The Osage County Fair is underway this week at Osage City, with exhibit entries coming in today and three more days of competition of the county’s best, fun activities for all, a Friday evening parade, and a fireworks finale Saturday night.

The parade begins at 6:30 p.m., Friday, July 10, in downtown Osage City. Hosted by the Osage City Chamber of Commerce, the parade’s theme this year is “All American Country Livin”.

At the annual fair parade, the Chamber honors some local citizens as parade marshal and Mr. and Mrs. Osage City. This year’s parade marshal is Gary Lowman, and Joe and Thelma Humerickhouse have been named as the 2020 Mr. and Mrs. Osage City.

Mr. and Mrs. Osage City

Joe and Thelma Humerickhouse moved to Osage City in 1962 when Joe leased the then Quality Oil Service Station at Seventh and Market. They were both born and raised in Topeka and after getting used to small town life, they knew this was their forever home, the place where they wanted to raise their family.

Joe and Thelma Humerickhouse

After three years in the service station, Joe joined Thelma at Osage Products (Hallmark Cards). After 28 years, Joe retired from Hallmark Cards and started H&H Appraisal Service, which he continues to operate.

In 1994, Joe was elected to the Kansas Legislature and served in that office for 14 years. Joe was a volunteer fireman with the Osage City Rural Fire Department and he also served 10 years as city councilman for the Third Ward.

Joe was elected and served as President of the Kansas Jaycees 1973-74. He is a longtime member of the Lions Club.

Both he and Thelma are active members of the Osage City Chamber of Commerce. Thelma served as Chamber president in the 1990s. After leaving Hallmark Cards, Thelma worked for many years at Wick’s Flower Shop. She is a long time member of the Sorosis Club, volunteers with meals on wheels, and is active in her church, Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church.

They have four children, DeeAnna Simmonds, Topeka, Joe L., Denver, Colo., Christy, Overland Park, and Jerrad, McLouth. They enjoy spending time with their 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, with another coming in August.

“Joe and Thelma would like to take this opportunity to thank the Chamber for honoring them with the title of Mr. & Mrs. Osage City for 2020.”

Osage County Fair Parade Marshal

The Chamber announced Gary Lowman, of Osage City, was chosen as the 2020 Osage County Fair Parade marshal.

Gary Lowman

Gary was born in Emporia. He and his parents, Howard and Ruth, and older brother Monte lived on a farm in the Arvonia community. In 1960, the family moved to Osage City, where he attended middle and high schools, graduating from Osage City High School in 1968. He then attended Kansas State Teachers College for a couple years.

In 1971, he joined the United States Navy and served tours on board the U.S.S. Enterprise CVN-65, U.S.S. Halsey CG-23, and U.S.S. Truxtun CGN-35, and numerous shore duty tours, mostly in San Diego, Calif.

Gary married his wife Linda in 1990 in San Diego. He earned an MBA from National University, in San Diego, in 1991. He retired from the United States Navy in 1993. In 2003, both Gary and Linda retired and chose to make their home base back in Osage City.

Gary is a member of the Osage City First United Methodist Church and has led the adult Sunday school class for the past 10 years. He is a lifetime member of the American Legion Robert Heizer Post 198, where he served as adjutant for several years.

Gary’s hobbies include collecting local memorabilia and walking. He is also a very familiar face at almost all of the sporting events in Osage City, entertaining another one of his hobbies of sports photography, capturing many action photos of the youth in the community.

Burlingame Schools are welcoming a new superintendent of schools with a meet and greet reception. Dr. Marcy Cassidy has been named as USD 454’s superintendent. The informal reception, 5-7 p.m. July 9, 2020, at The Hideout, 137 W. Santa Fe Ave., Burlingame, will give everyone a chance to talk to Cassidy, to find out the direction she would like to take the schools, and to share new ideas. Refreshments will be served.

Precautions will be taken to comply with COVID-19 guidelines.

The following awards were presented to Osage City High School seniors during a virtual awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 6, 2020.

