at 111 E. IVain, Mankato, Kansas 66956
Street Su Net 68978
Afeature of The Su
Thursday, August 8, 2002
Price 50¢
Entered into the mail at Webber, Kansas, andSuperior, Nebraska
County farmers opted to plant sunflowers this year which may have been a good choice considering
conditions. Fields of sunflowers are doing well despite the drought. This field is located near Ionia.
Voters cast primary ballots
Only a few hundred Jewell County
voters went to the polls Tuesday to cast
their ballots in a primary election which
contained only one local interest build-
ing race. One person filed for the one
county office to be filled this year.
Several township positions were on
the ballot but only a few had filings and
none had a contest.
The race with the greatest local
interest involved Courtland and Smith
Center residents seeking the state
representative's post in the Kansas
House. Incumbent Clay Aurand, a
Republic County resident, was chal-
lenged on the Republican ticket by
Smith County resident Buck McClain.
Jewell County voters favored Aurand
with a 399 to 134 margin. The Demo-
crats did not field a candidate for the
state representative's post or for the
two Congressional seats to be filled
this year.
For 1st District County Commis-
sioner, the Republican incumbent,
Stanley D. Colson, Mankato, is the
only candidate to file for the office.
Voters gave him 172 primary election
votes.
Most voters going to the polls cast
Republican ballots. At least one voter
went to the polls in each of the county' s
25 townships. Richland Township, a
township which historically has voted
Democratic had only one voter this
election. That voter called for a Repub-
lican ballot.
Republican Party county-wide vote
tallies follow:
U.S. Senate, Tom Oyler, 47, Pat
Roberts, 482; 1st District U.S. Repre-
sentative, Jerry Moran, 501.
Governor and Lieutenant Gover-
nor, Dan Bloom and Eric Bloom, 17;
Dave Kerr and Mary Birch, 235; Bob
Knight and Kent Glasscock, 99; Tim
Shallenburger and David Lindstrom,
173.
Secretary of State, Ron Thomburgh,
406; Attorney General, David Adkins,
188, Phill Kline, 220, Charles D.
McAtee, 85. State Treasurer, Lynn
Jenkins, 358, Dennis M. Wilson, 123;
Commissioner of Insurance, David J.
Powell, 140, Bryan Riley, 84, Sandy
Praeger, 225.
Member State Board of Education
District 5, Connie Morris, 90, I.B.
• addressed related
sunflower processing plant
y Sunflower Pro-
met July 29 at the
home. A conversation
president of National Sun-
Larry Kleingarten in
was accomplished with
Phone.
Kleingarten answered questions
Teens race through
Jewell County
While most Jewell County residents "
were still sleeping early last Wednes-
day morning, about 25 teens ran
through town.
The teens are from Northeast Iowa
and were running from the Pacific Coast
of California to their home in Iowa.
covering 2,056 miles.
The runners and their crews left
California July 21 and were supposed
to reach Wadena, Iowa. Aug. 3.
Members of the group said their
purpose is to raise awareness of a
healthy life-style, to promote their
home area and to raise funds for a
community recreation center in the
Valley School District located in a
rural, mostly agricultural area.
This is the fourth summer for the
run and several runners have made all
four events.
In most areas the rurners are met by
groups of local cross country runners
and members of local organizations
and clubs who accompany them lgr
several miles of the journey. Some
areas they have passed through have
provided overnight accommodations
or meals.
The runners stayed in Garden City
July 29. The next overnight stop was
in Phillipsburg. The runners started
out earlier Wednesday morning and
came into Jewell County at 5:30 a.m.
"They knew they were getting closer
to home and this made them anxious to
start early," a spokesperson said. They
came through Mankato at about 7 a.m.
and the next scheduled overnight stop
was Seneca. They planned to reach
Iowa Thursday.
about processing sunflowers, market-
ing the oil and told of some roadblocks
that might be encountered. He is re-
searching information and contact
people. He did recommend a tele-
conference with people at Texas A&M.
Ionia post office
closed 20 years ago
With the 20th anniversary ofthe brought by a rural mail carrier from the
closing of the Ionia Post Office Aug. 6, Jewell Post Office.
who are doing research and testing of Ruby Sutton, Ionia, remembers her 28
The first Ionia Post Office was es-
tablished in 1871 with Seneca Sum-
mer as the first postmaster. Ruby was
the 14th postmaster tbr this post office.
She said the first Ionia Post Office was
located on the south side of the main
street and was later moved to her home.
At that time, she was also the night
sunflower processing.Groupmembers years of service as the postmaster at
apl¥oved setting up a tele-conference. Ionia and the importance of the local
The coordinator is working on a post office to residents and her.
planning grant through USDA for a Ruby was not only the town's post-
feasibility study and to begin working master but also served as the area tele-
toward a processing plant, phone operator for many years until
the telephone company was sold to
telephone operator for the Ionia Tele-
phone Company. She had worked as a
telephone operator since the day after
she graduated from Ionia High School
in 1935. She later worked as book-
keeper for the telephone company.
