See the June 4 edition of Labette Avenue for complete obituaries.

Stanley D. Rife

OSWEGO—Stanley D. Rife, 62, of Oswego, Kan., died Monday, June 2, 2008, at his home with his wife and family at his side.

Funeral services will be Thursday, June 5, at 2 p.m. at the Oswego Methodist Church with Rev Paul Wiand officiating. Burial will be in the Oswego Cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday June 4, at the Murdock Funeral Home. The family visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m.

Murdock Funeral Home of Oswego is in charge of arrangements.

Floyd Terry Spradling

OSWEGO—Floyd Terry Spradling, 61, died Saturday, May 31, 2008, at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kan.

Graveside service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 6, at the Oswego Cemetery with Rev. John Stone officiating. Friends may call on Thursday, June 5, at the Murdock Funeral Home from 1 to 8 p.m. The family visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m.

Murdock Funeral Home of Oswego is in charge of arrangements.

Jean Canfield Schultz

CHETOPA—Jean Canfield Schultz, 86, of Chetopa, Kan., died at 11:06 a.m., Friday, May 30, 2008, at Labette Health in Parsons.

A memorial service was held Tuesday, June 3, at Faith Baptist Church in Chetopa. Burial was in Friendship Cemetery near Hallowell.

The Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa is in charge of arrangements.

Golda Lee Westervelt

OSWEGO—Golda Lee Westervelt, 73, of Oswego, Kan., died Saturday, May 31, 2008, at the St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kan.

Her service was held Tuesday, June 3, at the Murdock Funeral Home with Rev. Greg Garrett officiating. Burial was at the Park Cemetery in Columbus, Kan.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the Oswego Golf Association.

Murdock Funeral Home of Oswego was in charge of arrangements.

Members of the Labette County Fair promotion committee are trying to encourage more persons to attend and enter exhibits in open class. The 97th Annual Labette County Fair “Generations of Fun” will be held July 28-Aug. 2 at the Oswego fair and campgrounds. There are special new exhibits this year and one of them is the “Scarecrow Competition”. Individuals and groups may enter home-made scarecrows to try to win $70, $50 or $25.
Another way of promoting this competition was by having a coloring contest in all of the second grade classes in the Labette County schools. The coloring sheet has a picture of a scarecrow and some general information about the Fair. One child in each school were judged the winner and received a five dollar bill.
The children colored the pictures at school from April 21 to May 9. The winners of this contest were: Shay Strak from St. Patrick’s Catholic School; Lauren O’Banion and Caitlin Barcus from Garfield in Parsons; Kyle Dicks and Jaellyn Snider from Guthridge in Parsons; Jalen Jones and Kamrynn Ball from Lincoln in Parsons; Logan Meyer and Lancy Baughman, Altamont; Isaac Payne, Bartlett; Gabriel Ramos and Dawson Giager, Meadow View; Troy Keith, Chetopa; Lacy McCray and Kailee Ramsey, Neosho Heights, Oswego; and Davey LaPack, Service Valley, Oswego.
Each district had a different picture. These pictures will be used to promote the Fair at various places.
The Scarecrow premium and promotion sponsors were Family Community Education Council, Labette County Fair Board, Labette County Extension Foundation and Alexander Manufacturing Company, Inc.
The committee for this project were Janie Williams, Susan Bates, Connie Rhodes, and Tammy Alexander.
For more Fair information use www.oznet.ksu.edu/labette. The Fair books come out in June.

Donna Strickland has filed for her fourth term as Labette County Register of Deeds.
Before her election to office she also worked 12 years in the elections office of the county clerk.
The Register of Deeds works on land records, deeds, mortgages, ordinances from cities, death certificates and miscellaneous records,
Schreppel will run for her seventh four-year term in office. She previously worked in the county clerk’s office as payroll clerk
“I have enjoyed very much serving the citizens of Labette County,” Shreppel said.
The clerk’s office is responsible for the entire payroll and human resources for the county, as well as handling general bookkeeping and overseeing elections.
The clerk also serves as clerk to the board of county commissioners and an array of miscellaneous duties.

Last weekend marked the end of the term for Kansas FFA President Bethany Bohnenblust, a graduate of Labette County High School. Bohnenblust’s presidency came to an end at the final assembly of the Kansas FFA Convention, held in Manhattan, Kan., on May 30.
At the conclusion of the convention, Bohnenblust was asked several questions from Labette Avenue regarding her one-year term as president of the state’s largest student organization. Her responses are printed below.

Q. Do you know how many miles or different visits you made to Kansas FFA chapters this year?
A. The exact number is very hard to calculate. Right at 20,000 miles on my truck; not to mention the many carpooling trips, but also quite a few frequent flyer miles with a trip to Spain and to Washington, D.C. The majority of our traveling is for chapter visits to high schools across the state, but also to businesses within the industry to learn more about agriculture and to raise support for the Kansas FFA Foundation.

Q. What will be the most memorable event or activity this year for you?
The Kansas State FFA Convention was the most memorable event of the year for me because that’s when it all came together as we celebrated “Blue Jackets, Bright Futures.” Convention is all about recognizing students for their achievements and successes, whether it’s in their Supervised Agriculture Experience or in the State Choir. Being able to honor the many friends that we’ve made across the state is the greatest because nothing is able to compare with seeing others succeed! Also, convention gave me the opportunity to recognize my family and advisors for the outstanding amount of support that they provided me with!

