The Oswego Golf Association, Inc., held an annual membership meeting on Sunday, Oct. 19. Three new members of the Board of Directors were elected: Rick Scott and Larry Wilson were elected for three-year terms and Ken Wyrick for a two-year term. These three will serve with two members who are still in office: Jeff Clayborn has two years left on the board and Lowell Scott has one year remaining as director.
This past year’s president, Bob Lewis, resigned and the Board of Directors will elect officers at the Nov. 19 meeting at 7 p.m. at the Oswego Golf Course Club House at 7 p.m.
Members agreed to send a letter to prospective new members with a One Time Membership Promotion (This includes any former member that is not a member in 2008). Family and Single Memberships for 2009 will be $100 off. Family membership will be $355 (regular cost is $455.) Single membership is $300 (regular cost is $400.) Anyone buying a new membership can begin playing immediately for the remainder of 2008 free. Play cards are available for Christmas gifts. A 5 Green Fees Play Card is $45 (a $15 savings) and 12 Green Fees Play Card for $100 (a $44 savings).
For further information on the above promotion or play card purchase, contact Ken Wyrick, Board Member and Club House Manager. The Oswego Golf Course Club House phone number is (620) 795-4767.

Letter to the Editor:
The wonderful day we had at the park for the Oswegofest celebration wasn’t just luck but was due to the efforts of many people who love Oswego. The Festival Committee invested hours of work to coordinate the event, and volunteers and city staff help to make the park a beautiful place where we can enjoy, not only festivals, but special family time as well. The park is a place of pride and is one of the special advantages to living in our small town.
But it takes more than time and hard work to make the park such a special place; it takes the generosity of people who believe in our community. The Oswego Park Foundation has been thrilled at the generous donations that have been made to improve our park, but it isn’t completed yet. We have a “Wish List” - a reminder of improvements needed to make even more dreams come true.
What’s next? There are plans in the works to replace the west shelter house with one similar in style to the two built by the WPA years ago. A grant for $30,000 has been applied for, but if received, it must be matched with $5,000 from community donations. This shelter house would have a fireplace and cement walks for easy access. This would be a great place for family outings even into the winter months.
If you drive through the park at night you will notice how well lit it is. Twenty-four beautiful street lights help make the park a safe and inviting place after dark, but we still need to pay for some of the lights and the identifying plaques at a cost of $2,200 each.
Benches provide places for people to rest but come at a cost of $500 each. And trees are a lasting memorial to loved ones for $110.
And there are more dreams in the works. The old fountain west of the bathhouse has been serving as a planter for years and should be restored to its original purpose, and for fun, a talented woodcarver could turn ordinary stumps into playful raccoons or squirrels.
Let’s continue to work together to make Riverside Park the showcase of Southeast Kansas and a wonderful place for our citizens to walk, play, picnic and gather. All these wishes are possible as soon as the money becomes available. Let’s keep this enthusiasm going.––by Oswego Park Foundation

Voters in Altamont will vote on the continuation of a one percent sales tax to be used exclusively for economic development, for sewer renovation, for the upkeep and resurfacing of city streets, for the town water tower and water distribution system, for sanitation, for the gas system, for the electric system and for the city building.
The tax will expire in two years at which time voters may be asked to renew it.
This is not a tax increase. It is a sales tax currently collected by Altamont merchants and businesses.
The City of Oswego also is asking city voters to decide whether to continue levying a one percent sales tax, 75 percent of which will be used for development and maintenance of city streets and parking, and 25 percent to be used to improve the city’s parks and recreation facilities. This tax, if approved, will expire in five years.
This is not a tax increase. It is a sales tax currently collected by Oswego merchants and businesses.