Ruby also provided a magazine ex-
change for the area, as magazines were
279 approves round trip
payment for Russians
Southwestern Bell in 1959.
Both the post office and the tele-
phone office were located at Ruby's
home. Ruby delights in showing visi-
tors her west bedroom that once served
as the post office. The only remaining
reminder of the post office is the large
safe, deemed immovable, which was
Russian high ',heel stu-
teachers will enroll at
ptember
stay.
members, after
titles, approved pay-
takes helm
High
HighSchool
is Bruce
Hurford, high
school and jun-
ior high princi-
pal.
Hurford comes
to Mankato
from the
Osawatomie
School District
where he
taught science
education in the middle
various middle-
This is his first ad-
up in Independence,
from Pittsburg
He received his
at Baker University.
Jeannine, is em-
and para-
school buildings.
a a teacher and social ser-
have three daugh-
and Bailey, who
grade, and Lindsey,
ping, fishing
likes to play golf.
s opportunity to live in
It is a good place
and we felt that it is
," Bruce said.
ing for the round trip tickets ($14,875.)
This decision was made at a recent
board meeting attended by Scott
Lienberger, vice president, who con-
ducted the meeting, Chuck Gibson,
Allan Wanklyn, John Kemmerer,
Robin Griffeth and Steph Barrett.
The students will be included in the
Sept. 20 enrollment taken by the state,
plus will factor into the count for the
next two years. Supt. Ron Kelley of-
fered suggestions concerning host
families. Several families have volun-
teered to be hosts. A private organiza-
tion, International Cultural Exchange
Inc., makes arrangements. No federal
dollars are available for the program
now.
One patron was present for the bud-
get hearing. The budget was approved
as published.
Jennifer Englland, vocational ag
teacher, explained the FFA trip to Lou-
isville to the National Convention Oct.
30 to Nov. 2. The farm mechanics team
will compete and four officers will
attend, plus two sponsors. The board
approved furnishing transportation,
paying sponsors' fees and one-half of
each delegate' expenses.
Principal Jeff Travis reported lap-
top computers arrived and teachers are
receiving two days of training from
Robert McCreight. Elementary teach-
ers will receive computer (not lap top)
application training.
Problems are occurring with the
high schoolgym roof. A bid of $22,000
had been received from Ryan Roofing
to repair it. The matter was tabled until
several board members look at the roof.
Supt. Kelley asked for a 10-minute
executive session on a personnel issue.
No action was taken..
The board-staff picnic is Aug. 17 at
per gallon was accepted.
F&A and Beloit Dairy submitted
milk bids. Beloit Dairy's fixed bid of
17 cents per half-pint for 2 percent,
16.5 for 1 percent and 17 for chocolate
milk was accepted.
The resignation of Jacinta Williams
resigned as computer-clerk was ac-
cepted. The position will be elimi-
nated.
Purchase of a new bus was dis-
cussed. John Kemmerer was asked to
meet with Kirby Shamburg to review
new bus data and bring a recommenda-
tion to the next meeting.
A matter concerning real estate
available for sale near the school was
discussed and dismissed as not fea-
sible at this time.
built into a closet by Ruby's husband,
Don, when he remodeled the room.
"It was a happy, fun time when the
post office was here," Ruby said. She
remembers many locals coming to get
their mail and coming on back to her
kitchen forcoffee and visiting. "People
would often bring in cookies, brown-
ies and cake for everyone to eat and the
children would play with my children's
toys," she said.
There was always a quilt in a frame
in Ruby's dining room that the women
would come and help her quilt after
they got their mail.
Though the post office never had a
rural carrier, there were mail boxes for
anyone who wanted to use one. Mail
was placed in a sack and picked up or
Lovewell Lake Fun
Day is Saturday
The Annual Lovewell Lake Fun
Day on Saturday, is sponsored by Kan-
sas Department of Wildlife and Parks,
Lovewetl Lake Association and Ike's
Marina.
The day's events begin with a three
on three basketball tournament at 8
a.m., with divisions for men, women
and youth with a $15 entry fee per team
and an eight team limit per division.
Registration for the 3-D archery
shoot is from 9 to 11 a.m. with catego-
ries for manual or mechanical release
and divisions for men, women and
youth, $5 donation.
Co-ed (three men and three women)
mud and sand volleyball tournaments
both begin at 10 a.m., double elimina-
day (Thursday).
Other events scheduled for the Fun
Day include a casting contest at 10
a.m. and minnow races at 11 a.m., both
at the marina. A lunch will be served
at the marina at noon. A team log race
will begin at noon at the Pioneer Day
Use Area. The waterslide contest will
begin at Pioneer Day Use area at 3 p.m.
New this year will be an Outdoor
Cook OffContest from 8 a.m, to7 p,m.
at Pioneer Day Use Area. ludging is at
6 p.m. with judging tickets reserved
for the first 25 persons. Additional
samples will be available, depending
on availability of food ehtries. Cookoff
entries please pre-register and pick up
registration packet at the park office by
brought and left in the post office lobby
in trade for another. Ruby gave souve-
nir pens to post office customers every
Christmas.
