Community News
Our Past
These items were taken from the Sun’s editions 20, 30 and 40 years ago. June 19, 1972 One million dollars for a start of construction on Big Hill reservoir in western Labette County was approved for the 1973 fiscal year by the House Appropriations Committee in Washington. The allocation appeared assured, although it had to run the full gamut in Congress. President Nixon included the money in his new budget sent to Congress. C.G. Reitemeier, a...
full story
Schools
Dixon graduates from KU Ashleigh Dixon of Parsons graduated in May with an undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas, with the additional honor of being a McNair Scholar. The McNair Scholars Program provides undergraduate students with experiences and guidance that will help them become competitive applicants for graduate studies. “As I look back on my 4 1/2 years at the University of Kansas, there have been several experiences that h...
full story
Clubs & Organizations
AARP AARP Labette County Chapter 2313 met on Thursday. Alvin Daetwiler gave the invocation followed by the flag salute. Pat Ogle, vice president, opened the meeting and introduced program chairwoman Wilma Zink, who introduced Fern and Dale Ham of Parsons V.F.W. Post No. 704. The Hams presented an informative program about the U.S. flag. The birthday of the flag of the United States is celebrated on June 14 of each year. The year that the flag ...
full story
Our Past
These items were taken from the Sun’s editions 20, 30 and 40 years ago. June 16-17, 1972 The 101st birthday of the Sun on June 17 would coincidentally mark the start of installation of equipment that would constitute a major turn in the newspaper’s history. The Sun planned to change to the offset process of production from traditional letterpress methods that had been pursued in various forms since its first issue. A service engineer began in...
full story
Our Past
These items were taken from the Sun’s editions 20, 30 and 40 years ago. June 15, 1972 The focus of new research facilities erected at three Kansas sites — including Parsons — at a cost of $7.3 million and dedicated the previous day was on the goal of happiness and normal lives for handicapped children. That theme was expressed in remarks late in the day at the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center by State Rep. Clyde Hill, R-Yates Center...
full story
Churches
Valeda UMC plans VBS Valeda United Methodist Church welcomes children to Adventures on Promise Island, where God’s promises never change. The vacation Bible school begins Monday and will conclude on June 23 with a program and family cook-out. The Coconut Cafe will serve a light supper at the church beginning at 5:30 p.m. At 6 p.m., a “seaside” celebration will begin the adventure. Each evening at Promise Island, kids will experience Bible sto...
full story
Schools
Beachner to attend seminar ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The U.S. Naval Academy invited a select group of young men and women from around the nation and abroad to attend the Naval Academy Summer Seminar program this year, and a Parsons student is among the group. The summer seminar is a fast-paced leadership experience for rising seniors in high school. The program helps educate, motivate and prepare selected students who are considering applying for admis...
full story
Our Past
These items were taken from the Sun’s editions 20, 30 and 40 years ago. June 14, 1972 James Lane, a Parsons Republican, announced his candidacy for the party’s nomination to the State Senate from the 14th District composed of Labette, Neosho and Wilson counties. Lane, 43, was a salesman who represented a North Carolina firm in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. He was an associate in Lane’s Ready to Wear store in Parsons with his sister, Thelma L...
full story
Farmers market offers eggplant recipe
The Parsons Farmers Market is open from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday and from 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday south of the Parsons Municipal Swimming Pool along the Frisco Hiking and Biking Trail. Shoppers will find a variety of eats and treats at this season’s market. A limited number of U.S. Department of Agriculture Senior Foods Nutrition Program vouchers are still available. To qualify for the vouchers, Labette County residents must be over the age of 60 at ...
full story
Clubs & Organizations
Disciples Women Thirty members of Disciples Women and three guests attended the June indoor picnic Tuesday at First Christian Church. The Rev. John Bain blessed the food for the pot luck meal. Joyce Tanner, worship chairwoman, requested prayer for those listed in the bulletin and announced that each hosting group also would have the worship. Special prayer was requested for the family of Helen Stacey. Ruby Johns, service co-chairwoman, stated ...
