suspicious Activity–1600 block Ash St, Hays; 3:47 PM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 5:19 PM
Civil Dispute–1000 block E 41st St, Hays; 5:56 PM
Found/Lost Property–1300 block Marshall Rd, Hays; 6:23 PM
Driving Under the Influence–17th and Vine St, Hays; 11:20 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and conducted 21 traffic stops Sun., April 1, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Unwanted Person–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:25 AM
Aggravated Battery–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:52 AM
Drug Offenses/DUI–1200 block Ash St, Hays; 1:59 AM
Disorderly Conduct–1100 block Cody Ave, Hays; 3:49 AM
Assist – Other (not MV)–3200 block Vine St, Hays; 5:02 AM
Suspicious Activity–2900 block Willow St, Hays; 8:33 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–500 block Ash St, Hays; 9:10 AM
Death by Natural Causes–1300 block E 19th St, Hays; 3/31 9:45 PM; 4/1 9:56 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–1500 block Ash St, Hays; 2:15 PM
Welfare Check–200 block W 12th St, Hays; 3:53 PM
Animal Bite Investigation–200 block W 6th St, Hays; 3:15 PM; 4:05 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–200 block W 8th St, Hays; 3/31 12 PM; 4/1 10 AM
MV Accident-Private Property-Hit and Run–2100 block Vine St, Hays; 10:29 PM; 10:30 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–1500 block Elm St, Hays; 11:11 PM
Intoxicated Subject–Hays; 11:31 PM

Ellis Co. Commission to consider funding for indoor training facility

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By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

UPDATE at 5 p.m. – The Ellis County Commission has removed the indoor training facility from Monday’s agenda and will take up the issue at their next meeting.

The Ellis County Commission will consider giving more than $13,000 to a proposed indoor training facility at Monday’s commission meeting.

In March, a group approached the county about a tax break on property taxes for a new youth indoor facility. The facility does not meet the standards for tax exemption under Kansas law, so the county commission instead proposed the idea of using money previously set aside for economic development to offset some of the tax burden.

According to a memo to the commission from County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes, the commission allocated $47,550 for economic development in 2018. Half of that was set aside for the Ellis County Coalition on Economic Development, but the coalition notified the county it would not ask for the funds.

Jeremy Schmeidler told the commission at its March 12 meeting that the facility will not be able to host tournaments and that it “doesn’t have a direct economic impact.”

Smith-Hanes said counties can spend money for the benefit of the public.

The commission will also consider an agreement for janitorial services at 1105 East 22nd and roof repairs at 2507 Canterbury.

Monday’s meeting is at 5 p.m. at the County Administrative Center at 718 Main St.

NW Kansas schools earn statewide sportsmanship awards from KSHSSA

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KSHSSA

The Kansas State High School Activities Association, through its member schools, defines sportsmanship as those qualities of behavior that are characterized by generosity and genuine concern for others. Further, an awareness is expected of the impact of an individual’s influence on the behavior of others.

The excitement of a basketball game can create concerns for fans, students and officials.

Citizenship/Sportsmanship Rule 52 addresses this by stating: “Win with character and lose with dignity.”

Outstanding sportsmanship is acknowledged each year by presenting sportsmanship certificates, plaques and medals. All 128 high school teams participating in KSHSAA State Basketball Tournaments may qualify for an award. A “rating” system is used allowing schools to compete against a “standard of excellence,” rather than competing against one another.

Schools whose teams did not advance to the semifinal rounds were eligible to receive a certificate if they met the qualifying standards of sportsmanship. Schools participating all three days of the tournament were eligible to receive a plaque for their school and medals for cheerleaders.

