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Burlingame invites all to Country Christmas for holiday fun

At a past Country Christmas, the Burlingame Bearcat Band joins the parade after performing during the downtown Christmas tree lighting. File photo.

The Burlingame Schuyler Museum will be open to the public during the annual Burlingame Country Christmas celebration 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. The Burlingame Historical Society along with Burlingame Elementary School will host a Festival of Trees for the celebration. The school will be open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. that day. The museum will have its trees up throughout December. The Christmas room will feature an area for photo ops. Everyone is invited to hunt the snowmen in the museum and win a prize.

The historical society is providing a lunch counter with a seating area in the Schuyler Community Center. The menu will be a choice of Sloppy Joe, hot dog, Mac and cheese, baked beans, chips, and beverages. Serving will start at 8:30 a.m. with breakfast burritos and cinnamon rolls. The community center will be full of crafters and vendors for a great variety of Christmas shopping. A beautiful queen size quilt will be raffled at the community center. The fire department will be hosting an open house with refreshments, prizes, tours of the station, and “meet your fireman” 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The lighted Country Christmas parade begins around 6 p.m. in downtown Burlingame. The annual Christmas celebration features a full day of fun, and everyone is invited.

Burlingame spreads Christmas cheer with holiday home tour

 John and Audrey Ross’ home at 141 W. Fremont St., Burlingame, is one of the homes featured on Burlingame Historical Society’s annual Christmas home tour.

The Burlingame Historical Society will host a holiday home tour, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, during Burlingame’s Country Christmas celebration. Tickets will be available at Schuyler Museum and each home on the tour.

John and Audrey Ross and daughters Gabby, Karah, Maelee, and Reagan have lived in their 1889 Queen Anne Victorian home at 141 W. Fremont St. for four years. The family is rounded out with Annie the dog and Thor the cat.

John works as chief of police at Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority and is in the Kansas Army National Guard. Audrey is a therapist at Christ First Counseling center.

The family enjoys spending time together and watching the girls play sports and dance.

The study and den is decorated formally with a classical tree; The living room tree is a “fun” tree done with the kids collected and homemade ornaments. The master bedroom is displayed as a “Cozy Christmas”, and the foyer is done in Santa Clauses.

Governor announces new path forward on state license plate

Kansas license plates: State pauses production of new design.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Gov. Laura Kelly today announced that the Kansas Department of Revenue will pause production on the license plate design revealed last Wednesday and create a process to receive public input before selecting a final design.

“I promised to be a bipartisan governor, and I think we can all admit – I succeeded at bringing Kansans across the political aisle together in disliking this new license plate,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “I’ve heard you loud and clear. Elected officials should be responsive to their constituents, which is why we are adjusting the process so Kansans can provide direct input on our state’s next license plate.”

One of the challenges of designing a license plate is meeting the primary reason license plates exist: to be clear and easy to read. Kansans will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite design among several that follow guidelines that comply with the needs of law enforcement entities and best practices established by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, including:

  • License plate numbers will be seven digits.
  • Any phrase, motto, or slogan must be placed at the bottom of the license plate.
  • Any graphic must be placed on the right or left side of the license plate number.
  • Graphics must not resemble letters, numbers, or special characters in a way that would interfere with the ability to read the license plate number.
  • Background design must not interfere with the ability to read the license plate number.
  • The license plate must have a light background behind the license plate number, and the license plate number must be black.

The Governor’s Office will share more details soon on license plate options, the voting process, and how this announcement impacts the transition from embossed to print-on-demand plates.

Willing Workers’ hard work adds holiday spirit to Osage City’s Christmas festivities

Willing Workers 4-H Club’s float decorated, loaded and ready to head to Osage City’s Christmas on Market Street parade, Nov. 11, 2023. The float won third place. Courtesy photo.

By Lena Stucky
Club Reporter

The Willing Workers 4-H Club had such a busy week at the first of November. Let’s go over the highlights. The week started on Sunday when the Willing Workers really put the work in our name to use. Members came together to build the float for the Christmas on Market parade. The 4-Her’s worked diligently on the smaller details while the adults worked on the big presents and fireplace.

