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Category Archives: People

Lyndon Leaders stay involved in fairs and community over the summer

August 09, 2018   Contributor   No comments

Lyndon Leaders judge livestock at Osage County Fair, from left, Breckyn Peterson, Kendall Young, Morgan Young, and Brynna Peterson.

By Garrett Shoup
Club Reporter

The Lyndon Leaders 4-H Club kicked off a great summer by participating in 4-H Camp and the Melvern and Osage County fairs.

The club had seven members attend 4-H Camp at Rock Springs. Upon returning was the Melvern fair, where the club entered their projects and participated in the parade with a float commemorating the Royals winning the World Series in 1985.

The following week, June 27, 2018, was the Osage County Fair, which involved many memorable events: project competitions, conference judging, livestock judging and livestock shows (just to name a few). The club also entered a float in the Osage County Fair Parade with a red, white and blue baseball-themed float called “Bats off to the Red, White and Blue!”

On July 9, many club members attended the 4-H Day Camp, held at Pomona Lake. Activities included making bird feeders and kindness rocks, learning about pollination, going on a scavenger hunt trail, and ending with a water fight.

At the end of July, the club did community service projects that included picking up Memorial Day flowers at the Lyndon Cemetery. They also pulled weeds in the Lyndon school landscaping. They celebrated their hard work with a cookout and pool party at the Lyndon Pool.

The Overbrook fair will be the last big event of the summer. It has been a very busy season, but one they won’t forget!

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Washington Leadership Conference focuses on growth, leadership, community service

August 08, 2018   Contributor   No comments

Representing MdCV FFA at the U.S. Capitol, Grace Bradley, Kaelin Criqui and Bayleigh Lacey.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Marais des Cygnes Valley FFA members Grace Bradley, Bayleigh Lacey and Kaelin Criqui, along with other FFA members from throughout the country, converged on Washington, D.C., this past summer to analyze their personal skills and interests, develop leadership skills, and create a meaningful community service plan that will make a difference in their home communities. More than 2,100 students participated in the 2018 Washington Leadership Conference, the second-largest student experience that the National FFA Organization hosts each year. MdCV FFA members attended from June 12 to 17, 2018.

MdCV FFA members spent a week under the guidance of professionals, counselors, and FFA staff members. In workshops, seminars and small groups, FFA members focused on identifying and developing their personal strengths and goals while undergoing comprehensive leadership training that will help them guide their local FFA chapters. Students also analyzed the needs of their communities back home, developed a wide-range and high-impact community service initiatives and implemented their plan with the help of their FFA chapter upon return home.

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Unofficial primary election results for Osage County, Aug. 7, 2018

August 07, 2018   Wayne White

Here are the unofficial election results for Osage County in the Aug. 7, 2018, primary election, as released by the Osage County Election Officer. Write-in votes not included in totals.

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Chamber names ‘yard of the month’ at Osage City

August 04, 2018   Contributor   No comments

Dee Cason’s yard was recognized as “Yard of the Month” for August.

August marks the third month of recognizing Osage City’s “Yard of the Month”, sponsored by the Osage City Chamber of Commerce.  The Chamber has announced that Dee Cason’s yard has been selected for the month of August. Even through the lack of rain and hot weather the past month, Cason has managed to keep her knock out rose bushes and flower beds surrounding her home looking beautiful. Her home is located at 231 Safford St., Osage City.

The Chamber’s Yard of the Month recognition is during the months of June through September. The selection of the yard takes place during the first few days of each month. In appreciation of the beauty and hard work for the selected yard, the home owners will receive a $25 Osage City Chamber Buck Certificate to be used at any Osage City business.      

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Hidden History: Building Burlingame bridge was just one of Switzler’s adventures

August 02, 2018   Wendi Bevitt   2 Comments

John Switzler’s namesake creek forms a natural city limits in northeast Burlingame, as shown in the foreground on a historical illustration and satellite photo.