A special sportsmanship committee appointed by the KSHSAA evaluated and rated the cheerleaders, school cheering section, adult and non-high school followers, team and coach of each school. The following northwest Kansas schools qualified for sportsmanship awards at the KSHSAA State Basketball Tournaments:

• Quinter: Toby Countryman, principal
• Sharon Springs/Wallace County: Connie Bergquist, principal
• Osborne: Tom Conway, principal
• Plainville: Jeremy Krob, principal
• Thomas More Prep-Marian: Chad Meitner, principal
• Phillipsburg: Todd Bowman, principal

Click here for a complete listing of honorees

NWKDSS to host third annual ‘Tee It Up For Down Syndrome’ golf tournament

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The tournament will be held at the Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course

By C.D. DeSALVO
Hays Post

Since October 2015, the Northwest Kansas Down Syndrome Society has made it its mission to provide accurate and current information, resources, and support for people with Down syndrome, their families and the community. The group spans eight counties and is comprised of approximately 25 families and other supporters of individuals with Down syndrome.

NWKDSS hosts a number of fundraisers throughout the year to help parents of children with Down syndrome and to help provide awareness to the communities by hosting various events. The biggest fundraiser for NWKDSS will be the third annual “Tee It Up for Down Syndrome” golf tournament held on April 27.

“Despite the weather, we still had about 104 golfers last year,” said Alex Green, who was one of the founders of NWKDSS after his daughter was born with Down syndrome nine years ago. “We still raised the same amount of money with our silent auction and the event. Even though the weather did not cooperate, we still had a lot of fun.”

Precision Valley Golf and Bike Center in Hays will be more involved and for the first time, a representative for Dixon Golf will travel to Hays to help promote the event and promote some of their products as well as host a few challenges.

“They’re doing a golf ball challenge, a par-3 challenge and a driving challenge,” Green said. “That’s something that our golf courses haven’t done before here.”

Some of the auction items this year include memorabilia like a basketball signed by the Kansas Jayhawks and a football signed by Kansas State Wildcats head coach Bill Snyder.

Money raised by the tournament over the last three years has provided financial support for the group to be able to do other things throughout the year.

“This year, because of the success we have had with the golf tournament, we are going to have a walk/run in Russell in October because October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. We are also trying to get involved financially with the community and also offer support for some of the organizations for children around the community,” Green said. “We are also sending some members of our group to the national Down syndrome walk at the National Down Syndrome Congress to help further our education.”

The golf tournament will take place April 27 with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. The cost is $85 per golfer and $320 per foursome, which include prizes, greens fees, meal and cart fees. Dinner is catered by TK’s Smokehaus.

For more information, you can contact Alex Green at 785-766-3483 or email [email protected]. You can also visit the NWKDSS Facebook page to register.

Darlene Redmond

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Darlene Redmond, age 84, of Quinter, Kan., passed away March 31, 2018, at Hays Medical Center. Services are pending.

Schmitt Funeral Home of Quinter is handling arrangements.

MADORIN: Eggs and antlers, the joy of discovery

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Native Kansan Karen Madorin is a local writer and retired teacher who loves sharing stories about places, people, critters, plants, food, and history of the High Plains.

One thing I hated about leaving childhood behind was outgrowing the Easter morning search for hidden eggs. Until I discovered shed hunting, the adult equivalent of a child’s Easter egg hunt, I didn’t know a grownup could have so much fun finding dropped antlers hidden by tall grass. My husband introduced me to this spring ritual soon after we met. Discovering that first antler thrilled me the same way finding treasured Easter eggs had.

Any Easter Bunny worth his salt knows how to hide an egg so that finding it is nearly a miracle. Well-camouflaged eggs require a hunter’s eye to zero in on miniscule differences between the hiding place and the colored cackle berry. Mother Nature and male deer combine to practice the Bunny’s trickery on a less sophisticated level when it comes to hiding this bony headgear. By late winter, grasses lose their green and most of their winter russet and gold to turn a tawny color. That tall, sere grass perfectly camouflages these bone-colored antlers, hiding them so effectively a person can step on it before recognizing its presence.

Bucks that don’t become menu selections during hunting season lose their antlers somewhere between January and March. The buck drops one antler at a time, or sometimes both beams shed at the same time. As a result, experienced searchers know look for a second prize in the near vicinity of the first.