Tuesday was the annual 4-H award ceremony for 4-H clubs in the Frontier Extension District. At the ceremony each club gets recognized for their work this past 4-H year.

Kyle Stromgren and Sharon Theilen were nominated as 4-H alumni of the year by Willing Workers 4-H members.

We would like to highlight the two individuals that received the 4-H alumni recognition of the year.  Sharon Thielen, who is a part of the Willing Workers Club, organizes our community outreach activities including caroling to the nursing homes, clean up at Smoke In the Spring, and our annual Easter egg hunt.

Also receiving the alumni award was Dr. Kyle Stromgren. Dr. Stromgren is a huge help to all district 4-H clubs, especially during fair time. He does the wellness checks for all animals and then also donates back to 4-H members.

On Wednesday, the Willing Works hosted their appreciation dinner.  This is a time for members to reflect back on the past 4-H year and thank those who helped them.

On Saturday, the Willing Workers ran a bake sale at the Osage County Senior Center to raise money for our club.

The club entered our float in the “Home for the Holidays” parade, earning third place. It was a busy week but members were able to make many memories together.

Happy Thanksgiving from Osage County Senior Center

Hello from the Osage County Senior Center and the Osage County Public Transportation – where things are happening.

We will be closed Nov. 23 and 24 for Thanksgiving, so we want to wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Our potluck will be at noon Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023. It will be the center’s Christmas meal with turkey and ham furnished. Everyone is encouraged to bring a side dish and join us for food, music and good company.

We are trying to learn line dancing every Tuesday at 2 p.m.; come join us, it will be interesting. The ceramics class is up and going it is $5 per class, most supplies are furnished. High Rollers is on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 2 p.m. Maria, from Home Town Health Care, is here to call quarter bingo every Tuesday at 10 a.m.

We are going to the casino on Nov. 28, leaving at 9 a.m. Call now for reservations.

We are doing our shopping trips on the first and third Thursdays of the month, going to Topeka Walmart, Sam’s and Aldi’s. Riders need to call public transportation to make reservations.

Anyone who is in need of walkers or wheel chairs should check with the center, as we do have quite a few to give out.

I am open to all suggestions for activities and or outings.

The center can be rented for events. The rental price will be going up the first of January to $75 a day.

Come and enjoy the fun and activities with us!

For more information, contact the center at 604 Market St., Osage City, or call the office at 785-528-1170, or public transportation at 785-528-4906.

Thanks, Franny
Franny Deters, Osage County Senior Center director

St. Patrick’s to celebrate its Scranton history by opening 106-year-old time capsule

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church will celebrate its 168 years of history in Scranton, Kan., with the opening of a 106-year-old time capsule that was placed when the congregation’s second church was built in 1917. St. Patrick’s is inviting the public to the opening of the time capsule, which had been sealed in the cornerstone of the church at 302 S. Boyle St., Scranton. The public is invited to the time capsule opening, which will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at Scranton Attendance Center, 104 S. Burlingame Ave., Scranton.

Opening of the 106-year-old time capsule will also be part of the celebration of the fifth anniversary of the dedication of the new and current church building at 400 E. Bracken St.

Beginning in 1855, Mass was held in various homes in Scranton, the courthouse in Burlingame, and homes in Carbondale, before a small wooden church was built in Scranton in 1877. This church was torn down and replaced with a larger brick building in 1917. When the brick church was built, parishioners place a sealed copper box that contained the history of Scranton and St. Patrick’s Church, daily newspapers from Scranton and other areas, and various other items and hallmarks, beneath the cornerstone.

In 2018, due to the former church’s foundational problems, a new church was built. When the old church building was torn down, the time capsule was removed and placed in storage.

The time capsule opening ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, but doors will be open 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Scranton Attendance Center for browsing and reminiscing on St Patrick’s Catholic Church’s 168 years of history in the Scranton area. The sharing of memories, generational stories, and photos will be appreciated.

For more information, contact St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at 785-793-2735, or 400 E. Bracken St., Scranton, KS 66537.

Christmas on Market Street: I’ll be home for the holidays!