"I lookedforward to every morning
as I always could count on seeing
friends," Ruby said.
When Ruby decided to retire as
postmaster at the age of 66, the post
office was closed. The last mail deliv-
ered the Ionia Post Office went out at
9:30 a.m. Aug. 6, 1982.
The Ionia Post Office window and
mail boxes are now on display at the
Jewell County Museum.
Sonny Rundell, 25.
County-wide vote taliies for ballots
cast for Democratic Party candidates
follow:
Governor and Lieutenant Gover!t
nor, Kathleen Sebelius and John Moore,
58. Secretary of State, David Haley 42,
Attorney General, Chris Biggs, 45;
State Treasurer, Sally Finney, 53. Com-
missioner of Insurance, Jim Garner,
46.
Total voters cast by township in-
cludes Esbon, 31, Highland, 2; Lime-
stone, 6; Whitemound, 10; Jackson,
26; Montana, 8; Richland, I ; Sinclair,
9; Grant, 52; Washington, 7; Center,
171 ; Allen, 6; Prairie, 36; Vicksburg,
8; Buffalo, 77; Brownscreek, 20;
Calvin, 7; Ionia, 14; Athens, 6; Erving,
4; and Uclessa 4. FiEiy-eight voters cast
their ballots prior to the election. The
total number of votes cast in Burr Oak.
Harrison, Holmwood and Walnut was
not available when this story was writ-
ten early Wednesday. Estimates indi-
cate Burr Oak had at least 39, Harrison
7, Holmwood, 10, and Walnut 12. It is
estimated 631 voters went to the polls.
Of these, at least 501 were Republican.
Vote tallies reported here are unof-
ficial at press time. After Tuesday's
work day continued into the morning
hours of Wednesday, election officials
left the courthouse tbr a few hours of
sleep, only return to the job later
Wednesday to continue the process of
double checking and recording the
votes.
This Washington county dog knows better than to bite a lawyer. Phill Kline,
Republican candidate running for Kansas Attorney General, visited Mankato
Friday and handed out campaign material to Bert Alexander and her dog
Daisy.
Classes begin soon
Next week marks going back to
school for teachers and students in
Jewell County.
Mankato teachers report Monday,
students on Thursday. White Rock
teachers also report Monday with the
first day for students on Wednesday.
Monday, Aug. 19 is the first day for
students at Jewell-Randall with teach-
ers reporting Tuesday.
Mankato has new principal
Bruce Hurford is at the helm as
principal for Mankato Junior-Senior
High School.
Others new to the faculty are Don
Blanchet who will teach high school
social science and is head high school
basketball and golf coach.
Dale Dodd will teach junior high
social science and is assistant junior
high football coach. Dodd and his wife,
Pam, who teaches at White Rock El-
ementary, live in Esbon.
Dale True continues as elementary"
principal at Mankato Grade School.
Kelley continues as superintendent
Ron Kelley will continue to serve
as superintendent for USD 278 and
279.
The projected enrollment for Man-
kate schools is 266.
White Rock adds to curriculum
There are no new teachers or ad-
ministrators at White Rock Schools,
however there are new additions to the
curriculum.
Spanish will be taught to elemen-
tary students. At the high school, classes
in anatomy, physiology and multi-
media will be added.
Projected enrollment is 135.
Bill Walker continues as principal-
superintendent:
Jewell-Randall has new music teacher
Dena Stephens is new band and w-
cal instructor for Jewell-Randall schex)ls.
JeffTravis continues as principal for
the 170 students projected to attend.
Russian students are expected to join
the student body at Jewell later in the
year.
More yard art missing
The Jewell County Sheriffreceived
report from a resident Aug. 1 that two
concrete lawn ornaments were miss-
ing from a yard in Mankato.
The sheriff later learned there were
other residents who had noted missing
lawn decorations and ornaments. The
matter is under investigation by the
department.
Mankato Weather
Bill Wood, observer
Tuesday, July 30 97 65
Wednesday, July 31 100 68
Thursday, Aug. I 88 73
Friday, Aug. 2 ? 60
Saturday, Aug. 3 100 72
Sunday, Aug. 4 102 76
Monday, Aug. 5 101 71
Moisture for Aug. - 0
the Jewell Community Center.
Bids for propane were received from
four finns: Propane Central, Farmway,
Jensen Oil and Bob's Inc. The
Farmway fixed lowest bid of 44 cents
tion, $ I 0 entry fee per team, eight team
limit.
Registrations for the basketball and
volleyball tournaments must be re-
ceived by Lovewell State Park by to-
today (Thursday).
There will be live entertainment at
the cookoff area from 6 to 7 p.m. Win-
hers in events with an entry, fee will
receive a plaque and cash pnzes.
Another storage building goes up south of the original Mankato Storage which was constructed earlier this year. The
first unit is filled and there was demand to construct additional storage spaces, Both units are located in the area where
the former Boogaarts store stood. The units are owned by Martha DeNayer, Mankato, and managed by her son-in-law,
Wayne Dunn.
