From the files of the Ellsworth Reporter
From the files of the July 25, 1957 edition of The Ellsworth Reporter.
BUT IT’S THE
TRUTH
On good authority it is stated that the grasshoppers are getting so thick in this area that last Friday evening, July 19, the grasshoppers moved in at the Mike’s Bay Station on US40 between nine and ten o’clock in the evening with such invasion force that Mike had to close the place of business for fear of filling tanks with hoppers.“It happened in Kansas.”
Another strange invasion which is happening in Kansas is that of toads and frogs on the highways. US40 was littered with the “hoppers” a couple of weeks ago, and Sunday, tourists having occasion to travel on US56 and K-14, reported literally thousands of frogs killed or still hopping across the traffic lanes. Old-timers have never seen anything like it.
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DECREASE IN
SCHOOL
POPULATION
The school-age population of Ellsworth county in the 1957 census tallied 2,100 according to figures released by County Superintendent Opal Weinhold. This is a decrease of 24 over the 1956 population, which numbered 2,124. The greatest loss was tabulated in the one or moreteached common schools, with last year’s record being 623, and this years only 588, or a loss of 15, with 1956 figures being 264 and 1957 having a total of 249. The elementary school pupils increased by 26; in 1956 there being 1,237, and in 1957 the figure being 1,263. The school census includes all persons between the 5 and 21-age group. This year’s count shows 1,112 boys and only 988 girls, whereas last year there were 1,118 boys and 1,140 girls.
The population in Ellsworth city schools showed a slight increase of 15, with the 1956 census numbering 699, and this spring 714; with the boys having a slight edge in both years, there being 384 in 1956, and 389 in 1957, and 315 girls in 1956 and 325 in 1957.
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PARTICIPATED IN
WORKSHOP
Mrs. Mary Alice Peters of Lorraine, and Mrs. Pat Dodson, of Ellsworth, participated in a rapid clothing construction workshop July 8-13, at Texas State College for Women, at Denton, Texas. The workshop, sponsored by the College of Household Arts and Sciences, was directed by Mrs. Edna Brythe Bishop of McDonald, Pa., who has developed the nationally know “Bishop Method, a plan of rapid construction for the average homemaker with little time or money. Most of the more than 120 women who enrolled in the course are teachers taking post graduate work. Mrs. Peters is instructor of home economics in the Lorraine High School, and Mrs. Dodson home economics instructor in the Ellsworth school.
...
MUST NOT SELL
WEEDY GRAIN FOR
FEED, SEED
This is the first time in several years that farmers in this area have oats and barley for sale, in any large quantities, as the harvest of these crops is producing very good yields. However, no matter how abundant the crop, it cannot be accepted on the market, or bartered by the grower if the oats and barley contain weed seeds, as is the case this year.
Last week many truckloads of these grains were brought to the Ellsworth elevators for sale, and approximately 3,000 bushels of this newly harvested grain had to be turned down by the buyer because of the great volume of noxious weed seed. Naturally, the farmer who had this grain for sale was most unhappy over the deal, but the local elevator men have to comply with the state law as regards to noxious weeds — and the law states that anyone who violates the Kansas Noxious Weed Law may be fined from not less than $50,000 to not more than $500 on each count.
The dealers, and County Noxious Weed Supervisor Elmer Belt ask that the farmers in this area cooperate and have all the livestock grain and feed inspected before they either buy or sell. Elmer Belt, as county weed supervisor, will gladly inspect any grain or feed free of charge if the farmers will only leave their name at his office in the court house.
Only by making every effort can the farmers in this area eradicate bindweed and other detrimental noxious weeds which infest growing crops. That is part of the work of your county noxious weed supervisor to help the farmer in this control.
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TURTLE RACES
The turtle races, a part of the city’s summer recreation program, continue to be popular entertainment for both young and old. In this week’s race, Allen Albright’s turtle came in first; Gene Pflughoeft, second, and Neal Zouzas’s pet won third.
Last week Sandra Bennett’s turtle was ahead of the entries, with Gene Pflughoeft, second, and Gail Schneider being third.
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REDECORATING
CAFE
The cafe at the White House Hotel is undergoing complete redecoration and some remodeling in preparation to the reopening the cafe under the management of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schultz, proprietors of the Hotel. Announcement of the opening date will be made in the near future.
...
ASKING FOR ROAD
REPAIR
Elmer Campbell, Victor Kanak and Hazen Fleming, members of Empire township, met with Ellsworth county commissioners at their regular weekly meeting Monday for further discussion on the Yankee Run road in the Kanopolis area. Since the official’s last meeting with the commissioners a survey of the road in question was made by the commissioners and Engineer Leonard Loy, and the group is in agreement that some work will be done on the road as soon as weather conditions permit.
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4-H JUNIOR CAMP
Carolyn Reese, a member of the Palacky 4-H club, and Phil Root, of the Black Wolf club, have been selected as delegates to the State 4-H Junior leadership camp at Rock Springs Ranch. County quota for this camp is one boy and one girl.
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HAVE CONCESSION
STAND
Randy Mills and Roy Wallert have began operating a concession stand at the Kanopolis Dam. The stand is set up at the east shore of the dam near the shelter house.
...
TWO COUPLES TO
MARRY
Richard James Lacey of Wichita and Velma Dolores Gourley of Kanopolis, and Edith Richard Gandee and Edith DeVoe Hampton, both of Clinton, were issued marriage licenses this past week in the office of Probate Judge Gerhard Haase.
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STORY RECREATION HOUR
The story-hour group still meets each Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from nine to eleven. This week on Friday morning, the group will have another picnic at the park. Bring sack lunches. The group gladly welcomes Ann Wilson back from her vacation.
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PICNIC HONORS
EMPLOYEES
The employees and their families of the Erhardt Electric were guests last Wednesday evening at a picnic at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Erhardt and family. As a speciality of the festivity was the celebration of the birthdays of three of the employees, Eli Billings, whose birthday was on July 16th, Harry Cikanek, on the 17th, the day of the picnic, and Mike Ptacek, on the 11th.
The three were presented with a gift token from the group.
Those present were: Mr. and Mrs. Harry Cikanek and sons, Mr. and Mrs. Eli Billings and family, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kratzer and family, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Janda of Ellsworth and Mr. and Mrs. Mike Ptacek and son of Wilson.
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WON $50 ON TV
Alex J. Vodraska, of Wilson, was the winner of the $50 prize on the “Lucky You” program Wednesday evening over TV station KCKT, at Great Bend. Mr. Vodraska won the prize by calling the station within five minutes after his name was flashed on the screen during the late movie.
The historic items on this page appear as they did in the original publication.