Once an antler drops, the fun begins. The best part about this seasonal activity is it isn’t over in one morning. Throughout the shedding season, different deer may lose an antler near the place where one was previously found, often times a bedding area. Shed hunters can return to a site several times and find treasure. We once visited a location near Casper, Wyoming, where herds went year after year to drop their racks. We found fresh antlers as well as weathered, rodent-gnawed beams at this site.

Just as some Easter egg hunters are luckier than others are at finding eggs, some antler stalkers discover more treasure than others. One reason has to do with how often these folks search, but some people have the eye. Over the years, I have found a few antlers while my husband has found many. We know a few individuals who find record numbers every single year. They’ve devised a system that works for them.

I always hoped to find enough of these natural treasures to build an arch similar to the one built of elk antlers in the Town Square in Jackson Hole. Without a lot more work than my spouse and I put into this, that isn’t going to happen. However, I wouldn’t mind taking a lesson from friends who turn their finds into lamps, playing pieces for checkerboards, buttons, drawer and knife handles, and wine racks. Regardless of whether I become an artisan or not, I love recalling that childhood thrill of searching for and finding a well-hidden object, whether it’s an egg or an antler.

Native Kansan Karen Madorin is a local writer and retired teacher who loves sharing stories about places, people, critters, plants, food, and history of the High Plains.

Margaret Elizabeth Ridgway

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Margaret Elizabeth Ridgway, age 97, of Ellis, passed away on Friday, March 16, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society, Ellis. She was born on February 7,1921, at home in WaKeeney, KS, to Beryl (Hanks) and W.C. Wollner and was the third of four children. A cum lauded graduate of Trego community High School, she was a member of the National Honor Society. While in high school, she worked as an usher at the Kelly Theatre in WaKeeney.

She worked as a writer and copy editor at the Western Kansas World in WaKeeney where she met her future husband, Roy LuVerne Ridgway, who was a Linotype operator there. Margaret and LuVerne married in 1941 and made their home at the Ridgway farm in Trego County which was homesteaded by Cleggett Castille Ridgway, LuVerne’s grandfather in 1878. Their only child, Richard, was born in 1944.

The Ridgway farm raised Richard, wheat and beef cattle. After Richard was in school, Margaret worked as a dental assistant to Dr. F.A. Brown in Ellis for several years. Margaret and LuVerne had many friends in the area and made many new ones during their winter trips to Casa Grande, AZ, traveling in and enjoying their Fifth Wheel camper. After a sudden illness and hospitalization, LuVerne died in 1995. Margaret continued to manage and live on the Ridgway farm keeping it as her husband would have kept it.

She was an active member of the Ellis United Methodist Church, the Y.M.P. Club and the P.E.O. and volunteered at long-term-care facilities in Ellis and WaKeeney up until the time she moved into the Meadowlark assisted living facility at the Good Samaritan Center in Ellis in 2010.

She is survived by her son, Richard and daughter-in-law, Krispen of St, Paul, MN, her granddaughter, Erin Zolotukhin-Ridgway (Andrei) and great grandson, Maxim of St. Paul, MN, her grandson Benjamin. Ridgway (Eugenie Chao) of Tacoma, WA.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at the Ellis United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Ogallah Cemetery.

Arrangements in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Ellis United Methodist Church or the Good Samaritan Foundation to benefit the Ellis Good Samaritan Center.

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]

Clarence W. Bieker

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Clarence W. Bieker passed away Friday, March 30, 2018 at his home in Hoxie, Kansas at the age of 83. He was born on August 27, 1934 in Rural Sheridan County to the late Louis and Ludwina (Munsch) Bieker. He was the third of thirteen children. Clarence grew up in Hoxie, Kansas and attended the Hoxie Schools. He entered the United States Army in 1957. He was stationed in Salt Lake City, Utah where he met and married Virginia J. Butcher on July 16, 1959 in Kearns, Utah. After Clarence was discharged from the Army, they continued to live in Salt Lake City for a short while. Clarence and Virginia moved to Topeka, Kansas where their first daughter Kathy was born, to Hoxie where Michele and Lisa were born, moved to Kearns, Utah where Mike was born, to Oberlin, Kansas, to Colby where David was born, finally moving to Hoxie that became their permanent home. Kevin and Christina were born after the final move to Hoxie. They raised a family of seven children.