Osage City is planning for everyone to be home for the holidays, as the town begins the season with the annual Christmas on Market Street, this Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023 in downtown Osage City. The Osage City Chamber of Commerce, sponsor of the day’s activities, has announced the theme for this year’s Christmas opening as “I’ll be home for the holidays!”

The annual event includes a day of fun, goodwill and holiday cheer as Osage City merchants and businesses open their doors for holiday shopping, sales, and prizes. Two ping pong ball drops are scheduled. Those who catch balls with numbers win prizes redeemable at local businesses. The ever popular raffle drawing promises hundreds of dollars in prizes that include goods and services from local businesses. Everyone is invited to stop into local stores for holiday specials, prizes or grab bags, and product demonstrations.

With Santa Claus in town to add his special brand of joviality and cheeriness to the event, the highlight of the evening will be the old bearded one’s ride down Market Street in the lighted Christmas parade. Also featured as celebrity guests in the parade will be the KC Chiefs Wolf and the Topeka High Drum Corps.

The parade gets underway at 6 p.m. after the downtown lighting of Christmas decorations. Here is the schedule of the day’s events.

Osage County school and city unofficial election results, Nov. 7, 2023

A general election in Osage County, Kan., was held Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, with municipal, school board and Frontier Extension District board member candidates on the ballot. Results will not be official until canvassed by the Osage County Commission at 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. The following are Osage County’s unofficial results of the election as released Tuesday night.

Threat by juvenile locks down Burlingame Schools Monday morning

BURLINGAME, Kan. – The Osage County Sheriff’s Office has reported a threat against Burlingame Schools prompted a school lockdown this morning. A suspect has since been identified and taken into custody without incident.

The sheriff’s report said that at approximately 11 a.m., Nov. 6, 2023, after officials learned of the potential threat, the Burlingame school resource officer and school officials placed the school under a shelter in place status, which was then followed by a lockdown.

Additional deputies responded to the school and local area to search for the suspect, who has only been identified as a juvenile. The suspect was located by Burlingame police and taken into custody at 11:40 a.m.

The sheriff’s report didn’t describe the nature of the threats, but Osage County Sheriff Chris Wells thanked students and parents who had reported the threats.

The sheriff’s office asks anyone with information about the incident to contact the Osage County Sheriff’s Office at 785-828-3121, or to remain anonymous, contact Osage County Crime Stoppers at 877-OSCRIME or 877-672-7463.

Community Christian School invites all to one-act play and supper

Community Christian School, Overbrook, Kan., will present the stage production of The Cop and the Anthem, Friday, Dec. 8, and Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. The curtain rises at 7 p.m. A meal will be served starting at 5:30 both nights. The whole evening is free of charge, with donations accepted.

The Cop and the Anthem is an original one-act play based on the famous short story by O. Henry. The cast and crew comprise students ranging from third grade to high school. Props, costumes, and set design are all the work of the students. The Cop and the Anthem is written and directed by Kevin Stone, a local playwright. Performances will be at Grace Community Church, 310 E. Eighth St., Overbrook, Kan.

For more information about the play or the school, see CCSkansas.org, or contact Stone at ccs.kansas@gmail.com, or 785-220-5076.

Melvern celebrates autumn by gettin’ down on the farm

Melvern is getting “down on the farm” for fall, and is inviting everyone to celebrate at the Melvern Fall Festival, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in downtown Melvern. The morning will start off with a biscuits and gravy breakfast at Melvern Community Center.

This year’s festival will feature a tractor and small engine show, and Stone and Sparrow Farm Mill and a flour mill demo. Everyone in the Melvern community and surrounding area is invited to bring their tractors or small engines in to display. There will be a few prizes.

Also at the event,  Melvern Pride will be hosting its first tractor pedal pull for kids 4-12, who can qualify for the state pedal pull. Adults won’t be left out and can try their hand at the tractor pedal pull – fun for the whole family.

For more information see Facebook – Events: Melvern Fall Fest Down on the Farm, or contact Lisa Litch at 785-549-3676.

