Lion JoAnne Pouch receives the Melvin Jones Fellowship from Past District Governor (2018-2019) Patrick Laham, at a surprise gathering. Courtesy photo.

Lion JoAnne Pouch, of Lyndon, Kan., has been named a Melvin Jones Fellow by Lions Clubs International Foundation in recognition of her commitment to serving the world and her community. Named for the founder of Lions Clubs International, Melvin Jones, the fellowship is one of the foundation’s highest recognitions, honoring the commitment to humanitarian service.

Pouch is a member of the Lyndon Lions Club. She recently received a commemorative plaque and lapel pin acknowledging her dedication to the foundation’s humanitarian goals. As a Melvin Jones Fellow, Pouch becomes a part of the growing network of individuals who are committed to improving the quality of life for people locally and in communities around the world. The Lyndon Lions club has been in operation since chartered in 1953.

Pouch received the award from the district’s most recent Past District Governor (2018-2019) Patrick Laham, of the Augusta Lions Club. Pouch was joined at her surprise celebration by local Lyndon Lions and many district and state Lions dignitaries.

The Melvin Jones Fellowship is a recognition presented to those who donate $1,000 to Lions Clubs International Foundation or to people for whom a donation was made by others. It is the backbone of the foundation, providing 75 percent of its revenue. Contributions can be made by individuals, including non-Lions, clubs or districts.

This award was given to Pouch for her years of service to her community and years of dedication and hard work. She has been the club secretary continuously since 2005 and sometimes acted as club president or treasurer at the same time. She has spearheaded many community events, including pancake breakfasts, teacher luncheons at the high school, chili suppers, spaghetti suppers, taking tickets at the high school football games, and many other activities.

Peggy and Gary DeForeest, Frontier Extension District Appreciation Award winners of Osage County. Courtesy photo.

The Frontier Extension District gives awards annually to show appreciation to persons in Franklin, Anderson, and Osage counties who have made important contributions to the district’s programs. The 2019 Frontier Extension District Appreciation Awards were presented in November at the district’s annual board dinner, at Princeton, Kan.

Recognized as the 2019 Frontier Extension District Appreciation Award winners of Osage County were Peggy and Gary DeForeest, of rural Scranton.

In 1986, Peggy began working as the office professional in the Osage County Extension Office. She became a district office professional when the Frontier Extension District was created in 2010, and she specialized as the district’s bookkeeper.

As the first impression of the local Extension, Peggy was always quick to welcome everyone who called or entered the office in Lyndon with a friendly greeting. Customers soon found that she was very knowledgeable and would go the extra mile to help respond to their needs. Peggy was a jack of all trades and master of them all. Her strengths included her initiative and creativity, ability to problem solve, her attention to customer requests, and willingness to try something new. She always supported 4-Hers and over her career worked with nearly 100 fairs in Osage County.

Peggy retired in June 2018, having served 32 years as an office professional with Osage County and the Frontier Extension District.

Gary was always there to support Extension in many ways. As an industrial arts teacher and gifted carpenter, he used his skills to build several shelving units and publication racks for the local offices, and frequently judged woodworking and electricity at local fairs. He always donated his judging fee back to the 4-Hers. Gary is currently a registered 4-H volunteer and a 4-H woodworking project leader for the Lyndon Leaders 4-H Club. Through his leadership, the woodworking project continues to grow, and the woodworking projects that the 4-Hers complete are remarkable.

Melvern community members enjoy a Thanksgiving meal at the community center. Photo by Natalie Melton.

The Melvern community celebrated Thanksgiving early with its annual free community dinner on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2019, at the Melvern Community Center. Joining with other local volunteers, members of Melvern Pride and Melvern Jr. Highline 4-H Club helped guests with serving, carrying trays, filling drinks, and cleaning tables.

MdCV FFA members at Churchill Downs, front from left, Tristen Duncan, Wyatt Lingenfelter, Braden Reed, Sadie McGowin, Brice Marsh, back, Chisolm Woodson, Frank Warner, Bayleigh Lacey, Kaelin Criqui, Koby Vanderpool, Izzy Toman, and Cole Lacey. Courtesy photo.

Some of the Marais des Cygnes FFA members had the privilege to attend the National FFA Convention and Expo, Oct. 27-30, 2019, in Indianapolis, Ind. Members selected to attend were Koby Vanderpool, Frank Warner, Tristen Duncan, Kaelin Criqui, Bayleigh Lacey, Chisolm Woodson, Braden Reed, Brice Marsh, Cole Lacey, Izzy Toman, Wyatt Lingenfelter, and Sadie McGowin, with advisor Danny Rice and Terry Rice.

The students went through an application process and earn points to be able to attend.

Throughout the trip, they enjoyed many restaurants that were special to the areas they stopped. The trip started early Sunday morning when they began their journey to St. Louis, Mo, where they visited the Gateway Arch and Museum. They then traveled on to Louisville, Ky. On Monday, they visited Louisville Slugger, the home of the Louisville Slugger Baseball Bat, and Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby.

Heading out the next day from Louisville to Indianapolis, they stopped at Blue Springs Caverns, billed as the largest underground navigable river in North America, taking a boat tour down in the cavern.

On the last leg of the journey, they finally made it to Indianapolis, where they visited the Indianapolis 500 track and museum.

On Wednesday, members attended the opening session of the 92nd National FFA Convention and Expo and Career Show. There were more than 65,000 members and guests in attendance at the conference.

