The table setting originally planned for Saturday evening at the Elk Valley School in Longton has been postponed by one day until Sunday, March 29.

The viewing will begin at 1 p.m. with dinner served at 2 p.m.

Spokesperson Shirley Black said she hopes everyone will pass the word so everyone planning to attend can make alternate plans.

The USD 282 Board of Education held a special meeting Monday night to discuss school facilities.

The floor was opened to anyone wishing to speak and many patrons took the opportunity, expressing many opinions about the board’s recently announced plans regarding the district’s two elementary schools.

In their regular meeting on March 9, the board voted to keep the Severy Elementary School and Moline Elementary Schools open for the 2009-10 school year. Both will have pre-kindergarten classes and kindergarten.

The sixth grade will be moved back to the elementary program after recently being moved to the West Elk High School campus.

On Monday night, the board listened to concerns of patrons then confirmed their previous decision made on March 9.

The board approved the formation of a sub-committee composed of three board members (Robert Wolfe, Casey Smith and Jim Roebuck), three administrators (Pam Leiker, Shirley Hugill and Corey Reese) and two persons knowledgeable about construction (Patrick Perkins and Matt Hilton). This sub-committee will study the West Elk site in Howard and help determine where to place an elementary school and what other changes might be made to the site.

This information would then be sent to the architect.

This year’s annual event and fundraiser for QUAD (Quality United Area Development facilitation program) will be held Saturday, April 4, at West Elk High School in Howard.

QUAD directors said this year’s event, dubbed the “Showcase of Success,” will kick off at 6 p.m. with guests having the opportunity to mingle with local business owners who will be displaying booths at the business trade show.

Dinner will begin at 6:30, followed by an uplifting presentation about entrepreneurship in rural Kansas. The topic will be presented by Ron Wilson of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development. The meeting will conclude with a drawing to give away outstanding prizes that have been donated by local businesses, many of which are valued from $250 to $500.

QUAD is a local non-profit organization designed to provide free assistance to stimulate local business growth.

Counties that participate in QUAD include Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood and Woodson. Whether a current business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or a citizen interested in promoting business growth in rural communities, the public is invited and encouraged to attend. Event tickets should be purchased in advanced by calling Dana Mills, QUAD board member, at 620-404-0099 by March 30.

“Showcase of Success” is QUAD’s way of celebrating the businesses that service the local communities. Therefore, QUAD is inviting business owners to participate by having a booth display. Any business owners that are interested in participating in the trade show should also call the above mentioned phone number. There is no entry fee to have a booth display.

A Lee’s Summit, Mo., lawyer has established an office in Sedan.

G. Thomas Harris, 65, opened his law office in Sedan on March 16 in the Chautauqua Hills Abstract & Title Company building at 111 East Cherokee across the street from the Sedan courthouse.

Harris graduated from law school in 1969, and is licensed in both Kansas and Missouri. He is a general practitioner with experience in family law, including divorce, modification of child custody, visitation and support, name changes, wills, trusts and estate planning, probate, collections, real estate law, guardianship and conservatorship matters, business and contract law, traffic law, criminal law, administrative law and personal injury work.

Harris has been a general practitioner with offices in both Richmond, and Bethany, Mo. He has previously served as the municipal prosecutor for the City of Gilman City, Mo., and Orrick, Mo., and as the city attorney for the cities of Ridgeway, New Hampton, Mt. Moriah and Gilman City. He sold his Richmond office building to the Chamber of Commerce and intends to establish a general practice in Sedan.

Prior to practicing law in Missouri, Harris was a real estate broker, specializing in tax deferred exchanges of commercial and investment properties and the sale of businesses. He earned the designation of C.C.I.M. (Certified Commercial Investment Member) with the National Association of Realtors in Chicago – similar to a CPA or CLU designation, but for one who is considered an expert in commercial/investment real estate. He is the only attorney in Missouri who holds such a designation. He also spent several years as general counsel for Property Tax Representatives, Inc., representing clients to reduce the property tax on commercial and investment properties located in both Kansas and Missouri.

He and his wife, Lee, are the parents of three children, twin sons, Marc and Todd, and a daughter, Brita. He has six grandchildren.

Harris can be reached at 111 East Cherokee Street, Sedan, KS 67361 (phone: 620-725-3344). His website is www.816harrislawoffice.com.

The City of Sedan Spring Clean-Up Week is scheduled for Monday, April 20, to Friday, April 24. Persons wanting trash picked up must go by City Hall, put their names on a list and pay a $10 fee.

You must have your trash at the curb side on your regularly scheduled solid waste pickup day. The City will only be picking up large appliances and furniture. The trash truck will pick up the rest.