Melvern Fall Fest “Down on the Farm”
Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023
Schedule of events

  • 7-10 a.m. – Pride Breakfast, Community Center
  • 8 a.m.-noon – Fall Market, Community Center
  • 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. – Tractor and Small Engine Show – registration opens at 9 a.m.
  • 9 a.m.-2 p.m. – Food Trucks
  • 9 a.m. – Canvas Painting Accented Art with Mary
  • 10 a.m. – Pedal Tractor Pull registration
  • 10:30 a.m. – Pedal Tractor Pull – Kids event with adults to follow
  • 10 a.m.-1 p.m. – Face Painting
  • 10 a.m.-1 p.m. – Touch a Truck
  • 12:30 p.m. – Down on the Farm Barnyard Blitz Fun Run (starts at the Marais des Cygnes Valley High School parking lot.)
  • 1 p.m. – Games, Cow Patty Bingo and more
  • 2:30 p.m. – Tractor Parade

General Election 2023: Where to vote in Osage County

The Osage County Clerk’s Office has announced that polls will be open on Nov. 7, 2023, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at all of the following locations:

  • Grace Community Church, 310 E. Eighth St., Overbrook
  • Elm Community Center, 228 Main St., Carbondale
  • Lyndon Community Building, 204 Topeka Ave., Lyndon
  • Melvern Community Center, 141 SW Main St., Melvern
  • Osage City Community Building, 307 S. First St., Osage City
  • Schuyler Museum Annex, 117 S Dacotah St., Burlingame
  • Scranton Community Building, 300 Boone St., Scranton

In addition, early voting starts Oct. 31, 2023. Voters can vote at the Osage County Clerk’s Office on the second floor of the Osage County Courthouse, 717 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, during regular business hours. In person advance voting ends at noon Monday, Nov. 6.

Voter registration for the Nov. 7 general election closed on Oct. 18, 2023.

Sample ballots for each township, district or municipality are available at https://www.osageco.org/343/Sample-Ballots.

General Election 2023: Municipal candidates in Osage County

A general election in Osage County, Kan., will be held Tuesday, Nov, 7, 2023, with municipal and school board candidates on the ballot. The following are candidates in local municipal races in Osage County.

General Election 2023: School board candidates in Osage County

A general election in Osage County, Kan., will be held Tuesday, Nov, 7, 2023, with municipal and school board candidates on the ballot. The election also includes board members for Frontier Extension District. The following are candidates in local school board races, which include school districts located in or partially in Osage County.

NWS issues flood warning for Lyndon area; flash flood warning for east central Kansas

The National Weather Service is warning of localized flooding in the Lyndon, Kan., area Wednesday, and possible flash flooding across Osage, Franklin and Coffey counties at mid day.

The NWS flood warning is for Salt Creek at the south edge of Lyndon, which was approaching flood stage of 10 feet as of 6:46 a.m. today, Oct. 25, 2023, when the warning was issued. Minor flooding is forecast with flood effects expected to end by Thursday morning.

NWS reports that at a flood stage of 10 feet, Salt Creek is bank full and minor lowland flooding begins in a farm field west of the U.S. Highway 75 bridge, near the south Lyndon city limit. At 14.3 feet, water overflows the north bank of the creek and flows into fields north of Salt Creek east of the U.S. 75 bridge. At 16.0 feet, South Berryton Road floods three miles east of Lyndon. The creek is expected to rise above flood stage of 10 feet this morning, and crest at 14.5 feet this afternoon. It is forecast to fall below flood stage this evening.

Tuesday’s overnight rain, estimated at three to nine inches locally, has also resulted in NWS issuing a flash flood warning for Osage County, northwestern Coffey County, northwestern Franklin, which is in effect this morning until 10:30 a.m.

At 6:24 a.m., Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area, with between three and nine inches of rain having fallen overnight. At the time of the warning, flash flooding was ongoing or expected to begin shortly. Flash flooding can occur on small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses, and other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

NWS warns of areas on Interstate 35 between mile markers 144 and 153, and 169 and 181, which are known to flash flood. Other locations that can experience flash flooding include Ottawa, Osage City, Lyndon, Centropolis, Lebo, Pomona, Quenemo, Melvern, Reading, Olivet, Pomona Lake And Melvern Lake.