Melvern Jr. Highline 4-H members dedicated this picnic table, created in memory of Jill Casten-Downing, located in Melvern City Park; front from left, Joycelynn, Chelsea Green, Harper Melton, Bella Reeser, Gentry McNally, Gradey McNally, Tanner Totty, and Landon Roy; back, Anna Arb, Amelia Arb, Allie Reeser, Justin Brinkley, Levi Arb, Ella Reed, Tara Green, Natalie Green, and Braelyn McNally.

By Bella Reeser, Melvern Jr. Highline 4-H Club Reporter

In June 2019, it was proposed at a Melvern Jr. Highline 4-H club meeting to create a memorial to Jill Casten-Downing, a former club member. 4-H parent Eric Melton volunteered his time in undertaking the task of creating a picnic table in memory of Jill. With generous support from Lyndon Building Materials in supplying materials, Hastings Awards for supplying the plaque, and Eric Melton his time and talents, the project was completed in just a few short months.

It all came together on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, when the Melvern Jr. Highline 4-H Club met with the Casten family at the Melvern City Park. Here they dedicated this picnic table in memory of Jill Casten-Downing and all her involvement in the Melvern community.

All this wouldn’t have been made possible without Lyndon Building Materials, Hastings Awards, and Eric Melton.

Unofficial election results Tuesday in Osage County showed several races decided, while many city council seats and school board positions remained to be determined by write-in ballots. Write-in ballots were to be tallied late Tuesday night.

In Osage City, Becky Brewer will be the city’s mayor with 371 votes, running unopposed. Also running unopposed, all of Osage City’s city council candidates won in their respective wards, Denise Lauber, 85 votes, Sharon Larson, 37 votes, Cathryn Houghton, 125 votes, and Dale Schwieger, 115 votes.

Mayor races in Carbondale, Melvern, Olivet, and Quenemo will be decided by write-in votes. In Overbrook, all three open council seats will be decided by write-in votes.

Tallies for two city council seats in Quenemo are setting with Fred Sweetwood at 51 votes, and John Wilson, 28 votes, and 60 write-ins outstanding.

In Scranton, a four-way race for three seats on the Scranton City Council showed Tim Nedeau with 93 votes, Amy Jo Miner, 90, Michael J. Meenen, 87, and Brenda Lester, 54.

Here are results of other highlighted races in the county:

Burlingame City Council
(two seats)

• Sheila Curtis, 126
• Leslie D. Holman, 125
• Amanda Kohlman, 137
• Larry Robinson, 55

Burlingame Mayor

• Vikki DeMars, 147

Carbondale City Council

• Larry L. Hinck, 114

Lyndon Mayor

• Gene Hirt, 34
• Steve Morrison, 178

Lyndon City Council
(two seats)

• Lyn Atchison, 135
• Doug Harty, 100
• Bill Patterson, 98

Melvern City Council

• Russ Vest, 17
• Write-in, 83

School board races were also decided across the county:

USD 420 Position 1A

• Tyler Parsons, 240
• David L. Williams, 297

USD 420 2B

• Kelli Bowin, 396
• Brian E. Poertner, 151

USD 420 3C

• PJ Heptinstall, 268
• Brent A. Johnson, 269

USD 420 7

• Kat Bellinger, 347
• Robert Shaffer, 184

USD 421 1A

• Eric Ratzloff, 294

USD 421 2A

• David Brecheisen, 186
• Doug Shoup, 171

USD 421 3A

• Chris Cole, 313

USD 421 4A

• Joe Isch, 287

USD 434 1

• Jason Supple, 579

USD 434 2

• Justin Ramsdell, 578

USD 434 3

• Liz Maisberger-Clark, 554

USD 434

• Madison Swisher Sowers, 583

USD 454 1

• Melissa Droege, 245

USD 454 7

• Donna Young, 205

USD 456 1

• Gregory D. McCurdy, 196

USD 456 2

• Beth Weimer, 194

USD 456 3

• Michael R. Ragan, 210

USD 456 7

• Joe Arb, 196

Extension Council Member

• Nina J. Flax, 1,468
• Brett A. Karr, 1,334

City of Burlingame Question

• Yes, 104
• No, 64

Constitutional Amendment

• Yes, 1,043
• No, 1,003

Osage County Commission will canvass the votes Nov. 15, 2019, at the commissioner’s meeting room at the Osage County Courthouse. Results are unofficial until canvassed.

Osage City High School Girls Golf Team at State, from left, Laci Davenport, Hayden Serna, Carleigh Gardner, Josie Thompson, Lauren Phillips, and Jenna Hastert.

The Osage City High School Girls Golf Team qualified for State Golf for the second year in a row. The 3-2-1A state tournament was held Oct. 21-22, 2019, at the Salina Municipal Golf Course.

Laci Davenport receives a medal for placing 11th at the State Golf Tournament.

Conditions that Monday were extremely challenging, with high winds and gusts up to 57 mph. The team tied for 6th place with Thomas More Prep, Hays, with a score of 405. The Lady Indians ended up in 7th place, shutting them out for the second round. However, OCHS golfers Laci Davenport and Hayden Serna qualified as individuals to compete again on Tuesday.

Laci ended up with an 11th place medal and a combined score of 176. Hayden placed 38th with a 204.

Congratulations to the OCHS Lady Indians for a successful season.