Labette County voters will go to the polls next Tuesday, Nov. 4, to cast ballots in the general election.
At the top of the list will be the race for President of the United States and the two major candidates are John McCain and his running mate for vice-president, Sarah Palin, both Republicans, vs. Democrats Barack Obama for president and Joe Biden for vice-president.
Less known candidates for president will be:
Libertarian Party - Bob Barr and Wayne A. Root.
Independent - Ralph Nader and Matt Gonzalez.
Reform - Chuck Baldwin and Darrell Castle.
In other races, incumbent U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, a Republican, will be challenged by Jim Slattery, a Democrat, along with Joseph Martin, Reform Party, and Randall Hodgkinson, Libertarian Party.
For U.S. Representative, incumbent Congresswoman Nancy Boyda, a Democrat from Topeka, is opposed by Republican Lynn Jenkins, Republican, from Topeka. Also running is Libertarian Robert Garrard of Edgerton.
For the Kansas Senate, incumbent Republican Dwayne Umbarger of Thayer is being opposed by a Parsons Democrat David Miller.
Richard Proehl is running unopposed as a Republican for the Kansas House of Representatives, Seventh Dist.
Jerry D. Williams of Chanute, a Democrat, is running unopposed for the Kansas House, Eighth District.
For county offices, there are no contested races.
Brian C. Kinzie, Edna, is running as a Republican for Labette County Commissioner, Second Dist.
Jack W. Martin, Parsons, is seeking election as a Republican for county commissioner, Third Dist.
Linda Schreppel of Oswego, incumbent county clerk, is running as a Republican for re-election.
Crystal Addis, Oswego, is seeking re-election as Labette County Treasurer as a Democrat.
Donna Strickland, Oswego, is seeking re-election as register of deeds for Labette County.
Hillary Haas, Erie, a Republican, is seeking election to the office of Labette County Attorney.
William C. Blundell, Oswego Republican, is seeking re-election as Labette County Sheriff.
For 11th Judicial Dist. positions, the following candidates are running:
A.J. Wachter, Pittsburg, seeking retention as district judge in Div.. 1.
Donald R. Noland, Girard, Div. 4, seeking retention.
John C. Gariglietti, Pittsburg, seeking retention in Div. 5.
Jeffry L. Jack, Parsons, seeking retention in Div. 6.
Kansas Supreme Court justices Eric S. Rosen and Lee A. Johnson will be listed as “shall they be retained?” questions, and the same is true with Steve Lieben, Joseph Pierron, Christel E. Marquardt and Richard D. Greene for positions on the Kansas Court of Appeals.
Numerous township positions also will be on the ballot.
Results of Tuesday’s election will be posted on the newspaper website: taylornews.org as they are available Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Results will not be printed in next week’s Labette Avenue because the newspaper will be printed before the polls close on Tuesday.

When the Oswego High School football team plays at Yates Center for the regular season finale Thursday night, Oct. 30, the Indians’ eyes will be squarely focused on the Wildcats.
However, their minds might be wondering about another game some 30 miles away.
That’s because Sedan and West Elk will be locking horns in Howard, Kan., to decide the class 2A district 8 playoff championship (Oswego is the third team in that three-team playoff).
Regardless of what happens at Yates Center on Thursday, Oswego has to hope for a berth in the class 2A state playoffs with a Sedan triumph over West Elk.
A Sedan victory would give the Blue Devils a 2-0 standing in the district playoffs, thereby eliminating West Elk out of state playoff contention. Oswego would then be the district playoff runner-up and will travel to Pittsburg-Colgan for the start of the class 2A state playoffs on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Oswego entered last Friday’s game with a 20-14 win over West Elk on Oct. 17. The Indians could have had a chance to clinch the district playoff title outright last Friday with a win over Sedan, however the Blue Devils had other plans. The Blue Devils stunned the Indians, 31-14, in Oswego to put the Indians’ hopes for a district playoff on hold.
After Sedan had an 8-0 lead at halftime, Oswego got on the scoreboard when Damon Trotnic scored on a five-yard run. The Blue Devils would then score a pair of touchdowns to command 22-6 lead in the fourth quarter. Trotnic would find paydirt one last time by scoring on a seven-yard run in the final minutes. That touchdown would cut Oswego’s deficit to 28-14 — a two-possession, two-touchdown difference.
However, Sedan would expand its score when Brady McCoy knocked an 18-yard field goal through the uprights in the waning minutes to lift the Sedan team ahead by 17 points.
Oswego actually finished the game ahead of Sedan on the offensive charts. The Indians amassed 284 yards in offense (206 rushing, 78 passing) while Sedan had 269 total offensive yards (220 rushing, 49 passing).
Trotnic led the Indians with a game-high 142 rushing yards on 18 carries. Nick Billingsly logged 27 rushing yards on four totes.
Oswego quarterback Lane Martin hit six of 26 targets for 78 yards and threw two interceptions in the loss.
Head coach Andy Fewin’s Oswego team is now 5-3 overall. Regardless of a win or loss at Yates Center on Thursday, the Oswego team has now accumulated as many wins in one season as it has in the previous four seasons combined.
Oswego has not competed in the class 2A state playoffs since the 2004 season.