Clarence was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He worked at several jobs, but he worked most of the time as a service station attendant and retired from the Hoxie Co-op. When Clarence was not working, he loved to fish and garden, hunt, watch sports, bird watch, listen to country music, watch KU basketball, Fox News, “Wheel of Fortune”, old movies, and nature shows like “Alaska, the Last Frontier”. In his younger years he loved to play basketball. He enjoyed getting his mail every day from various charities that he could provide donations. Clarence always had a pack of Double Mint gum in his pocket and a dish full of candy for his grandchildren. Most of all Clarence was devoted to family and loved and cared for them with all his heart. One great memory the family has is when their dad would make pancakes on Sunday mornings after they had all been to church.

Clarence was a member of the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church of Hoxie. All his life, Clarence’s faith was important to him. He felt every day it was essential to pray the rosary and for all the souls in purgatory, something he modeled and impressed upon his family.

Clarence is survived by his loving wife, Virginia of the home; sons, Mike Bieker and wife Laurie of Colorado Springs, Colorado, David Bieker and Kevin Bieker of Hoxie, Kansas; daughters, Kathy Riedel of Quinter, Kansas, Lisa Bieker of Hoxie, Kansas, Michele Mason and husband Michael of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Christina Hall and husband Brian of Sublette, Kansas; brothers, Ralph Bieker of Hoxie, Kansas, Eugene Bieker of Oberlin, Kansas, Alex Bieker and wife Willetta of McCook, Nebraska, and Charles Bieker and wife Sue of Salina, Kansas; sisters, Eleanora Douglass of Afton, Oklahoma, Mary Kay Sanders and husband Bill of Hoxie, Kansas, and Elizabeth Ann Stillman of Hoxie, Kansas; twenty-one grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by parents, Louis and Ludwina Bieker; brothers, Tony Bieker and Harold Bieker; and sisters, Viola Bieker, Barbara Lynn Irwin, and Louise Bryant.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, April 6, 2018, 10:30 A.M. at the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, Hoxie, Kansas with interment to follow in the Hoxie City Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, April 5, 2018 from 11:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. with family receiving friends from 6:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. with a Vigil at 7:00 P.M., all at the Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home in Hoxie. Memorials are suggested to the Sheridan County Benefit Walk and may be sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. Condolences may be left at mickeyleopoldfuneral.com

It has been said, “Kindness is like a seed that when cultivated will continue to grow”. Clarence was a man who loved his Lord, Jesus Christ, and passed that love on to his family so it would continue to grow and be nurtured in their lives. He tended the hearts and souls of all who knew him and made a life that will continue to grow for eternity.

Gola Lee (Brokaw) Williams

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Gola Lee (Brokaw) Williams passed away on Thursday, March 29, 2018 at Redbud Village in Plainville, Kansas at the age of 93. She was born on September 20, 1924 in rural Rooks County, Kansas to the late William J. and Mildred (Liebenau) Brokaw. She grew up in Rooks County and graduated from Stockton High School with the Class of 1942. She later eloped with Eldon A. Williams and they were united in marriage on December 29, 1942 in Santa Monica, California. They were blessed with two children, Terry and Karen.

Gola was a loving hardworking wife, mother, and grandmother. Along with raising her family, she worked as a secretary for several local businesses, the last one being Schult Homes of Plainville, from which she retired. Her home and yard were always decorated with beautiful flower gardens, and she made certain that her grandchildren never ran out of her homemade cookies. She continued to babysit, even for her great-grandchildren, well into her 80’s. Before Eldon passed away they spent several winters in Arizona, and she always loved camping and being outdoors. She was a member of First Christian Church in Plainville, Dorcas Ladies ministry, and Rooks County Health Center Auxiliary.

