The closing program for the
Community Vacation Bible School was
held at St. John Lutheran Church
Friday, May 30, with a large crowd
in attendance. The children from
First St. John Lutheran Church and
the United Church were transported
to the program site by a firetruck
with Pastor Dave Hutson and Don
Moffatt in charge.
Annette Riley was in charge of the
music at all churches. Grades 4,
5, & 6 enjoyed showing their skills
by playing the chimes and singing
"Amazing Grace" and "America the
Beautiful." Each group sang the
favorite songs they had learned and
all 77 children joined with gusto to
sing their theme song. A balloon
launch followed on the church
parking lot.
Tamra Portenier and Jeni Wallgren
were the directors at First St. John
Lutheran Church for ages 3 through
Kindergarten with 28 in attendance.
Ashley Bertholf and Ryanne Rahjes
taught the preschoolers; JoAnn
Yoxall, Matraca Forrell and Cheyenne
Grauerholz taught the
pre-kindergarteners; and Tamra
Portenier and Madeline and Jackie
Reneberg taught the Kindergarteners.
Alice Rietzke, Elsie Fiene and Ada
Gaines helped iwth refreshments.
Stacy Cole was the director of
Grades 1 thru 3 with 24 in
attendance at the United Church.
Teachers were Claire Cole, Sharon
Bearley, and Annalee Ratliff with
Emily Blank and Lana Ratliff in
charge of crafts. Stacy and Annalee
were also in charge of refreshments.
Robin Billings and Melanie Molzhan
were the teachers at St. John
Lutheran Church where 24 students in
Grades 4, 5, & 6 attended. Bev
Grauerholz taught the crafts, and
Linda Rahjes served refreshments.
The children were enthusiastic
with some indicating that they would
have liked another week of VBS.
Thanks to the teachers and helpers
who helped make this another
successful and blessed Vacation
Bible School.
Gina Arment Taylor prepared the
following trivia questions about
Kensington High School for the
Alumni banquet. We're sure the
questions will be of interest to all
local graduates.
1. How many other high schools in
the United States currently have the
Goldbug as their mascot/
There are three. They
are Fowler, KS, Alva, OK, and
McKinley High School in St.Louis,
MO.
2. What was the largest class to
graduate from KHS? the smallest?
The largest class was in 1970
with 37; the smallest were classes
1948 and 1991 with ten in each.
There were no graduates in 1899,
1903, 1906, 1911, and 1912.
In the early years, most classes
had between 1 and 8 members.
3. What was the name of the athletic
conference that Kensington High
School belonged to before the
Cheyenne Conference? What other
schools besides Kensington
were in it?
It was the North/South Solomon
League. Other schools were Agra,
Kirwin, Gaylord, Lebanon, Alton,
Portis, and Woodston.
4. What year was the high school
building built? the current
gymnasium? the high school addition?
The high school was built in
1937; the gym in 1960; and the high
school addition in 1967.
5. What year did Mr. Wagner retire?
How many years was Mr. Wagner
Superintendent at KHS?
He retired in 1987 after serving
32 years as Superintendent at
Kensington High School.
6. What year did Athol High School
close to join with Kensington,
making West Smith County High
School?
It was 1956.
7. Between 1897 and 2008, how many
graduates were there from Kensington
High School?
There were 1733 graduates that
received diplomas from
Kensington High School.
Kates to Rep City on June 22
The K-town Kates are planning to go
to the Theatre of the American West
on Sunday, June 22, at Republican
City, Neb. The performance of "Mid
Summers Nite Dream" will begin at 3
p.m. Supper is planned at Little
Mexico on the Lake following the
performance.
Members, spouses, and friends are
asked to meet at St. John Lutheran
Parking Lot (North) to "car pool."
Please let Ruth Levin know if you
plan to atttend. Watch for departure
time as date approaches.
Steve Linstrom of Lafayette, Colo.,
donated an old fragile "Standard
Atlas of Smith County" to the
Library. The book belonged to
Steve's grandmother, Louise (Van Der
Wege) Badenhoop who was from the
Kensington area, and he felt it
would be better served housed in the
local library. Anyone interested in
early Smith County history would
find it very interesting.
Joann Brooks donated the book, "How
to Sleep on a Windy Night--the Story
of Dr. Mary" by Vera Chance Ward and
a book of "Phillipsburg and
Phillipsburg Centennial--1872 to
1972." All three of the above books
will be placed on the "Area History
Shelves."
The Kensington Library Board is
already planning their ice cream
social for Tuesday, July 8 from 6:30
to 8 p.m. Mark your calendars.
Cheryl
Synoground, Mary Arment, Armi
McPherson, Delores Panter, and
Margaret Stockton traveled to
Russell, Ks. Saturday morning,
June 7, to attend the annual
leadership and appreciation tea
for western Kansas Tops
chapters. Tops stands for
Taking Off Pounds Sensible and
is a weight loss support group.
