Ozark Christian College presents “Highest Praise” coming in concert at the Oswego Christian Church on Friday, June 27, at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
Highest Praise is an eighteen-day, intense taste of ministry. Following six days of rehearsals, about one hundred high school youth leave for a twelve-day tour of the United States presenting God’s message through music and drama in churches and communities.

Funds from a Department of Commerce grant will go towards making an attractive front entrance, paving of parking lot project and signage at the Great Plains Industrial Park, was approved by the County Commission at Monday’s meeting.
The Kansas Department of Commerce and Labette County approved a grant for $750,000 for the Local Redevelopment Planning Authority (LRPA). “We haven’t asked the state for anything before, and we need a good looking front entrance into the plant area,” Brian Kinzie, LRPA Chairman said.  Senator Dwayne Umbarger got this passed in the legislature. It was tight, Kinzie said.
IN OTHER ACTION at Monday’s meeting:
•  Jim Cook, Emergency Manager for Labette County was given approval on a more appropriate work vehicle. The commissioners approved to purchase a 2004 Ford Ranger from Merle Kelly Ford to replace his present vehicle a Chevrolet Impala. The cost of the truck was $14,995. Trade in allowance on the Impala was $8,000 making the total cost of the purchase $7,034.50 to be taken out of the county general courthouse fund. “We have searched for a vehicle since the flood of last year,” Cook told the commissioners.  Brian Kinzie asked why Cook needed the vehicle. It was noted that a car was low to the ground and the ground clearance wasn’t always sufficient. It was difficult on off road accessibility which made it impossible to get around in. Also it lacked storage capacity to include needed emergency equipment, such as a portable generator, etc. The Ford truck does have 4-wheel drive and an extended cab.
• Special meeting has been called by chairman Lonie Addis for Friday, June 27 at 10 a.m. to meet with county audit Rodney Burns from the firm Schlotterbeck and Burns on the 2007 annual county auditor and to consider entering into a contract for the 2008 calendar year.
• Larry Cupit was given signature on a Local Environment Protection Plan (LEPP) grant. The state funding is $12,559 and the local match is $12,256, same as last year.
• O’Brien Ready Mix received the concrete bid for the remainder of this season, following a bid opening at 9:15. Lou O’Brien was present for the bid opening.
• Hurley Construction of Mound Valley was awarded the bid opening for low water crossings. The bid was for $1 per square yard to set up, pour and finish concrete work.
• Commissioners Lonie Addis and Brian Kinzie (Jerry Carson was absent) selected design contracts for County Bridge #109 (east of Mound Valley) and #183 (on Gray Road).
• Commissioners signed for construction engineering on bridge project 50c-4256-01 at 10,000 and Clay, scheduled to let in July.
• Mary Reed and John Green, Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging, presented update on senior care from the county mill levy committee meeting held last Wednesday. The committee approved to use the same percentage allocation formula they used in 2008 to be used for the 2009 Elderly Mill Levy Fund. The local matching fund is $18,987.50.
• Rick Hizey, and Jack Martin, candidates for third district commission and Lowell Scott, candidate for the second district commission, were in attendance.

On Saturday, a few farmers had started cutting their wheat. “It’s only just begun. This year it is just hit and miss,” Bartlett Coop, Oswego branch personnel Bob Summers said.
“All the wheat has scab in it,” Summers said. “It is due to the wet weather,” he said.
The average test weight is 52-53. Sixty is normal. “It’s low right now due to the shriveled grain and scab.”
Moisture content is between 13.5 and 13.7. Co-op starts docking at 13.5.
“We have anywhere from the exception of 51 bushels down to 15 bushels per acre,” he said.
The average is 20 bushels per acre.
The scabs can be detected easily. The red scabs are pink colored grains. There is also black scab, they have black on the tips of the grains. The red scab is more prominent.
To get the uniform sampling of a load of grain, it is first weighed out to 10 grams, the bad grains, such as the red and black scab grains are picked out  and the container is rweighted again. “This is the first time we have ever seen scab in the grain,” employees, Summers and Jo Kinzie said.
“Head scab was favored by frequent rainfall that occurred just prior to and during the time of flowering,” said Erick DeWolf, K-State Research and Extension plant pathologist.”
“Rain before and/or during flowering in some wheat this year led to fungal disease, head scab infecting some of the wheat in our area,” Keith Martin, CEA, Agriculture, Labette County said.
The diseased grain may have a reduced test weight and some of the kernels will likely be light colored.
At the elevator, grain inspectors will look for scab-infected kernels and treat them the same as any other kind of damaged kernel.  Wheat can have up to 2 percent damaged kernels and still grade No. 1; up to 4 percent to grade No. 2; and up to 6 percent to grade No. 3.
At this writing, Labette County has had more rain, therefore putting harvest on hold a few more days.