Gola is survived by her son Terry Williams of Cape Girardeau, MO; daughter Karen Vanhoose and husband Orvil of Plainville; grandchildren Cory and Christy Stahl, Brett Stahl, Kyle Williams, Kim Williams, Kristina Williams, Tyler Williams, Dr. Chuck and Brenda Mader, Dan and Heather Mader, Nikki and Jason Rivers, and Joel and Sheila Vanhoose; and fourteen great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents William and Mildred Brokaw, husband Eldon Williams, and brother Leonard Brokaw.

The Apostle Paul reminds us, “Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love… but the greatest of these is love.” Gola lived her life setting an example, for each of us, how to love one another. For her family, friends, and neighbors, she leaves a legacy that proves, the greatest of these is love.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30am on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Plainville. Burial will follow in the Plainville City Cemetery. There will be no visitation.

Bernard Vohs

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Bernard Vohs was born January 24, 1926 at Plainville, Kansas to Herman and Anna (Griebel) Vohs. He passed away on March 30, 2018 at the Smith Center Memorial Hospital at the age of 92.

Bernard graduated from Plainville High School in 1944. After high school he worked in the oil field industry in different areas in Kansas. In 1947 he married Roberta Rickert in Ellinwood, Kansas. In 1951 they moved to the farm at Gaylord. Roberta and Bernard worked together on the farm many years and raised six children together there. Unfortunately in 1979 the house at the farm was destroyed by fire and they then moved to Smith Center. Bernard took special pride in his corn and cattle. Because of his dedication to his cattle herd the family always had award winning 4-H show cattle at the fair and great meat on the table. Even through sometimes he did get frustrated with the show animals. On many Sundays Bernard would wash the car, Roberta would fry chicken, and then the family would attend church followed by water skiing at Kirwin Lake. In addition to farming Bernard also drove a grain truck for many years.

Bernard loved farming however the most important thing in Bernard’s life was family. Bernard and Roberta especially loved family and enjoyed many years with children and grandchildren until Roberta passed in 1998. He worked on the farm until retirement in 2000. However he always kept an eye on the farm and continued farming as a hobby. In retirement he enjoyed traveling, bingo and casinos with his special friend Mary Lou Gilg until her passing in 2016. Together they saw a lot of new things and won many bingo pots. Bernard’s last day was filled with many visits from family and friends. He passed peacefully in his sleep to join his wife, family and friends in Heaven.

Bernard was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Roberta, brothers Don, Raymond, Leonard and his special friend Mary Lou.

He is survived by his children, Bernadine Siemens(Larry), Bluffton, South Carolina; Carolyn Johnson(Mark), Gaylord, Kansas; Wanda Opdahl(Lorrie), Westhope, North Dakota; Eldon Vohs(Dottie), Belleville, Kansas; Darryl Vohs(Gayle), Smith Center, Kansas; and Rodney Vohs(Maria), Ponte Vedra, Florida; grandchildren include Bret Siemens (Cookie), Sheri French (Wayne), Jeremy Johnson, Rachelle Steckelberg (TJ), Kelsey Opdahl, Kara Opdahl, Kaylene Opdahl Pullis (Travis), Josh Vohs (Staci) , Saige Vohs, Cassie Pflug (Jon), Jessica Zauda, Robert Vohs, Jerod Crough (Jen), Justin Crough; and 20 great grand children.

The family has requested in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to the Bernard Vohs Memorial Fund to be used for Darryl’s Medical Expenses.

Click HERE for service details.

Exploring Outdoor Kansas: Buzzard Sunday in Hinckley

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Steve Gilliland

If you routinely read my ramblings, you know it’s no secret that Joyce and I both like turkey vultures; maybe that’s a testament to our personalities, I don’t know. A few years back, we learned of an old tumble-down building in the middle of a field not far away that had been a vulture nesting site for years. That summer we followed that vulture mother and her 2 chicks until the chicks fledged. We have lots of good vulture pictures in our archives. I’ve done more than one column on turkey vultures, about how amazing birds they really are if you can past the thought of their dietary preference, which makes them so valuable in our ecosystem as God’s clean-up crew.

