Seventh and eighth grade students across the state are invited to compete for prizes and a radio appearance in a new essay competition. The competition – sponsored by Kansas Action for Children – asks students to speak out about what their generation needs in order to reach its full potential.
Selected student writers will be asked to read their essays aloud for airing on Kansas Public Radio. The top seventh grade writer and the top eighth grade writer will each receive a $100 Amazon.com gift card. Selected essays will also be posted on KAC’s Web site.
Students may enter the essay competition as individuals, or teachers may submit essays on behalf of their class. Additional prizes will be awarded to the first 10 teachers who have their classrooms participate in the essay competition.
All essays must be postmarked by Friday, Jan. 30, 2009. For writing instructions and complete details, visit www.kac.org/essay Questions about the essay competition may be directed to (785) 845-3554 or essay@kac.org.

Oswego residents are well acquainted with the auction concept, and the successful inaugural event of the Red Chair Auction on Dec. 6 confirms that. Hometown folks are also great supporters of charitable causes, and the Red Chair now hopes to marry the two concepts for the benefit of the community.
The next monthly auction at the Red Chair is set for Jan. 3, with another following on Feb. 7, and the auction house is encouraging “charity auctions” at these events, along with the regular auction. Coming so closely on the heels of Christmas, a Charity Auction is a perfect time to recycle unwanted gifts while continuing the goodwill and giving that’s a major part of the holiday season.
A Charity Auction is much like a church bazaar or a benefit yard sale. Here’s how it works:
People take to the auction house items which they no longer want or need. These should be in clean condition, ready to sell. Tell the folks at Red Chair that the net proceeds from the sale of the items are to be donated to a designated charity, such as a church, a school or a child’s sports league, or an entity like the American Cancer Society.
Then, when the item sells at auction, Red Chair will cut a check for the net amount of the sale directly to the “charity” which was designated. The Red Chair routinely retains a 30% fee for sold items; however, to support Charity Auctions the house keeps only 25%.
“Charity Auctions work really well when a lot of people bring in things to sell on behalf of the same charity,” said Red Chair owner David Spradling.
“People in charge of fundraising for organizations can alert their members to donate things for one of our monthly auctions. The more that is brought in, the more will sell and the greater the amount of the donation check.”
To consign items for regular or Charity Auctions, stop by the Red Chair between 1 and 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, or call for an appointment at 795-2094, 479-254-8989 or 316-992-4301.
Charity Auctions work well for buyers, too.
Consider how nice it is to buy something, knowing that the net sale price will be given to a charity! Keep it in mind while shopping amongst the items at the Red Chair, and bid often and bid high to support favorite causes.
Red Chair Auction is located in the former VFW building at 1717 W. 4th in Oswego.  Both the auction house and P&D Diner will be closed Dec. 24 and 25, but will be open 4 to 8 p.m. on New Year’s Day and regular hours on New Year’s Eve.

Dave Loiselle started his new job as the new Labette County Appraiser duties last week.
Loiselle was raised in Pittsburg, in Crawford County, graduating from Pittsburg Senior High and obtaining a Bachelor of General Studies degree at Pittsburg State University.
He entered the real estate field  starting with passing the state’s licensing exam in October of 1982 and became a sales associate with ERA Crown Realty in Pittsburg in January of 1983. “I subsequently went to work for the Crawford County Appraiser at the beginning of 1985,” he said. “When the County Appraiser position became open in 1985, I was appointed as their County Appraiser,” he said. He held that position until 1993.
In 1993 he opened a fee appraisal and real estate brokerage agency, Loiselle Realty, in Columbus, until starting here in Labette County this past Dec. 15.
His wife, Barbara, was also raised in Pittsburg, and they celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary this past September.
They have two children, our daughter Tracy and son David is studying at UNMA in Albuquerque, NM.

The National FFA Organization (FFA), Indianapolis, Ind., announced Lindsey Pease of Chetopa FFA, was selected to receive a ISK Bioscience grant in the amount of $1,000 to improve Lindsey’s career development experience known as a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE).  Lindsey was selected from hundreds of applicants nationwide.  Lindsey will be recognized at the National FFA Convention next year in Indianapolis, Ind.
This award is sponsored by ISK Bioscience as a special project of the National FFA Organization.  The FFA is a national youth organization of 507,763 student members - all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture - as part of 7,439 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Lindsey’s plans for the grant money are to purchase a Goat Master Work Chute to help when she is vaccinating and working her goats.  Lindsey’s Meat Goat SAE currently consists of 53 Head of mature does, 2 bucks, and 12 doe kids.
The Reserve Grand Goat at the Kansas State Fair this year was purchased from Lindsey. She has developed an outstanding SAE and this Grant will ensure her continued growth and success. She credits all her success to the support from her family, Simpson Veterinary Clinic, and  Chetopa Schools.
This is the first time Chetopa FFA has had a National FFA Grant winner.  There were thirty $500 national grants given and only four $1,000 national grants.  Of the thirty $500 grants, seven winners were from the state of Kansas and Lindsey was the only $1,000 winner from Kansas, the other three $1,000 winners were from Minnesota, and Nebraska.
Lindsey is a Sophomore of Chetopa High school and she serves a the Chetopa FFA Secretary. Lindsey is the daughter of Wayne and Stephanie Pease of rural Chetopa.  She currently works for Simpson Veterinary Clinic of Chetopa and plans to pursue a degree in Veterinary Medicine after graduating from high school.

