A chili cookoff, medallion hunt, doll museum, parade, talent show, and live entertainment are just some of the highlights that will be featured at the Elk River Festival held at the Elk County Courthouse Square in Howard this coming Saturday, Sept. 25.

This year’s festival theme is “All Things Old Are New Again,” to highlight the city’s Benson Museums and to celebrate the completion and opening of Bertha’s Dolls, 106 S. Wabash St., Howard. Read more

Tickets are now on sale for a family oriented professional wrestling event in Sedan!  World League Wrestling, in conjunction with the Chautauqua County Boy Scouts, will be coming on Saturday, Sept. 25 at the Jr. High (old) gym.  The doors open at 6 p.m. and matches start at 7 p.m.

The event will feature headliner three-time WWE tag team champion Trevor Murdoch.  Eight time NWA World Champion Harley Race will also be on hand.  In addition, the band “Signal 29,” led by drummer Jim Warring, will play right after the doors open. Read more

Two rural health clinics serving Elk and Chautauqua counties recently added the professional services of two physician assistants.

Jeff Schroeder, P.A., now sees patients Monday through Friday at Moline Community Rural Health, and Samantha Livingston, P.A. sees patients at Tallgrass Rural Health in Sedan on the same days. Both Schroeder and Livingston reside in Sedan.

Schroeder is a native of Buhler, Kan., and earned his bachelor’s degree from Emporia State University and his Physician Assistant degree from Wichita State University.

Livingston is a native of Wellsville, Kan., and earned both her undergraduate degree and Physician Assistant degree from Wichita State University. Read more

Prisoners of War or POWs, soldiers captured by enemy soldiers during times of war, are casualties that can all too often be easily forgotten. The same can be said for those Missing in Action or MIAs, soldiers missing in battle - either killed and not identified or taken prisoner and never repatriated. Soldiers Killed in Action (KIA) or Wounded in Action (WIA) are identifiable and memorable by the evidence of their sacrifice. A grave stone signifies the highest cost of freedom. A scar or missing limb reminds us of the sacrifice of those who have fought for that freedom.

Since World War I, more than 200,000 Americans have been listed as POWs or MIAs. Less than half of them were returned at the end of hostilities, leaving more than 125,000 American servicemen MIA since July 28, 1914. Read more

Everyone is invited to join the Sedan FCA Huddle at “See You At The Pole” next Wednesday morning, Sept. 22, at 7 a.m.

This event has been held since 1990 when 10 students gathered at their school flag pole to pray for their school.  On Sept. 22, millions of students around the world will gather to pray for their schools, students, teachers, communities, families and nation.

This year’s theme is “Reveal,” using the “Lord’s Prayer” as a basis for requesting that God would reveal who he is to the school campus and to pray for an awakening.  There are no age restrictions for attending. The students will lead in music, a devotional, and scripture.  Following a prayer time, donuts, juice and milk will be served.

Blues on the Green and Mason’s Day

Final touches are being made to the spacious yard of Richard and Kay Claytor in Longton as they prepare for the 16th annual “Blues on the Green Concert” this coming Saturday, Sept. 18.

Their home is located adjacent to the Longton ball field at 9th & Delaware streets.

The Claytors say music will kick off at 6:30 p.m., with Butch Powell and the 50/50 Blues Band, followed by Harry William and the Kevin Pharis Band. Then a special appearance by Glenn R. Townsend, an Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame Inductee.

This is a free concert, but free-will donations are needed to pay for expenses. Donations will be accepted at the gate or you can send your donation to Blues on the Green, PO Box 18, Longton, Kansas 67352. Any amount is appreciated. Read more

Three area communities will celebrate Labor Day will special events.

Severy, Atlanta and Cedar Vale are making plans for full schedules of activities and entertainment for the holiday weekend.

Be sure to read this week’s Prairie Star to get all the details.

Members of the Sedan Fire Department were disappointed to learn they did not win the new fire truck that was the focus of a nationwide contest sponsored by the E-One Company.

The new E-One pumper went to the Owens Cross (Alabama) Volunteer Fire Department. The decision was announced in Chicago.

Sedan firefighters expressed appreciation to everyone who voted on-line for the Sedan Fire Department. There were seven finalists in the competition with more than 3,000 in the original hunt.

Friday night football in the southern Flint Hills will take on a new look for 2010 with two teams added to the eight-man football schedule.

Sedan and West Elk will dip their toe into eight-man waters for the first time on Friday night after having been in the 11-man field since the programs’ inception.

The season openers for both teams will be on the road. The Blue Devils of Sedan will travel to Caldwell while West Elk makes the trek to St. Paul. Kickoff for both games will be at 7 p.m.

Playing in the eight-man circuit will get require some adjustment from the 11-man format, not only in the actual playing style of the game but also in the district playoff system. While most teams in the 11-man format play in four-team districts (with the top two teams advancing to the state playoffs), the eight-man, division I system in Kansas has six-team districts. The final five games of the season constitute the district playoffs. Read more