Vultures are migratory, heading for Central and South America each fall and returning to our area from mid-March to early April, depending on the weather. This year we’ve been seeing 1 or 2 at a time now for a couple weeks. Favorite roosting places for turkey vultures are the old water towers that some small towns still have. In McPherson, KS a spring or summer evening will often find many roosting on the handrail of the old water tower. In Marion, KS a couple hundred routinely spend days soaring over the town and roosting on the water tower hand rail at night. The ultimate tribute to turkey vultures can be found in the northeastern Ohio town of Hinckley.

A legend dating back to the turn of the century has it that the famous “Buzzards of Hinckley Ridge” arrive in the town of Hinckley Ohio every March 15th like clockwork. In the northeast corner of Medina County, just south of Cleveland are a series of cliffs and caverns known locally as old Whipp’s Ledges that are a popular roosting and nesting area for turkey vultures. So popular was the legend that in 1957 the first Sunday after March 15th was dubbed Buzzard Sunday and a festival was planned around the event that still takes place today.

Along with the legend of the vulture’s timed arrival is the story of how that came to be. The story says that when that area was first settled, farmers began losing livestock left-and-right to bears and wolves that were native to the area. Finally the farmers had enough and one fall, a huge mass hunt was organized resembling the coyote drives once popular here in Kansas where hundreds of hunters form a circle surrounding an entire section or township and slowly walk toward each other, tightening the circle.

As the circle tightened, wolves, bears, deer and most wildlife in the area were driven toward the center of the circle, where they were shot. The story goes on to say that after everything was skinned and butchered and all useable meat and hides were taken, the dozens or perhaps hundreds of resulting carcasses were left there for the winter. In the spring, returning turkey vultures were drawn to the scent and sight of the thawing carcasses, and once there to feed, the numerous natural nesting sites among the cliffs and caverns kept them there for the summer and to this day keep them coming back each year.

Sharon Hosko, Manager of Brecksville Nature Center in Cleveland’s metro area, and official “Buzzard Spotter” for Cleveland Metroparks, told me she saw 19 turkey vultures this year on March 15 when the vultures were “officially” welcomed back to Cleveland Metroparks. On Buzzard Sunday the 18th, 41 birds were spotted by her and 28 were seen at the second official spotting station at Hinckley proper. She has helped with the event since 1997 and the most buzzards she has seen in one day were 72 as they arrived on Buzzard Sunday in March of 2011. She estimates possibly 100 vultures remain to call the Hinckley area home for the summer each year.

Turkey vultures are amazing birds, and I often wonder what it would be like to glide and soar above the earth like they can. Everyone likes a good legend, and who knows what about Hinckley’s past that drew the buzzards there in the first place is true, and how much is just legend. One thing for sure is that vultures do arrive in Hinckley Ohio every March 15, and that they continue to arrive every year on Buzzard Sunday also. As an ex-Buckeye myself, I hope to take Joyce there some year to enjoy the spectacle, even if it means Enjoying Kansas Outdoors from afar.

Steve Gilliland, Inman, can be contacted by email at [email protected].

Rita Marie Erickson

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Lifelong Goodland, Kansas, resident Rita Marie Erickson, 90, passed away on Friday, March 30, 2018 at Wheat Ridge Acres in Goodland. She was affectionately known as GMa or GG.

Rita was born on October 21, 1927 in Dodge, Nebraska, the daughter of Adolf and Bessie (Stecher) Evert. When Rita was a little girl, the family moved to Goodland. She attended school in Goodland, and graduated from Sherman County High School in 1945. She married Robert Andrew Erickson in Goodland on May 18, 1948. To this union, six children were born. Rita worked at Safeway for many years before retiring, and then worked as a cook for USD 352 at the Grant Jr. High School.