By Wendi Bevitt

The Santa Fe Trail crosses a small drainage known as Switzler’s Creek as the trail enters Burlingame from the east. This crossing has been in existence for traffic since the trail was created, if not in the time before history was written. The small drainage known formerly by the name “Bridge Creek” gained its name from John Switzler, a trader who was present at the birthplace of the Santa Fe Trail, and made the crossing at Switzler Creek possible.

When Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821, the trading center of Santa Fe could finally become a target of trade with the American frontier. That same year, William Becknell led an expedition from Franklin, Missouri, to Santa Fe to gather furs, as well as find a viable route to that center of commerce.

The route was already known to Native Americans as a series of trails across their plains from the Missouri River Valley to the southwest. Franklin would be the beginning of Santa Fe Trail traffic for several more years and home to notable traders like Kit Carson, and lesser known ones such as John Switzler.

Switzler and his brothers took part in the Santa Fe trade. His brother Michael ran a boarding house and stable, and supplied the westbound traffic.

John was not only active in the trade between Taos, New Mexico, and Franklin, but also provided mules to the traders making the journey. When traders would head out on an expedition, they would normally travel in groups, each man carrying a good rifle, dependable pistol, four pounds of gun powder, eight pounds of lead, and rations for 20 days.

By 1822, Becknell had secured a route to Santa Fe that was accessible to wagon traffic, making travel easier. Starting in 1825, Becknell mapped the route and Colonel George Sibley was put in charge of an expedition to survey the route and secure safe passage for the travelers through treaties with the Native American tribes. Part of Sibley’s responsibilities required him to make the route easier to travel, and in 1826 he paid John Switzler $200, presumably to build the bridge over Bridge Creek, later known as Switzler Creek.

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Chamber names July yard of the month

July 18, 2018   Contributor   3 Comments

The Osage City Chamber of Commerce has named its July “Yard of the Month”. Martin and Linda Jones’ yard at 223 Lord St., Osage City, has been selected this month.

Selection of yards, June to September, takes place during the first few days of each month. In appreciation of the beauty and hard work for the selected yard, the residents receive $25 in Osage City Chamber Bucks to be used at any Osage City business.

“Even through the lack of rain and hot weather, the owners are continuing to try to keep their yards groomed and looking nice,” said Chamber executive director Jeanette Swarts.

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4-H exhibitor results for the Osage County Fair, June 27-30, 2018

July 12, 2018   Wayne White   No comments

4-H clubs’ barn quilt contest placings: North Osage, 1st; Willing Workers, 2nd; Vassar Blue Ribbon, 3rd; Lyndon Leaders, 4th; Burlingame, 5th; Clover Wranglers, 6th; Melvern Jr. Highline, 7th. Photo thanks to Osage County Fair Association.

The Osage County Fair Association has released the 4-H exhibitors’ results of the 2018 Osage County Fair, held June 27-30, 2018. Keys for placing and 4-H clubs is at the bottom.

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Open class results for the Osage County Fair, June 27-30, 2018

July 12, 2018   Wayne White   No comments

Canned goods, jams and jellies not only earned ribbons, they also will be used to stock the shelves of home pantries.

Placings of open class exhibitors at the Osage County Fair, held June 27-30, 2018, at Osage City, were released by the Osage County Fair Association as follows.

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2018 Osage County Fair livestock exhibition results

July 10, 2018   Wayne White   No comments

Round robin winners and participants, from left, judge Lauren Prill, KSU Meat Science, Josie Thompson, swine division, Ainsley Corwine, goat division, Morgan Woodbury, beef division, Grace Croucher, swine division, Kinsley Garrison, goat division, Garrett Croucher, beef division, Addyson Easter, sheep division, and Shayne Miles, horse division. Photo thanks to Osage County Fair.

Winners of livestock exhibitions and the round robin showmanship competition have been released by the Osage County Fair Association, for the fair held June 27-30, 2018, as follows. (Ribbon key and 4-H club key are at the bottom.)