A "Time To Shine in 2008" was
the theme for the day. Kansas
State Coordinator, Beverly
Bednasek, from Valley Center was
the host for the event. She
shared suggestions with
chapters to
help members better serve their
chapters at home. Ideas also
were shared with other
chapters. Delores Panter also
shared her weight loss sotry
with the group and told of her
experiences of being selected as
Tops State Queen.
A
delicious salad buffet was
enjoyed at Meridy's Restaurant.
Several chapters decorated hats
to be auctioned off for a
chapter funraiser. Tops member,
Dee Ann Moore, from Syracuse was
our host auctioneer. A fun time
was had as several very unique
hats were auctioned off.
Athol Tops
meets every Tuesday morning at
8:30 for weigh-ins, followed by
a short program. Membership is
only $24.00 per year. It is not
necessary to stay for the
meeting, but members can come
and weigh-in weekly. For more
information contact Cheryl
Synoground at 695-2343.
Eighteen persons had dinner at the
Senior Center last Wednesday to help
Guy Billings celebrate his 98th
birthday. The group included Stan
and Carolyn Billings, Joan Heide and
Janice Ratliff. Five seniors drove
to Kirwin Friday night to enjoy
Pancake Night at the L & E Cafe.
Pitch will be played Thursday, June
12 at 7 p.m. June birthdays will be
celebrated Thursday, June 19 at
noon. The Food Pantry will be open
Saturday, June 21 from 1 yo 3 p.m.
Pinochle will be played Tuesday,
June 24 at 7 p.m.
Menus
Monday, June 16--Swedish meat balls,
mixed fruit, corn, noodles, cookie
Tuesday, June 17--Lasagna, Italian
blend veg's, tossed salad, garlic
bread, watermelon
Wednesday, June 19--Hot turkey
sandwich, mashed potatoes/gravy,
mixed vegetables, bread, cranberry
pineapple crunch
Thursday, June 20--Pork roast,
steamed cabbage, carrots & onions,
strawberries & bananas, bread,
birthday cake
Friday, June 21--Chef salad,
mandarin oranges, bread stix or crax,
apple crisp
The family of Guy Billings met in
Salina June 6, 7 & 8 at the Country
Inn and Suites for a reunion and to
honor Guy on his 98th birthday. The
group enjoyed a buffet supper at
Coyote Canyon on Friday evening, a
Pizza buffet on Saturday noon and
dinner Saturday night at the Hickory
Tree Restaurant in the "Old
Schoolhouse" in Smolan.
Those in attendance were Guy
Billings, Stan and Carolyn Billings
and Janice Ratliff of Kensington;
Linda, Leonard, Ariel and Eric
Robinson of Smith Center; Rod and
Judy Billings of Colorado Springs;
Scott, Tracy, Katy, and Maddie
Billings of Stillwater, Okla.; Stacy
Chambers of Tulsa, Okla.; Carli
Humphrey and Cadence of Owasso,
Okla.; Dave and Rusty Billings of
Branson, Mo.; Joan and Steve Heide
of Downs; Shannon, Buddy and Neva
Livingston of Lawrence; Saul Heide
and fiancee Pauline Sung of Ottawa;
Dan, Jeanne, Aaron and Jenna
Billings of Hesston; and Brian and
Danielle Stucky of Maize.
A fast moving thunderstorm moved
through Kensington last Thursday
afternoon dumping an inch of rain
and hail the size of marbles to golf
balls which covered the ground. It
broke some windows, dented cars and
pickups on the streets, and did
heavy damage to the wheat fields
near for several miles either side
of Kensington. Weather watchers
had warned that the storm was
approaching at 70 mph and folks
should take cover which kept most
folks scampering for shelter.
Luckily, the hail did not cover much
area, but is another back-set for
farmers in the narrow strip that
received a lot of damage.
Storms developed east of the area
Saturday evening and built back to
the west but only sprinkles fell in
Kensington, but heavier amounts were
indicate several miles east and on
to the Athol and Smith Center areas.
Several young girls from the
congregation dressed in grass skirts
greeted and presented the women and
girls with leis as they entered the
First St. John Lutheran Parish hall
for "Ladies Night Out--Hawaiian
Style" Sunday evening. The hall was
festively decorated in the Hawaiian
theme. Dixie Rietzke welcomed the
guests and a Hawaiian dinner was
served. While the guests were
enjoying their desserts, "Eternity
Focus", four sisters from Lebanon,
provided the entertainment. Several
door prizes were given and everyone
received a "survivor kit" as they
departed. It was a fun and
inspirational night for everyone and
the planning and preparation was
sincerely appreciated by all that
attended.
Bill Rice
fractured a hip last Thursday
and was taken to Mary Lanning
Hospital in Hastings, Neb.,
where surgery was performed
Friday. If all goes as planned,
he will be returned to Prairie
Haven early this week for
further recuperation.