Rita was very active with Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church serving as President of the Ladies Auxiliary, helping deliver communion to the home bound members of the church community. Rita was also a very active member of the Lowell Coleman Post 1133 Ladies Auxiliary, serving as President and Conductress for several years. Rita is most known for her famous cinnamon rolls, crescent rolls and bread, in addition to making pies for the church fair booth.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Robert, son William, sisters Delores, Wilma, Lorena, Dorothy, and brothers LeRoy, Robert John and Norval.

She is survived by her children; Mary Ann (Mike) Elliott of Goodland, KS, Richard (Teresa) Erickson of Tulsa, OK, Barbara (Kent) Whisler of Manhattan, KS, Phillip (Kathy) Erickson of Goodland, KS and Donna (Bob) Hagans of Severance, CO. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren and twenty-three great grandchildren, as well as two sisters; Loretta Boyington and Norma Graham.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at 10:00 AM MT at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church with Father Norbert Dlabal officiating. Burial will follow in the Goodland Cemetery, Goodland, KS.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM MT at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, with a Vigil and Rosary service to begin at 7:00 PM MT.

Memorials are designated to the Veterans Home of Kansas or to the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Goodland, and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Funeral services are entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland, Kansas.

Thomas More Prep-Marian students win state at FBLA Conference

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Advancing to Nationals in FBLA are pictured from the left are TMP-M seniors Elly Lang, Trae Megaffin, Anna Speno and freshman Hunter Flax.
By SHARRIS COOMES
TMP-Marian FBLA adviser and business teacher

Kansas Expocentre in Topeka hosted the Future Business Leaders of America statewide leadership conference focused on the theme “Elevate Your Future.” Thomas More Prep-Marian competed at the conference on March 28-29. Four students placed at State and will be advancing to Nationals in Baltimore, Maryland June 28-July 1. Placing first as a group were Trae Megaffin, Elly Lang and Anna Speno in Management Information Systems. Hunter Flax placed fourth in Help Desk. Not forwarding to Nationals, but placing tenth was Trae Megaffin in Personal Finance.

“We see extremely tough competition at this conference each year. This was a great accomplishment and I am proud of these young men and ladies,” stated Sharris Coomes. Approximately 1,700 students and teachers and 112 schools attended the event.

“I was surprised about the outcome, but so glad and excited that we made it that far. It was a great way to finish our high school FBLA experience!” said Anna Speno.

Hunter Flax said, “I was quite nervous going in to both of my tests the first day, I was especially nervous going in to finals, and I was even more nervous going into the awards hoping I did good.”

The twenty-one students who competed in various events are pictured front row, Leanne Rack, Anna Speno, Tiffany Pfeifer and Kamryn Hudsonpillar; second row, Lane Werth, Elly Lang, Anne Wasinger, Katelyn Gottschalk, Kaitlyn Burd, Sophia Coulter, Karl Rack, and Hunter Flax; back row, Jack Johnson, Grant Ginther, Sasha Wasinger, Anna Gottschalk, Jackson Schulte, Trae Megaffin, Landon Dinkel, Ethan Rohr and Garrett Pfeifer.

Anne Wasinger added, “I’ve always been interested in medicine and FBLA gave me the opportunity to see the administration side of medicine. I took the Health Administration test. I learned a lot and overall had a great time at FBLA”.

“TMP-Marian provides a rare opportunity for one of the few northwest Kansas schools to participate in such a rewarding experience and offers our students a look into the business world. Business education teaches life-long skills and our FBLA club contributes to that. Many people are under the assumption that business education is only for students who expect to pursue a degree in business. It is my hope that every student will become a responsible adult that has a job; therefore, they will either work for a business or own a business. FBLA and business classes not only offer an education that is valuable to every student, but contributes to the success of our country. Everyone should have a general understanding of how our economy operates and the role that business plays in our country’s well-being, regardless of their career choice,” says Coomes. “It is essential for our students to be able to understand the importance of the various business aspects in both their personal and professional lives, like finance, technology, setting goals and creating fundamental skills in planning and decision-making.”

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