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Red, white, blue and hot for the Osage County Fair Parade

July 06, 2018   Contributor   No comments

Conklin Plumbing’s first place float was red, white and blue from top hat to bottom.

By Jeanette Swarts
Osage City Chamber of Commerce

The annual Osage County Fair Parade, sponsored by the Osage City Chamber of Commerce, was Thursday evening, June 28, 2018. The theme for the parade this year was “Hats Off to Red, White and Blue”.

Diane Michael, parade chairman, did a fantastic job coordinating a variety of entries including the Boy Scouts of Osage City starting the parade as flag bearers, emergency vehicles, including city and county law enforcement, ambulance and fire department, parade marshal Mary Lou Estes, Mr. and Mrs. Osage City Jerry and Marilyn Giesy, floats, golf carts and ATVs, band, politicians, antique tractors, and horses. Even though the heat index was very extreme at parade time, participants were eager to have a great time and the spectators seemed to enjoy the entries.

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Kansas educators attend tri-state conference at Rock Springs

July 05, 2018   Wayne White   No comments

ROCK SPRINGS RANCH, Kan.- Forty educators from across Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Nevada attended the Tri-State SAE Conference, held June 27-29, 2018, at Rock Springs Ranch 4-H Center, near Junction City, Kan. The Tri-State SAE Conference is a three-day experience designed around increasing student engagement and career readiness through the Supervised Agricultural Experience to ensure that learning and growth happen for every student, every day. SAE is the Work-Based Learning model for Agricultural Education.

Marais des Cygnes Valley FFA adviser Danny Rice attended the conference with 13 other Kansas educators.

Training was conducted in multiple intelligences, modalities, language, and e-moments. Participants integrated this information into lesson plans and shared with their peers. Participants were provided learning modules and student guides newly developed by The Council for Agricultural Education. The intensive training included a focus on teaching methodology and engagement, teacher leadership and personal development, and how to build connections and influence in their school, community and state.

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Hidden History: Former Lyndon mayor, fire marshal orders sanity in Fourth celebrations

July 03, 2018   Wendi Bevitt

By Wendi Bevitt

In the early 1910s, commissioners at Kansas City, Kansas, started pushing for a sane Fourth of July celebration. Up to this time regulations were very limited. Fire related deaths had been reported as 4,500 in 1903, but with increasing fire awareness had dropped to 1,500 in 1914. Kansas City’s “Sane Fourth” model proposed limiting usage of fireworks as well as a cleanup day on the eve of the celebrations to remove trash and other fire hazards in urban areas. At this time, most buildings in Kansas were wood frame, and the chance of accidental fires was a real threat.

In 1915, newly appointed fire marshal Lewis T. Hussey adopted the Kansas City plan and started promoting its benefits in time for the July 4th holiday.

Lewis Hussey grew up in Coffey County, Kansas, graduating from Burlington High School in 1888. His family moved to Osage County, where his father, Jerry, became register of deeds and Lewis served as deputy until 1893.

Lewis eventually became city clerk and later mayor of Lyndon. As mayor, he led the way to the installation of a city water and sewer system, which had mixed reviews among the citizens of the town. He was also elected to serve as state representative from Osage County and also served as state oil inspector.

During his civil service, Lewis pursued a career in insurance, establishing the Metropolitan Accident Association. He then joined others in organizing the Osage Fire Insurance Company in 1908. His experiences as a civil servant and in the fire insurance field made Lewis a perfect choice for Governor Arthur Capper to appoint him as state fire marshal in 1915. Capper had already started instituting portions of the safety measures of the Kansas City fire prevention plan, such as a statewide clean-up day in April, but Lewis was the perfect person to enforce what had begun.