For more information, see the Dec. 24 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.

Dollie M. Getman

COLUMBUS—Dollie M. Getman, 79, of rural Columbus, Kan., died Tuesday evening at the Medicalodge of Columbus after an illness.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. ,Friday, Dec. 19, at the Simpson Funeral Home in Columbus with Dennis Johnson, Pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Edgmand Cemetery Northwest of Columbus. Family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, at the Simpson Funeral Home.

Family suggest donations to the Columbus Community Foundation.

Leonard G. Scheurich

PARSONS—Leonard G. Scheurich, 76, of Parsons, Kan., died at 9:48 p.m., Monday, Dec. 15, 2008 at the Via Christi St. Francis Medical Center in Wichita, where he entered shortly before his death.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home, with Rev. John Bain officiating. Masonic services will also be given at the funeral home. The family will receive friends following the service. Burial will be at a later date at Memorial Lawn Cemetery.

Lucille Bryson

EDNA—Lucille Bryson of Edna, Kan., died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008, at Windsor Place in Coffeyville. She was 89.

Services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 20, at the CrossTimbers Church in Edna. Reverend Jack Blackwell will officiate. Burial will follow at the North Edna Cemetery in Edna.

Friends may call on Friday, Dec. 19, from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. to sign the guest register. Family will greet friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Penwell-Gabel Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel.

Memorial contributions can be made to the charity of your choice in care of Penwell-Gabel Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel.

Eula Jean Coffman

PARSONS–Eula Jean Coffman, 66, of Parsons, Kan., died Friday, Dec. 19, 2008, at her home.

Funeral services will be at 6 p.m., Tuesday, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. The family will receive friends following the service.

Memorials are suggested to the Eula Coffman Memorial Fund and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.

Tom Strasser

PARSONS–Tom Strasser, 77, of rural Parsons, Kan., died Friday, Dec. 19, 2008, at Labette Health.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parsons. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery in St. Paul. The rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. The family will receive friends immediately following the rosary.

Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.

Delbert Ringle

PARSONS–Delbert D. Ringle, 80, of Parsons, Kan., died Friday, Dec. 19, 2008, at Good Samaritan Society of Parsons. He had been in failing health several months.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, at Harmony Grove Cemetery, with Rev. John Chastain officiating and military honors given by the Brown-Bishop Post # 704, Veterans of Foreign Wars. The casket will remain closed but friends are welcome to sign the register at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home all day Tuesday. Memorials are suggested to Hospice Care of Kansas. They may be left at or sent to the Carson-Wall Funeral Home, Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357.

Frances V. Hite

PARSONS–Frances V. Hite, 90, of Parsons, Kan., died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008, in the Cherryvale Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for several years.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Nash Christian Church in Nash, Okla., with her son-in-law, pastor Tom Smith, officiating. Burial will be at 10 a.m. at New Home Cemetery, Nash. Arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.

Memorials are suggested to the Parsons Church of the Brethren, 4130 Main, Parsons, 67357, and sent in care of the funeral home.

Bert M. Wommack

PARSONS–Bert M. Wommack, 85, of Parsons, Kan., died Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, at Elmhaven West nursing home in Parsons. He had been in failing health.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home, with Revs. Joe Hyde and Wayne Mason officiating. Burial, with military honors, will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2 to 3 p.m., Sunday.

Memorials are suggested to either the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice or the Labette Assistance Center. They may be left at or sent to the funeral home at Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357.

Ferne Brady

PARSONS–Ferne Brady, 87, of Parsons, Kan., passed away at 4:05 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, at the Elmhaven West Nursing Home in Parsons.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 22, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parsons. The Rosary will be held at 5:30 p.m., Sunday at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons where the family will receive friends following the Rosary.

Committal services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Brookfield, Mo.

Philip C. Godfrey

PARSONS—Philip C. Godfrey, 64, of Parsons, Kan., died Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Mo.

A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m., Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Parsons. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Monday, prior to the service, at the Assembly of God in Oswego. Friends may call at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons after 1 p.m., on Sunday, Dec. 28.

Memorials are suggested to the Royal Rangers Boys’ Ministry. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Condolences may be mailed to the family at P.O. Box 644, Parsons, KS 67357.Memorial contributions are suggested to either the St. Patrick’s School Endowment Fund or Hospice Care of Kansas. These may be left at or mailed to the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.