The Oswego Sonic Drive-in has completed a facelift a few months ago and with it came a new manager. Cole McCombs, a 2003 Oswego High School graduate, has worked for Sonic the past seven years.
We employ over 35 people here, McCombs said. He has three assistants: Brandon Gilliland, Jeremy Barker and MIke Purcell.
The Oswego Sonic is located at 608 Commercial. The telephone number is 620-795-2747.

His face has become so familiar that people point at him and say, “Hey, there’s that guy on TV — you know, that duet guy!”
And they would be right.
David Oakleaf, for the past several weeks, has put his hometown of Howard, Kan., on the map as he competes in the Country Music Television (CMT) program, “Can You Duet?”
Friends and family members in Labette County have watched the show with special cause: David’s parents, Sam and Becky Oakleaf, are natives of Altamont, Mound Valley and Valeda areas.
David himself is a gradute of West Elk High School and got his start singing in school programs.
The judges for “Can You Duet” are Naomi Judd, Brett Manning and Aimee Mayo and the host is Rossi Morreale.
Sam and Becky Oakleaf of Howard are David’s parents and they went to Nashville for part of the show’s video-taping.
Oakleaf said he started playing piano, guitar and trumpet while still in grade school and he sang and played at weddings, fair dances and such as he grew up. He later added harmonica and drums to the instruments he plays.
But being a vocalist remains top choice. He is a fan of George Strait and Keith Urban. His music varies from classic country to southern rock and roll.
Oakleaf now lives in Nashville and co-manages a musical venue, “12th and Porter.” It gives him a regular way to make a living and provides a good chance to try out his song-writing talents on local audiences.
David said his phone has rung a lot this week and he is working with both his former duet partners to make sure they stay together.
“We’re also planning a tour through Kansas sometime this summer,” he said. “I hope it can be near southeast Kansas so I can see some old friends.”
David Oakleaft’s ancestors were early settlers in Labette County. Sam Oakleaf is the son of the late Linnaeus and Mable Oakleaf, Mound Valley.
Becky Straub Oakleaf is the daughter of the late Leonard Straub and lived with her father and stepmother, Raeburn, at Valeda.
Sam and Becky are graduates of Labette County High School. David’s sister is named after her great-grandmother, Helena Oakleaf.
Ilene Oakleaf Bussman is a cousin of Linnaeus Oakleaf. Ilene is the widow of the late Ralph Bussman who served as a state representative for many years.

A new addition at the 4th annual Mound Valley Flagpole Festival this year is the Most Patriotically Dressed Contest. A winner will be chosen on Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28.
The winner of each day will receive a 2008 Flagpole Festival t-shirt.  Winners will be announced at 7 p.m. on Friday and at noon on Saturday.
The Flagpole Festival Yard Decorating Contest has added the rural residents this year. Call and let us know if you want your yard considered in the contest by Thursday, June 26.  The winner will be announced on Friday, June 27 at 6 p.m.  The winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to a restaurant. There is no need for town residents to call; only rural residents must call.
The Quilt Exhibit will be a part of this year’s MV Flagpole Festival again.  Bring those quilts for display in the community center around 11:30 a.m.  The actual exhibit will run from 11:30-2.  Viewers will be voting on their favorite.  The winning quilt displayer will receive $25.  No racks will be provided; there will be tables to lay the quilts on. Displayers may bring their own racks.
Cardinal Amusements will be a new addition to the 2008 Mound Valley Flagpole Festival this year.  They will be open in the evening on Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28.  It will be located east of Mound Valley Grade School.
Armband night will be Friday night.  Cost of armbands is $15.  The carnival will be bringing in 9 rides and 4 games.  They will also be selling cotton candy.
Mound Valley Flagpole Festival Baking Contest, Saturday, June 28, at 11:30 a.m.  Contest will take place in the Community Center.
Categories are chips n salsa, pies, cookies, cakes, appetizers, and soup.  Entries may be brought in through out the morning.  Judging will begin at 11:30 a.m.  Prizes will be awarded to each category winner.
Flagpole Festival Bike Decorating Contest will be held on Saturday, June 28, at 10 a.m.  Decorate those bikes as patriotic as you can and bring them in and park them in front of the Flagpole Festival Committee Table by 10 a.m that morning.  The winner will receive a Flagpole Festival t-shirt, a bike helmet, and a bike light. They will also receive a sign declaring them the winner and will be asked to lead all the bikes in the parade at 11.
The Annual Mound Valley Flagpole Festival is featuring a “Baby Swimsuit Contest” on June 28. This year’s age divisions will be: 0-12 months; 13-24 months; 2-3 years. Swimsuits only.
Babies will be judged on: personality 1-5; stage performance 1-5; outfit ensemble 1-5.
The winner in each division will receive a trophy and savings bond.
For more information call 620-820-3969.