Autumn in Labette County is abundant, colorful and glorious as shown by these two Oswego children who played in the yard of Albert and Peggy Strickland.  Shown are Landon Dean, son of Charlie and Nicole Dean with his cousin, Anna Grace Dean, daughter of Jeff and Cindy Dean, all of Oswego. The Stricklands make it a yearly project to decorate for Halloween and Thanksgiving, just before switching to decorations for the Christmas holidays.

Erica Kabrey, Chetopa, a 14 year-old freshman at Chetopa High School, is one of 17 participants who has been selected for the calf scramble in the American Royal in Kansas City, Mo.
The event will take place at the Professional Bull Riding Kemper Arena on Nov. 1. The event  starts at 7 p.m.
Erica is the president of the Chetopa Pacers 4-H and is Treasurer of FFA. She is the daughter of Kent and Debbie Kabrey of Chetopa and granddaughter of Carl and Sara Kabrey, Chetopa.

For more information, see the Oct. 29 issue of the Labette Avenue. To locate previously posted death notices, enter the decedent’s last name in the archive search box on Labette Avenue’s home page. Labette Avenue publishes death notices free of charge. Paid obituaries ($20) are printed in their entirety in the Labette Avenue and online at taylornews.org.

Abbey Smith

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.—Johnnie Abolene “Abbey” Smith, 82, of Springfield, Mo., died at 1:45 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, after a short illness.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, Oct. 27, at Greenlawn Funeral Home, 3506 N. National, Springfield. Visitation will be Monday from noon to 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Springfield.

Abbey was born July 22, 1926, in Lead Hill, Ark., the oldest child of John and Anna (Manley) Bell. She grew up in Arkansas and attended grade school there. She graduated high school from the School of the Ozarks in Hollister, Mo.

She married Paul Smith. He preceded her in death in Aug. 1985. Together they owned and operated Burgess-Smith Paint Store in downtown Springfield. She also worked for a time at Lines Music Store where she met several famous country singers, as it was located across the road from the Ozark Jubilee.

Following Paul’s death, Abbey sold the business and went to work as an insurance agent for United Savings and Loan in Springfield, retiring from that position. She worked a time at Commerce Bank as well.

She was a member of the Central Assembly of God, Springfield.

Abbey enjoyed bowling and belonged to a league. She bowled her personal best game just a few weeks ago, the day before she began feeling ill. She also loved flowers and reading.

Survivors include one sister, Duna Lynn and husband Rev. Fred Lynn, Springfield; one brother, Henry Bell and wife Shirley, Chetopa, Kan.; one nephew, Craig Bell, Miami, Okla.; two nieces, Tammy Guinn and Sherry Conner, both of Chetopa; numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Paul, she was preceded in death by her parents, John and Anna Bell; a sister, Anna Marie Foresee; and three nephews, Dr. J. Steven Foresee, Scott Beshears, and Sonny Bell.