full story
Our Past
These items were taken from the Sun’s editions 20, 30 and 40 years ago. June 13, 1972 A longtime ambition was realized for Murrel Bush of Parsons, a Katy Railroad conductor, when a freight train to Joplin pulled out of the Katy’s north yards in Parsons the previous afternoon. In the diesel locomotive cab was his son, M.M. “Mike” Bush, who became an engineer in April. It was the first time the father and son had been called for the same train....
full story
Our Past
These items were taken from the Sun’s editions 20, 30 and 40 years ago. June 12, 1972 A gift of $104,706 by a Parsons couple to the projected Presbyterian Manor to be built in Parsons was revealed, and the committee in charge set Sept. 20 as the date for opening of construction bids on the retirement and skilled nursing home. The donors asked to remain anonymous. Their gift in securities represented by stocks and bonds increased to about $150...
full story
This new name is in the news
Maranatha Pearl joins two brothers, Qorban, 9, and Enoch, 1, in the family of Rustin and Jessica Scott of Independence. She was born on May 27 at Labette Health. Carl and Joyce Scott of Independence are her grandparents.
full story
Schools
Students make dean’s list WICHITA — Newman University officials recently announced the students on the dean’s list for the spring semester, and several area students made the list. To qualify for the achievement, a student must complete 12 credit hours and have attained a grade point average of 3.5 or better. Students named to the dean’s list from this area were: Cherryvale — Stephanie Fleming, Jessica Fleming and Katherine Fleming. Oswego — T...
full story
Seeleys celebrate 65th
Donald and Donna Seeley of Parsons will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on Friday, June 15. Donald Seeley and Donna Claire McKee were married on June 15, 1947, by Edwin Armstrong at First Presbyterian Church, Parsons. Donald Seeley returned to Parsons from life in the Navy, serving in Iwo Jima and Okinawa, in  May 1946. Donna Claire McKee readied herself the same week for graduation from Parsons High School on May 24. On that day, Don...
full story
Our Past
These items were taken from the Sun’s editions 20, 30 and 40 years ago. June 8, 1972 Disclosure that a new Army Reserve Center under construction near 27th and Southern would bear the name of a Parsons man killed in action in Vietnam was made. It came coincidentally with an inspection and approval by civilian technicians of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. By general order from Headquarters, 5th Army, in San Antonio, the new facility was des...
full story
Clubs & Organizations
SEK Audubon Southeast Kansas Audubon Chapter members met on Saturday at Erie High School. Jennifer Ozier and her son, Jordan, were guests. The chapter took a tour of the award-winning building led by staff member Rose Fry. The building has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council. Lawn areas close to the building are seeded to Bermuda grass that is drought tolerant and requires no irrig...
full story
Bowman, Ellis
Jerry and Gina Bowman of Parsons announce the engagement of their daughter, Jamie Rose Bowman of Huntington Beach, Calif., to Samuel Carl Ellis of Huntington Beach, Calif. He is the son of James Ellis and Dr. Robert and Adria Morrison, all of Parsons. The bride-elect is a 2002 graduate of Seaman High School in Topeka. She became a licensed cosmetologist in 2004 and a radiologic technologist in 2007. She is also a 2012 graduate of Pittsburg Sta...
full story
Jones, Witty
Willetta Wilson of Parsons announces the engagement of her daughter, Crystal Jones of Altamont, to Taylor Witty of Altamont, son of Clinton and JoDee Witty of Parsons. The bride-elect is a 2001 graduate of Labette County High School. She graduated from Missouri State University in 2011 with a master’s degree in social work. She is a school social worker for Columbus USD 493. The future groom is a 1998 LCHS graduate. He graduated from Labette C...
full story
Seeleys celebrate 65th
Donald and Donna Seeley of Parsons will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on Friday. Donald Seeley and Donna Claire McKee were married on June 15, 1947, by Edwin Armstrong at First Presbyterian Church, Parsons. Donald Seeley returned to Parsons from life in the Navy, serving in Iwo Jima and Okinawa, in  May 1946. Donna Claire McKee readied herself the same week for graduation from Parsons High School on May 24. On that day, Don went to ...
full story