For more information, see the June 25 issue of Labette Avenue.

Lenora Faye Vail

WELCH, Okla.—Lenora Faye Vail, 80, of Welch, Okla., died Monday, June 23, 2008, at St. John’s Regional Medical Center, Joplin, Mo.

There will be a visitation for family and friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday evening at the Welch Baptist Church.

Services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, June 27, at the Welch Baptist Church. Interment will be at Williams Timberhill Cemetery, east of Welch.

Services are under the direction of Jim Thomas, Thomas Funeral Home, Welch.

Jesse L. Clugston

COLUMBUS—Jesse L. Clugston, 66, of Columbus, Kan., died at 6:40 p.m., Sunday, June 22, 2008. at his home after a long illness.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, at Calvary Baptist Church, S.B.C. with Brother Bill Peters and Todd MacLean co-officiating. Burial will follow in Park Cemetery in Columbus.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 until 8 p.m. Tuesday at Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 611 S. East Avenue, Columbus. E-mail condolences maybe left at websitewww.bathnaylor.com.

The family suggest expressions of sympathy be in the form of memorials to the Calvary Baptist Church Remodeling Fund. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 611 S. East Avenue, Columbus, Kan., 66725.

Mary Louise Wakefield-Leaming

LIBERAL—Mary Louise Wakefield-Leaming 79, of Liberal, Kan., died Monday June 23, 2008 at her residence.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday at the First Southern Baptist Church with Rev. Keith Bryant and Dr. Michael Leaming presiding. Burial will be at Restlawn Cemetery.

Visitation time will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Kitch-Brenneman Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the First Southern Baptist Church, Kansas State University or St. Catherine Hospital Hospice in care of Kitch-Brenneman Funeral Home 1212 W. 2nd Liberal, KS 67901.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.brennemanfuneralhome.com.

Chloe Nichelle Robinson

PARSONS—Chloe Nichelle Robinson, one year old daughter of Shane Johnson and Tiffany Robinson of Parsons, died at 2:09 p.m. Saturday, June 21, 2008, at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo.

A private graveside service will be held by the family.

Memorials are suggested to the Chloe Robinson Memorial Fund. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Vernon Ellsworth

WINFIELD—Vernon Ellsworth, 78, of Winfield, formerly of Oswego and Parsons, died Monday, June 16, 2008, at the Kansas Veterans Home in Winfield.

Funeral services were held Friday in the Bible Holiness Church in Parsons, 27th and Dirr. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery with full military honors conducted by the U.S. Army of Fort Riley.

The family suggests memorials to the Independence Bible School. These may be left at or sent to the funeral home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, 67337.

John B. Brown

CHETOPA—John B. Brown, 89, of Chetopa died at 11:35 a.m. Tuesday, June 17, 2008, at Labette Health. He is survived by his wife, Mildred Brown, of Chetopa.

Complete obituary details will be announced by Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa.

Mary Virginia Thompson

PARSONS—Mary Virginia Thompson, 51, of Parsons, died at 11:42 P.M., Saturday, June 21, 2008 in the Intensive Care Unit at Labette Health. She was in failing health.

The body will be cremated. No services are scheduled. Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association and may be left or mailed to the Carson-Wall Funeral Home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, Kansas 67357.