Q. What do you hope to do with your life once your FFA presidency is completed?
A. When retiring from state office each person has their own decision to make on what their next step may be; I believe that there is something more. For my entire team, we know our retirement isn’t the end but another step forward to our “Bright Futures.” This summer though I will be returning home for a summer job and for college classes.

Q. What is it like trying to be the leader of a statewide organization while also being a student in college?
A. Attempting to balance school and the FFA proved to be a challenge because academics must come first, but I also wanted to serve to the greatest of my ability to the Kansas FFA. I had professors and advisors who were tremendously supportive at K-State who truly made my experience on campus and in the classroom with FFA members what it was.

Q. To those kids who are not involved in FFA, what would you say to them to make them consider joining the organization?
A. Contrary to popular belief, the National FFA Organization isn’t just for farm kids. It’s about ordinary students who choose to come together and discover their extraordinary talents and abilities. We use the foundation of agriculture as a basis because there truly is no greater industry in the world that is comprised of hardworking, honest individuals, who believe in tradition. Using agriculture as groundwork, FFA helps students discover their premier leadership, harbor personal growth, and seek career success. If you are a student, who simply wants to be the best person that they can be; we have an organization for you!

The Labette County Fair Board discussed additional bleachers that have been ordered at Wednesday’s monthly fair board meeting held at the fair board office in Oswego. Rod Landrum conducted the meeting in the absence of president Jeff Falkenstien. There were eight members and three guests attending.
Fair board members received a $10,000 grant check from the Parsons Area Community Foundation to be used on bleachers for the grandstand arena.
Debbie Kabrey of Chetopa told fair board members of a chicken and noodle dinner which the Chetopa Pacers 4-H Club were sponsoring. The proceeds from this event will go toward buying Fun Passes for every exhibitor at this year’s fair.
The dinner will be held at the Chetopa Schools’ multipurpose room on Sunday, June 8 from noon until 2 p.m.
Kabrey also inquired if it would be possible to pen animals according to clubs this year. The board told her to have each exhibitor to write this request on the entry forms when they are sent to the remind the superintendents.
IN OTHER BUSINESS:
• The superintendent supper will be held July 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Sirloin Stockade in Parsons.
• A fair breakfast will be held on Thursday of fair week from 7 to 10 a.m., for all exhibitors. This will be sponsored by Labette Health.
• Hand sanitizers in the barns will be provided by Labette Health.
• The board discussed getting area schools or organizations to run a dunk tank at the fair. Proceeds will go to the group working that night. Rod Landrum will check with the Parsons schools; Rick McKinzie, Oswego; John Strickland, Altamont and Tom Nading, Chetopa.
• Rick McKinzie announced that Labette Avenue will be sponsoring half the cost of the fair T-shirts this year.
• Flyers need to be sent to remind buyers of the fair sale.
• Work needed to be done before the fair was discussed.

A landmark building in downtown Oswego is causing a lot of caution this week after parts of it started disintegrating over the past weekend.
For the past four years, the building at 515 Commercial has been known as Vail’s Automotive, owned by Matt and Fern Vail. They have operated a full service automotive service business and used car lot there and have enjoyed good growth.
But today they are wondering exactly how to proceed after insurance and engineering officials told them to vacate the premises, fearing further deterioration and potential collapse of certain walls.
On Saturday, due to a tornado warning and possible hail storm, Matt moved several of his used cars inside the garage. Then on Sunday when Matt moved the cars back outside he noticed that a board was pushed out of an interior wall. Upon further investigation he noticed that the huge, steel 20-inch I-beams had dropped down.
The building, constructed in 1887, utilizes a steel truss system and five beams on top of the building. Local residents have often referred to the “bridges” on top of the building since they have a similarity in design and appearance.
Vail said the building’s center beam dropped at least four feet on the center wall, damaging the roof and second floor.
The force blew out a large chunk of the north wall and surrounding stone and stucco.
Vail went to work immediately to brace up the damaged areas.
“The City of Oswego met with Matt on Monday to work with him and check into some options,” Oswego Mayor Tom Bringle said.
Billi Hedrick and Keith Shaffer of Labette Insurance recommended that the Vails move out of the building.
They worked until 2 a.m. Tuesday morning loading items out with stock trailers.
The Labette County Sheriff’s Dept. barricaded the building and surrounding parking lot area.
“The building shifted more on Monday,” Matt Vail said.
“We have been overwhelmed with the help of the city, family members and the people of Oswego,” Matt said. “When we decided to move things out, I only had one stock trailer and was wondering where I would get anymore. Without asking I had people stop by with trailers offering to help us.”
Vail announced on Tuesday that he would move into the building owned by Fishers’ Truck and Auto located at 2262 13000 Rd (across the road from Regional Veterinary Clinic).
Anyone needing Vail’s automotive services may call their same numbers as in the past: 620 795-4255, or cell number 620-605-9455.
The 24-hour towing wrecker service is still available.
The 50’x125’ two-story building was constructed for the L. Sawyer, owner of Sawyer’s Large Dry Goods and Grocery Department which remained in the building until 1899.
It was vacant until 1905 when McCully Livery and a bus transfer company occupied it until 1912. Oswego Motor Company (Ford) then moved into the building until 1920. It was occupied by McKinney Motor Company from 1929 until 1968 when it became C&F Motors.
Taylor-Frogley Ford took over the dealership in 1972 then it became Fred Taylor Ford until 1985.
American Central Energy moved into the building in 1986 then it was purchased by the City of Oswego for use by the local tourism office.
Vails then purchased the building.
It is one of few buildings in Oswego with an elevator and it still works, according to Vail.