In his new job, Lewis took protecting Kansas citizens very seriously. He admonished that a “safe and sane” 4th of July celebration was the most consistent way for Kansas to observe the day and that it might be “too much to expect a complete return to sanity after the free range that has been indulged in the celebration in years past, but an effort needs to be made in most cities and towns for a more moderate and intelligent form of celebration.”

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Giesys honored for dedication to Osage City

June 27, 2018   Wayne White

Mr. and Mrs. Osage City, Marilyn and Jerry Giesy.

Jerry and Marilyn Giesy will represent Osage City as the 2018 Mr. and Mrs. Osage City. They said they feel very honored and appreciative for being selected. Jerry and Marilyn have been residents of Osage City since 1968. They moved from Kansas City, when they purchased the Larson Food Market that was located in the downtown business district.

They are very active and supportive in the community. Jerry has always been very involved with the business, and in his retirement still assists some of the family members that have come aboard, as they are taking over the responsibility of the business.

Along with taking care of three children, Marilyn also worked at the store taking care of payroll until computers took over.

Marilyn belongs to many social clubs and enjoys playing pitch, bridge, Mexican dominoes and traveling. They are members of the Methodist church, and Marilyn is a member of the UMC.

The Giesys will ride in the Osage County Fair Parade, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. June 28. For more information about the parade, contact Diane Michael at 785-608-2277 or [email protected].

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Estes to lead Osage County Fair Parade as marshal

June 27, 2018   Wayne White

Osage City Fair Parade Marshal Mary Lou Estes.

Mary Lou Estes has been chosen as the 2018 Osage County Fair Parade marshal.

Estes has been a long-time resident of Osage City. She has been on the fair board, heads up the voting area for Barclay Township during each election, assists with check-ins for fair exhibits, and is a member of Red Hats and participates in numerous other activities in town. She is always available and willing to assist when someone needs help at the school, church or other activities.

Estes said she is very excited and pleased to have been chosen as this year’s parade marshal.

The fair parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. June 28. For more information about the parade, contact Diane Michael at 785-608-2277 or [email protected].

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2018 Melvern Sunflower Days 4-H Fair exhibition winners

June 25, 2018   Wayne White

Stockman competition buckle winners, front from left, Grady McNally , Braelyn McNally, Allie Kneisler, back, Dalton Hook, Hailey Gillespie, Tyler Gillespie, Ethan Kneisler. Photo thanks to Frontier Extension District.

Exhibitors at the Melvern Sunflower Days 4-H Fair, held June 21-23, 2018, won ribbons and awards as follows.

Project, Area Exhibitor, Placing

Arts and Crafts

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Marais des Cygnes Valley FFA officers attend state convention

June 21, 2018   Contributor

MdCV FFA members work on a service project during the FFA convention, packing meals for hunger programs, from left, Bayleigh Lacey, Grace Bradley, Koby Vanderpool, Alaina Marsh, and Frank Warner. Courtesy photo.

By Grace Bradley
MdCV FFA Reporter

The Marais des Cygnes Valley FFA officer team attended the 90th annual Kansas State FFA Convention in Manhattan, Kan., May 30 through June 1, 2018. This year’s convention theme was titled “I Can, We Will.” The Kansas FFA had around 2,000 members in attendance from 199 chapters for the convention.

The officer team attended leadership workshops, convention sessions, and a career fair to help get them inspired and motivated for the coming school year. MdCV FFA President Chloe Volkman and Vice-President Brookelyn Janssen also served as delegates at the convention.

State delegates Chloe Volkman and Brookelyn Janssen represent MdCV FFA.

The members were able to speak with each other and bounce around ideas for things their chapter can do to grow their membership numbers. There were many speakers at the convention sessions including the state officers and motivational speakers from across the country including Sonny Perdue, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Dr. Randy Watson, Kansas Education Commissioner, and past state officer Melissa Hildebrand-Reed, of Hildebrand Farms Dairy.

MdCV FFA members also participated in the national program “Something to Eat-Food Packaging Event” which members packed healthy, easy-to-prepare meals to be given out to hunger relief groups across Kansas.  

