Stories from Saturday, August 16, 2008

Looking at my backyard in early August, with the temperatures blistering hot, one of nature's wonders appears every year. More than 50 years ago, the former owners planted surprise lilies behind the house on Horton Street, and every year, regardless of how dry or hot it is, they manage to push their graceful stalks up through the ground and provide a summer treat of beauty. ...

When the library of the late Ken Postlethwaite, former columnist for this newspaper, came up for sale a few years ago, I bought, among several other of his books, a volume entitled "The World of George Jean Nathan." When I was a teenager (back in the 1950s), I fell under the sway of H.L. ...

Richard Leroy Harper, 84, of rural Fort Scott, died Friday, Aug. 15, 2008, at Mercy Health Center following a brief illness. Funeral arrangements for Richard Harper will be announced by Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main.

Eula May Holloway, 83, former resident of Burlington, Kan., died Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008, at Medicalodge, of Fort Scott. She recently moved to Fort Scott to be near her son, Dr. Randall Hholloway. Funeral arrangements for Eula Hollaway will be announce by the Jones Funeral Home, in Burlington. Local arragenments by Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main...

April Hancock and Davey Stone, of Milo, and big brother Brandon, are proud to announce the birth of their son and baby brother Axl Stone. Axl was born at 1:14 p.m., on Aug. 7, 2008, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. He weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces, and measured 20 1/4 inches...

Aug. 14 There were reports of a 911 call in the Nevada area, a trash dumping in the Nevada area, a vehicle theft in the Sheldon area, debris in the road in the Sheldon area, civil matter in the Nevada area, a theft in the Arthur area, debris in the road in the Nevada area, a theft in the Walker area, a 911 hang up in the Nevada area, a 911 wrong number in the Nevada area, a road blockage in the Moundville area, a domestic dispute in the Moundville area and an ambulance request in the Nevada area.. ...

Fort Scott, Kan. -- The founder and leader of the pro-life organization Operation Rescue, Randall Terry, will address event attendees at 7 p.m. on Sunday in the Fort Scott High School Auditorium, 1005 S. Main St., Fort Scott. According to a press release, Operation Rescue is the largest civil disobedience movement in American history, accumulating more than 70,000 arrests for peaceful protest. ...

Fort Scott, Kan. -- An entertainment company's plan to film a televised reality program in Fort Scott may have encountered a glitch along the way. In Demand Networks recently announced its plan for a 15-person production crew to film episodes of a new TV show called "Wack Pack at the Christy's," a program that is offered through digital cable by Howard TV On Demand, a service named after noted radio personality Howard Stern. Howard TV is an affiliate of In Demand Networks...

Fort Scott, Kan. -- Both current and prospective small business owners will have the chance to learn how to grow and develop their business through upcoming professional counseling sessions. Counselors representing the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State University will be available on two upcoming dates -- Aug. ...

Three area students won recognition for their superb writing abilities in a recent writing contest. The Joplin Writer's Guild conducted a writing contest for young writers on May 1. Entering the contest proved to be successful for Melissa DeCocq and Ashley Aden both of Nevada, in addition to Jakob Roberts, Fort Scott...

Nevada, Mo. -- "I paint on about anything," 85-year-old Francis Colvin said. She stood in her basement studio, in the midst of dozens of paintings on media ranging from canvas to tiles to glass to stones she collected while spending one winter near Lake Powell, in Page, Ariz...

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Randy L. Blancett, son of Sharon Blancett of Kansas City, Mo. and Lee Blancett of Butler, Mo., is currently deployed with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 (MWSS-172), Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Okinawa, Japan...

Mr. and Mrs. Larry Schwartz, of Sheldon, Mo., will observe their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 24, 2008. Larry Schwartz and the former Patricia "Patty" Houdeshell, of Richards, were married on Aug. 24, 1958, and have lived in the present area since 1964. Both are retired, listing hobbies or interests as old things for him and quilts and sewing for her...

To honor Everett and Ruby Forkner's golden wedding anniversary, their children will host a 50th anniversary event Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008. The Forkners were married Aug. 31, 1958. The event, which is open to all friends and family, takes place from 3-6 p.m., at Rinehart Christian Church, Route 1, Box 547, Richards, Mo. A planned program begins at 4 o'clock...

Jay and Julie Leek, of Fort Scott, announce the engagement of their daughter, Jaymie Elizabeth Leek, to Patrick Daniel Murphy, son of Pat and Janet Murphy, of Fort Scott. Jaymie and Patrick will be wed at the Northwoods Wedding Chapel in Nevada on Saturday, Aug. 30...

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- About 100 athletes reported to when Fort Scott Community College Aug. 7 to prepare for the upcoming football season. Practice began Aug. 9 and will continue through Aug. 28. After that, the Greyhounds make the long trek to Kilgore, Texas, to take on the defending champion of the Southwest Junior College Football Conference, Kilgore College, on Aug. 30...

Also: hunters can begin making plans for 2008-09 duck season ----------------------------- The dog days of August don't bother fishermen like Bob Harper, Independence, Mo. Harp-er welcomes August because that is when he catches the largest fish of the year...