Dan Graber
had quadruple by-pass surgery at
Hays Regional Medical Center
several weeks ago. He was at the
Smith County Hospital for
further recuperation and had to
be returned to the Hays Hospital
last week. His condition is much
improved now.
Friends
are happy to hear that Doug
Kirchhoff of Beatrice, Neb., son
of Lovelle and Elzene Kirchhoff
of Smith Center and the late
Verla Kirchhoff, had a
successful kidney transplant on
Tuesday, June 3, in Omaha, and
he was dismissed the following
Saturday to go home. Everything
seems to be going well.
Bob
Westbrook is recovering at
home from surgery in Freemont,
Neb., last week.
Luetta
Beckman plans to return to her
home in Kensington early this
week. She has been at Deseret
Care Center in Smith Center for
therapy of a dislocated hip.
Janet and
Don Hoverson enjoyed the visit
of Janet's 95-year-old aunt,
Elsie Kusel Beavers of San
Diego, Calif., from May 20 to
June 5. They visited relatives
and friends and also attended
Elsie's Alumni Reunion at Cedar.
On Sunday, June 8, Janet and Don
drove to Goodland for the
Confirmation of their grandson,
Braden McKee, at the Catholic
Church. He is the son of Jon and
Lynda McKee of Brewster.
Darah
Portenier and Melba Hagman took
a trip to Abilene to visit the
Seelye Mansion where Darah got
to bowl on an alley over 100
years old. They went to the
Debold Mansion built in 1880.
They had dinner at the Kirby
Mansion and toured the home
there. At the Heritage Center
Darah rode the carousel that is
107 years old. She especially
liked the Fashion Museum and
Mamie Eisenhower's fashions at
the Eisenhower Museum. The
President's Exhibit is
especially interesting. They
also took the Abilene and Smoky
Valley Railroad trip.
Melba
Hagman visited her cousin in
Greensburg to see the
construction site of his new
home there. They are living in a
FEMA trailor and had spent 3 of
4 nights in tornado shelters
provided for them. Melba went on
to Ashland to visit with friends
and to go to the Cemetery.
Saturday
guests of Dean and Darlene
Miller were Ed and Janese
Erickson of North Platte,
Neb., and Sara Nachtigal,
Isabella and Samuel of Hastings,
Neb. They celebrated Sam's
second birthday.
The David Stephens crew is busy
shingling the United Church of
Kensington. They begin work at 7
a.m. and then take off in the
afternoons when the temps heat up.
Al Lambert left Tuesday for his
first stop to visit Wilma Starks who
is living with her daughter, Kay
Merrifield in Loveland, Colo. He
plans to visit his brother Bob and
three nieces in the Denver area.
Then he and his brother Bob will
travel to Grand Junction, Colo., to
help another brother, Vernon,
celebrate his 80th birthday on
Friday. .
The "Biking Across Kansas"
bikers rode through Kensington about
noon Monday. They all had strong
appreciation for the kindnesses
shown to them in this area as they
travelled through with plans to be
in Smith Center Monday evening.
Rod and Anita Hagman of Buhler were
with Eulonda Hagman and other
relatives over the weekend. They
attended the football games in
Beloit in which their nephew, Ethan
Kuhlmann, and Randall Irving of
Kensington played Saturday. Anita
along with many other relatives and
friends attended the baby-to-be
shower for her niece, April Kuhlmann
Kohrs of Overland Park, at First St.
John Lutheran Parish Hall late
Saturday afternoon hosted by Leah
and Julie Kuhlmann.
Each day begins with greetings, fun
and fitness exercises along with
one-one sessions. Manicures are
given on Monday and the beauty shop
is open. The Men's Club met and
Alaska was discussed. Bingo was
played Tuesday. Favorite candy bars
were discussed Wednesday along with
jungles and rivers.
The Heartland Worship Center had the
Thursday morning Bible study
followed by coffee and cookies with
visiting. Young animals and Chicago
were afternoon topics. Bingo was
played Friday afternoon. The
residents enjoy pizzles, card games,
movies, etc., in the evenings. They
all love to watch the Lawrence Welk
Show on Saturday evenings.
First St. John Lutheran Church had
the Sunday afternoon worship
service.
Visitors signing the guest book this
week were Ken Ratliff and Coleen
Gale with Pearl Ratliff; Bob and Jan
Ziegler, Carole Thompson and Lloyd
and Rita Kleinschmidt with Lucille
Schoeni; Georgetta Kinyon of
Heartland Worship Center with
friends; Maria Seemann with friends;
Anita and Rod Hagman with Dorine
Kuhlmann; Don and Pat Bienhoff with
Douglas and Mae Donovan and Mary and
Montra Jones; Gilbert Kuhlmann with
Betty Kuhlmann; Vernon Kuhlmann with
Doris Kuhlmann; Mike Wangerin and
Joann Brooks with Marie Wangerin.