• American Legion Post 198 Scholarship – Leslie Hultgren
• American Legion Post 198 Honor Awards – Runner up, Leslie Hultgren; runner up, Dylan Shaffer; award winner, Kenna Butterfield; award winner, Ryan Lauber
• Osage City High School Alumni Association Scholarship – Kenna Butterfield, Olivia Camarena, Jade Potter, Jordan Sage, Britney Wilkins
• Conrad Carlson Memorial Scholarship – Taylor Lamb, Walker Stromgren
• Chapter IQ PEO Scholarship – recipient not yet named
• Sorosis Club Scholarship – Kenna Butterfield
• Osage City Kiwanis Club Scholarship – Kenna Butterfield, Taylor Lamb
• Osage City Kiwanis Club Richard Dick Lindbloom Memorial Scholarship – Britney Wilkins
• Osage City Booster Club Scholarship – Kenna Butterfield, Jade Potter
• Lions Club Scholarship – Leslie Hultgren
• R.E. French Family Educational Foundation Scholarship – Kate Heiserman, Elizabeth Lowery, Dylan Shaffer
• Osage City Chamber of Commerce Scholarship – Kate Heiserman, Dylan Shaffer
• Osage City High School Spanish Club Scholarship – Kate Heiserman
• Osage City Band Boosters Scholarship – Jade Potter
• Rudd Foundation Scholarship – Blake Murphy
• International Thespian Society Members: Olivia Camarena, Adam Delekta, Elizabeth Lowery, Jade Potter
• National Honor Society Members: Kenna Butterfield, Olivia Camarena, Kate Heiserman, Leslie Hultgren, Daylia Kautzman, Ryan Lauber, Elizabeth Lowery, Tyler Medlen, Blake Murphy, Jade Potter, Jordan Sage, Dylan Shaffer, Tayler Wessel, Britney Wilkins
• Technical College Students: Devon Lincoln, Power Plant Technology, Flint Hills Technical College; Britton Hamman and Ostin Howland, Diesel Technology, Matthew Barranco, Tyler Medlen, Caden Reed, and Sam Wamser, Welding, Washburn Tech
• Kansas Scholars Curriculum Completers: Kenna Butterfield, Carleigh Gardner, Kate Heiserman, Lucy Martin, Elizabeth Lowery, Blake Murph, Britney Wilkins, Dylan Shaffer, Ryan Lauber
• Community Service Awards: Kenna Butterfield, Kate Heiserman, Lucy Martin, Dylan Shaffer, Jade Potter, Britney Wilkins, Dawson Butter, Olivia Camarena, Elizabeth Lowery, Skyler Karns, Taylor Lamb, Devon Lincoln, Walker Stromgren
• Citizenship Awards: Olivia Camarena, Ryan Lauber
• Honor Student Awards: Cum Laude – Dylan Shaffer, Britney Wilkins; Magna Cum Laude – Kate Heiserman; Summa Cum Laude – Kenna Butterfield, Ryan Lauber, Elizabeth Lowery, and Blake Murphy

Deputies, volunteers to deliver necessities to those in isolation

OSAGE COUNTY, Kan. – The Osage County Sheriff’s Office is implementing a new program to assist those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The sheriff’s office staff and pre-approved volunteers will pick up prescription medications, necessary groceries, and other items within Osage County for those that are unable to leave their homes. Assistance will be available 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“We, like many others, want to help our community the best way possible, especially for those who can’t get out,” said Osage County Sheriff Laurie Dunn.

When calling in for this service, callers are asked to use the sheriff’s office administrative line, 785-828-4657.

The sheriff asks that prescriptions have been prepaid. For groceries, provide a list – such as bread, milk, eggs – and be willing to accept alternate brands. A deputy or volunteer will come to your house and pick up a list, cash, or a check. They ask that you fill out and sign the check other than the amount. Put the cash or check in an envelope or zip-lock type bag. They will not use debit or credit cards. Receipts will be returned with your order. If you need assistance from Help House, call them and schedule a time and they will pick it up for you.

The volunteers or deputies will not be able to pick up at Harvesters due to the time in line for pickup.

When calling in, provide your name, address, phone number, and what you need assistance with. The sheriff’s office will schedule a time and a deputy or volunteer and let you know who it will be.

If you’re ill or in isolation, let them know when you call. They will ask questions about your health for safety reasons. If you’re ill or in isolation, deputies or volunteers will be wearing protective clothing and equipment. They will meet you outside of your house and return your items outside your house unless you need assistance carrying items.

Everyone is asked to pass this information on to neighbors or those who might not see this announcement in other places.

For more information, contact the Osage County Sheriff’s Office on its administrative phone line, 785-828-4657. (This administrative non-emergency line does not ring into dispatch.)

BHS’s Culbert to compete in first girls state wrestling tournament

Osage County will send its best wrestlers to state wrestling competitions this week, including a competitor in Kansas’ first girls state wrestling championship.

Gianna Culbert, of Burlingame High School, will have a public send off today at the school, and is slated to wrestle Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, in Salina, at the girls state wrestling competition.

Everyone is invited to join BHS faculty, staff, and students around 3 p.m. today, Wednesday, Feb. 26, as they send state qualifying wrestler Culbert to the state wrestling tournament. Everyone will line the hallway of the school from the high school office down to the elementary gym to wish her good luck. The band will lead her through the hall starting at about 3:10 p.m.

From Osage City High School, Dane Whalen, Noah Smith, Elijah Collins, and Connor Collins will be wrestling Friday and Saturday in Hays at the boys state wrestling championships.

Everyone is invited to help send off the four state qualifying wrestlers at about 8:30 a.m. Thursday, when they will be leaving from Osage City High School. First, the school’s drum line will escort them down the main student hallway, and everyone will line the halls to cheer them on. The Osage City Police Department is to escort them from the school parking lot east from the school to Sixth Street, then north to Market Street, from where they will head west out of town. Everyone is invited to line the streets and send off the wrestlers and their coaches as they work this weekend to bring home state titles.

At Santa Fe Trail High School, qualifying for the state wrestling championship were Christian Rowe, Stephan Roberts, Dakota Garrison, and Evan Dean.

Dana Webber, Osage County Republican Central Committee chair, installed new officers for the Osage County Republican Women at its meeting Jan. 21, 2020. From left, Webber swears in Lois Butel as vice president, Shari Weber, secretary, Judy Marten, president, and Donna Silver, treasurer.