The following items will not be picked up: tires, yard waste of any kind, brush, lumber, batteries, hazardous chemicals, rocks, bricks and shingles. All metal products and appliances need to be in separate piles from trash items.

The brush dump will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the public to haul and dump brush only! Free of charge. You will need to go by City Hall and pick up a key.

For more information, call City Hall at 620-725-3193.

Moline Grade School Carnival
Sponsored by MEG
It is that time of year again for the annual Moline Grade School Carnival. The carnival will be held Saturday, April 4 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Moline gymnasium.

There will be lots of games for the kids to enjoy. We have lots of prizes this year. We are again having the cakewalk.

This year we are raffling off a tent and two chairs. We will also have the 50/50 raffle this year. Some of the games are duck pond, basketball toss, ring toss, ball throw and many others.
If you have any questions call Venessa Hogan at 620-647-3548.

By Walt Koontz, SHS Guidance Counselor

ATTENTION “COLLEGE STUDENTS”
Following is a list of local scholarships available to anyone currently attending college or preparing to enter college in the fall of 2009. Information and applications are located on the Counselor Section of the U.S.D. #286 Web Site (http://usd286-sedan-ks.org). These applications can be completed on-line, printed, and delivered to the SHS guidance office.

RUSSELL FAMILY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP: (Deadline – March 31)
The “Carl F. Walter, Alice M. Walter, Harry N. Russell, and Betty J. Russell Scholarship” is available to SHS students pursuing post-secondary education. This scholarship is renewable for up to five years with reapplication procedures and guidelines. The funds will be paid directly to the school of choice and will be used for tuition, fees, and books a college, university, or technical school. (A maximum funding level will be set at the tuition, fees & book cost for the University of Kansas). Students must be in the top 50% of their graduating class to apply for this award.

THE JOAN GREER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: (Deadline – April 1)
Eligibility: Sedan High School Senior Girl; Past Recipient of Sedan Business Women’s Scholarship; Sedan Business Woman Member; A woman who is a former student of the Sedan School District
Applications will be available from the Sedan High School Counselor or a member of the Sedan Business Women. Former Sedan Business Women Scholarship recipients of the past three years will receive an application in the mail.
The members of the Sedan Business Women will review the applications and award the scholarship to the applicant of their choice.
The person receiving the scholarship will bring a copy of their enrollment for the fall semester to the Sedan Business Women’s Treasurer to receive their scholarship money. The recipient of the scholarship will bring a copy of their enrollment and grades fro the first semester to the SBW Treasurer to receive the second half of their scholarship money. The applicant must be enrolled in at least twelve(12) credit hours and have at least a 2.5 grade point average. The Scholarship is good for one year and is available for reapplication.

CHAD ODETTE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: (Deadline – April 25)
In memory of Chad Odette, at least one scholarship of $1,000 will be awarded to a worthy Chautauqua County high school graduate who will attend a Vocational/Technical college and/or major in an Agriculture related field. One-half of the scholarship money will be awarded each semester upon proof of enrollment. Students, including past recipients, may reapply for this scholarship on a year-to-year basis.

JIM AND EILEEN CUDE’ MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: (Deadline — May 1)
The Jim and Eileen Cude’ Memorial Scholarship has been established to assist students who are hard-working individuals. This scholarship is not based on financial need or pure academic achievement, but is particularly geared for the hard working student who has a good understanding of what they want to do as a vocation and has a clear sense of what further education is needed to accomplish that task.
Scholarships in the amount of at least $1,000 each will be awarded to Sedan High School graduates enrolling in post-secondary education for the coming school term. At least one scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior and additional scholarships may be given to graduating seniors and to SHS graduates already attending post-secondary schools. Individuals may receive this scholarship for more than one year if they apply and are chosen from among all applicants.
* Note: Scholarship awards will be presented to the recipients at the conclusion of the semester, upon proof of satisfactory academic progress.

MADLYN ROOT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: (Deadline — May 1)
At least one scholarship shall be awarded to a worthy Sedan High School graduate from Elgin, Kansas or the immediate surrounding vicinity, enrolling in college for the upcoming school term. The specific amount and the number of scholarships awarded will be determined by the Scholarship Committee of U.S.D. #286. One-half of the scholarship money will be awarded each semester upon proof of enrollment in an accredited college, university, or community college. A minimum 2.0 G.P.A. is required for the chosen student to receive second-semester funds.

