Jan 1 2015

Birthdays: January 1, Nathan Anderson; January 2, Bill Greenway, DeAnna Bergquist, Lynette Guy; January 3, Alberta Kreisel, Melvin Simmerman; January 4, Lisa Day; January 5, Darwin Herdman, Clayton Wilson, Deb Gaunt; January 6, Cheryl Lamer, Judy Hugh; January 7, Craig Higgins, Richard Mills

Anniversaries: January 2, Bob and Della Miller; January 3, Trenton and Jana Herdman.

Addie Mills visited with Jack Klee at Centennial Towers in Hays last Saturday. On Sunday she visited with Norbert and Teresa Karlin and Mike at their country home. She also stopped by the Lee Hansen home in Hays and visited with Norris and Darlene Cole and daughter Melanie enroute home.

Judy Dennis arrived Monday by plane to Hays to visit with Carolyn Thompson, her cousin, for a week. On Tuesday, they hosted a Christmas dinner and gifts with Mike, Susan and Shannon Keith and Ben Thompson. On Christmas Eve and day they were guests of David and Janet Dennis in Wichita. They toured the lights on Christmas Eve and saw the ARC light display on St. Paul. They attended Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton on Christmas morning. On Saturday they enjoyed the Dennis Christmas reunion at the home of David and Janet at Wichita with their family the David and Cathy Dennis family and the Eric and Alyssa Dennis family. Also attending were Mike, Susan and Shannon and Danny and Gail Dennis. Judy was overwhelmed by the devotion of Kansans of the birth of the Christ Child which was evident on all the displays and newspapers.

Addie Mills was a Christmas dinner guest of Danny and Marilyn Mills and son Brandon at Gorham.

Marty and Tina Mills were guest of her parents, Bob and Della Miller at Brookville on Christmas

Sometimes sad things happen on New Year's Eve as evidenced by an item in the McCracken History on January 1, 1919. “Frank Kelly, an employee of Perry Yawger, shot and killed him at his home three miles east of McCracken.

We listened again to the Christmas Cantata held at St. Mary’s Church December 7, it is beautiful. It is awesome we have such talent in Rush County. Terry & Peggy Highfill have the cd’s, be sure you purchase one.

Congratulations to Peter & Mariah Messer, Minnesota, who are parents of a baby daughter born December 23, 2014, 7:49 a.m., 20 inches, 7lbs 15 oz. Her name is Aurora Marie Eilts Messer. Grandparents are Roger and Deidre Eilts, great-grandmother, Betty Swartzkopf.

Guests at the home of Walter and Janey Rogers for an early Christmas were: Brenda Keener, Terri & Pete Cox; Debi Rogers; Scott, Emily, Owen & Evelyn Keener; Valerie, Kevin, Lexie, Zoe, Rylin, Kamryn, Quinn & Sadie; Jenny Rogers & Scott Sternkorb.

What a wonderful spiritual inspiration it was to have Mass at St. Mary's church once again for Christmas season. A very special "Thank You" to Father Matthew Kumi for officiating for us. Others also helping with making the Mass possible was Deanna Bergquest, Lector; Kinley Mogeau for a wonderful server, Don Bergquest and John Moran, Usher; and to Nicole Clark and Michele Moran for song leaders. Helping to set up for Mass was Twila Higgins and Marge Moran, Marge Elias for leading the Rosary. It was wonderful seeing some of the former parishioners and their families their along with other out of town guests. Mass was said for Shirley Endsley

Christmas guests of Shirley Higgins were John, Tammy, Jerry, Jodi, Tanner, Jenna, Chuck, Zach, Kayla, Dominic, Lindsey, Nicole, Kyra & Bryant and the new puppy, Payton. Danielle Higgins was an afternoon visitor.

Bruce and Ellen Kershner and Addie Caroline hosted Christmas Eve at their home. Joining as supper guests were Bob House, Bruce & Susan Davis, Clayton, Kershner, Clinton Kershner and Lisa Angell. After supper and gifts, they attended church at McCracken. Christmas Day they visited Frank Kershner at the Rush County Long Term Care then enjoyed a quiet day at home. Clinton and Lisa went to her family's home in Medicine Lodge on Christmas day. Sunday they were all together again and enjoyed supper from Back Door Pizza. Very relaxing Christmas.

Arky & Diana McNair & Charlotte Ochs returned home Thursday from Colorado where they had spent several days with family and friends and enjoyed Christmas. Charlotte had bad luck, fell and broke her wrist. We pray for a speedy recovery.

Mike & Nancy Wiebe, Rich & Mary Lou Higgins, Doug & Mary Higgins, Danielle Higgins, Dezmond & Devin were Christmas guests of Wilfrid & Twila Higgins.

Roy Langdon, John Brown, John Langdon, Clarence Morris & Clarence Morris Jr., Columbia, Missouri came Friday to spend a few days in McCracken.

Congratulations to Tina Johnson who was chosen all-area volleyball coach by the Hutchinson News. She is coach for the Hutchinson High School girls. She became coach 3 years ago & the year before she came to Hutch, they won three matches. They hadn’t been to the Class 6A state tournament since 1998. This year they qualified.

Ron & Cathy Casey, Alex, Catherine & John hosted Christmas at their home in McCracken. Those attending were Leigh & Alicia Rues Barrett; Les & Rose Diehl; Tim Rues, Maddie & Lily; Tom Rues, Mom Arline Rues; Tony & Tomi Rues, Emma, Kate & Will, Thayne & Machree Jones.Austin McGaughey hosted a Christmas Eve get-to-gather for guests: Rob & Helena McGaughey; Aaron & Leslie McGaughey & family; Terry & Helen Showalter; Jason & Jessica Showalter & family; Johnny Mac & Richard Showalter; Holly & Kurt Affleck; Cathy Rues & John. Unable to attend were Diane McFarren & Ashley McGaughey.

Christmas week-end guests of Neal, Amy & Tessa Jacobs in Wichita were: Priscilla, Sandra & Mitchell Jacobs, Chad & Crystal Foust, Anton & Kaden, Jaden, Jenna Jacobs & family.

Dale Elias, Oakley, spent the weekend with his mother, Marge Elias.

History Notes Jan 1965

Phyllis Cheney Dooley is the new chief operator at Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.

Frankie Sauer has resigned as superintendent of the Alexander High School to accept the job as postmaster of the Brownell post office.

Delores Ann Schuckman and Danny R. Rein announce their engagement.

Marvin Foos of LaCrosse is the new manager of the Farmers Union Elevator. Mary, Marvin and family are living in the former EUB parsonage.

Norman and Patty Brack, Salina, are the parents of a son, Steven LeRoy, born December 22, in Salina.

Today’s wheat market $1.42

Alexander grade school defeated the LaCrosse Wolves 47-42 behind their big 6’2” center, Jim Brack. Other players were Wendler, Morgan, Tomlinson & John Brack.

Results of the 4th annual LaCrosse ABC championship bowling tournament were: Doubles, Bill Moran & Diz Washaliski 1179; Bob Fear & Gerald Walker 1171. First place winner in the singles was John Elias with 658. He was also tops in all events with 1849.

Chris Jones, infant son of Thayne & Machree Jones, is a patient at the Hadley Memorial Hospital in Hays.