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Diehl retires; Willow Brook Insurance passes on with integrity

June 14, 2018   Wayne White

LYNDON, Kan. – There is going to be a little more relaxation going on out by Willow Brook soon. After 15 years of operating an independent insurance agency, Ardis Ann Diehl has sold Willow Brook Insurance and is planning her retirement from the Lyndon business.

While things will be easygoing for Diehl now, the transition might be harder on customers and friends who have relied on Diehl to help them with their insurance needs throughout the years. But, she said her customers were on her mind as she made arrangements to transfer the agency to another company.

Diehl said it was important to her to pass her customers’ trust on to a respected company with ties to rural community such as Lyndon, and someone who shares her loyalty to God, family, country, and hard work. She said she thinks she found the right company in Integrity Insurance Agency, which will take over her accounts effective July 1, 2018.

“For my customers, I want to make this as easy as possible,” Diehl said.

Integrity Insurance Agency is operated by Jan and Marshall Madill, of Overbrook, with offices in Topeka and Burlington. A Lyndon office will be open by the time the transition is completed.

The only changes customers should notice are a different voice on the telephone and a different agent’s name on the policy declaration page, Diehl said.

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Candidates file for precinct, township, county offices; primary election Aug. 7, 2018

June 06, 2018   Wayne White

The following candidates for precinct committeemen and committeewomen, and township and county offices planning to run in the Aug. 7, 2018, primary election filed by the June 1, 2018, deadline in the Osage County Election Office. Candidates for municipal offices filed in their respective city clerk’s office.

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Lyndon High School announces honor roll for 2017-2018 second semester

June 06, 2018   Wayne White

Lyndon High School has released its second semester honor roll for the 2017-2018 school year. Honor roll student are listed by their name, followed by grade level, honors, and GPA.

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Young cowgirls, cowboys identified as cutest in Osage County

June 04, 2018   Wayne White

The Burlingame Rodeo Days Cutest Baby Contest revealed the cutest cowboys and cowgirls in Osage County. Winners were announced as, from left, first girls 0-6 months, Kisara Horn; first boys 0-6 months, Garret Smith; first girls 7-12 months, Addison Castro; first boys 7-12 months, Malik Walker; first girls 13-18 months, Kinsley Welch; first girls 19-24 months, Kenzie Sedan; first boys 19-24 months, Caden Walquist.

Malik Walker was named as the Overall Cutest Cowboy.

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Osage County continues traditions of honor

May 30, 2018   Contributor

Members of Legion posts countywide, join together for a Memorial Day ceremony on the Pomona Dam tower.

By Geri Schuler, American Legion Post 125

Osage County is full of military traditions and customs. The best part is young families beginning their own traditions, and honoring old traditions being handed down through generations.

Memorial Day is full of old traditions and honor, especially when it comes to the local legions posts. Through the years, new people ensure these traditions carry on.

Brandon Smith, left, welcomes Lt. Col. Ret. Sam Newland, who provided the prayer at Lyndon and Vassar Memorial Day ceremonies.

In the Lyndon area, the Smith family, with two younger girls and a boy (Jesina, Grady, Peyton), continue a tradition from another family in American Legion Post 125.  Brandon Smith is the vice commander of the Sons of the Legion Post 125. He volunteered, with his young family, to take over with the tradition of putting up flags for veterans. They went to three area cemeteries Friday.

Brandon said, “It is written that there is no greater love than for someone to lay their life down for another. Every small flag represents someone willing to do just that. They deserve our continued gratitude.”

This is a tradition he wants to continue in the future for his family to show gratitude.

In Burlingame is the Diver family with their young daughter. Aaron Diver and his father are both marine veterans. He brought his daughter, Adisyn, to Burlingame Cemetary to place flags with their community.  This was his way to show her the meaning of Memorial Day and the sacrifices not just her family made but that of other people.

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