Guy J. “Red” Sands

PRINCETON, Ind.—Guy J. “Red” Sands, 84, of Princeton, Ind., passed away Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008, at The Waters in Princeton.

Funeral services were held Sunday, Oct. 26, at Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton with the Rev. Brian Cook officiating. Burial was at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Fort Branch.

Condolences may be made online at www.colvinfuneralhome.com.

Red was born June 6, 1924, in Coffeyville, Kan., to Ed and Edna (Kinnamon) Sands who preceded him in death along with his wife Dorothy J. Sands in 1990.

He served in the United States Army during WWII, receiving a Purple Heart. He lived in the Princeton area since 1973. He worked as a union pipe fitter and welder in Local 136 in Evansville where he retired in 1983. He was a member of the Elks of Princeton.

He is survived by his three sons, Randy (Pam) Sands of Princeton; Bob Sands and companion Brenda Birchler of Fort Branch; Russell Sands of Coffeyville, Kan.; three grandchildren, Amanda Sands of Columbus; Jacob Sands of Princeton; Shelly Sands of Coffeyville, Kan.; one great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

Marvin Ernest Smith

CHETOPA—Marvin Ernest Smith, 77, of Chetopa, Kan., died Monday, Oct. 20, 2008, at St. John’s Regional Medical Center, Joplin, Mo.

Cremation has taken place. Family services are being planned for a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

Dennis “Bud” Highsmith

WELCH, Okla.—Dennis Foreman “Bud” Highsmith, 78, lifetime Welch, Okla., resident died at the Oklahoma Veterans Center in Claremore on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 23, 2008.

The family will have a time to share memories beginning at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27, at the Luginbuel Funeral Home Chapel in Vinita, Okla.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m.,Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the First Christian Church in Miami (across from Wal-Mart). Officiating will be Pastors Leon Weece, Brad Canham, Wade Markham and Kevin Baker. Interment will follow at the Welch Cemetery. Arrangements are by the Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita.

Online condolences can be made at www.honoringmemories.com. Preferred memorials may be given in Bud’s name to the Cowboy Junction Christian School, 27502 S 4380 Rd., Vinita, OK 74301.

Gerald Wayne “Bow” Bowman

PARSONS—Gerald Wayne “Bow” Bowman, 89, of Parsons, Kan.,, died Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008 at Labette Health.

Funeral services are scheduled to be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 25, at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Joe Hyde officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery with military honors given by the Brown-Bishop Post No. 704, Veterans of Foreign Wars. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 24, at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home.

Memorials are suggested to the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, and may be left or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Carson-Wall Funeral Home.

Harry E. Beebe

PARSONS—Harry E. Beebe, 77, of Parsons, Kan., died Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008, at the home of his brother, Lee Beebe, in Parsons. He had been in failing health.

Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m., Friday, Oct. 24, at Belton Cemetery in Belton, Mo. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.

Henrietta Maxton

COLUMBUS–Henrietta Maxton, 73, passed away Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008.

Services will be at 11 a.m., Monday, at Murdock Funeral Home, Columbus. Burial will be in Park Cemetery, Columbus.

Cheryl P. McKee

COLUMBUS–Cheryl P. McKee, 64, of Columbus, Kan., died Friday, Oct. 24, 2008, at the St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo., after a lengthy illness.

Family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m,, Monday at the Simpson Funeral Home in Columbus. Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the Simpson Funeral Home in.

Memorials are suggested to the Kidney Foundation and may be left at the Simpson Funeral Home, Columbus.

Matt McCann

PARSONS—Matthew “Matt” McCann, 45, of Parsons, Kan., formerly of Fort Scott, died Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008, at his home. He had been in failing health.

Funeral Mass will at 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 31, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parsons. Burial committal services will follow at noon at Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Scott.

Memorials are suggested to the donor’s choice and may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.

Labette County Election Officer Linda Schreppel said the Courthouse in Oswego will have late voting this Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 29 and 30, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Also on Saturday, Nov. 1, the Courthouse will be open to vote over the counter in advance from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.