November 27, 2014 News

Birthdays: November 27, Cody Prosser, Opal Mills; November 28, Amy Jacobs; November 29, Doug Higgins (65), Shari Turner Mills. Tanner Yohe, Arky McNair; November 30, Arlyn North, Olivia Anderson, Diane McNair; December 1, Frances Casey, Carter Allen Higgins; December 2, Terry Herdman, Marilyn Sommers, Ashlin Rogers, Vern Showalter; December 3, Trevor Steinert.

Anniversaries: November 28, Bob and Paulette Healy Thompson; November 29, Roy and Phyllis Conrad, Fred and Mary Anne Taylor; December 1, Harley and Donna North.

On Saturday the ladies went to Salina on the Rush County Transportation Bus driven by Patty Oborny. Those enjoying the day were Ellen Kershner, Ruth Dellett, Suzanne Randa, Shirley Higgins, Carolyn Thompson and Ann Baus. They shopped and ate at Red Lobster.

Hampton History from the McCracken Enterprise August 5, 1939 about “Uncle Billie” Metz.

W. H. “Uncle Billie” Metz is one of the oldest living settlers of the McCracken vicinity. He homesteaded his quarter one mile north and two miles east, May 14, 1878. He names Jim Littler and Lou Irvin as two other old settlers. He was the first in business in Hampton, where he shod wild horses or any other animal. He said wild ponies were hard to shoe but he had to shoe them. Unless he shod them he couldn't get anything to eat. Nine years after he landed, McCracken was founded. Mr. Metz is now 82. He moved his blacksmith shop to his farm quite a few years ago. Now on account of his sight he does no blacksmithing, but manufactures pocket knives out of old files, etc. The knives are beauties and worthwhile. He sells them for 50 cents to $2.00 to make a living.

Rush County Cantata will be sung at St. Mary's Catholic Church on Sunday, December 7 at 4:30 P.M. Refreshments will be served following the Cantata. Come also to see the beautifully decorated church.

We had a nice letter from Sally Buster. Here is a little about her family .Miles graduates with his Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering in December. He plans to marry Jordan Lohkamp in March in Albuquerque. Hailey is a Junior at Texas Tech. She is President of the Pre-Optometry Society. She is working for a local optometrist in Lubbock. Mariah is a Junior in high school and is involved in all the school activities.

If you need a ‘little bit’ cheering up, walk into the McCracken post office and notice all the beautiful, colorful geraniums courtesy of Michele Moran.

The City of McCracken would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the following people for all of their hard work last Saturday decorating the park and the Community Building. Roger Legleiter, Scott Keener, Rose and Les Diehl, Norma McNair, Chris and Ali Ault and three community service helpers. Thanks much.

Roy & Phyllis Conrad attended the Wichita Symphony Youth Orchestras Fall Concert at Century II Concert Hall on Sunday. Chandler and Ashleigh are children of Neil and Rhonda Allen of Wichita. Chandler, Northwest High School played in what was caled the Repertory Orchestra, second violin. Ashleigh Allen, Wilber Middle School was in Youth Chambers, second cello. The most beautiful song they played was "Danny Boy." It just melted your heart. Their orchestra got to practice with the Wichita Symphony Orchestra.

History Notes September 1965

Beginners in first grade for September are: Jeannie Augustine, Diana McFarren, Sally Irvin, Gail Sloan, Bruce Davis, Tim Rues, Marsha Healy, Bennie Pfaff, Robin Schuckman, Chuck Higgins, Roberta Halbleib, Lynnette Legleiter, Mike Conner, David Harms, Ruth Johnston, Mac Harp, Donna Greenway, Kenneth Higdon, Mark McCormick and Jimmy Casey.

Total school enrollment for Rush County is 1,558.

1966

In Ransom, 80% of the voters in USD 302 turned out to approve a $700,000 bond to build a new high school building.

New teachers in McCracken are: Carolyn Deever, Sonja Conner, Laurel Woods, Guy Conner, Lorraine Norlin, Jeanette Meyer, Reginald Washaliski and Sharon Zier. Gerald Barnes will teach 7th grade in Alexander.

McCracken grade school has an enrollment of 119 with 57 in high school.

The census of agriculture lists 771 farms in Rush County.

The first homecoming for MHS was held February, 1966. Terry Peters was king and Dixie Walker, queen.