TRAVIS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: (Deadline - - May 1)
In memory of Fred & Betty Travis, long-time educators in Chautauqua County, at least one non-renewable scholarship will be awarded to a worthy Sedan High School graduate planning to attend college. The specific amount and number of scholarships will be determined by the scholarship committee. One-half of the scholarship money will be awarded each semester upon proof of enrollment in an accredited college, university, or community college. Verification of a minimum 2.0 g.p.a. is required for the recipient to receive second semester funds.
This scholarship is open to all SHS students, however, priority for this scholarship award will be given to students entering the field of education. Students may reapply for this award on a year-to-year basis.

UNITED METHODIST FAIR STAND SCHOLARSHIP: (Deadline - May 1)
The United Methodist Church Fair Stand Committee offers at least one scholarship for graduates of Sedan High School who are members of and/or active participants in the Sedan United Methodist Church. Award criteria include: Fair Stand work; Regular church attendance and involvement; Academic achievement (High school = minimum 2.5 g.p.a.) (College = minimum 2.5 g.p.a. in at at least 12 semester hours); and Participation in school/community activities.
These awards are open to graduating seniors and to graduates already attending or planning to attend college or vocational schools. Individuals may receive the scholarship for more than one year of higher education as the application process will be renewed each year.
Scholarship recipients will be selected each year at the conclusion of the Chautauqua County Fair. The number and amount of awards will be determined each year by the Fair Stand Committee. Award payment will be one-half of the total amount each semester, upon proof of enrollment and minimum academic requirements (transcript or grade card).
Persons interested in receiving one of the scholarships must submit a letter of application along with a resume. The Application/Resume must include a statement of educational plans and goals, school activities & leadership positions, community and church related activities (including fair stand work) statement of financial need, current g.p.a., class rank, and a statement explaining why you should be considered for this scholarship.

The City of Howard Municipal Gas will present a public awareness program on Wednesday, April 8, 7 p.m. at the Cox Building, 100 W. Washington in Howard.

The public is welcome to this program aimed at teaching pipeline safety and incident response. Daycare workers, contractors, farmers and emergency response teams are especially encouraged to attend.

There will be door prizes and food by Poplar Pizza and Daylight Donuts.

Advanced voting for the April 7 City/School/Extension District General Election will begin in the Elk County Courthouse on Monday, March 23. The Courthouse is open from 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Advanced ballots are available through the mail by calling 374-2490 or 877-504-2490 toll free. The voter will need to fill out the application and mail it to the Elk County Clerk at PO Box 606, Howard, KS, 67349.

No ballots will be mailed out after April 2 and they must be returned by April 7 at 5:30 p.m.

The Elk County Community and Education Foundation will sponsor their fourth annual tablesetting on March 28 at Elk Valley High School in Longton. The proceeds will benefit the ongoing work of Elk Konnected.

The event will focus on 34 beautifully decorated tables by folks in all six Elk Konnected communities and beyond. Several Elk Konnected Action Teams will have tables highlighting their efforts and future goals for our area. Viewing will begin at 4:30 p.m. and seating will be at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served by a variety of talented volunteers.

The entertainment for the evening will be a fashion show presented by Traci’s Trends of Howard. Youth from the Elk Konnected area will be modeling the new trends. Traci Smith recently opened a new shop with bridal and prom dress resale. She also offers tuxedo rental, tanning, alterations, candles and has many fashionable accessories and gifts.

The menu will feature prime rib. The dinner tickets are already sold out, but viewing, which starts at 4:30 p.m., is available for $5. Tickets for viewing may be purchased at the door.

Some of the table decorating ideas from years past include beautiful Christmas scenes, wild life scenes, gardening extravaganzas and birthday party ideas. This year everyone is anticipating more new ideas from local decorators, a delicious menu and modeling to entertain and highlight the evening.

The Kansas Department of Transportation has installed new signs in the area to promote the entrance to the Flint Hills. The theme “Experience the Flint Hills” is a theme now being promoted across the southern, central and north-central parts of Kansas. This particular sign is located near Niotaze in Chautauqua County.

Anita Diener, a native of Sedan who graduated with the Sedan High School class of 1977, was in her hometown last week to autograph her new book, “Our Journey to Forever.”
Diener, daughter of Virgil and Willa Bea Shull who reside south of Sedan, co-authored the book with Lori Oden.
The two women met through the adoption of biological sisters. Through the years, the bond between mothers grew, creating the friendship they have today. While speaking at workshops and training other foster/adoptive parents they realized a need existed to tell their story. They chose to write “Our Journey to Forever … Had Potholes Along the Way” so others might learn from their struggles and successes.
You can learn read more about them at: www.ourjourneytoforever.com.

