The highlight of the USD 504 Board of Education meeting on Monday, Nov. 9, was the presentation of the Governor’s Award for the Standard of Excellence achievement by Lewis Riley, Board President, to Rod Wittmer, Principal of Oswego High School. Fifteen teachers and former teachers were present to observe the award presentation. Principal Rod Wittmer thanked the Board and Mr. Karlin and administrative staff for giving the Oswego High School administrative staff and faculty the support, resources and freedom to accomplish this achievement.
Those present were Cathy Campbell, Jennifer Schenker, Susan Johnson, Angie Mendoza, Lynette Goddard, Kris Redburn, Roberta Brightman, Brenda Charles, Beverly Elliott, Jeff Schreppel, Kenny Gott, Diane Thompson, Andy Fewin, Russell Swisher and Janna Nesbitt.

Doug Dickerson has joined the Carter Auto Parts team as manager at the Oswego store location.
Dickerson began as manager two weeks ago. Carter Auto Parts also has six stores in Coffeyville, Caney, Fredonia, Neodesha and Sedan.
Dickerson and his wife Nancy, have five children and eight grandchildren and live in Oswego.



Lynette Cole — one of the regionally renown “Cole Family” singers — is listening to the radio more these days. That’s because a song she wrote, Look Up, can now be heard on bluegrass and gospel stations both on line and over the airwaves.
A resident of rural Edna, Cole gave permission to a nationally recognized band, “Triple L,” to record the song which also was recorded on the Coles’ acapella CD titled No Strings Attach’d. She wrote it 10 years ago and Look Up has been a favorite with audiences wherever the Coles perform. And it was thoughts about her parents that provided the inspiration to write the song.
Lynette said her dad and mother were facing some incredibly difficult financial times in 1999 and had some heavy decisions to make about the farm and dairy they owned.
“It hurt me to see them so discouraged about life,” she said. “One day I was working in the yard, thinking about and praying for them and the thought crossed my mind that I wished they could just look up … look above all the distress and see the One that knows exactly how to calm the storm that so visibly was battering their world. A smile can return to our face if we just look up.”
“I was so excited when Triple L asked me for permission, and then to see and hear the response from people and even radio stations already is overwhelming — in a good way,” said Cole.
The Triple L band members obtained a copy of the Coles’ acapella album, heard Look Up and immediately liked it.
Although she has written many songs, Look Up is the only one to be recorded by another group.
Lynette said the inspiration for her songs is all relative.
“It doesn’t matter where or when as long as I’m inspired,” she said. “I remember writing a love song for my husband Kevin. I was driving and had no paper except for a Taco Bell receipt. That’s where the words were written. Since I love the outdoors, it does seem like a lot of my songs are written mentally while I’m mowing, in my greenhouse or taking a walk through the pasture.”
She estimates that she has written more than 75 songs.
Lynette and Kevin team up as singers with her sister and husband, Retha and Orin Cole who live near them at rural Bartlett. Add all their children, Madison, Logan, Brad and Travis and it becomes quite an on-stage sight, with plenty of mellow, harmonious sounds that provide entertainment for audiences and praise to their Lord, all in one musical package.
The singing Coles, by the way, are two sisters who married two brothers.
“Our family has been so amazed already at the opportunities we have been given through music,” Lynette said. “Because of the bluegrass music we perform, we have been able to travel more than we ever thought we would and played at venues we never thought possible. We’ve met some of the nicest folks that have been so supportive. It’s been a very fun and exciting journey for all of us!
Anyone may purchase the Coles’ CD or get more information about their performance schedule by visiting their website: colesbluegrass.com.
To purchase the Triple L CD which features Look Up, go to TripleLBand.com.

Labette County Choral and Theatre Departments will present “Guys and Dolls” based on a story by Damon Runyon, music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows on Nov. 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 14 at 2:30 p.m. in Harrison Auditorium.
Student tickets are $5, adults $6. Advance tickets are available. Contact Heather Wilson (620) 784-5321.

Chetopa’s Frontier Charcoal is adding a new 40,000 square foot storage building for their charcoal. It will hopefully be completed by the end of the month. The new construction is being done by General Contractor, Midland Erectors.
According to CEO Kevin Christensen, the new building will not quite double the space under roof. It is not quite as big as the present space.
Frontier Charcoal ships everything they build in a year during the first six months. Their busy time is from January to July. They will fill the storage building as quickly as charcoal is completed.

Riggs Drug Store at Chetopa has an on-line prescription refill service for ease in customer prescription renewals.
This is an on-line prescription refill service in which you can order your medications and never leave your home. Just follow the simple directions and you can have a set day each month to get your prescriptions.
Step 1: in the browser web address box, type in www.riggsdrugs.net and the screen will pop up.
Step 2: At the top of the next screen you will see refill prescription - click it.
Step 3: A similar screen will emerge–a few lines down from the top, click on “Click here to refill your prescription.”
Step 4: On that screen, you must fill out your first and last name, phone number, e-mail address, prescription numbers and indicate how you want to receive your prescriptions (pick up at store, mail, or delivery).
Step 5: Then press submit.
Step 6: The pharmacy will send you back a confirmation that they have received it.
Contact David at (620) 236-7272 or e-mail him at riggsdrug@sbcglobal.net for more information.