60 years ago

june 2, 1966

Sixteen families are newcomers to Marion this week as part of a project by the exploration department of Continental Oil Co. They will be here for several months making a detailed underground survey of a wide band of Flint Hills prairie from Burns to Council Grove.

Eighteen of the remaining 31 members of Marion High School’s graduating class of 1916 had a 50th-year reunion Sunday at Kingfisher Inn at Marion County Lake. Ira O. Scott, now of Hays, who was high school principal at the time, was present as well. Letters were read from two former teachers and from superintendent W.J. Poundstone.

Father Francis Maguire, pastor of Holy Redeemer Catholic church since 1953 and now beginning a new assignment as chaplain of St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, was honored Sunday at a farewell dinner at the parish hall in Tampa.

C.F. Klein, Hillsboro, missed $50 at this week’s Cash Days drawing. Silas Weidenbener received $5. Bob Raleigh, Marion, missed $35; Charles W. Weber, Marion, missed $5; and Mrs. Leland Chizek, Lincolnville, missed $15. First prize next week will be $100; second, $40; third, $10; fourth, $5; and fifth, $20.

Byron C. McCarty Jr., a 1965 MHS graduate and son of Mrs. Carl Covey of Marion and Byron McCarty of Florence, enlisted May 16 in the Navy and is now training in San Diego.

The Lincolnville High School class of 1951 had its 15th-year class reunion May 29 at the grade school in Lincolnville. Two former teachers, Mrs. Dean Batt of Marion and Bill Bumgardner of Parsons, also were present.

The farm home of Mr. and Mrs. Laverne Bina was extensively damaged by fire after a gas explosion Tuesday morning. The fire ruined the furniture and fixtures of their recently remodeled home. Water then added to the damage.

Trinity Lutheran Church, Ramona, will observe its 50th anniversary June 5 with special services at 10:15 a.m. and 2 p.m. and a dinner at noon.

A sharp Babe Ruth ball team combining players from the former Tampa and Pilsen squads swamped Marion 18-1 in the finals Wednesday evening of a novel pre-season baseball tournament.

Marsha Childs, Mary Christensen, Chris Conyers, Donna Endres, Barbara Kohls, Susan Lentz, Karen Siebert, Janet Varenhorst, and Roxanne Zerger had a cookout Wednesday evening at the lake.

A proposed park at the west edge of Marion was discussed Tuesday noon by Marion Kiwanis Club. The project has hit a lull, and club president Matthew Classen has started a drive to spur added interest. Work crews will be organized to complete cleaning and clearing of the park.