NWS warns that most flooding related deaths occur in vehicles and drivers should heed the saying, “Turn around, don’t drown” when encountering flooded roads. Drivers are advised to be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding.

Osage County Senior Center: All invited to Nov. 1 potluck dinner

Update: The next senior center potluck dinner will be 12 noon Nov. 1, 2023, with the band to follow. This will also be the center’s traditional Thanksgiving meal.

The Sewing Chicks give quilts to Osage County veterans. Any area veterans who have not already received a quilt from them is asked to come in and sign up for one. They also have a beautiful veterans quilt for raffle this month; tickets are $1 for 1 or 6 for $5, the drawing will be Nov. 11.


Hello from the Osage County Senior Center and the Osage County Public Transportation – where things are happening. The Sewing Chicks have a beautiful fall quilt up for a raffle so stop in and get your tickets.

The Lunch Bunch is going to Smoked Creations, in Ottawa, leaving at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 27. Casino trip leaves at 9 a.m. on Oct. 24.

John McGrath will be here to help with choosing the right Medicare Supplement plan, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Oct. 26; stop in and make the right plan for you. Oct. 28, the trip to Ottawa Opra to see Lorena Prater will leave at 4:30 p.m.

Herms Foot care is here Oct. 19 and 24.

We are going to try and learn to line dance at 2 p.m. every Tuesday – it will be interesting. The ceramics class is $4 per class, most supplies are furnished. High Rollers is 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursday afternoons. Home Town Health Care is here to call quarter Bingo at 10 a.m. every Tuesday; come and enjoy.

We are doing our shopping trips on the first and third Thursdays of the month going to Topeka Walmart, Sam’s and Aldi’s. Riders need to call the transportation department to make reservations.

The senior center crafters are in need of donations of buttons and lace if anyone has any they would like to donate.

I am open to all suggestions for activities and or outings. The center is available to be rented for events.

Come and enjoy the fun and activities with us!

Thanks, Franny
Franny Deters, Osage County Senior Center director

NWS reports weather radio outage for Osage, Coffey counties, surrounding area

The National Weather Service reported today, Oct. 24, 2023, the Halls Summit NOAA weather radio is off the air due to a circuit issue, causing a weather radio outage for the area served by the transmitter. NWS reported technicians have been notified and are working to repair it, but there is no estimated restore time.

From its location at Halls Summit, Kan., Coffey County, about seven miles southwest of Waverly, the transmitter broadcasts at 162.425. It covers an area that includes Osage, Lyon, Coffey, Anderson and Franklin counties, and portions of Shawnee, Douglas, Allen, Woodson, Greenwood, Morris, and Wabaunsee counties.

Neighboring transmitters that service some of these areas include WZ2512 at Parker, broadcasting on Ch. 6 or frequency 162.525 MHz; WXK95 at Chanute, broadcasting on Ch. 1 or frequency 162.400 MHz; KID77 at Kansas City, broadcasting on Ch. 7 or frequency 162.550 MHz; WXK91 at Topeka, broadcasting on Ch. 4 or frequency 162.475 MHz.

Franklin County Historical Society to share history of Spiritualism in evening presentation

OTTAWA, Kan. – Spiritualism, a movement that involves attempting to communicate with the dead, spread across the world during the 19th century and even found its way into Franklin County history. The Franklin County Historical Society will host Katie Keckeisen’s presentation “Beyond the Veil: A History of Spiritualism,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at the FCHS Archives and Research Center, 2011 E. Logan St., Ottawa, Kan. The program will also be available online via Zoom and Facebook Live.

It seems one of the eternal questions that has plagued humanity centers around what happens to us when we die. Most modern religions try to tackle this question, but none did so with more fervor than modern Spiritualism. What started in a cabin in New York with two young girls quickly spread across the globe. Soon, spiritual mediums who claimed they could communicate with the dead could be found in almost every town in the nation.

Katie Keckeisen’s presentation, “Beyond the Veil: A History of Spiritualism,” examines the emergence of this religious phenomena, its connections to the Civil War and World War I, and how it led to a battle of words between the creator of Sherlock Holmes and the greatest magician of all time.

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