RCNews
Feb 17
 
Don’t forget the rodeo meeting Sunday, February 20, 7:00 at the Fire Building in McCracken.
 
On Friday and Saturday Roy & Phyllis Conrad and Albert and Louise Zordell
attended the 2011 Kansas Winter Q Barbque Cookoff at Great Bend, Kansas.  A
total of 60 teams from Kansas, Colo, Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska, Missouri
and Iowa attended.  Chris Zordel of Spearville competed in the competition.  He placed 27th this year and placed 4th place in Pork Butt.  After studying the final score print out Chris and Lee scratched there heads on their Ribs and Chicken but did say their Brisket just didn't turn out as they wanted it to be this year.
On Sat. Neil, Rhonda, Chandler and Ashleigh Allen came from Wichita
for the cook-off.  Becker’s Tire Company, of Great Bend this year is a new
sponsor for the cook-off and gave away a set of 4 tires and rims for either a
small truck or trailer of their choice to the contestants who were in this
year’s competition.  Ashleigh Allen was asked to pick out the winning name of
this years winner of the new set of tires and rims.  The next Great Bend
Cook-off will be held Labor Day weekend this year.

During the really cold, snowy days, I read a couple of very good books; The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard, a Kansas author who lives in Merriam, Kansas. Another book I liked was “Years” by LaVryle Spencer.
 
Bruce and Sue Davis visited with Brian and Lisa Davis and family in Hutchinson on Sunday.
 
The new United Methodist minister, Diane Hill, for McCracken, Otis, Bison and LaCrosse has arrived. She is residing in LaCrosse.
 
February 17, 2011 News
 
Birthdays:  February 17, Tom Rues, Abigail North; February 18, Carl Legleiter; February 19, Greg Buster, James Slemp, Gordon Wimer; February 20, George Hunter, Dustin Albright; February 21, Kirk Herdman; February 22, Doug Whitis; February 23, Lynne Hinman, Tonya Hinman, Sheryl McCaskey, Leslie Sager, Maria Albright, Roger McNair.
 
Anniversary:  February 18,  LeRoy and Jean Herdman.
 
 
 
Our sympathy to the family of Jerry Buxton, 68. who died at Hutchinson on Feburary 5, 2011.  He was born December 14, 1942 in Ransom to Richard C. and Esther Johannes Buxton.  He graduated from Ransom High School in 1960 attended KU and graduated from Fort Hays State University.  He was a newspaper man.  He recently worked for the Great Bend Tribune.  He is survived by his sisters, Willie Ford and Velda Robinson and half-brother, Reggie Buxton.  There will be a private burial later.
 
Congratulations to Scott and Emily Keener on the birth of a son, Owen George.  Owen was born on Monday, February 7, 2011 at Hays Medical Center.  He weighted 9 pounds 5 ounces.  He was born on great-grandmother, Pat Derr's birthday.
 
Jackson McGaughey celebrated his first birthday at the home of his parents, Aaron and Lesley McGaughey, at LaCrosse on Saturday afternoon.  Family and friends joined in the festivities. My apologies for missing his birthday on the birthday calendar.  It was February 11. ct
 
We lived through the snow storm and bitter cold weather so that we could enjoy the warm-up and melting.  We are truly ready for that "early" Spring predicted.
 
The February 20 program at Lecompton's Constitution Hall is set for Sunday at 2:00 p.m..  The topic is "Bad Blood:  The Border War that Triggered the Civil War" by Shane Seley, documentary filmmaker, wide Awake Fil
 
 
Ewan Matthew Bunting was born February 10, 2011 in Topeka.  He was 20-l/2 inches long.  He is the grandson of Dermot and Suzanne Randa.
 
 
 
Kansas History Notes
 
1838
 
Potawatomi Indians were forced to march 681 miles from their homes in northern Indiana to Sugar Creek Mission, located near Centerville in Linn County.  The 61 day journey claimed the lives of 39 along this "Trail of Death".  In 1841 Sister Rose Phillipine Duchesne came to teach the Potawatomi children.  The Mission site and shrine is 7 miles north on Mound City.
(The Explorer)
 
McCracken History Notes
 
February 1911
 
Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Davenport and Mrs. Lander Davenport arrived here yesterday morning from Saguache, Colorado.
 
February 1941
 
The young men of St. Mary's Church sponsored a card party at the McCracken Hardware building Monday evening.  Pitch and pinochle were enjoyed by a large group.  High score for women in pitch was won by Mrs. Emma Start, with Mrs. Rourke winning second.  John Hanson had the high score for men and Thomas Barnes second.  In pinochle Mrs. Thomas Barnes carried off high honors for the women with Margaret Lovitt second, and for the men Joe Unrein was high and Francis Moran second.
 
February 1961
 
Churches in Rush County and western Barton County:  Evangelical UB, Alexander; St. Mary's Catholic, McCracken; First Baptist, Bison; Holy Trinity, Timken; Rush Center Methodist; Bison Methodist; Trinity Lutheran, Otis; McCracken Methodist; Assembly of God, LaCrosse; LaCrosse Methodist; Otis Methodist; LaCrosse Christian; Assembly of God, McCracken; Albert Methodist; Heizer Methodist; St. Joseph's Catholic, Liebenthal; Peace Lutheran, Albert; First Lutheran, LaCrosse; Evangelical UB, McCracken; St. Michael's Cattholic, LaCrosse; Hope Lutheran, Rush Center; Shaffer SDA; Nekoma SDA; St. Mary's Catholic, Loretto.
 
February 1981
 
Xi Zeta Alpha Chapter met Monday at the home of Sharon Hays.  Gloria Blackwell was crowned Valentine Queen.
 
School was dismissed early Tuesday morning when snow and high winds brought blizzard conditions to the county.