Events for Memorial Day weekend are shaping up in Sedan where the Chamber of Commerce will hosts its annual Yellow Brick Festival on Saturday, May 23, and the Chautauqua Hills Blues Festival will be staged during the entire weekend.

Details about the Sedan festival and Sedan High School alumni activities will be announced closer to the actual date.

Greg Wilkerson, director of the blues festival, said a full line-up of musicians will be featured at this year’s event which will be held northeast of Sedan in a rural setting.

“We love making new blues fans and we always guarantee a great show,” Wilkerson said. “The experience and sound of the CQ Bluesfest cannot be matched.”

Some of the artists will include Tommy Castro who was the BB King Artist and nominee for Album of the Year, Moreland and Arbuckle, 2004 IBC finalists, Trampled Under Foot who were 2008 IBC winners, The Insomniacs who were 2008 Best New Artist nominees, RKO who won the Wichita Blues Challenge, Lil’ Joe and the Big Three Trio who won the Tulsa blues Challenge, Rachelle Coba, Dustin Pittsley with Jesse Aycock, Jim Adam, Melovias and others will be added later.

The blues festival will be held both Saturday and Sunday, March 23-24 and tickets are being sold throughout the region.

Visit www.cqbluesfest.com for information.

Two Moline women have agreed to “team up” and write local news about their community for Prairie Star.

Cathey Cummings and Jean Knickerbocker said they will write “Moline Moments” each week in the newspaper, and anyone having Moline news should feel free to submit items.

Jean will actually collect most of the items then work with Cathey who will email them directly to editor Jenny Diveley at the Prairie Star office.

“I can’t tell you how excited we are to have both Cathey and Jean volunteering to provide this much needed service,” said editor Diveley. “They’re the perfect combination — and such good friends, too. It should be a fun project for them.”

Anyone wishing to contact Jean Knickerbocker with news should call her at 647-3227 or leave them in a metal box attached to Jean’s back door at 413 W. 2nd in Moline.

Diveley said the Moline community was left without local news coverage following the death of Pat McAlister in January 2008. “We’re not expecting Jean and Cathey to be exact replicas of Pat,” said Diveley. “They will have their own ways of collecting news and writing about their community.”

Cathey and Jean work closely as members of the Moline Christian Church. They both already provide news to the newspaper about their church on a weekly basis, working in conjunction with their pastor, Stan Rumbaugh.

Jean spent her youth in Moline then left after she and Kenneth Knickerbocker were married in 1939. After living in several locations where he worked for the Santa Fe Railroad, they came back to Moline from California in 1979 to a small farm located northeast of town.

He passed away in April 2008.

“I stay busy every day,” said Jean. “I still drive — and that includes driving many of my friends to doctors’ visits and other places. I go to the nursing home in Howard once a week to visit and to the one in Sedan once a week.”

She also enjoys quilting and doing crafts.

“I won’t be calling anyone for news,” she said. “You’ll have to call me, or just drop off your news items in the little box at my back door.”

Cathey Cummings and her husband, Lon, moved back to his hometown of Moline in 1994 for their retirement. He retired from Oklahoma State University where he was in charge of the campus power plant, and previously served a full career in the U.S. Air Force.

“We love it here,” she said. “And in recent years, Jean and I have become such good friends. We have coffee together every morning at the Swinging Bridge Cafe and, of course, we enjoy doing our church work together.”

Although she is a Kansas City native and never had lived in a small town, she has adapted to “country life” quite well. Their picturesque farmstead is located a mile north of Moline on Evergreen Road.

Schools in USD 282-Howard will undergo considerable change in the coming year following Monday night’s board of education meeting.

The board voted 4-3 to keep both the Severy Elementary School and Moline Elementary Schools open for the 2009-10 school year. Both will have pre-kindergarten classes and kindergarten.
Grades 1-3 will attend Severy and students in grades 4-6 will attend Moline.

The sixth grade will be moved back to the elementary program after recently being moved to the West Elk High School campus.

Five independent consultants evaluated both the Severy and Moline school buildings and campuses. Their consensus was: Both buildings are in poor condition. Neither is a good long-term solution. Both could be continued for use in the short term.

Two of the consultants favored Moline and two favored Severy.

The fifth said that either building would be fine for one or two years but favored Severy if looking at five to ten years.

Some of the consultants put numbers (scoring) to the test and there were no major differences in the two facilities.

The board recently appointed a Facilities Advisory Committee. In the group’s one meeting they favored closing one building and consolidating into the other. However, “which” building was never determined and there was never a majority opinion to report back to the board.

No doubt, the issue will be discussed more in the coming months as the West Elk school district attempts to find solutions to enrollment and valuation losses and cuts in state aid to all districts in the state.